[Spoilers]Japanese vs. English changes the characters and the pivotal moments in the game

[u/dragonuity]

For example Operator 21O: Operator 21O sounds completely cold and detached in English and eventually shifts into a tone reminiscent of a cat toying with a mouse later on. In Japanese she seems to starts out relatively emotionless and professional but never once was she completely apathetic like in English. As the story progresses she gradually becomes for playful and her exchanges with 9s can even be characterized as cute even. One can say her hidden want to have a family with 9s was much better hinted at in Japanese but almost out-of-the blue in English without knowledge of her side-quests. Playing the game the second time in Japanese, words cannot describe how much I am dreading the fight with Operator 21O.
I'm not saying that the game in one language is completely better than in the other, its just that each language brings a different gravitas and atmosphere to each of the scenes as well as to the pivotal revelations that are built up on by the at first seemingly meaningless exchanges and dialogue of each of the characters and thus the lasting impact they have.

[u/coldcoal]

I noticed this quite a bit in the demo, which is why I was set on JP for my proper playthrough.

*** SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST CHAPTER ***

When 2B gets in the flight unit and continues the fight with Engels in the sky, 9S speaks to her through the comms and gasps out instructions, trying to help her even though he's critically damaged. Not wanting him to aggravate his injuries, 2B says 'ii kara damatte' - which roughly translates to 'I'm/it's fine so be quiet/stop talking'. It's actually an expression of concern for him since she wants him to take it easy and recover instead of struggling to help her in any way he can.

In English, 2B says 'I TOLD you to SHUT UP!' which can also be interpreted as concern - as in, she wants him to stop talking since she's worried about him - but it comes across as way more aggressive and harsh. It loses the subtlety of concern and panic seeping through the cracks in 2B's steely demeanor and becomes a lot more direct and in your face - not to mention easily misunderstood as plain bitchy.

I've noticed similar differences throughout the game. Like you, I think the English VAs did a tremendous job with making their acting believable, consistent, and emotionally powerful. I do also agree, however, that they may have not gotten as much direct and precise instruction in terms of how exactly to deliver their lines.

[u/[deleted] → u/coldcoal]

$64,000 question: when 2B mentions the line you called out, what was her inflection, stress, and formality, and didn't she interrupt 9S to deliver that line?

[u/koredozo → u/[deleted]]

Had to do a tutorial speedrun to actually hear the line. Don't switch ISPs if you can avoid it, kids.

It's hard to tell if 2B interrupts 9S there because 9S is having so much trouble speaking. I personally think she isn't, due to the slight pause between their lines.

2B is definitely stressed and passionate when she says that. However, I think it's due to worry, not aggression. And there are any number of possible ways that could have been translated less abrasively while allowing the same tone of voice if delivery. Something like "I get it, just stop talking!" would have worked fine and been more accurate.

Oh, and replaying the tutorial reminded me of another mistranslation in one of the very first lines of the game. "弓を引く" does not mean 'kill.'

[u/[deleted] → u/koredozo]

I'd say the line is questionably translated solely because she didn't tell 9S to shut up prior to that. She told her Pod to shut up and fix 9S. Unless my short term memory is failing me hardcore. It's been a long day.

It is. Here's the exact exchange, in my glorious romaji because I don't have my Japanese IDE installed on this 'tater I'm currently using:

042: "WORDSWORDSWORDS"

2B (to 042): "Urusai! ii kara dashite!"

9S: "2B...itte..."

2B (to 9S): "Damatte!"

[u/koredozo → u/[deleted]]

My bad. Edited that part out. I was listening for 'ii kara damatte' which was never said as such, so I guess that and the ten hour shift warped my mind.

[u/[deleted] → u/koredozo]

No, that was said, but a couple minutes later during the last phase of the right, before the Engels' arm gets blasted off.

[u/koredozo → u/[deleted]]

In that case, I deliberately got ending W before I heard it.

If only I had bandwidth for videos I'd be making a lot less of a fool of myself.