I jumped into the past on those Saturday mornings when me and my brother would wake up early to watch cartoons. I'm talking about Digimon. Interestingly enough, my nostalgia trip quickly turned into an academic study on the finer points of localization. I'm actually watching each episode twice, one in the Americanized dub and another in the original Japanese. There are quite a few differences. It's interesting to see the choices the American writers made in order to make it more culturally adaptable, needless censorship aside.
This fundamental difference is encapsulated in their approach to a scene where Davis has to make the decision to fight MetalGreymon, who is under the control of a dark spiral. Davis doesn't want to hurt him, but he must fight in order to save him. In the American version, everybody yells angrily, telling him to stand up and fight. In the Japanese version, everybody yells encouragement, saying things like "Believe in yourself!"
In terms of tone, everyone is more confrontational in the dub, but in the sub, they're more supportive. The dub also introduces "unnecessary" jokes in serious moments while the sub plays it straight. Honestly speaking, I'm biased towards the dub since that's how I grew up watching it. I can see how the writing destroys the intent and spirit of the original, but at the same time, the dialogue is a lot more fun than in the sub. The jokes and the puns are stupid but they are legitimately, intentionally, and unintentionally hilarious. I could do without the constant references to sweaty socks and toilets though.
The biggest thing I can't get over is the age difference. Having watched a thousand different slice-of-life school animes in recent years, it is impossible for me to accept that these kids are in junior high, if only because the art obviously portrays them as grade schoolers. It's weird when people start shipping these characters because they're just kids. I blame the localization for enabling this disturbing trend.
Another thing that drives me bonkers about the dub is the inconsistency of attack names. Why does Flamedramon yell "Fire Rocket!" for all his moves when one is a fireball and the other is a flame charge? It'll be like Ryu yelling out "Hadouken!" when he's doing hurricane kicks and dragon punches. You can't do that. I think they were trying to simplify things but they made everything more confusing instead.
I like the songs in the dub but prefer the ambient soundtrack in the sub. In the dub, the music is generic Saturday morning cartoon background noise. I watch an episode of the Amazing Spider-man and it's the same thing, so it lacks identity. Funnily enough, it feels more appropriate in Digimon.
As strange as it is to say that a children's show changed my life, it's not when you consider that I was a kid at the time. Besides, at that age, anything can change a kid's life. If it weren't for Digimon, I probably wouldn't have gotten into anime, and if it hadn't been for anime, I wouldn't have gotten into fanfiction, if I didn't get into fanfiction, I probably wouldn't have gotten into writing in general.
So thanks a lot, Digimon, for all the good times we shared together.
Since I'm home this time, my family presented me with a birthday cake. I kind of wish they didn't bother because they were no more into it than I was. It was the very definition of "going through the motions." My sister got a new phone and everybody seemed more enamored with that than with me reaching the milestone of 25, but whatever. My mom cut me a huge slice of chocolate cake that got repetitive three bites in. Amazing night before, crappy night after. I guess it all balances out. I just expected better from my family. At least I get $100 off the rent next month. Thanks, sister!
/eventlog
