Takuma
Completely forgiven for abandoning his young children for the sake of a revenge he never achieves and in fact completely forgets about. Oh, and he hung out with a mob boss somewhere in there.
Fighter title
| My translation | Arcade translation | Home translation |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Father of Kyokugen | The King of Karate | Master of Kyoku Gen and One Really Swell Dad |
Arcade sourced from The Arcade Flyer Archive, maunal sourced from Rage Quitter 87. Thank you!
"The Father who has Become Great in Kyokugen" or something. I don't know. "The King of Karate" isn't completely terrible in that light, even if I still can't figure out the karate royalty thing the arcade flyer has going on for the Sakazakis.
Meanwhile the home version gets really out there and calls Takuma "one really swell dad". A man who abandoned his children after their mother died, mind you. I think that disqualifies him from being a good dad, but I admit it reads like a translation of the Japanese. Just...missing some bits. (he's great at karate, not being a dad!)
Interview
What do you treasure? My two children, all my disciples, and kyokugen karate itself.
Who's your rival? Myself.
What's been on your mind recently? I've been teaching my daughter Yuri kyokugen, but does she really intend to enter into this tournament?
Finally, give us a word about your participation in the current tournament. My son Ryo also seems to be participating, so I'm looking forward to seeing how far he's come.
Intro vs Yuri
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Yuri, summon all your power and come at me as hard as you can. | Show your father what you have learned. Kick in my teeth. |
| Sure thing! Take a good long look at the fruits of my training, Dad! | Okay, Papa. Here I come! Watch your teeth. |
Takuma's route is an exercise in rephrasing "come at me bro" 12 times.
Anyway I like this? The intent is clear and the lines play off each other in a cute way. Maybe it's looking at them side-by-side like this, but the connection is evident.
Translator's note: Japanese terms for family members...are way more than I really want to get into here, so I'll briefly summarize the relevant bits. Ryo uses the very standard 父さん/tousan, which is a pretty generic way of saying Dad/Father. Yuri uses お父さん/otousan, which is a slightly more feminine/polite version of the same thing.
The official translation ends up with Ryo generally calling Takuma "Dad" and Yuri using "Papa", which works well enough. Yuri's supposed to sound really young and cute, and using "Papa" is a perfectly valid choice. I went with just cuteing up her dialog in general, but that's very much a translator choice and not an objective thing.
Intro vs Eiji
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| I've heard about you from Ryo. Come at me as hard as you want. | Ryo has told me all about you. I fell asleep, though. |
| If I'm to face a master of kyokugen karate, I will fight to my utmost ability. Now, fall before me! | Wait a minute. That's an insult, right? |
Upthorn fixed a problem with Eiji's line here.
Well, Takuma's first sentence is accurate. (When did Ryo meet Eiji? Goddamnit, elaborate fighting game plots)
Obviously, after that it turns into a weird joke thing that has nothing to do with what the characters are saying in Japanese. Not much to say about that.
Another Translator's note: The word I translated as "master" is used a couple times for Takuma and generally means "teacher, instructor". But he's also supposed to have mastered kyokugen so...yeah. It just felt better.
Intro vs Jack
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| What's wrong? Your fighting spirit has been scattered to the four winds. | It seems you've lost your savage spirit, my friend. |
| Shaddup! You got no right to talk like that! | Oh, shut up. I think I ate a bad side of beef or something. |
Takuma's line is pretty good! It feels a bit weird to have him call Jack "my friend", but it's probably intended as sarcastic and it's nice to be reminded that they probably met around AoF1. And I like "savage spirit" as a phrase, even if the Japanese phrase is more generally just "fighting spirit".
Jack's line is changed quite a bit, from just getting mad at Takuma to making excuses. Translator/editor's sense of humour, I guess. Not much else I can guess here.
Intro vs Lee
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Gakusuu's student, huh? Come at me! Don't shame your master's name! | The disciple of Gaku Suu. Don't shame the name of your master. |
| Ho ho ho. Even if you didn't say that, my claws would shortly put you down. | Ke, ke, ke. I don't need your advice. Taste my steel! |
This is mostly straight. The most interesting thing is probably talking about the various ways to write Gakusuu. To wit: spaces can get really arbitrary. For example, we know Lee's first name is "Pai Long" not "Pailong" because it's right there in English below his health bar, but there's no space in Japanese, so you could write it either way. Under the circumstances it's pretty easy to see why someone would assume his master has the same split in his name. I didn't go that route, but until SNK comes out with their own romanization then it really can be either.
