That's what's called "localization". It's a very important part of the translation process that anime's and other foreign shows go through.
If you stuck with a very pure translation you will end up with dialogue that suffers from poor grammar. Another purpose that it serves is changing cultural references and the like to things that are more familiar to the viewers that the translation is for to avoid alienating the intended audience.
Interesting stuff, huh? 8D

I can understand taking creative liberties with translation, because Japanese sounds very odd and stilted translated to English when you are super anal about being faithful, but renaming characters still annoys me. You can see just by looking at it that it's clearly an anime, so who decided kids will be scarred for life if they become aware of the existence of Japan?

Altering cultural references isn't too bad, I suppose, if it helps the target audience relate to the characters, but really, changing their names? That just seems wrong, somehow. Granted, I refer to the Sailor Scouts by their American names, but that's because I'm used to them. It wasn't until fairly recently that I found out that those aren't their real names; Lita's real name is Makoto.

This one's real name is Sakura Matou:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...125/Sakura.jpg

Sakura stands just over 11.5 inches (29 cm) tall, which was quite a surprise, albeit a pleasant one; when I found her on eBay I thought she was around 8 or 9 inches in height. I think she's the finest of my larger statuettes; very well made and very attractive. A real gem. Really makes me smile. :)

nice!

Another great find, Cass! I like her stance, she looks very content. Perhaps because she's been shopping? :wink:

I just noticed... She appears to be wearing the same shoes and socks as your Sims teen Frankie. :frankiesmile:

I really like the detail of the plastic bag. It also just struck me at how difficult it must be to make figures like that. The process to give them the appearance of movement while maintaining the figures balance must be tricky feat.

Could be; it works for me, too. I'm one of the only people I know who finds shopping for groceries to be a pleasant experience, at least when I do it after midnight and there aren't hordes of people trying to crash into me. I swear, I'm the only person in Stop & Shop who actually watches where he's going. Aside from that, I find being surrounded by food and wandering the isles to be quite relaxing. :)

Not so much in the updated picture I think, but close. Just a coincidence.

I think the process begins with a single handmade figure that is later replicated in plastic by machinery. I'd hate to try sculpting one myself; back in grammar school it took me a lot of effort to turn a lump of clay into a passable mug. Anime figures are well beyond my skill level; I give the artist a lot of credit.

She's lovely! What a great find. You have a terrific collection of anime statuettes.

Ami Mizuno... Sailor Mercury:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...i90125/Ami.jpg

What a find. What an amazing find. :)

Actually I found her awhile back but completely forgot to post a pic. Oops. :cheesegrin: Anyway, the photo doesn't completely do her justice; in person she's about 8 inches tall and very well-detailed. And very beautiful I might add, but I'm pretty sure you can see that. :frankiesmile:

I love eBay. ;D

ecellent workmanship, there Cass. Whoever does these things must be extremely skilled! I can't imagine scultping this, and i'm considered "artistic"...or something

beautiful statuette