This time, I make it simple so that it's easy to keep going.
This should teach you or remind you of a lot of little cultural references and puns accessible only to people with a good knowledge of the Japanese language and culture, but also cultural references Toriyama made to general culture outside of Japan sometimes. You never know, there might be things you never noticed when reading the manga or watching the anime!
The objective is for you to see what the translation notes for the French manga reveal (as well as other foreign versions based on it), you may learn a few stuff, or if you already know it all, find out how the official French translator handled it and what she decided to change with the update. Because the translator is a long-time fan and expert but she's not omnipotent, she might have been mistaken on rare occasions, since there's not a full Kanzenshuu team to think things over and back her up with all existing interviews about why Toriyama chose this or that. But most of the time, the explanation should be right and the name correct (for a French reader at least).
A lot of elements are things I might not be comfortable with in English, so if you see anything that's not said well, be sure it's my fault, as the French text seems totally natural.
CONTEXT: A short explanation of the moment when the translation note appears, or the topic it covers, so that you know what it's about.
TANKOBON (VERSION 2.00): The first translation note about that moment, appearing on the re-translated Tankobon. This tended to be very much attached to the Japanese, a little too much for a proper translation since unnecessary elements or grammar that do not naturally exist in the target language should be discarded, especially when they have a perfectly natural equivalent in that language to replace it. Sound effects were replaced. It is written in red as it has become obsolete and replaced.
KANZENBAN (VERSION 3.00): The final translation note about that moment, appearing on the updated Kanzenban release, meant to have many more notes, and adjust elements that were not quite on spot or brought too much unnecessary Japanese for a French version. Sound effects were left as is, with smaller adapted sound effects to translate them right beside them. It is written in green as being validated as the definitive version.
PERSONAL NOTE: A note I decide to add by myself to explain a few things for your understanding. It is written in blue as in neither considered wrong or right, just a neutral observation from me.
KANZENBAN 01
CONTEXT: When Goku enters his house for the first time, Japanese signs can be seen on the door.
TANKOBON: On the door, you can see the sign "Fuku", meaning "Happiness". This is a symbol that caracterizes Son Gokû.
KANZENBAN: The signs on the door mean "Happiness".
CONTEXT: Introduction of the Dragon Balls.
There is no translation note for the Dragon Balls, the French translation of the name is instead directly inserted in Bulma's sentence, right after saying the original English name. The name was inexplicably male in the Tankobon (2.00) and the previous translation (1.00), but was corrected to female in the Kanzenban (3.00) because the word "ball" is female in French.
CONTEXT: When Bulma tells about the Dragon Ball names, mentionning Su Shinchu, Aru Shinchu and Wu Shinchu.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Each Dragon Ball has a Chinese name meaning "star ball", preceded by the number of stars in it. The Chinese transcription being hard to pronounce, the Japanese version was chosen instead. Example: Su Shinchu instead of Si Xing Qiu.
CONTEXT: About Shenron.
KANZENBAN: To remain coherent with other characters, the Japanese transcription is used for the sacred dragon: Shenron instead of Shenlong.
CONTEXT: Son Goku says his name.
KANZENBAN: Son Goku is a name from the Chinese classic Saiyuki, Journey to the West. The whole beginning of Dragon Ball is influenced by this novel. In the original story, Son Goku is a monkey that goes along with monk Sanzo on his pilgrimage.
CONTEXT: Bulma says her name.
KANZENBAN: Bulma comes from the word "bloomers", which in Japanese means the shorts high school girls wear for their gym class.
CONTEXT: Hop-Pop Capsule.
There is no translation note about it, but it was updated from "Hoï-Poï" (2.00) to "Hop-Pop" (3.00), as it is related to the sound they make with the update sounding much more like a natural sound in French.
CONTEXT: Nyoï Bo.
KANZENBAN: Literally, "the staff that obeys exactly at one's command", it's a magic item that appears in the Saiyuki.
CONTEXT: After Goku saw Bulma taking a bath, they eat, and Bulma casually calls Goku "Son-kun" (Tankobon Edition only).
TANKOBON: Bulma calls Son Goku "Son-kun". Kun is a familiar suffix used as a diminutive for boys younger than oneself.
Japanese suffixes were erased in the Kanzenban, as improper to the French language. Bulma calls him "Lil' Son" (a familiar abreviation of "Little Son") instead.
CONTEXT: The turtle just met Bulma and Goku and asks for Wakame.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: A kind of seaweed.
CONTEXT: The turtle says it was looking for Matsutaké (Tankobon Edition only).
TANKOBON: A kind of mushrooms growing under pines, very appreciated in Japan.
This was deemed unnecessary in the update and the turtle just says it was looking for mushrooms in the Kanzenban.
CONTEXT: Goku uses his first Janken in the story.
TANKOBON: The janken is the rock-paper-scissors game. It is Son Goku's first technic, and also a pun since "ken" means "punch" but also "technic"!
KANZENBAN: The janken is the rock-paper-scissors game. It is also a pun since "ken", meaning "fist" in the original term, is used as if it was a martial art technic here.
CONTEXT: When Bulma and Goku reach the sea, the Toribot is climbing to a tree saying "You're not at Penguin Village!"
TANKOBON: Penguin Village = Reference to Arale's village in Dr. Slump (first work of Master Toriyama).
KANZENBAN: Reference to Arale's village in Dr. Slump (first series of Master Toriyama).
CONTEXT: The turtle leaves promising to bring a reward, but Bulma hopes it's not a magic box.
TANKOBON: In the popular tale Urashima Tarô, a fishman saves a turtle which, in order to thank him, gives him a box that prevents him from growing old. At the end, Urashima opens the box and grows old in an instant!