On that note, I've seen "Gakusuo" floating around. That's not a typical romanization and until I track down a source I'm not using it. Of course, if you have a source, let me know!
Intro vs Robert
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Strike me down with everything you've learned so far, Robert. | Robert. You've become strong. But not as strong as me! |
| All right! Sorry sensei, but get ready to lose! | We will have to see about that, sensei. |
Takuma's line goes from the line he has against all his disciples to a pretty direct put-down of Robert. Ouch. As you can see, that's not there in Japanese.
Robert's line is changed to match Takuma's English line, so there's not much of a connection to his Japanese line either. The conversation ends up making perfect sense in both languages, and I can see how someone might think it's one of the better-translated lines. But no.
Intro vs John
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Arts that exist only to kill are powerless in the face of a true warrior. | The true value of fighting lies not in slaughter of your enemies. |
| I understand you're nervous in front of me, but watch your tongue. | No, in shutting up old bores like you! |
John's line follows much better in English than in Japanese. Interesting.
To be hyper-literal, Takuma's saying that killing martial arts are nothing in the face of true martial arts. I'm not that dedicated to literalness, so I changed it to Takuma talking about a true fighter.
The English is still scolding John about killing, though it drops the idea of "martial arts for killing" vs "true martial arts", replacing it with "the true value of fighting". I actually like it. It sounds like something a character like Takuma would say.
John's line is completely changed, but like I said, it actually works better than in Japanese. His Japanese line is just vaguely telling Takuma to shut up, but it's much more active in English.
Intro vs King
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| A Muay Thai fighter, huh? This is the first time I've fought one. Now, what shall I do? | Oh boy. A kickboxer. Nice gams, honey. |
| Are you frightened? It looks like kyokugen karate doesn't amount to much after all. | These gams are going to send you to a very warm place. |
The Japanese is weird enough that I feel like I'm missing something.
Anyway, in Japanese Takuma is definitely interested in fighting King because of her style. In English he's...hitting on her? I guess? "Gams" feels pretty old-fashioned, which I guess is what they were going for, since Takuma is supposed to be older. Of course I could also be ascribing purposeful intent where the main idea was to make a joke.
King's English line follows off Takuma's English line, so it has nothing to do with what she's saying in Japanese. Notice the reappearance of "send you to a warm place" as a euphemism for "hell".
And no, I'm not sure why she's asking Takuma if he's scared in Japanese. It's weird.
Intro vs Takuma
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Kyokugen karate cannot be mastered by just anyone! Get out! | Kyoku gen karate is not for every Tom, Dick, or Harry! |
| Don't underestimate amateurs! I'll beat that stuck-up attitude right out of you. | No, it's for every Hiro, Shin, and Taro! Ha ha ha! |
Takuma's line is pretty good, with the small caveat that it kind of loses the idea that he's saying 2P Takuma is the "just anyone" he has a problem with. When I first saw the English line I thought the double was taking in random students or something. Then again, thinking about it, Takuma would only care if the students paid their dues and put in the effort. (this is a bit before the "the Sakazakis are poor lol" joke really gets going, but you can tell the dojo's kind of run-down)
Then 2P Takuma's response follows from the proceeding line in both languages, but is kind of weird in both. In Japanese he's saying...he can beat Takuma even though he's an amateur? This feels like a really weird thing to say. Like, the feel of the match in Japanese is a guy that's been training for years vs a novice, but the newbie is confident. Maybe he's just a scrub.
Then in English he makes a joke about kyokugen being for any Japanese person. It's a cute spin on the saying, but it doesn't get across what Takuma's problem is. Though as Kishi pointed out, it does show that the translator/editor/localizer knew what names were considered overly common in Japanese. So it probably wasn't done by a person who flat out didn't know anything, and they were trying to make some sort of effort.
Intro vs Temjin
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| A bizarre appearance, but if you're my opponent...bring it on. | You are one I know not! Attack and be brave. |
| Hmhmhm, a tough-looking guy. Do I have a chance? | Are you another fighter or an over-aged cheerleader? |
Number of screens changes again. I love it, but it throws my image editing game off something fierce.
