Difference between Viz Manga and the Japanese Original?

[TripleRach]

The character and his origin don't match the term at all.

Huh? I'd think they do, on the contrary.
Check the clothes. Check how he makes his first appearance. Check the shape of the thing Spopobitch used to steal Gohan's energy.
It all screams "Aladdin" to me.

I wouldn't deny the visual references, but I'm referring to the fact that he's clearly not a spirit or deity as in ancient middle eastern culture, and he certainly doesn't fit the modern western definition of granting wishes or even completely obeying his apparent master. I just think it's misleading to use that term as the definitive translation, especially without proper clarification.

[If Viz actually did clarify, then I take that back, but it doesn't sound like they did, since so many people seem to ask what it means or why they used it.]

And I'm not even sure it's supposed to be the letter "M", so...

I thought about that, too, but an obvious counter would be bringing up something like "KAME HOUSE."

Er... That's quite the extreme counter-argument... We're talking about one symbol, here. ^^;
This isn't the letter "M", for example.

I'm just saying, someone could point out the many times Toriyama has used the Roman letter M to try to claim that this is more of the same, even though this one is a lot different.

Whether it's actually supposed to be the letter M or not could be debated endlessly, but I just wanted to express why I don't believe it could logically be referring to "Majin" if it were an M.

Vegeta's Majin form, while not considered as such directly in the manga, is referred to as "Majin" in the video games; both Japanese version and NA/International produced.

That's fairly recent, and I would bet it's just an example of a fan-made appelation eventually finding its way into official products.
I believe I had never seen Vegeta referred to as "Majin Vegeta" prior to the US run of "Dragon Ball Z", really...

I've seen people claim that "Majin Vegeta" originated on a Japanese toy box, but I've never seen any evidence of it provided. I agree that it probably did just start as a fan term, like "Mystic Gohan."

[Olivier Hague]

I wouldn't deny the visual references, but I'm referring to the fact that he's clearly not a spirit or deity as in ancient middle eastern culture

Well, no, plot-wise, he's not...
But considering the visual cues and the word Toriyama picked, I really wouldn't be suprised if that were the idea he had in mind. So if I were to translate "majin"...
I mean, just because you call a character a djinn, that doesn't necessarily mean he has to literally be "a spirit or deity as in ancient middle eastern culture". Just like lots of so-called "demons" aren't literally "fallen angels".

and he certainly doesn't fit the modern western definition of granting wishes or even completely obeying his apparent master.

Then again, there's more to djinn than just granting wishes or obeying humans... ^^;

I just think it's misleading to use that term as the definitive translation, especially without proper clarification.

I guess it could be misleading (mostly because it's not that well-known, in my opinion), but then again... "majin"? Trunks and Goten react to that word as if they knew it already, but the English-speaking reader is just left "?"

Whether it's actually supposed to be the letter M or not could be debated endlessly, but I just wanted to express why I don't believe it could logically be referring to "Majin" if it were an M.

And I agree with you on this.
The only "majin" referred to in the series is Boo, and that symbol ("M" or not) shows up on several characters including Babidi himself. It could just as well be Babidi's symbol (or his "family crest", as Bibidi sports the same mark in the TV series). And yes, if it's an "M", it would be standing for "madôshi".

I've seen people claim that "Majin Vegeta" originated on a Japanese toy box, but I've never seen any evidence of it provided.

'Doesn't ring any bell...
(the moniker "Hakai Ôji Vegeta" has always been quite popular though, I believe)

[Super Sonic]

With the Vegerot thing, I think it also has to do with some people not liking names they're not familiar with. For example, a buddy of mine although he knew it was a direct translation, wasn't too happy with Tokyopop's decision to call Sumomo "Plum" in the English Chobits manga.

[Vekurotto]

Aren't the bloody violence scenes toned down some for later issues? Like when Yamucha gets impaled by #20 for example. It looked less bloody to me when I compared it to the Japanese Manga version.

These edits make me wonder why Viz just doesn't put a "T" rating instead of an "All Ages" rating. Rurouni Kenshin manga is uncensored. Dragonball manga is censored even though less violent compared to Kenshin?

[Tsukento]

Damnit, why does everyone complain about Vegerot? It makes perfect sense.

His name is Vegetto in the Japanese manga. His name is Vegetto in the Japanese anime. His name is Vegito in the English anime.

His name is clearly NOT Vegerot. It's creative and makes sense, but Vegerot is NOT his name. It never was. Regardless if the "tto" doesn't make sense in English.

[Olivier Hague]

Regardless if the "tto" doesn't make sense in English.

Just name Gokû "Kakarotto" (or "Kakarrotto") and it will make sense. After all, it's a possible spelling.

[testing223]

Aren't the bloody violence scenes toned down some for later issues? Like when Yamucha gets impaled by #20 for example. It looked less bloody to me when I compared it to the Japanese Manga version.

These edits make me wonder why Viz just doesn't put a "T" rating instead of an "All Ages" rating. Rurouni Kenshin manga is uncensored. Dragonball manga is censored even though less violent compared to Kenshin?

The more popular something is, the more subject to close scrutiny it is. More soccer moms and fanatics to seek out and find ANYthing that could scar their precious kids' minds.


As for the Majin debate, it's likely something far simpler. Toriyama wanted a cool and stylistic icon for the bad guys. Following Japanese pop culture's love for western letters, and his own history (i.e. "z" ), AND his own love for puns, it's not hard to see him choose the English "M" which represents the themes of Magic, Majin and whatever other M terms in Japanese that apply. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo....

[Olivier Hague]

Toriyama wanted a cool and stylistic icon for the bad guys. Following Japanese pop culture's love for western letters

"Love", really? ^^;

and his own history (i.e. "z" ), AND his own love for puns, it's not hard to see him choose the English "M" which represents the themes of Magic, Majin and whatever other M terms in Japanese that apply. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo....

("the English "M""? it's not English, it's an alphabet letter >_<)
Sure, it's a possibility. 'Just pointing out that the symbol being the letter "M" is an assumption though.

[Godo]

("the English "M""? it's not English, it's an alphabet letter >_<)

Just for the fun sake of being nitpicky, it's a Latin alphabet letter.