KANZENBAN: In the tale Urashima Taro, a fishman saves a turtle which, in order to thank him, takes him to a beautiful, underwater palace. There, the princess of the ocean gives him a box that prevents him from growing old. At the end, Taro opens the box and grows old in an instant.
CONTEXT: Kame Sennin introduces himself, giving his name.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Kame: turtle, Sennin: sage.
CONTEXT: Goku and Bulma find a seemingly empty village. Goku knocks on a door with "SHERMAN PRIEST" written on it.
KANZENBAN: The name Sherman on the door and the name of children [later rescued in Oolong's palace] are references to tanks and mortars used during World War II.
CONTEXT: A villager mentions the name Oolong.
KANZENBAN: Oolong is the name of a Chinese tea. Very refreshing, icy oolong tea is a drink very much appreciated during summer in Japan.
During the Tankobon release, Oolong was constantly written as Oolon, which was due to the person correcting the final draft despite the translator's intent. Fed up with his constant and stubborn corrections of the name that were actually wrong, the translator found a way to counter that by addding a translation note during the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai clearly stating that it was never Oolon but Oolong despite what the speech bubbles may indicate in the past volumes or in all future volumes. This did not happen again during the Kanzenban release for which the translator had total power over the final draft.
CONTEXT: An elderly woman saying she has something that looks like a Dragon Ball is named Paozu.
KANZENBAN: Japanese name of the baozi, chinese bread with meat or red bean paste inside.
CONTEXT: When ready to face Bull Oolong, Goku says "Dosukoi!" while taking a particular stance.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Dosukoi is something said by sumo fighters. Here, Goku takes a sumo stance, which is why he uses that word.
CONTEXT: Oolong just turned into a Mecha.
TANKOBON: The two signs on Oolong's armor form the word "Konjô", "strong temper".
KANZENBAN: The two signs on Oolong's armor form the word "Konjo", which can be translated as "I got guts".
CONTEXT: Mecha Oolong just burned his finger with the soup.
KANZENBAN: The signs on the armor changed into "atsui", "It burns".
CONTEXT: Mecha Oolong just received a stone on his neck.
KANZENBAN: The signs on the armor changed into "itai", "It hurts".
CONTEXT: View on Oolong's manor.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: On the gate, you can read the two signs for "bird" and "dragon" used to write the word "oolong".
CONTEXT: Once Goku and Bulma leave with Oolong, you can see a fish jumping out of the water saying "Shuwatch!"
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: That fish says the battle cry of Ultraman, hero of a live show (sentai) who remains in a lot of Japanese minds. The fish itself has Ultraman's head.
CONTEXT: Bulma mentions Mount Fry Pan.
KANZENBAN: [Translation of Fry Pan given in French].
CONTEXT: Oolong says the terrible Gyumao lives there.
KANZENBAN: Gyumao literally means "the demon king ox". It's also a character from the Saiyuki.
CONTEXT: Puerh has spotted Goku and Oolong and as he enters Yamcha's lair, big Japanese signs can be seen.
KANZENBAN: The writing on the door translates to "Train a hundred times with a thousand weights". It's a Chinese metaphor meaning: "Despite all efforts, things don't move forward".
CONTEXT: Yamcha's name.
KANZENBAN: Yamcha is a word of Chinese origin meaning the tradition of eating a set of snacks (like steam ravioli) while having some tea.
CONTEXT: Puerh calls Yamcha "Yamcha-sama".
TANKOBON: "Sama" is an honorific suffix of respect.
All Japanese suffixes were eliminated from the Kanzenban update, as they don't match the French language.
CONTEXT: Puerh's name. (named Pooal on version 2.00 and Plume on version 1.00).
TANKOBON: Pooal, like Oolong, is the name of a Chinese tea.
KANZENBAN: The name of Puerh comes from a variety of Chinese tea. The Pu-erh is a fermented dark tea.
CONTEXT: Son Gohan's name.
KANZENBAN: The author invented this name with Son Goku as the basis. But this one is humorous, because "gohan" is pronounced the same way than the word "rice" or "meal".
CONTEXT: Yamcha uses a special technic called Roga Fufu Ken.
TANKOBON: Yamcha's famous technic! Literally: "technic of the wolf's fangs".
KANZENBAN: Technic of the wolf's fangs.
CONTEXT: At night, you can see Oolong's motorhome.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: On the motorhome, one can read "Oolong".
CONTEXT: Transformed into Bulma, Oolong calls Goku "Goku-chan". (Tankobon Edition only)
TANKOBON: "Chan" is an affection suffix used for girls or little kids. Note that Bulma never calls Goku that way!
The suffix has been eliminated from the Kanzenban along with the note, as it is likely considered that the reader is supposed to notice by himself that Oolong calls Goku in a way Bulma never would ("my sweet little Goku" instead of "Lil' Son").
CONTEXT: Yamcha just knocked out Chichi, and was not paralysed much to Puerh's surprise. He says it shouldn't be a surprise: he's not a Lolicom.
TANKOBON: Lolicom (abreviation of "Lolita Complex") is a term to mention men attracted to little girls.
That unusual term was eliminated from the Kanzenban, along with the note. Instead, Yamcha says it shouldn't be a surprise: he's not a pedophile (a term that essentially covers the same definition of being attracted to little kids).
CONTEXT: Gyumao mentions Muten Roshi.
KANZENBAN: Muten Roshi could translate to "the greatest martial arts master in the world". But it's actually Kame Sennin's real name.
CONTEXT: Gyumao mentions the banana leaf fan (originally translated as Basho fan in the Tankobon).
TANKOBON: Basho fan, literally "banana leaf fan". But it's also the name of the most famous poet of Japanese Haiku.
KANZENBAN: In the original story, it's Gyumao's wife that owns the banana leaf fan (Basho Sen), which is then stolen by Son Goku.
CONTEXT: Chichi's name.
