IBO reference notes on . . . episode previews
I decided to make a record of the subs and transcribe the dubs of the character voice-overs for the episode previews in Iron-Blooded Orphans. Which I did not realise were a thing until I'd gone a good few years in the fandom. There's some great stuff in here, both in terms of showcasing the characters' personalities and dropping the odd bit of expanded detail. And since I figure this might be useful to someone else, here's all of them!
Subs and dubs listed in that order; sound effects added to the subs where I think it would be edifying. Spoilers and commentary are provided in equal measure. I have titled these according the episodes that they preview, not the episodes they conclude, and have cited the character voicing the preview there.
Season 1
Episode 2 – Atra
“I hope he likes the bracelet. Will he always wear it? Oh, but maybe it will smell. He should air it out in the sun once in a while. But he can't if he goes to space. What should I do?
“I really hope he likes the bracelet that I made for him. I wonder if he'll always wanna wear it? Aw, it'll probably start to smell bad. Well, maybe he should try and air it out in the sun once in a while. But – he won't be able to if he goes out into space! What am I gonna do?
[Kid, you are going to be forcibly dunking that boy in detergent for a good two years yet.]
Episode 3 – Cracker and Cookie
“Hey, Cookie. Miss Kudelia is very beautiful, but she seems a bit clumsy.” “Don't say that, Cracker. She's working hard too. We should teach her lots of things.” “Sure. And let's praise her if she's a good girl.” [Both:] “Yeah!”
“Hey Cookie! Mis Kudelia is so beautiful, like really pretty, but I couldn't help noticing: she's kind of clumsy, isn't she?” “Come on now, don't say that, Cracker. I can see she's working pretty hard. Maybe it's up to the two of us to teach her stuff?” “Sure! And we should tell her she's awesome if she acts like a good girl.” [Both:] “Yeah!”
[Fittingly, this is the only time we have two characters speaking in one of these.]
Episode 4 – Eugene
“Tekkadan? No way. I would come up with a cooler name. Hyper something … Or ecstasy… Ecstasy? Justice… Justice! That sounds perfect. This is it. Right, Orga?”
“Tekkadan? Seriously? That sounds so lame. I'd come up with a much cooler name than that. Maybe hyper-something, or… ecstasy… nah, that sucks. Uh – justice! Yeah! Yeah, Justice! It's perfect. That's the one! Right, Orga?”
[Never change, Eugene.]
Episode 5 – Biscuit
“I have a bad feeling about those Gjallarhorn people. No, Cookie, Cracker. If you eat chocolate now, you won't be able to eat dinner. You'll get cavities, and most of all, you'll get fat. But I've got no right, saying something like that. *chuckles ruefully*”
“I trust those Gjallarhorn guys about as far as I can throw 'em. Uh, Cookie, Cracker, cut it out! If you keep eating all that chocolate, you won't have any room for dinner tonight. Do you wanna get cavities? Too much of that stuff will just make you fat. Then again, I'm not really one to talk, am I? *chuckles ruefully*”
[Biscuit, stop it. The narrative never at any point connects your size to how much you eat. Don't be a jerk to yourself!]
Episode 6 – Shino
“Many things happen when you're moving in a group. I can kind of understand Eugene's feelings. He sounds arrogant but inside he's a spoiled rich boy. Okay, I guess I should teach him a few things. First, how to seduce a woman in a smart manner.”
“You know, a lot can change when you're travelling with a larger group. Like, I think I finally get where Eugene's coming from. Sure, he can be arrogant sometimes, but maybe he just needs a little help. Guess I should take him under my wing for a little while. Lesson one! Smart talk to reel in the babes!”
[To repeat from an earlier post: comedy clown horn sold separately.]
Episode 7 – Yukinojo
“When I first met Maruba, we were both young, and he wasn't such a jerk. He likes dogs. He took in two puppies. I think their names were Ken-Ken and Wan-Wan. *Tch* I guess nobody wants to hear about Maruba's past.”
“You know, when I first met Maruba, the two of us were pretty young and cocky, but he wasn't such a jerk back then. He liked dogs. Even took in two puppies. What were their names again? Hmm. Ken-Ken and Wan-Wan? Eh, whatever. Who the hell wants to hear my stories about Maruba anyway?”
[Thus we learn that Maruba probably wasn't great at password security.]
Episode 8 – Lafter
“Hey, wait! It just ends halfway like this? I wanted to fight till the end. I'm so unsatisfied, it's frustrating me. I'm burning up inside! Gosh, I have to get my darling to take responsibility tonight.”
