Oh shit.

Yup.

That'd be like if you translated... well, if you translated someone's NAME! You don't translate names, that's what makes names different from words.

It's like translating robo names in sentai. Never makes sense to me.

It sorta makes more sense than that.

Since "Sengoku" in Gaim isn't spelled with the same kanji as Sengoku Era, there could be a disconnect between people's common knowledge of the word (Warring States Period) and its meaning in the series.

In order to differentiate from the common meaning from the series-specific meaning, and in order to imbue the author's intention behind the specific naming choice, the translation is, if not appropriate, justified.

I'm not sure how much I agree with the choice, but I can't argue that it's not a well-reasoned one.

Or they could just do what they did with "Warring" and put a little accent somewhere.

Afterall, they never explained why "Warring" had an accent, so either way they're not explaining something. Or, better yet, just not translate it because this isn't a history lesson it's a TV show and these are online subs.

I like Magenta's translation of Warring. Here's his reasoning, from his translation notes on episode 2:


So, yeah. A controversial choice, but a reasonable one. I, personally, like it -- and it doesn't hurt that “Wärring Driver” is just a badass sounding name.

EDIT: Zeo's link above has even more in-depth explanation.

Don't; I didn't see it until it was pointed out to me.

This is exactly why Duke's finisher needs to be him bundling a bunch of arrows in his hands and smashing them against a monster :p

In the video, I mean.

I do remember the little thing they wrote up, the guy on youtube was kind enough to add it to the video description, but in the context of the subtitles? Never explained. Watching just the subs I'd have no idea why they randomly put an accent on the word. (which, btw, accents are NOT like "K" or "X" in combat or extreme. They actually change the way the word is pronounced)

Also, changing the name of the driver? Doesn't really bug me. Hasn't so far. But would it really have been so controversial and awful to put (Sengoku = Warring) at the top of the screen? They've now changed a characters name. Again. Except rather than a moniker, it's his real name that he is always known by. They took what was already a stupid move in the show (having the drivers be named after him, thus in reality HE is named after the drivers because "Sengoku" was clearly thought up for the belts first) and slapped giant, glowing arrows pointing out exactly why it's so dumb.

And regardless of even that substancial reasoning, "Rouma Warring" sounds horrific. Again, they're translating shit they don't have to because... because I don't know why. To not be like TV-Nhion? Dudes the moment your sentences were properly structured and there wasn't distracting little animations on screen, you topped them. :lol They've just... they've done a dumb. They're incredibly intelligent, diligent, thoughtful, wonderful people doing an excellent service and made two really dumb mistakes that they've locked themselves into.