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, Chichi sounds like a funny and cute name (according to the author). But the word "chichi" can also mean "breasts". One can infer an allusion to the cow's mammary glands, keeping with the bovinae theme (her father being the demon king ox).
CONTEXT: Chichi says her heart is as clean as disinfected toilets.
TANKOBON: Chichi (and Gyumao) speak a Japanese dialect used in the Ôsaka region, which means the way they talk is strange to most Japanese people. It is particularly hard to try and render this in French, so don't be surprised if Chichi has strange ways to express herself, it's intentional!
The note was eliminated for the Kanzenban, with the translator probably feeling comfortable enough with her choice not to need to justify herself.
CONTEXT: Kame Sennin makes a pun on Chichi's name.
TANKOBON: A formidable pun by Kame Sennin! "Chichi" means "father" in Japanese.
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, "Otosan janai noni chichi ka": her name is Chichi, and yet she is not a father. It's a pun on the homonym that are "Chichi" and the word "father".
In the Tankobon (translation 2.00), Kame Sennin said exactly what he said in Japanese, with the note being there to explain why he said that sentence out of the blue. In the Kanzenban (translation 3.00), his original pun was instead replaced with another pun adapted to the French language, hence the extended explanation note about the original Japanese sentence.
CONTEXT: Kame Sennin makes a second pun on Chichi's name, saying Chichi's boobies are ultimately "Chichi's chichis".
TANKOBON: Yet another hilarious pun! "Chichi" also means "breasts"!
KANZENBAN: Another pun, since "chichi" also means "breasts"!
CONTEXT: Kame Sennin summons Gamera Junior.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Gamera is a turtle monster that is very popular in Japan, like Godzilla. It's easily recognizable with its lower upwards fangs.
CONTEXT: The Kame Hame Ha!
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: The name of this technic is inspired by a king of Hawai, Kamehameha the Great. It's also a pun since one can see the word "kame" (turtle) from Kame Sennin, and the "ha" (wave) is a common term for attacks based on energy blasts.
KANZENBAN 02
CONTEXT: Gyumao gives a car to Goku and his friends.
TANKOBON: On the car, one can see the kanji "kotobuki" meaning "congratulations" or "long life". It is sort of the trademark symbol of Chichi and Gyumao's family.
KANZENBAN: On the car, one can see the kanji "kotobuki" meaning "congratulations" or "long life".
CONTEXT: Chichi has a particular way of calling Goku ("Goku-sa" in the Tankobon Edition and "The Goku" in the Kanzenban release).
TANKOBON: "Sa" is a variation of "San" (Mr., Mrs., Miss) used in provinces. It is very specific to Chichi to call Goku that way.
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, Chichi calls him "Goku-sa". "Sa" is a variation of "san" (polite suffix) that's part of a very rustic kind of language. Hence the choice to render this in French through the use of the additionnal definite article, typically rural.
Adding "the" before a name may seem strange, but it is indeed not rare at all to hear countryside people call others that way in France ("oh, just look at the Goku, he's so funny!").
CONTEXT: Yamcha says he knows who the rabbit is: it's To Ninjinka (Tankobon Edition) / To the Carroter (Kanzenban Edition).
TANKOBON: "To" is another pronunciation for the word "rabbit", and Ninjinka means "transformation into a carrot".
KANZENBAN: To Ninjinka in Japanese. "To" is the Chinese reading of the word "rabbit" and "ninjinka" means "transformation into a carrot".
To the Carroter is a very clever name in French: it gives the idea of being able to "carrotize" someone, but "to carrot" is also a familiar way to say "to steal" in French, making "the carroter" a funny way to say "the thief" at the same time.
CONTEXT: Goku just left To and his men on the moon.
TANKOBON: According to a Japanese legend, there are rabbits on the moon, making mochi cakes, with slimmy rice.
KANZENBAN: According to a Japanese legend, there is a rabbit on the moon that makes mochi (cake of slimmy rice). Indeed, during the full moon, Japanese people can see the shape of a rabbit in front of a mortar.
CONTEXT: Mai calls Soba on the radio, so it's time to explain his name.
KANZENBAN: Soba are buckwheat noodles.
CONTEXT: Pilaf's clothes.
TANKOBON: Pilaf wears the two kanji composing the word "chahan". It's a Chinese plate [...] and also another word for "pilaf" rice.
KANZENBAN: Pilaf wears the two kanji composing the word "chahan", "cantonese rice". That word of Chinese origin [leads to Pilaf rice].
CONTEXT: Books can be seen behind Pilaf.
KANZENBAN: A little bit of promotion for the Weekly Shonen Jump, the magazine that originally published Dragon Ball!
CONTEXT: Pilaf yells to Mai that there is no way he'll allow what she's holding either.
TANKOBON: Another joke refering to Dr. Slump, a manga known for its distasteful humor!
KANZENBAN: Joke refering to Dr. Slump, a manga known for its scatologic humor!
CONTEXT: Soba gets away saying "Vroooooom!"
KANZENBAN: Soba mimics Arale, the heroine in Dr. Slump.
CONTEXT: After Kame Sennin got punched by the mermaid, Goku concludes that he now knows what his master meant.
TANKOBON: In Japanese, the word "pants" almost has the same pronunciation than "punch". It's a pun that cannot be conveyed in French!
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, the word "pants" almost has the same pronunciation than "punch".
The translator actually found a pretty good way to convey the pun in French for the Kanzenban update, so the part mentionning it's not possible to convey it in French was naturally removed.
CONTEXT: Krilin's name.
KANZENBAN: Krilin's name comes from the expression "kuri kuri" meaning "having a shaved head". But his name is also a reference to Shaolin temples and could be translated as "chesnuts forest".
CONTEXT: Goku says Krilin's head looks like a pachinko ball (Tankobon Edition only).