“Hey, wait a minute! It's just gonna end halfway like this? But I was ready to go all the wayyy. I'm so unsatisfied, this is really frustrating! I'm burning up inside! Urnghh. I'll have to have my darling help release all this tension.”
[Well of course.]
Episode 9 – Takaki
“What? Family? Did our boss say that about us? So that makes Mr. Mikazuki my older brother. Wow, I have such an awesome, strong, and cool brother like that? What should I do? I'll do my best. I'll try 3 times harder than I have been.”
“What? Family? Did the boss really say that about us? Wait, if that's true, that makes Mikazuki my older brother, right? *squees* I really have a super-strong and cool brother like that? Am I dreaming? Oh man! Then I'd better bust my butt. I'll work three times harder than I have been.”
[I have never loved Takaki quite so much as this. In his own way, he's as bad as Shino.]
Episode 10 – Akihiro
[*exercise noises*] “Why am I training so hard? Dumb question. If I can't protect what's important to me … No, when I'm absorbed in working out, I don't have to think about anything.” [*continued exercise noises*]
[*exercise noises*] “Man. Why am I training so hard anyway? Well I guess if I can't protect what's important to me then I can … nah, that's not it. I train hard because when I focus on working out, all my problems just kind of fade away.” [*continued exercise noises*]
[Stab me right in the heart over the muscle-head with bushy eyebrows why don't you.]
Episode 11 – Chad
“You're right, the sleeve is frayed. No, leave it like this. I'd only been given torn used clothes before I came here. It feels better when they're dirty. What? Me? I'm Chad Chadan. I'm always on the bridge.”
“Yeah, I know, you're right. The sleeve is completely frayed. But it's OK, just leave it like that. Before I came here, all I ever had were clothes that were worn out, ripped or tattered, so it feels better when they're dirty. What? Who am I? I'm Chad! Chad Chadan! You know, I'm always on the bridge?”
[Oh well that's an added layer of all of the emotions to how he reacts to putting on a proper formal suit, isn't it?]
Episode 12 – Kudal Cadel
“It's burning. It's burning inside me. That white Mobile Suit … I want to rip it into shreds! Hey scumbags, what are you looking at? Huh? Maybe I'll get started by crushing you guys first.”
“It's burning, deep down. It's burning inside me. That white mobile suit … ! I wanna rip it into a million pieces! Hey scumbags, what the hell are you looking at? You got a problem or something? Huh? Better be careful. Or I'm gonna get this whole thing started by tearing you apart first.”
[…they let this guy do one?]
Episode 13 – Naze
“Listen. I'll teach you guys the basics of business. First, quickly and carefully. That's a must. Now this is important. No matter what, don't mix personal feelings with business. If you got it, then it's the finish. Get them with a bang!”
“Listen close, kids. I'm about to teach you the basics of good business. First, quickly and carefully. That should be your motto. Now this next part is really important. No matter what happens, you should never mix business with pleasure. Understand? If you can do that, then you've got it made. So go for it!”
[Not sure if 'business with pleasure' is quite what was intended. If nothing else – Naze. Really?]
Episode 14 – Ride
“Darn that Boss. He calls me a kid too often. I don't start missing my mom like they do. Of course, there's lots of sad stuff, but I never cry. Still Ms. Fumitan's hug looked nice.”
“Urgh! That's it. I've had enough of this. The boss needs to stop calling me a kid. I don't start missing my mom and go cryin' like the other guys do around here. And there's a lot of sad stuff going on, believe me. Still, you won't catch me cryin'. Then again, guess I wouldn't mind getting a hug from Ms Fumitan, once in a while.”
[Fuck you, fuck me, fuck everything, I guess! Did someone laser focus on this when they decided what to do to Ride for the finale?]
Episode 15 – McGillis
“Nicely done. I've attained a toy I can play with a lot. The moment I put on this mask, I will gain the life of a different man. Maybe I'll change the way I talk, huh? No, I will not do that.”
“Nicely done. Hm. I now have a toy I can play with as often as I want. The moment I put on this mask, I will assume the role of a completely different man. Maybe I should change the way I talk too? Hmm. Erm, never mind.” [The alternate voice here is more falsetto; not sure how to interpret the equivalent effect is in the original audio, exactly]
[Mackie, you flipping dweeb.]
Episode 16 – Fumitan
“I have to thank the masked man. I thought I had understood my mission and obligation. But being so foolishly innocent, she will surely believe in me and look for me. Goodbye, Young Miss.
