What is the best translation of Dragon Ball possible?

[Nex Carnifex]

I got the manga from viz but it just seems off, they try to make the language too cutesy a lot of the time, the one at manga reader seems better. IYO what is the best place to read Dragon Ball?

[Kendamu]

If you're insistent on reading Dragonball, learning Japanese is the best way. If you don't want to study away years of your life just for one comic, though, VIZ is really the only other way to go. Scanslations aren't really something we talk about around here.

If you'd like to watch Dragonball, the subtitled version is the best translation.

[Nex Carnifex]

I don't really understand what you mean by you don't talk about scanslations, why not? I compared them to Herm's "tru" translations and they were more accurate than the viz manga's translations, way more accurate.

[Puto]

Because they're illegal, for one. And they're not necessarily better than Viz. In some places they're more accurate, in some places they have mistakes making them less accurate.

[Nex Carnifex]

And why is viz the only other way to go when it isn't the only other way to go? Do you pretend like other translations don't exist or something?

[Nex Carnifex]

Goku says those ouches will not hurt me instead of my body is as strong as stainless steel in Viz, c'mon, the scans I saw were much more accurate to the original, even if they aren't official. I feel like Viz is insulting my intelligence because I'm reading a manga when I'm reading their translation. Like they'll replace serious statements with jokes about Hawaii, it is very stupid.

[Pokewhiz7]

I don't really understand what you mean by you don't talk about scanslations, why not? I compared them to Herm's "tru" translations and they were more accurate than the viz manga's translations, way more accurate.

I trademarked Tru.

[Nex Carnifex]

Uh, that's great, thanks for nothing

[Pokewhiz7]

Uh, that's great, thanks for nothing

What do you want me to say? Unless you know Japanese, Viz is all there is. I can't vouch for the accuracy of other languages at all.

[Kendamu]

And why is viz the only other way to go when it isn't the only other way to go? Do you pretend like other translations don't exist or something?

I guess you didn't read the rules:

RULE #7: NO BOOTLEGGING

We do not condone bootlegging. We do not want to hear about your bootleg DVDs. We do not want to hear about how many episodes you have downloaded. Yes, we can tell those screen-caps come from bootleg DVDs and/or ripping-groups' downloadable versions. We do not want to hear about how many V0/scene MP3s you have collected. When it comes down to it, DBZ has had a very rough uprising in various countries, but we are finally at the point where we can legally purchase many of the things we want and support our fandom. We recognize that there is a fine line with regard to things such as "unreleased" material, so just be wary and respectful of that line.

If you wanna read scans and watch fansubs, nobody stopping you or me from doing so. We just tend to keep talk of it off the forums.

Sorry to hear that the kids' manga is sounding like it's written with kids in mind, but there really isn't much that can be done.

[The Time Traveller]

The subtitles!

[Akumaito Beam]

I can understand not being satisfied by the official translation. Despite personal translation preference Dragonball is licensed by VIZ and (as others have said) Daizex has a long history of not tolerating bootlegging in any fashion. In short, here is probably not the best place to try and find different scanlation websites.

[Nex Carnifex]

Yeah but if they're going to have all the adult shit like guns and boobs and penises and perversion then why not a bit more mature translation? According to the back its a teen kangaroo, not nessesarily a young kids manual, get yo facts straight.

[Kendamu]

Yeah but if they're going to have all the adult shit like guns and boobs and penises and perversion then why not a bit more mature translation?

Probably because immature nudity gags in a comedy/martial arts adventure about little boys beating each other up when there are no bad guys around doesn't come off as "mature" in the first place.

[Akumaito Beam]

I think it's important to reiterate Dragon Ball was a kid's comic book and cartoon show in Japan from beginning to end. Cultural norms regarding the tolerance of things like nudity and weaponry vary from place to place so what may seem mundane to some parts of the world may not to others.

Edit: Which is why the English manga has a "Teen" rating. Japan in the 80's and America in 2011 are two very different places.

[Nex Carnifex]

Yeah but if they're going to have all the adult shit like guns and boobs and penises and perversion then why not a bit more mature translation?

Probably because immature nudity gags in a comedy/martial arts adventure about little boys beating each other up when there are no bad guys around doesn't come off as "mature" in the first place.

Well something about the more accurate ones were just funnier and seemed a bit less muddy and more sarcastic which is how it was intended. Stop obsessing over a show you don't even respect.

[AgitoZ]

Yeah but if they're going to have all the adult shit like guns and boobs and penises and perversion then why not a bit more mature translation?

First of all not all of those things are preserved in the first place.

According to the back its a teen kangaroo, not nessesarily a young kids manual, get yo facts straight.

Secondly, if I may borrow from another thread.

Just to prove this age rating thing once and for all:

...yeah.

DUDE! I had no idea Sailor Moon is fucking hardcore!

[Nex Carnifex]

Sailor moon is a girl show

[Pokewhiz7]

Sailor moon is a girl show

Okay? And?

[Nex Carnifex]

Most "adult anime" uses the exact same humor anyway