Let’s dive into a topic that’s been stirring up some serious conversation in the anime and manga community. If you’re into manga, you’ve probably heard about the recent debate surrounding the English localization of “I Think I Turned My Childhood Friend Into a Girl” by Seven Seas. The controversy revolves around a significant change made during translation, where a feminine male character, Hiura, was localized as a transgender female.
So, what’s the big deal? Well, it turns out that this wasn’t just a simple translation choice; it was something Seven Seas always intended to do. The translator even consulted with trans people to ensure the change felt accurate and respectful. But not everyone is on board with this decision, and it’s sparked a lot of heated discussions online.
What Happened?
Katrina Leonoudakis, a well-known localizer with credits like “Higurashi: When They Cry” and “Persona 5 Royal,” revealed that Seven Seas planned to portray Hiura as a transgender girl from the start. She defended the decision on Twitter, emphasizing that the translator did their homework by reading future volumes and consulting with the trans community.
However, this decision didn’t sit well with everyone. A fan translator known as Ethylene Scans brought attention to what they saw as a mistranslation, arguing that the original character was a feminine male, not a transgender female. This sparked a wave of criticism from fans who felt that the localization didn’t stay true to the original work by mangaka Azusa Banjo.
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Different Perspectives
On one side, you have Leonoudakis and others who believe that the localization was thoughtfully done and reflects a more inclusive interpretation of the character. They argue that changing Hiura’s gender identity in the English version adds depth and makes the story more relatable to a broader audience.
On the other side, critics argue that this change alters the original intent of the manga. They believe that Hiura was meant to be a feminine male, and changing that aspect shifts the story’s message. Japanese literary translator Emily Balistrieri, who is also transgender, shared their frustration on Twitter. They pointed out that the original story wasn’t about a transgender journey but rather about exploring the concept of a feminine male character in a “moe” context.
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The Bigger Picture
This debate isn’t just about one character or one manga; it’s part of a larger discussion about how manga and anime are localized for Western audiences. Some fans feel that changes like this can sometimes stray too far from the original work’s intent, leading to a different experience for English-speaking readers.
Other localizers and translators also weighed in, with some supporting the critics. They argued that while it’s important to make stories relatable for all audiences, it’s equally crucial to respect the original creator’s vision. Gad Onyeneho, another translator, shared that after reading both the English and Japanese versions of the manga, the localization choices didn’t make sense to him. He believes that the translation should reflect the character as originally written.
What Do You Think?
This topic is a hot one, and it raises important questions about the role of localization in bringing Japanese media to a global audience.
Should localizers have the freedom to adapt stories to better fit the cultural context of their audience, or should they stay as close as possible to the original work, even if it means the story might not resonate in the same way?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Do you agree with the decision to localize Hiura as a transgender female, or do you think it was a step too far from the original? Let’s chat about it in the comments or on social media—your voice matters in this conversation!