“I'll have to thank that masked man for what he's done. I thought I had understood my mission and obligations. But being so foolishly innocent, she will surely believe in me and look for me. Goodbye, young miss.
[Hm. I think the exact meaning got a touch muddled here, though I do like the underlying sentiment.]
Episode 17 – Ein
“Specialist Major Bauduin is a very reliable man. Early to bed, early to rise, and never wastes food. You can see his innocent soul from his orderly lifestyle. And he pilots the traditional untarnished Mobile Suit. With him, I will wipe out those dirty sleazoids.”
“I know Specialist Major Bauduin is a man who can be trusted. For him, it's early to bed, early to rise. Never even wastes food. There's an order to every aspect of his life and I can tell his heart is pure. Now he's piloting the mobile suit that's been in his family for centuries. With him, I'll finally be able to wipe out those filthy bastards!”
[In both versions of the audio, the last sentence sees Ein's voice pitch much rougher, having been relatively calm and collected up to then. Careful, my lad, your blood-knight-ness is showing.]
Episode 18 – Yamagi
“When servicing machines after battle, they have various smells. The smell of sweat, blood, and something animal-like. A smell I don't have since I just wait for those who risk their lives. So when I smell it, it makes me think that I must do what I can. Welcome back, Ryusei-Go.”
“When you repair machines after battle, you start smelling all kinds of things. There's sweat, blood, and even some animal-like odours too. 'Course, I only wait for those who risk their lives fighting, so I know I'll never smell that way. And though I'm not out there with 'em, when I get a sniff of what they've gone through, I realise I have to do my best. Welcome back, Ryusei-Go.”
[This does raise the question of exactly how many animals there are on Mars to make the comparison. Also confirmation, as if it was needed, that Shino does not escape being a stinky teenager.]
Episode 19 – Dante
“When I'm frustrated, I silently look at an electrical diagram. When I stare at the refined, organized information… Feeling down for being told I have no presence and my name's unknown seems to be a waste. For the end here, my name is Dante Mogro. Remember that.”
“Sometimes, when I'm feeling down, I just look at the diagram of an electric circuit. Staring into all that information, so efficiently laid out, makes me think it's pretty inefficient to feel bad when people call my character dull or that they can't remember my name. Uh, anyway. I'm Dante Mogro. Don't you forget it, OK?”
[Mogro pronounced 'Moregro' in the dub; final sentiment more pleading than aggressive.]
Episode 20 – Azee
“Alright, Naze. I'm off. You took a Sakazuki oath to be sworn brothers, so they're like my younger brothers too. I'm used to backing naughty, reckless guys. Huh? Don't cheat on you? I'd never do that, idiot.”
“Alright, Naze. I'm taking off. You took a Sakazuki oath to be sworn brothers, so I see them all as my little brothers, too. Besides, I'm used to backing naughty, reckless guys. Huh? Don't cheat on you? Hah. I'd never do that, you idiot.”
[…I swear I have not listened to these before and Wishing on Space Hardware was done and dusted before I even realised they was a thing.]
Episode 21 – Carta
“You rats. I will take revenge on what you did to us. We, the Outer Earth Orbit Regulatory Joint Fleet… For the peace of Earth, the order of the outer orbit and the families of Outer Earth Orbit Regulatory Joint Fleet, we shall show our true strength. Persistent and fortitudinous!”
“You space-rats! You'll pay for what you did to us! How dare you tarnish the reputation of our scared name? On behalf of the members of the Outer Earth Orbit Regulatory Joint Fleet and the family members of the Outer Earth Orbit Regulatory Joint Fleet, we will not be disgraced! Do you understand? We are perseverance and fortitudinous!”
[Oh that was definitely the correct choice for the dub rewording. Perfection.]
Episode 22 – Gaelio
“Some head towards death and some escape it. Ein… I don't want you to die. To me, your life is much more previous than the countless others out there. However, there is something needed to keep you alive. That is… a sinful and immoral decision.”
“Some head towards death, and some escape it. Ein… I don't want you to die. To me, you life means more than so many others. It has value and a true purpose. But… now I've been told there's something needed to keep you alive. Something requiring a sinful and immoral decision.”
[There is surely a totally heterosexual explanation for this. Fortunately this is the bisexual Gundam series so we can safely ignore it in favour of the evidence in front of our eyes and ears.]
Episode 23 – Orga
“Tekkadan. Iron flowers that never wilt. Eugene told me so many times how lame that name was. But you praised this name. Didn't you, Biscuit? I know you don't want a battle to avenge your death. But you know, Tekkadan can't stop now.
