Hey everyone! I'm Ryuugamine Ryuuto and this is my first post on Varis.
I'll be blunt, I created this account so I could share this petition I created targeting specifically the localization malpractices in the West for anime, manga and games coming from Japan.
Given the nature of this Forum, this being where I picked some examples to use in the petition page, I figured this would be the best place to acquire support
Essentially, this petition demands that Japanese companies implement a Code of Ethics or Guidelines for their partner companies outside of Japan.
Japanese executives are not aware of the damage poor localization can cause to their bottom line; they just trust that the localization teams will do their best to translate their products, unaware that what is happening is a butchery instead. And when we try to call out the BS by reaching out to the Japanese companies instead, as was the case with The House in Fata Morgana, results in the development teams simply stating they stand by the localization, likely out of ignorance over how unprofessional and damaging to their brand the butchering is on the long run. After all, it's just a couple of guys on the internet complaining a released product, what do they know, right?
Well, this petition, "Introduce A Code of Ethics for Localization of Japanese Media・ローカライゼーションの倫理規定", exists exactly to make sure Japanese companies know just how pissed off we are that this keeps happening and that we will not stand by and just consume whatever crap we are fed! In the petition we demand that:
Among others. Please check the petition page for the whole list of demands.
The idea is to deliver the petition to Akamatsu Ken-sensei, creator of Love Hina and Mahou Sensei Negima!, elected as an official in the House of Councilors to fight against Western influences in Japanese media and protect free speech. If successful, this petition could help highlight that this isn't an issue of Japan VS the West, but rather Japan AND the West VS the likes of Black Rock and other ESG-conforming activists. This could be a very big step towards kicking ESG abiding activists from our hobbies in the long run (after all, all we want is to be left alone when we consume our escapist hobbies, right?)!
Please, sign this petition and help spread the word if you can. I know many people distrust Change.org, so do I, but it is the only venue we have at the moment, at least until we pick enough steam.
I'll be blunt, I created this account so I could share this petition I created targeting specifically the localization malpractices in the West for anime, manga and games coming from Japan.
Given the nature of this Forum, this being where I picked some examples to use in the petition page, I figured this would be the best place to acquire support
Essentially, this petition demands that Japanese companies implement a Code of Ethics or Guidelines for their partner companies outside of Japan.
Japanese executives are not aware of the damage poor localization can cause to their bottom line; they just trust that the localization teams will do their best to translate their products, unaware that what is happening is a butchery instead. And when we try to call out the BS by reaching out to the Japanese companies instead, as was the case with The House in Fata Morgana, results in the development teams simply stating they stand by the localization, likely out of ignorance over how unprofessional and damaging to their brand the butchering is on the long run. After all, it's just a couple of guys on the internet complaining a released product, what do they know, right?
Well, this petition, "Introduce A Code of Ethics for Localization of Japanese Media・ローカライゼーションの倫理規定", exists exactly to make sure Japanese companies know just how pissed off we are that this keeps happening and that we will not stand by and just consume whatever crap we are fed! In the petition we demand that:
1. No alteration of names of characters, locations or others shall be done;
2. Removal of content, be it sexual, violent, thematic or otherwise can be done only if:
2.a. Specifically required by law, in which case the localizer is not at fault;
2.b. If implemented in a manner that the change can be undone by consumer choice, be it by the implementation of a toggle for the alteration to make the content more accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing the integrity of the product or the release of an “uncensored version” of the same product, at the exact same time and exact same price.
3. Dialogue changes may only occur in a manner that carries over the original intent, meaning:
3.a.Insertion of political terms such as “gamergate”, “mansplaining”, “social distancing” or similar where not present or hinted at in the original dialogue shall not be made;
3.b. Alterations done in order to accommodate limitations beyond the localizer’s control, such as lip syncing, character limit, number of dialogue boxes or similar limitations, are valid changes provided they stay as close to the original intent as possible;
3.c. Alterations or removals done in order to change the intent of the dialogue (i.e., Fire Emblems IF’s removal of the 26 boxes of dialogue in exchange for 4 boxes of “…” to signalize a conversation between ninjas) shall never be done. If the original dialogue was not made to have a comedic tone, the translation should preserve the non-comedic tone and vice-versa.
3.d. Overall, any practices that could be considered “Woosleyism” are forbidden.
6. Refusal to adhere to these guidelines shall face punishment, such as temporary suspension of activities in the localizer’s current project, complete removal of the faulty party from said project, or, in more severe cases, firing and/or blacklisting depending on the gravity and frequency of behaviour deemed inappropriate by these guidelines.
Among others. Please check the petition page for the whole list of demands.
The idea is to deliver the petition to Akamatsu Ken-sensei, creator of Love Hina and Mahou Sensei Negima!, elected as an official in the House of Councilors to fight against Western influences in Japanese media and protect free speech. If successful, this petition could help highlight that this isn't an issue of Japan VS the West, but rather Japan AND the West VS the likes of Black Rock and other ESG-conforming activists. This could be a very big step towards kicking ESG abiding activists from our hobbies in the long run (after all, all we want is to be left alone when we consume our escapist hobbies, right?)!
Please, sign this petition and help spread the word if you can. I know many people distrust Change.org, so do I, but it is the only venue we have at the moment, at least until we pick enough steam.