TANKOBON: The pachinko is a kind of Japanese cue sport.
Goku directly says "your head looks like some cue sports ball!" in the Kanzenban update, so the note was removed.
CONTEXT: The stone that Goku and Krilin have to find as their training.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: On the stone, one can read the word "kame", turtle.
CONTEXT: Lunch says she bought the fish on the island market, and the narration says everyone except Goku suffered from food poisoning for the next three days, the fish they ate being fugu.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: The fugu is a very toxic fish, however it can be eaten when the poisoned parts are taken off. But only very skilled cookers can do that!
KANZENBAN 03
CONTEXT: The big double-page panel showing the entrance to the Tenkaichi Budokai has numerous writings here and there.
KANZENBAN: The first name Wayan written on Kame Sennin's case, as well as the family name Budhiyasa written on a character's sleeve, are typical names from the island of Bali. The Tenkaichi Budokai would therefore take place in some imaginary Indonesia.
In the Tankobon release, the name Budhiyasa didn't appear on the character's sleeve.
CONTEXT: Goku and Krilin now wear the Kame Sen uniforms.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: On their uniforms, Goku and Krilin wear the sign "Turtle", to show that their master is Kame Sennin.
CONTEXT: Goku and Krilin go to a specific, crowded room for their first matches.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: On the panel, one can read "Competition Room".
CONTEXT: First panel showing Goku and Krilin inside the Competition Room.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: The giant on the right wears the sign for "Victory" on his kimono.
CONTEXT: Krilin meets old acquaintances and calls them "senpai" (Tankobon only).
TANKOBON: "Senpai" is a respectful term to mention older members.
This was replaced by French in the Kanzenban update.
CONTEXT: When Goku faces an opponent, the latter states to himself that there's nothing this kid could do against moves from the Shishiga school.
TANKOBON: Shishiga: Fangs of the wild boar.
KANZENBAN: Shishiga: Fangs of the lion.
CONTEXT: Nam's name.
KANZENBAN: Nam's name comes from the buddhist prayer "Namu Amida Butsu".
CONTEXT: The Tenkaichi Budokai announcer asks for Mr. Mago Gosora. Yamcha suggests it could rather be Son Goku.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: In Japanese, a same sign can have several ways to read it, either in Chinese or in Japanese. In this case, the announcer chose the Japanese reading: "mago" instead of "son" (grandson) and "sora" instead of "ku" (sky).
CONTEXT: Lanfan's name (previously called Lan-Fang in the Tankobon 2.00 version).
TANKOBON: Lan-Fang is a Chinese name meaning "orchid perfume".
KANZENBAN: Lanfan is a name composed of the Japanese transcriptions of the words "lingerie" and "foundation" (underwear in English).
CONTEXT: Jackie Chun's name (previously written "Jacky Chun" in the Tankobon 2.00 version).
KANZENBAN: Obvious reference to actor Jackie Chan, master Toriyama being a huge fan!
CONTEXT: Guilan (Giran in the Tankobon 2.00 version) uses the Guru-Guru Gum against Goku (Tankobon only).
TANKOBON: Guru-Guru Gum = The chewing-gum that twists around.
The name was replaced by a fun French name for "Twisting Gum" in the Kanzenban 3.00 update.
CONTEXT: During his song and dance, Jackie Chun mentions the taiko and the bon-odori.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: The taiko is a traditionnal Japanese drum. The Bon-odori is a ritual dance given at the occasion of the Buddhist celebration of the dead, called Bon.
CONTEXT: Using his Technic of the Celestial Cross, Nam screams "Namu Amida Butsu!!"
TANKOBON: "Praised be the Buddha Amida", the most famous buddhist prayer.
KANZENBAN: "Praised be the Buddha Amida".
KANZENBAN 04
CONTEXT: Son Goku just used his Kyoken technic against Jackie Chun, naming it and specifying it's the "technic of the mad dog".
tankobon: "Kyôken" means mad dog. It is composed of ""kyô", crazy, and "ken", dog. But Gokû uses the "ken" sign for "technic" to form a word (that doesn't exist) similarly to Suiken!
KANZENBAN: Kyoken means mad dog. It is composed of "kyo" (crazy) and "ken" (dog). But Goku uses the "ken" sign for "technic" to form - similarly to Suiken - a word that doesn't exist.
CONTEXT: Goku mentions his new technic, the Saruken, "technic of the monkey".
TANKOBON: "Saru" means monkey, while "ken" is still the same sign used for names of technics.
KANZENBAN: Goku composes yet another name with the sign "ken" (technic), which he combines with the word "saru" (monkey).
CONTEXT: Throwing an electric beam to Goku, Jackie Chun yells the name for that technic: "BANKOKU BIKKURI SHO!!"
TANKOBON: Literally "the hand palms that will surprise the whole world", but above all, this attack's name sounds like the title of a TV game-show.
KANZENBAN: This attack's name literally translates to "the hand palms that will surprise the whole world". But it's mostly a reference to a Japanese TV show aired in the 60s-70s, "Bankoku Bikkuri Show" (the show that will surprise the whole world).
CONTEXT: Realizing that Jackie Chun destroyed the moon, the announcer complains about how they won't be able to watch the moon during the Tsukimi and how they can't eat Dango while watching the moon anymore.
TANKOBON: The tsukimi is a traditional celebration that goes back to antiquity, and that's about admiring the moon's beauty. The dango are cakes, little balls of sugar, glutinous rice paste that people often eat during traditional celebrations.
KANZENBAN: The tsukimi is a Japanese celebration that's about admiring the moon's beauty when it's the first full moon of the autumn. The dango are cakes, little balls of sugar, glutinous rice paste that people often eat during traditional celebrations.