“Tekkadan. Iron flowers that never wilt. Can't remember how many times Eugene told me he thought it sounded lame. But you always liked the name. Thought it was perfect, right, Biscuit? I know you don't want us to go on a battle to try and avenge your death. But we can't stop now. That's what it means to be in Tekkadan.
[It is extremely like Orga to go 'you wouldn't want us to fight for revenge. However –']
Episode 24 – Mikazuki
“Until now, I've never thought about who's an enemy and who's an ally. I've just followed Orga's orders and defeated anyone in my way. But from here, it's different. Anyone who gets in Tekkadan's way… is my enemy.
“Until now, I never really thought about who's with us and who's against us. I just followed the orders that Orga gave me, and fought anybody he needed me to. But from this point on, it's different. Anyone who tries to get in Tekkadan's way is my enemy, and they're gonna go down.
[I like how he frames this as a revelation and no, I'm not being sarcastic. I think I need to revise my estimate for when exactly Orga lost control of the juggernaut…]
Episode 25 – Kudelia
“When I first met you, I was scared. It was like you saw through all of my arrogance, ignorance and doubts. Mikazuki, I will not be scare of your eyes anymore. My heart is one. Let's reach that destination… together.”
“From the first moment we met, I was afraid of you. It was as if you were able to see through all of my arrogance, ignorance and doubts, like looking into some kind of window. Mikazuki, I will not be frightened by your eyes any more. Now I'm in this with you. Let's reach that destination, together.”
[Orga, Mikazuki and Kudelia voice the previews, in that order, for the last three episodes in both seasons. A nice touch.]
Season 2
These are generally much shorter than in the previous season and the announcement of the episode title is swapped from the end to the beginning.
Episode 27 – Atra
“It's about time I wash Mikazuki's bracelet. Mine's okay because I smell like flowers.
“I think it's about time I washed Mikazuki's bracelet. Mine still smells OK because I smell like flowers.
[Atra's self-belief = several thousand times that of her partners.]
Episode 28 – Iok
“Iok Kujan, head of the Kujan Family. Reginlaze, let's go! Witness the valiant Iok Kujan.”
“Iok Kujan, Kujan Family patriarch! Reginlaze – launch! Let Iok Kujan's valiant figure burn into you mind!”
[He is just so instantly detestable, isn't he?]
Episode 29 – Zack
“Dang, I want to get promoted! That was Zack Lowe.”
“I wanna move up in the world too! This has been Zack Lowe!”
[Snk.]
Episode 30 – Takaki
“Aston is coming today, so make dinner for three. I'll try to be home early.”
“Oh yeah, Aston is coming over today, so make dinner for three, OK? I'll come home as soon as I can.”
['Please' and 'thank you' cost nothing, young man. Respect your sister.]
Episode 31 – 'Galan Mossa'
“A theory that one usually refuses to swallow when offered a bite of something.”
“There's a theory which suggests, when offered food, most people will decline.”
[Either an aphorism didn't get translated well, or the Bearded Gentleman is just coming in here with the non-sequiturs.]
Episode 32 – Akihiro
[*over exercise sounds*] “Mikazuki. You ditched training today.”
[*over exercise sounds*] “Mikazuki. You ditched training today.”
[Disapproval intensifies.]
Episode 33 – Julieta
“Why would Master Rustal keep that guy beside him? Is there anything trustworthy about him? He doesn't even show his face”
“Why does Master Rustal keep that man at his side? Is there anything trustworthy about him? Hm. He doesn't even show his face.”
[It's OK, in a few years you're going to be dating the sopping wet cat inside the mask.]
Episode 34 – Chad
“In order to protect the place I belong to, I have to start training again once I am back on Mars. Let me do sit-ups with you, Akihiro.”
“To protect the place I belong, I have to start training again as soon as we get back to Mars. Akihiro, let me do sit-ups with you.”
[Your honour, I adore him.]
Episode 35 – Yamagi
“*sigh* Shino is always so reckless. Stupid Shino.”
“*sigh* I swear, Shino is always pulling these crazy stunts. Moron.”
[That's very much 'moron (affectionate)', there.]
Episode 36 – Ride
“I'm finally piloting a Mobile Suit. I'm going to train hard and be more like Mr. Mikazuki and Mr. Akihiro! I want to protect Tekkadan and everyone in it.
“I'm finally piloting a mobile suit! I'm gonna train hard and be more like Mr Mikazuki and Mr Akihiro! I want to protect Tekkadan and everyone in it.”
