The Warlock Bobbidi

[Duo]

In the Viz Manga, both Bibbidi and Bobbidi are called "Warlocks". I'm simply wondering if this is an accurate translation and, if not, what they were commonly referred to as in the original.

Also, on a side note, I was wondering what the most accurate way to spell Babidi / Bobbidi is. I've seen so many ways that it's hard to keep track, which is why I've stuck to the Viz spelling for a long time.

Thanks.

[Casual Matt]

what they were commonly referred to as in the original.

Madoshi. Wizard is a common translation.

Also, on a side note, I was wondering what the most accurate way to spell Babidi / Bobbidi is.

I know a bit about Japanese syllable pronounciation. I think Babidi is the most accurate spelling.

[The S]

Babidi is how it would be directly translated from the katakana. Bobbidi is how the name would be spelled if you were to take into account the pun. This is done a lot with "authoritative" Dragon Ball fans, and sometimes Viz (Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Boo, Dabra, Tullece, et cetera).

[Olivier Hague]

Babidi is how it would be directly translated from the katakana.

It also appears to be the official romanization.

[El_Diablo]

Warlock, mage and wizard all describe the same kind of thing.

Unless you get excessively technical.

[Chibi Mystic Gohan]

Babidi is how it would be directly translated from the katakana.

It also appears to be the official romanization.

There's a difference between a romanization and what the name is actually supposed to be. Bibbidi, Bobbidi and Boo are the spellings used in Cinderella.

[Hujio]

Also, on a side note, I was wondering what the most accurate way to spell Babidi / Bobbidi is.

I use the romanized spellings for their names, which are as follows:

バビヂ ィ = Babidi
ビビヂィ = Bibidi

As for Viz's spellings, I don't like them and I don't know why they picked those spelling. Hell, I don't know what they do...
I'm gonna guess that they decided to use the actual puns themselve from Cinderella.

[VegettoEX]

When you take a look at Viz's recent track-record, you can see why they went with what they went with. It's like they're bending over backwards to smash people in the face with the puns... which irrirates me, since they're *PUNS* and aren't supposed to be OMGITZTHEWORDITSELF.

I'm half expecting them to go back and just flat-out call the character "Vegetable" for the entire series in their next re-prints with additional censoring.

TORIYAMA MADE FUNNY NAMES. WE KNOW.

[The Chibi Kiriyama]

When you take a look at Viz's recent track-record, you can see why they went with what they went with. It's like they're bending over backwards to smash people in the face with the puns... which irrirates me, since they're *PUNS* and aren't supposed to be OMGITZTHEWORDITSELF.

I'm half expecting them to go back and just flat-out call the character "Vegetable" for the entire series in their next re-prints with additional censoring.

TORIYAMA MADE FUNNY NAMES. WE KNOW.

I mean not to sound conflicting in interpretation, but Toriyama himself has said that the jokes that he wrote in previous works such as Dr. Slump were not initially intended for an American audience. As such, many do not make sense. I just don't see why others have such an adverse reaction to the translation of names and terms in the original work that may not be fully understood. Vegeta is already a translation of Bejiita and I see no one in the streets burning their tankobon copy because of it. To an onlooker, it must look really silly that we as fans are less riled up about a middle finger being edited out and more riled up about things such as the term "Majin" being replaced by "Djinn". This has happened before and the community has borne through it. I don't see why we can't continue to quell the desire for pitchforks and hatemail over this.

(FYI, I'm not suggesting that's what your post makes it seem like Vegetto )

[desirecampbell]

When you take a look at Viz's recent track-record, you can see why they went with what they went with. It's like they're bending over backwards to smash people in the face with the puns... which irrirates me, since they're *PUNS* and aren't supposed to be OMGITZTHEWORDITSELF.

I'm half expecting them to go back and just flat-out call the character "Vegetable" for the entire series in their next re-prints with additional censoring.

TORIYAMA MADE FUNNY NAMES. WE KNOW.

I mean not to sound conflicting in interpretation, but Toriyama himself has said that the jokes that he wrote in previous works such as Dr. Slump were not initially intended for an American audience. As such, many do not make sense. I just don't see why others have such an adverse reaction to the translation of names and terms in the original work that may not be fully understood. Vegeta is already a translation of Bejiita and I see no one in the streets burning their tankobon copy because of it. To an onlooker, it must look really silly that we as fans are less riled up about a middle finger being edited out and more riled up about things such as the term "Majin" being replaced by "Djinn". This has happened before and the community has borne through it. I don't see why we can't continue to quell the desire for pitchforks and hatemail over this.

(FYI, I'm not suggesting that's what your post makes it seem like Vegetto )

Well 'Vegeta' isn't really a "translation" of 'Bejita', it's just the correct spelling. Why would any burn their tankobon?

[The Chibi Kiriyama]

Well 'Vegeta' isn't really a "translation" of 'Bejita', it's just the correct spelling. Why would any burn their tankobon?