CONTEXT: Jackie Chun is worried, thinking that with Goku's tiny body and legs, he can't perform the Cobra Twist nor the Figure Four Leglock (the latter being previously named Yonoji Gatame in the Tankobon 2.00 edition, and changed to Figure Four Leglock for the Kanzenban 3.00 edition).
TANKOBON: Cobra Twist = Wresling hold. Yonoji Gatame = Judo hold.
KANZENBAN: Wrestling holds.
CONTEXT: Captain Silver mentions the Red Ribon army.
KANZENBAN: The English word should be written with two Bs (ribbon) but the author prefered to write it with only one of those.
CONTEXT: Murasaki notices that Goku uses the "Bunshin no Jutsu".
TANKOBON: Murasaki is a ninja, so he interprets the afterimage technic - which is a martial arts technic - as a ninja technic (names for ninja technics end with "no jutsu").
The note was eliminated from the Kanzenben 3.00 version, probably because it was deemed unnecessary to the reader's understanding.
CONTEXT: Having beheaded Metallic, Goku feels he's unwillingly done something horrible and starts clapping his hands saying "Nanmandabu! Nanmandabu!"
TANKOBON: Nanmandabu is a shortened version of the prayer Namu Amida Butsu (glory to the buddha Amida). Note that buddhists clap their hands when praying.
KANZENBAN: Goku prays reciting "Nanmandabu", the short version of the prayer "Namu Amida Butsu" (glory to the buddha Amida). Buddhists clap their hands when praying.
KANZENBAN 05
CONTEXT: While underwater, Murasaki thinks about his famous Suiton no Jutsu.
KANZENBAN: Technic of the aquatic escape, often used by ninjas.
CONTEXT: As Goku has broken Murasaki's sword, the ninja laments on his famous Sasa Nishiki.
TANKOBON: Famous japanese sabers have the name of the one who forged them, for example Masamune or Kotetsu. But in this specific case, "Sasa Nishiki" is the name of a variety of rice, not a saber!
KANZENBAN: Famous japanese sabers have the name of the one who forged them (for example, Masamune or Kotetsu). But here, "Sasa Nishiki" is the name of a variety of rice.
CONTEXT: Murasaki tries to block Goku's ninja stars (which he retrived from Murasaki's own attempt at throwing them at him) with tatamis. But soon, he runs out of tatamis and says that four and a half tatamis were not enough, he should have aimed for six tatamis.
TANKOBON: Traditionally, Japanese rooms are mesured in tatamis (190x95 cm). Four tatamis and a half are 10m², which is the size of a standard Japanese room.
KANZENBAN: Traditionally, Japanese rooms are mesured in tatamis (91x182 cm). Four tatamis and a half are 8m² and six tatamis are 10m².
CONTEXT: Murasaki uses the Bunshin no Jutsu.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Ninja technic of dopplegangers.
CONTEXT: Murasaki and his dopplegangers scream that they'll cut Goku into very little sashimis.
TANKOBON: For those who never tried sashimis (and man, you'd be wrong not to!), they are thin slices of raw fish.
This note was eliminated from the Perfect Edition (Kanzenban), perhaps because people are supposed to know what sashimi is.
CONTEXT: In the Tankobon (2.0) edition, Goku calls C-8 "Eight-chan", claiming that "Cyborg C-8" (or "Whatever-C-8" as Goku puts it) is too hard to say.
TANKOBON: "Chan" is a suffix of affection.
In the Kanzenban (3.0), the Japanese influence was deemed unnecessary and Goku instead simplifies "Cyborg C-8" into the nickname "Seeyeah" ("Céhui" in French). Therefore, no translation note is needed.
CONTEXT: In the Tankobon (2.0), Goku realizes that the texture of the monster named "Buyon" is problematic.
TANKOBON: This is why it's named "Buyon". It's an onomatopoeia that fits with our "Boing" and makes one think of an object bouncing on some flexible surface.
In the Kanzenban (3.0), Buyon was directly renamed "Boing" and the note was erased.
CONTEXT: In the Tankobon (2.0), Bulma's mother uses "chan" with every name she mentions.
TANKOBON: Bulma's mother overuses the "chan" for affection! She's a bit possessive and intrusive...
In the Kanzenban (3.0), she directly uses French equivalent of over-affectuous nicknames ("Yamchinou", "Oolongounet" and "Puerh-chou"), so no need for any note.
CONTEXT: Bulma is worried when comes the time to find out what her father had in his capsule. And she was right: sexy magazines pop up all over.
TANKOBON: On the left magazine, one can read with small, western letters: "The truth is, I didn't really felt like drawing such obscenities".
KANZENBAN: On the left magazine, one can read with small, western letters: "I swear I didn't want to draw such obscenities!"
CONTEXT: When Krilin meets Bulma again, he tries to remember her name, calling her Panties.
TANKOBON: Bulma comes from the English word "bloomers" meaning trunks, hence Krilin's confusion.
KANZENBAN: Bulma comes from the English word "bloomers" meaning panties, hence Krilin's confusion.
KANZENBAN 06
CONTEXT: In the Tankobon (2.0), Blue asks Krilin what he thinks of his E.S.P.
TANKOBON: E.S.P.: Extrasensory power.
The term "E.S.P." was removed in the Kanzenban (3.0), with Blue directly asking "what do you think of my supernatural power?", so no translation note appears.
CONTEXT: Senbei says he's terribly excited and happy cause it's been a long time since his last appearance in the Jump magazine.
TANKOBON: The characters appearing in this chapter are all from Akira Toriyama's first successful series, Dr Slump. It is pretty rare for an author to make characters from two different series meet, this is called a "crossover".
KANZENBAN: The characters appearing in this chapter are all from Akira Toriyama's first successful series, Dr Slump. It was published in the Shonen Jump magazine before Dragon Ball.