Anyway, this is completely changed. I can sort of see how Takuma's line got from A to B here...he doesn't know Temjin, but tells him to bring it on anyway. The English loses the idea that he specifically thinks Temjin looks weird, though. "Attack and be brave" sounds strangely stilted to me in a way that's different from the rest of the route.
Temjin's English line, on the other hand, is very much in tune with the rest of the game. In Japanese he thinks Takuma looks tough and wonders if he can even win. In English he rags on Takuma for being supportive. Rude.
Intro vs Ryo
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Ryo, display all you have learned so far for your father. | Well, Ryo. Show me the fruits of your labors. |
| Then I won't hold back, Dad! | Geez, Dad. Here? In front of everybody? Give me a break. |
Every one of Takuma's conversations with his students is the exact same conversation with slightly different wording.
"The fruits of your labors" is a pretty good way to handle the line. Ryo's line, meanwhile, is just a joke. I'm not even entirely sure what it's trying to imply...probably something filthy? Maybe?
The only living thing watching is Ryo's horse....oh my.
Intro vs Mickey
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| It seems boxing is only a sport after all. | It seems boxing is a mere sport. Face the harsh fact. |
| My boxing is completely different from what you know. Care to try me? | Face my fists, you pansy karate fool. |
Takuma's line: pretty good.
Mickey's line plays off Takuma's in different ways, and once again I'm faced with the point that yes, the English version changed things, but for the better.
Okay, so "pansy karate fool" is laying it on a bit thick, but that's the charm point.
Intro vs Big
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Finally, the time has come to settle things between us. Prepare yourself. | At last the final battle has come. Let us finish this soon. |
| Hahahah, excellent! It's been a long time since I've had a good fight! | Heh, heh, it has been a long time since we have mixed it up. |
Pretty much the same all the way through! Wow.
The one difference stands out to me as something that might actually be a mistake: in Japanese Big hasn't had a good fight in general in awhile, in English he's specifically talking about fighting Takuma. There's no implication in Japanese that Takuma was actually able to fight Big around the time of AoF1 thanks to the whole Yuri hostage thing, so this is noticeable.
I dunno. It's so rare an actual possible translation mistake slips through that I doubt myself. It might just be a dumb rewrite.
To the Police Commissioner
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Suit: Mr. Takuma Sakazaki. The commissioner has requested to meet with you. Would you please come with us? | Suit: Mr Takuma Sakazaki? The police commisioner would like a word with you. Could you walk this way? |
| Takuma: The commissioner? What in the world would he want with me? | Takuma: The commissioner? I wonder what this could be...a trap? Wah! |
The goon's line was translated by Kishi.
Big, noticeable difference: English Takuma pays attention to local politics. Japanese Takuma is just confused about why he's getting picked up by the cops.
The English line doesn't really fit with the rest of the story, but it's good to see a character taking an interest in their community.
Intro vs Geese
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Geese: Long time no see, Takuma. Remember me? | Geese: Long time, no see, Takuma. How's your daughter? |
| Takuma: Y-you! Geese! | Takuma: Geese? You...! |
| Geese: Ah, so you do remember. I'll ask once again: don't you want to work for me? We already talked about my interest in your skills. How about it, Takuma? | Geese: People should learn to finish their sentences. But I am happy you remembered my name. Ya... big galoot. Care to make up? |
| Takuma: I told you already. I have no desire to cooperate with a man like you. | Takuma: I said it before and I'm sayin' it again. No, no. No! Okay? |
Why are so many of Geese's lines so badly formatted? Look at that crap. Look at it!
This does add in another box for Geese that I didn't show in favor of the linebreak mess. "How's your daughter?" is an entirely new screen for the English version, so SNK wasn't giving that up.
That and Geese's other lines establish pretty clearly that Geese was behind AoF1 and had Takuma working for him in English, just like the intro said. (needless to say, not in Japanese) It's remarkably consistent, which is interesting. Was it a planned thing, or did the editor just like Geese? It's always neat to see entirely different plot points depending on the language.