I'm just simply saying that (while it is the correct spelling in English) there seems to be a double standard in that a diversion of Dabura in 'Dabra' for the sake of a name pun is controversial but Bejiita being referred to as Vegeta is commonplace enough. I just wonder if it's as much that we have come to know these characters by what we perceive to be correct rather than an actual mistranslation or something equally saucy of the sort.

As for the "burning tankobans", I'm a fan of visualization. Sorry if it seems a bit extreme.

[Sebastian (SB)]

Why would any burn their tankobon?

I'd burn my old & bent "Viz Graphic Novel" DB Tankobon. ....... just maybe

[Olivier Hague]

There's a difference between a romanization and what the name is actually supposed to be.

When I said "official romanization", I did mean "what they're supposed to be". "Babidi" is officially spelled "Babidi", and "buu" is officially spelled "Boo".

Bibbidi, Bobbidi and Boo are the spellings used in Cinderella.

Yeah, but "Bobbidi" isn't the spelling used in "Dragon Ball", apparently. "Babidi" is.

It's like they're bending over backwards to smash people in the face with the puns... which irrirates me, since they're *PUNS* and aren't supposed to be OMGITZTHEWORDITSELF.

I totally agree. And that's why I really don't have a problem with "kakarotto" (katakana) keeping its final "o" in our alphabet, by the way. 'Makes a lot more sense when Vegetto appears, even.

[Duo]

Wow...I am completely surpised at how this thread turned out.

I guess the best answer is "It depends on what you prefer - Romanization loyalty or Pun loyalty"

So...anyone got anything on that "Warlock" thing?

[Son Goku]

I'm half expecting them to go back and just flat-out call the character "Vegetable" for the entire series in their next re-prints with additional censoring.

"Chestnut, don't kill Vegetable."

"Goku, we've gone over this a dozen times. My name is Kuririn. KURIRIN. I know you suffered a bump on your head when you were little, but your kinda just plain scaring me now..."

[ShadowAssailantX]

Wow...I am completely surpised at how this thread turned out.

I guess the best answer is "It depends on what you prefer - Romanization loyalty or Pun loyalty"

So...anyone got anything on that "Warlock" thing?

I'm assuming it was just the VIZ translators going out of their way to change every single title or spelling of all characters introduced in the Buu arc from the route FUNimation took.

Debating whether or not he should be referred to as a warlock or a wizard, I previously favored wizard, but looking it up on Webster, I think warlock is more appropriate.

Main Entry: war•lock
Pronunciation: -"läk
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English warloghe, from Old English w[AE]rloga one that breaks faith, the Devil, from w[AE]r faith, troth + -loga (from lEogan to lie); akin to Old English w[AE]r true -- more at VERY, LIE
1 : a man practicing the black arts : SORCERER -- compare WITCH
2 : CONJURER

Main Entry: 1wiz•ard
Pronunciation: 'wi-z&rd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English wysard, from wis, wys wise
1 archaic : a wise man : SAGE
2 : one skilled in magic : SORCERER
3 : a very clever or skillful person

As you can see, Wizard seems to reference a more of an intelligent, refined kind of person than Babidi shows us to be. On the other hand, Warlock touches on the more sinister, devilish characteristics that you can attribute to him.

[Steven Perry]

I was always under the impression that a "warlock" was a big scary monster, with a cave-man-like club... NOT, a wizard. Anyway, "wizard" just suits him better.

Wizard Babidi

WARLOCK Babidi

[Daimao]

So...anyone got anything on that "Warlock" thing?

I'm assuming it was just the VIZ translators going out of their way to change every single title or spelling of all characters introduced in the Buu arc from the route FUNimation took.

Maybe not every single one.

[Chibi Mystic Gohan]

Yeah, but "Bobbidi" isn't the spelling used in "Dragon Ball", apparently. "Babidi" is.

Eh, I know for a fact that we never see his name written in the manga, so that isn't true. And anyway, Bibidi, Babidi, and Buu are just the Japanese approximations of the actual words from Cinderella, so why would we use romanizations when talking about the characters in English? We might as well use Bejiita or Torankusu.

[MajinVejitaXV]

I agree with warlock being a proper translation. I always thought that was what Madoshi meant until I read people translating it as 'wizard' here. That's just a preference though, I suppose. Seeing people call him a wizard doesn't make me throw up in terror.

As for the katakana romanizations, I too am confused. It's funny how some say, "Kakarotto should be Kakarot because it's closer to the pun...WHAT?! They're calling [insert character here] what the pun means? BASTARDS!" I know it's not the same thing, but I find it amusing. By that logic, why isn't Kuririn changed to be more...chestnuty?

That's why I just use romanizations with minor corrections. 'Seru' is Cell, 'Torankusu' is Trunks, and I spell 'Bejita' as Vejita.

-Corey