CONTEXT: Tsukutsun tells his parents to stop behaving in such a pathetic way.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Tsukutsun is Chinese, so he speaks to his parents in a very special way that's impossible to convey in French: he exclusively uses kanji (Chinese signs), to express himself in a purely phonetic manner. A remarkable linguistic feat by master Toriyama.
CONTEXT: Immediately after that, we can see a shop.
KANZENBAN: On the wall, one can read "Soramame hairstyling".
No signs appear on the shop in the Tankobon (2.0) panel, with the wall being plain white all over. This part of the original drawing is back on the Kanzenban (3.0), hence the translation note that was added to go with it.
CONTEXT: Suppaman reveals his true identity after eating an umeboshi!
TANKOBON: Umeboshi: small plum candied in salt, used very often in Japanese cooking.
KANZENBAN: Umeboshi: small plum candied in salt, used very often in Japanese cooking. It tastes really acid, "suppai" in Japanese, hence the pun with "Suppaman".
CONTEXT: Tao Pai Pai is here, confirming his identity.
KANZENBAN: Tao Pai Pai's name is composed of Chinese signs: "tao" is a fruit - the peach -, and "pai" means white. But it's mostly for its amusing sound that Akira Toriyama chose this name, as he wanted it to be very unrelated to the usual image of a hitman.
CONTEXT: Tao Pai Pai's sign on his chest.
TANKOBON: Tao Pai Pai wears the kanji "korosu" which means "kill".
KANZENBAN: Tao Pai Pai wears the sign "korosu" which means "kill".
CONTEXT: The Karin Tower.
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, Karin Tower is said "Karin to". Karinto are sugary, fried biscuits.
CONTEXT: To be more specific when Goku calls him a sage, Karin replies with a pun that he's really more of a "chage" (mix of the French word "chat" = "cat" and "sage", ultimately sounding like the word "sage" being slightly mispronounced).
TANKOBON: This is a pun on "sennin" (sage), which is composed of the signs "sen" (sage, hermit) and "nin" (man). Karin uses the word "Senbyô" which replaces the sign for nin, "man", with the one for byô, "cat".
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, the word "sage" (sennin) is composed of the signs for "hermit" and "man". Karin replaces the sign for "man" with the sign for "cat" (byo) and composes a new word: "senbyo".
CONTEXT: Karin mentions the Chôseisui (Tankobon only).
TANKOBON: "Chôseisui" = The sacred supreme water.
In the Perfect Edition (3.0), Chôseisui was replaced by "Sacred Elixir", as it was likely judged that keeping it in Japanese was unnecessary, since "sacred" has a direct equivalent and the word "elixir" easily inspires the idea of some "supreme water".
KANZENBAN 07
CONTEXT: When it's time to face the Red Ribon army, Oolong pulls a Mr. Satan and pretends his stomach hurts. Bulma replies that they say in desperate times, all help available is welcome, even that of pigs. Oolong replies that the correct expression is "that of cats"!
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: "Neko no te wo karitai hodo isogashii": Japanese expression meaning "being so busy that you end up asking help from the cats", which one uses when all help is welcome.
CONTEXT: Goku asks if that's the house of "Baba larmoyante" (Tearful Baba), which the ghost servant corrects saying it's "Baba la voyante" (Fortune Teller Baba).
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: In Japanese, Goku confuses "Uranai Baba" (uranai: divination, baba: grandma) with "Urenai Baba" (urenai: that you can't sell). So you go from "Fortune Teller Baba" to "old fart that's nothing but a throwaway now".
CONTEXT: Baba says it's normal that Yamcha doesn't see his opponent, for his name is Suke, and he's an invisible man.
KANZENBAN: In Japanese, "sukeru" means "being transparent".
CONTEXT: Baba calls for Ackman.
TANKOBON: "Ackman" is a pun on "Akuma", which means devil, demon. It's also the name of a little demon in an eponymous short story by master Toriyama.
KANZENBAN: Ackman is a name formed with the word "akuma" meaning devil.
KANZENBAN 08
CONTEXT: Title page for chapter 107 "Goku's tail".
KANZENBAN: Muten Roshi wears on his back the sign "Congratulations" to celebrate the two years of publication for this series.
CONTEXT: At the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, Kame Sennin goes towards an office table with some Japanese signs on it, prompting the others to come and register.
KANZENBAN: "Registration Office".
CONTEXT: Tsuru Sennin and his students appear in front of the group.
TANKOBON: Tsuru Sennin, Ten Shin Han and Chaozu wear the sign "Tsuru" on their clothes, meaning crane. The turtle and the crane are symbols of longevity in Japan, especially when used together.
KANZENBAN: Tsuru Sennin and his students wear the sign "Tsuru" on their clothes, meaning crane. The turtle and the crane are symbols of longevity in Japan.
CONTEXT: Tsuru Sennin's name.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Tsuru Sennin : Master of the Cranes.
CONTEXT: King Chapa uses the Hasshuken.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Hasshuken = Technic of the eight hands.
CONTEXT: Ten Shin Han tells Chaozu to stop arguing for silly things, giving his name in the process.
KANZENBAN: Chaozu's name comes from the Chinese term jiaozi, refering to Chinese ravioli.
CONTEXT: Ten Shin Han's name is revealed when the announcer calls for him.
TANKOBON: Chinese dish, a bown of rice, with an omelet over it.
KANZENBAN: Ten Shin Han is a Japanese dish from Chinese origins, made of rice covered with a crab-onions-mushrooms omelet.
CONTEXT: Trying to decipher Chaozu's name, the announcer hesitates: "hum... Let's see... Should I read it... Gyoza?" to which Chaozu simply replies "No. Chaozu."
TANKOBON: A kind of Chinese ravioli. The Japanese name of this dish is pronounced "Gyôza", but is written with the same signs.