[I was already dead from earlier, thank you, didn't need to be kicked in the ribs again.]
Episode 37 – Shino
“Sorry for the haste, but I need you. I will definitely protect you so don't let go of my hand. Or should I carry you in my arms like a princess?”
“Sorry to bust in on you like this, but I need your help. I'll keep you safe and sound, so hold on to something! Or should I carry you in my arms like a princess?”
[I take the point about this being changing this from 'hold my hand' but please consider: the only thing(s) Yamagi has to hold on to at that point is Shino's naked torso.]
Episode 38 – McMurdo
“Mikatsuki… Don't eat too many snacks and get yourself full, I will prepare some delicious meal. Who is 'just an old geezer'?”
“Mikazuki… Don't stuff yourself full of snacks. I'm gonna prepare a delicious meal for you. And just who are you calling 'an old geezer'?”
[Mafia Granddad strikes again. Though, huh, I wonder if he meant he'd actually cook himself, or if it's just rich people talk for 'the kitchen will do it'.]
Episode 39 – Amida
“Isn't the color of Hyakuren great? I really like it. That must be love.”
“Isn't the colour of my Hyakuren wonderful? I absolutely adore it. It just shouts 'love', doesn't it?”
[Gods above, I love her so much.]
Episode 40 – Naze
“Here's a question. What does a flower need in order to bloom? Water? That's not wrong, but the correct answer is the sun. I love you.”
“Question: what does a flower need in order to bloom? Water? That's not wrong, but the correct answer is the sun. I love you.”
[…no, look, seriously, it's FINE when I do it but –]
Episode 41 – Lafter
“Darling and Ma'am didn't tell me the color of this feeling. *giggles* I'm going to squeeze you real hard.”
“Darling and Ma'am never got a chance what the colour of this feeling was. *giggles* I'm going to squeeze you real hard!”
[Ditto and likewise.]
Episode 42 – Jasley
“I'll exterminate those space rats and the old geezer all at once. Naze is waiting for you in hell.
“I'll exterminate those space rats and the senile old geezer all in one go. Naze's waiting for you on the other side.”
[Ah, America. Land of really ridiculous censorship. I suppose that's fitting, given it's Jasley.]
Episode 43 – Vidar
“McGillis. It's time to confirm your real intentions.”
“McGillis. The time has come to ascertain your real intentions.”
[Hey, another reason to mock Gaelio: he is literally just restating the episode title.]
Episode 44 – Isurugi
“Excuse me, General… *uh!* Sorry for my rudeness!”
“Excuse me, General… uh! Sorry for my rudeness, sir!”
[Right after the minor stabbing incident, I assume?]
Episode 45 – Eugene
“Even though love cannot be bought, but I wanna go have fun with the ladies for the last time! Bring me there, Shino… when this battle is over.”
“I know they say money can't buy love, but I'd sure love to visit the ladies one last time. Hey Shino, when all this is over, be a pal and take me there.”
[*see me weave deftly around the emotionally devastating parts of these episodes only to be smashed in the face with a passing frying pan*]
Episode 46 – Rustal
“You're a weasel caught in a trap now. Or no, a rat.”
“You are but weasels caught in a trap now. No. Rats.”
[Weasels? Weasels? Rustal, have you seen weasels? Good luck trying to keep them where they don't want to be. Honestly, the upper classes are so disconnected from reality.]
Episode 47 – McGillis
“I guess it's not as easy to obtain as I thought. How was it for you, Agnika Kaieru?”
“It's not as easy to obtain as I thought. Was it this difficult for you, Agnika Kaieru?”
[Shonen protagonist easy, apparently, so I'm picturing a lot of misunderstanding-based fights and tournament arcs.]
Episode 48 – Orga
“We're going to a place, somewhere other than here. All of us, together.”
“We're going to a place that's anywhere but here. All of us – together!”
[I'll just lie on the ground, don't mind me.]
Episode 49 – Mikazuki
“Atra told me to think of a name for the baby, but what should it be? Oh yeah, I'll ask Orga when he gets back.”
“Hey, Atra asked me to think of a name for the baby. What d'you think it should be? Oh, right. I'll ask Orga when he gets back.”
[…]
Episode 50 – Kudelia
“You'd made the bracelet dirty again, Atra will be mad. I'll apologize with you, so let's go back… to our home.”
“You got your bracelet dirty again. Miss Atra's going to be angry. We can apologise to her together, so let's go back to our home.”
[They knew what they were doing. Those magnificent bastards.]
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[Index of other writing]