Geese calling Takuma a "big galoot" is also insane but it's insane in such a normal SNK way I barely notice it anymore. This project is getting to me. (it's been getting to me for the past year or so)
Win vs Geese
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Geese: I knew it, I wasn't mistaken to want you. Your strength is the real thing. | Geese: Is this how you treat your kind benefactor? Oh, cruel world! |
| Takuma: Shut up! The time has come to pay you back for everything! Haoh-! | Takuma: Quiet! Now I pay you back for everything! Ha oh-- |
| Takuma: -gh! What just happened? | Takuma: Eh! What the heck...? |
| Suit: This way, Mr. Geese. | Suit: This way, Mr Geese. |
| Geese: Though I lost this time, have no doubt that I'll be back to even the score. Until then, farewell. | Geese: I have lost this time. But I will be back. For now, my farewell. |
| Takuma: Wait, Geese! We're not finished yet! | Takuma: Wait, the battle is not over, yet.Geese! |
The bits that are the same as Ryo's route were translated by Kishi!
Again, the English is really consistent about Takuma having worked for Geese in the past, while the Japanese is equally consistent that he didn't. Usually I'd expect them to slip up about something like this, but no. I'd say "I guess it's easier when it's only one route" but that didn't stop the legend of Blue Mary and the Chinese Conglomerate.
Takuma's lines are all very straight and honestly pretty solid. Most English speakers might assume problems with his last line, but it's just a bunch of typos. The actual translation is fine.
Geese Goes to Japan
Since Geese's migration is common to all characters, I put it under Misc.
Ending
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| Ryo: Congratulations dad, I knew you could do it. You're the master of kyokugen. | Ryo: Way to go, Dad! |
| Yuri: Way to go, dad! | Yuri: Hooray, Papa! |
| Takuma: Ah, Ryo and Yuri. I won the championship somehow, now - gh! | Takuma: Oh Ryo, Yuri. I guess I did okay, huh? Ooh! |
| Yuri: Dad! Hold on! | Yuri: Papa! Aaah! Hang in there! |
| Ryo: Dad! | Ryo: Daddy! |
| Takuma: I- I'm all right. Somewhere in the tournament, my arm must've gotten hurt. I'm going to have to retire as a martial artist. | Takuma: I'm...okay. But my arm hurts like all get out! Oh, my days as fighting god have come to an end! |
| Takuma: Ryo, Yuri. It's time for young folk like you to write the history of kyokugen. Strive with all your might to become even stronger! | Takuma: Ryo, Yuri. Your age is dawning. Make a name for yourselves, and remember your dear old dad, even when I start to drool and... |
| Kids: Right! | Kids: Okay, Dad. We understand! |
...I swear I translated the Japanese before looking at the English. Sometimes you just get things like this.
Anyway, a couple minor reminders. The word I translated as "master" also means "instructor, teacher", and Ryo and Yuri have slightly different ways of saying "dad" that don't really translate to English. ...but neither of them are particularly equivalent to "daddy" so I have no idea what the hell is going on there.
Anyway, besides daddy, this is pretty good except for that one weird joke at the end of Takuma's speech. It's a very, very standard 'anime martial artist mentor has to retire' speech, so anyone that's ever watched a fight anime was probably able to tell what the original was without me.
Win Quotes
| My translation | Official translation |
|---|---|
| vs self | |
| There's another person out there who uses my techniques? The world is vast indeed. | A small world with a double for everyone. Interesting, huh. |
| vs students | |
| Is this the result of all I have taught you? You fool! | Wimp! Maybe you should become a banker instead, mushead. |
| vs others | |
| You're good. But kyokugen's better. | Good! But not good enough to match the power of kyoku gen. |
These are all easy to match up, because Takuma's win lines are all coded. He's got one against himself, one for his students (Ryo, Robert, Yuri), and one for everyone else. Nice and neat.
There's not much to say about the generic one, because it's a very straight translation and matches mine just fine.
As for the line against students... I'm not 100% on it, so corrections welcome as usual. It's definitely not the English line, though. "Mushead" is a pretty rare way of calling someone an idiot, and while technically, yeah, that's what he's saying, it's not someone you'd normally go for. Especially not for a character like Takuma. ...that said, maybe Ryo or Yuri should become a banker and bring in some cash.
The sentiment is a bit changed in his line against himself, but the basic idea is there. Takuma's just kind of "huh, how about that" about finding his double...which is pretty different from yelling at the guy to get out because he's an amateur at kyokugen. Guess 2P got some respect after the fight. Don't underestimate amateurs indeed.