KANZENBAN: "Chaozu" is the Japanese transcription of the word "jiaozi" (Chinese ravioli) which is usually pronounced "Gyoza" in Japanese.
KANZENBAN 09
CONTEXT: Chaozu flies away in the air. Jackie Chun comments that it's the Buku Jutsu.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Buku Jutsu: Danse of the air.
CONTEXT: Ten Shin Han's Taiyoken.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Taiyoken: Technic of the sun.
CONTEXT: Title page of chapter 125 "Son Goku versus Krilin!!"
TANKOBON: On his vehicle, Goku has the sign "go" ("awakening" in the buddhist sense), first part of his name. As for Krilin, he has the sign "Kuri" (chestnut). In Japanese, Krilin is phonetically written "Kuririn", so this is also the first part of his name, which could be translated as "Chestnut forest", since "rin" means "forest". Krilin's name also has a buddhist element to it, since "rin" is often used in names of temples.
KANZENBAN: On his vehicle, Goku has the sign "go" ("awakening" in the buddhist sense), first part of his name. As for Krilin, he has the sign "Kuri" (chestnut). In Japanese, Krilin is phonetically written "Kuririn", so this is also the first part of his name.
CONTEXT: Ten Shin Han's Haikyuken starts!
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Haikyuken: Technic of the volleyball.
CONTEXT: Ten Shin Han's Shiyoken is on!
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Shiyoken: Technic of the four spirits.
CONTEXT: Chaozu screams out, begging Ten Shin Han not to perform the Kikoho.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Kikoho: The canon projecting vital energy.
CONTEXT: Goku has hit a vehicle with "Matodog" written on it.
TANKOBON: On the car, the name of the "Matodog" corporation is a reference to the name of master Toriyama's dog, Mat ("Mato").
KANZENBAN: On the car, the name of the "Matodog" corporation is a reference to the name of master Toriyama's dog, Matriochka (nicknamed "Mato").
KANZENBAN 10
CONTEXT: In the Tankobon only, Kame Sennin recognizes the mark of Piccolo Daimaô.
TANKOBON: Daimaô = The great king of demons.
To eliminate unnecessary Japanese, Piccolo Daimaô (version 2.0) was changed to Demon King Piccolo in the Kanzenban (3.0), so the note was removed.
CONTEXT: In a flashback, Mutaito is seen using the Mafuba on Demon King Piccolo.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Mutaito and his students wear the sign "mu" (martial arts), first kanji of his name.
Mafuba seems to be translated with a direct add-on to the speech bubble rather than in a translation note - which happens sometimes so that the translation of a technic is given more naturally through the dialogue itself rather than with a separate note, but it can only happen when a character is in "explanation mode" and has time to incorporate a translation in his dialogue, it can't happen most of the time when a character screams out the name of his technic in the middle of a fight, as it would not be logical for him to take the time to scream out an explanation for its meaning in this situation. In this case, Kame Sennin says in that very same flashback panel "The Mafuba, the energy wave that seals demons".
CONTEXT: Still in a flashback, the pressure cooker is shown.
TANKOBON: On the fuda, one can read "Seal the King of Demons".
KANZENBAN: On the paper, one can read "Seal the Demon King".
CONTEXT: When Goku reaches Krilin's murderer in the air, the monster is wearing a pile of papers.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Tenkaichi Budokai - registrations list.
CONTEXT: To give birth to a new demon, Demon King Piccolo becomes intense and recites specific words: "Pokopen pokopen... Darega... Tsutsuita pokopen... Pokopen pokopen... Darega Tsutsuita..."
TANKOBON: This magic formula isn't supposed to be Japanese, it's written as if it was a foreign language, yet "Dare ga Tsutsuita" could be translated as "Who pinched my butt?"!
KANZENBAN: This magic formula comes from a counting rhyme recited during a game named "Pokopen": one child plays the part of the demon and must keep his eyes closed while others pinch his back. At the end, he must find who touched him last. "Pokopen dare ga tsutsuita" can be translated as "Who's the good-for-nothing that pinched me?"
CONTEXT: Yajirobe's name is revealed.
TANKOBON: The "yajirobe" is the name of a toy, a small puppet with long rocker arms.
KANZENBAN: The "yajirobee" is the name of a toy, a small puppet with long rocker arms.
CONTEXT: Title page for chapter 140 "Tambourine arrives!"
KANZENBAN: As the glutton he is, Yajirobe has the sign "eat" on his bike.
KANZENBAN 11
CONTEXT: Karin mentions the Choshinsui (Tankobon only).
TANKOBON: The divine supreme water.
Much like before with the Choseisui becoming the Sacred Elixir, it was deemed unnecessary to keep it in Japanese when a "supreme water" can be defined as an "elixir", so the Choshinsui (2.0) was changed to the Divine Elixir in the Perfect Edition (3.0).
CONTEXT: Karin brings the teapot containing the Divine Elixir.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: On the teapot, one can read "God".
CONTEXT: The Almighty appears for the first time.
TANKOBON: On the contrary of Piccolo, Kami-sama wears the sign "kami", "god".
KANZENBAN: The Almighty wears the sign "kami", "god".
While the Tankobon (2.0) kept Kami-sama, it was deemed unnecessary in the Kanzenban (3.0) update. Instead, those who call him Kami without the "sama" for additionnal respect just call him "God" (for example Piccolo), while everytime a character says "Kami-sama" in Japanese with additionnal respect, they call him "The Almighty" (or just "Almighty" if directly talking to him), inspiring that additionnal "sama" respect just by choosing that "flattering" name for God.
KANZENBAN 12
CONTEXT: At the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, the draw has begun, with a panel showing a contestant pulling his number.
KANZENBAN: On the box, one can read "draw".
CONTEXT: The announcer for the qualifying round explains the rules.
KANZENBAN: On the sign, one can read "group 1".
CONTEXT: Seeing Krilin - supposed to be dead years ago -, the announcer is scared and prays repeating "Namandabu, Namandabu..." (Tankobon only)
TANKOBON: Buddhist prayer.
This was replaced in the Perfect Edition by the announcer saying "let's pray for his soul to find peace".
CONTEXT: Yamcha uses the Sokidan.
TANKOBON: Sôkidan: the turning energy ball.
KANZENBAN: Sokidan: the twirling energy ball.
CONTEXT: Goku finally finds out the identity of Shen: "it's the 'Shen' used to write 'God'! That was it! That guy is Kami-sama!" (Tankobon only)
TANKOBON: In Japanese, signs can be read in more than one way. In this specific case, the sign for "God" can be read either as "Kami" as in Kami-sama, or as "Shen" as in Shenron (among others).
In the Kanzenban release, it was judged that Goku's reply is enough to understand, so there is no note and Goku just says "It's the 'Shen' used to write 'God'! That was it!! That guy is the Almighty!!"
KANZENBAN 13
CONTEXT: God, still in the human body, says he's found a way to neutralize Piccolo without killing him, and puts a small bottle with Japanese signs in front of him.
TANKOBON: "Seal the Daimaô".
KANZENBAN: On the bottle, one can read "Seal the Demon King".
KANZENBAN 14
CONTEXT: Bulma has brought manju to Kame Sennin.
TANKOBON: Sponge cake filled with sugary kidney bean pastry.
KANZENBAN: Steamed brioche filled with sugary kidney bean pastry.
CONTEXT: Preparing his new technic, Piccolo screams out "Makanko Sappo!!"
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Litteraly "the deadly demonic beam that pierces through".
CONTEXT: Goku is introduced to the Great King Enma.
TANKOBON: King Enma is the judge of the buddhist realm of the dead, he decides who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell. He's more or less consistantly represented in the same way, namely a giant with a beard and horns. Here, master Toriyama plays with the bureaucratic aspect of the buddhist afterlife, representing the next world as a vast administration.
KANZENBAN: King Enma is the judge of the buddhist realm of the dead, he decides who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell. Here, master Toriyama plays with the bureaucratic aspect of the buddhist afterlife, representing the next world as a vast administration.
CONTEXT: Enma holds a book in his hands to check who Raditz is. (Tankobon only)
TANKOBON: Enma is holding the "Enma Chô" in his hands, the register of the dead.
In the Kanzenban update, "Register of the dead" has been inserted into the book itself instead of the original signs, and the note has been erased.
CONTEXT: Gohan doesn't like the apple Piccolo left for him to eat, and complains that he'd like to have Chukaman instead.
TANKOBON: Big Chinese brioche filled with sugary kidney beans pastry.
KANZENBAN: Steamed Chinese brioche filled with meat.
CONTEXT: Giving Gohan new clothes, Piccolo is amused at the fact that there's a slight difference compared to Goku's dogi: the emblem.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Instead of the sign "kame" (turtle) that Goku usually wears, Piccolo has given Gohan's costume the sign "ma" (demon).
KANZENBAN 15
CONTEXT: Kaio uses a pun to confirm his identity.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: In Japanese, Kaio, master of stupid puns, scratches his back and plays with the homophony between his name and the expression "it itches" (kai) followed by the suffix "yo" used to insist.
CONTEXT: Kaio introduces Bubbles.
KANZENBAN: That little monkey is a reference to Michael Jackson's chimpanzee.
CONTEXT: Kaio wears two big signs on his costume.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Master Kaio wears on his costume the two signs composing his name: "kai", world, and "o", king. Therefore, Kaio is the sovereign of the universe.
CONTEXT: Kaio makes a pun based on a phone call.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: "Dare mo denwa ni den wa": nobody answers the phone, a pun between "telephone" (denwa) and a way to say "not answer" (den wa).
CONTEXT: Goku tries a pun!
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: "Futon ga futtonda": my futon just flew off.
CONTEXT: Gohan calls his new martial arts master "Piccolo-san". (Tankobon only)
TANKOBON: Son Gohan uses the politeness particle "san" to talk to Piccolo. It's been chosen to keep it in French to insist on the respect Gohan will always show his teacher.
In the Kanzenban update, all Japanese particles were deemed unnecessary and improper to the French language. Gohan just calls him "Piccolo", his deep respect being shown in the very way he will always behave towards his teacher.
CONTEXT: Kaio thinks about something called the Kaioken.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Litteraly, "Kaio's technic".
CONTEXT: Kaio mentions the Genki Dama.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Genki Dama: the energy ball.
CONTEXT: Materializing a new dogi for Goku, Kaio seems pretty satisfied with his new sign on his back.
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Instead of the sign for "turtle", Kaio put the two signs from his own name on the back of Goku's costume.
CONTEXT: Vegeta mentions something called a "Saibaiman".
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Saibaiman: "plant man".
CONTEXT: Krilin's new deadly technic is called "Kienzan".
TANKOBON + KANZENBAN: Kienzan: the circular, cutting energy beam.
CONTEXT: Furious, Gohan unleashes a move called "Masenko".
TANKOBON: Masenkô: the demonic light beam (note that Gohan has nothing demonic in him, but since he learned everything from the demon Piccolo, the names for his attacks are influenced that way)
KANZENBAN: Masenko: the demonic light beam.
For the Kanzenban (3.0) release, it was often considered that details in the evolution of the characters' psychology, interactions and evolutions should be left for the readers to notice by themselves, rather than spelling it out for them. Same goes for other examples like Goku changing the way he speaks as a Super Saiyan: the reader must notice subtleties by himself and draw his own conclusions.
KANZENBAN 15 SPECIAL PAGE:
Spoiler:
