Fansub Review: [NSOnii] Free! (Episode 05)

This post was written by Dark_Sage. He is Dark_Sage.

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And this completes the backlog’s backlog. Onto the poll results!

Table of Contents

Release Information

Visual Quality

Script Quality

Results

Release Information

Episode details.

Release format: MKV (288 MB, 10-bit)

Japanesiness: Very Japanesey. Honorifics used, various terms untranslated (shumai, hakama)

English style: American English.

Encoding details: http://pastebin.com/UQdBMnkY

Speed: Quick (<48 hours)

 

External links.

Group website: http://sw.littlewhitebutterflies.net/ (NSFW)  |  http://oni.fansub.co/  |  http://evetaku.com/blog/

IRC channel: #[email protected]  |  #[email protected]  |  #[email protected]

ShortWarf is hosted on LWB’s site, Oni is hosted on Doki’s site, and NyanTaku is hosted on EveTaku’s site. Attack of the sub groups.

 

Visual Review

Karaoke.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_01.48_[2013.08.11_12.14.16] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_02.18_[2013.08.11_12.14.55]

Opening. Rather standard karaoke, notable only for matching the credits. But that occasionally works against it with all the color-schemed scenes.

Rating: Okay+.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_21.55_[2013.08.12_00.18.34] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_22.04_[2013.08.12_00.18.50]

Ending. Solid kara in general, but I can’t work out why some of the color-coding decisions that were made… were made (see the green-on-purple screen). Actually, I probably have a good guess: apathy.

Rating: Okay.

 

 

Typesetting.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.23_[2013.08.10_17.15.35] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.24_[2013.08.10_17.15.48] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.29_[2013.08.10_17.15.59] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.32_[2013.08.10_18.39.01] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.52_[2013.08.10_18.40.01][NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_02.39_[2013.08.11_12.15.28] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_02.43_[2013.08.11_12.15.37] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_02.47_[2013.08.11_12.15.53] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_03.43_[2013.08.11_12.17.15] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_04.36_[2013.08.11_12.18.47] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_05.14_[2013.08.11_12.19.30] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_05.40_[2013.08.11_12.20.02] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_08.26_[2013.08.11_12.22.53] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_14.18_[2013.08.12_00.03.55] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_14.41_[2013.08.12_00.06.00] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_14.52_[2013.08.12_00.06.17]

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_23.25_[2013.08.12_00.20.15]

I loved how they typeset (most) everything. And it was competently done, too. Thumbs up.

 

Other.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_23.37_[2013.08.12_00.20.31]

The still shot at the end was included. Good call on keeping the best couple in the release.

TTosho
Distro review time

Free marketing tip: You shouldn’t be relying on anons to post your torrents for you. It reflects poorly on your groups as it makes it seem like you guys don’t care. Not the ideal strategy when you’re trying to target the leechers who are super concerned about quality.

(Ryuk mentioned he’d start handling this, but I can’t miss the opportunity to bust your chops for it.)

 

 

 

Script Review

Karaoke.

NSOnii had the official lyrics for this, so we’ll assume the Engrish is right.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_01.52_[2013.08.12_00.50.57]

This would have been great if it were “On your bended knees”. I understand that’s not how the lyrics are sung, but you missed the perfect opportunity to play with the karaoke by putting it in English order and then having the karaoke hit the lyrics as they’re sung (so “on” would get filled in first, “your” would be skipped, “bended” would be filled in next, then “your” would get filled in, ending with “knees”).

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_01.55_[2013.08.12_00.51.22]

I don’t get this at all.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_22.20_[2013.08.12_01.02.05]

“back & feel” is Engrish gibberish, so that can’t be helped. But why did you change it to be “back & fill”? It’s somehow even worse now.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_22.23_[2013.08.12_00.59.39] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_22.27_[2013.08.12_01.00.32]

How does one win from trying too many times?

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_22.39_[2013.08.12_01.00.54]

These subs are getting me hot and bothered. No, wait, they’re just getting me bothered.

This line makes no sense.

 

 

Main Script.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.29_[2013.08.10_17.15.59]

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.34_[2013.08.12_00.12.32]

You do know there are idioms out there that relate to pressure, right? Idioms that, because they exist, make these lines look like they were written by people raised in isolation from human contact.

Try “Some people also break under pressure.” {I prefer “crack”, but looks like “break” is more common.}

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_03.13_[2013.08.11_12.16.39]

Generally, I’d say it should be “freestyle” since nobody calls it “free”, but in light of the show’s name, it’s not altogether an issue.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_11.07_[2013.08.11_23.57.48] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_11.08_[2013.08.11_23.57.52] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_11.10_[2013.08.11_23.57.58]

Well that sure is some clever scriptwriting. Whoever was in charge of this could write for The Big Bang Theory.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_11.54_[2013.08.12_00.01.01]

This line would be accurate if she were referring to another island. But she’s referring to the island they’re currently on, ergo “there” should be “here”.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_14.20_[2013.08.12_00.04.02]

What the fuck is hyaluronan? Wikipedia?

Hyaluronan (also called hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate or HA) is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. It is unique among glycosaminoglycans in that it is nonsulfated, forms in the plasma membrane instead of the Golgi, and can be very large, with its molecular weight often reaching the millions.[2] One of the chief components of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronan contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration, and may also be involved in the progression of some malignant tumors.

Oh. That clears it up. The girls just wanted to get tumors. Thanks, NSOnii.

[NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_00.41_[2013.08.12_00.15.37] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_19.31_[2013.08.12_00.16.07] [NSOnii] Free! - 05 (1280x720 x264 AAC)[C95D0E73].mkv_snapshot_20.16_[2013.08.12_00.14.40]

Boy do I like stopping my video to Wikipedia this shit. Nothing gets me into a series more especially when there are easily substitutable English terms for all of them.

“Wait, why are you in that get-up anyway?”

“I hate green peas in my dumplings!”

“We can use a lottery to decide.”

 

Results

Watchability: Watchable.

Visual grade: B+

Script grade: B-

Overall grade: B

My main complaint with this release is that it gets noticeably unnatural at times. From the stale banter to the fascination with non-translations, it’s not anything I’d expect to see in a non-fansub release.

The base script is more solid than Hatsuyuki’s, but not to the point where I can unilaterally recommend this over Hatsu’s. If you’re a fan of Japanesey scripts, this is probably the release you want, but if you want something a little less polished but a little more conversational, Hatsuyuki’s will do you best. And for that reason, I’ll be going with Hatsu’s.

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81 thoughts on “Fansub Review: [NSOnii] Free! (Episode 05)”

  1. >This would have been great if it were “On your bended knees”. I understand that’s not how the lyrics are sung, but you missed the perfect opportunity to play with the karaoke by putting it in English order and then having the karaoke hit the lyrics as they’re sung (so “on” would get filled in first, “your” would be skipped, “bended” would be filled in next, then “your” would get filled in, ending with “knees”).
    I’m going to call having the karaoke skip left and right a matter of preference and leave it at that.

    >it should be “freestyle” since nobody calls it “free”
    This is false.

    Reply
  2. >hakama
    That was fine though. There’s no English equivalent for it (bath-robe? summer kimono?), and although they could have skipped it, most people would know what a hakama is by now (it’s only in every single anime that has a hot spring episode, after all).

    We’re dangerously close to overlocalisation right now. I miss the days when we could have something like ‘shumai’ in italics and an an8 to explain it.

    (I’m still sticking to Hatsuyuki)

    Reply
    • Not translation stuff because you assume your audience knows japanese isn’t the best standard when you’re translating from japanese.

      Reply
    • I haven’t seen the episode so I don’t know what he was wearing, but what you’re talking about (bathrobe/summer kimono) is a yukata. Hakama are the traditional baggy trousers-type things.

      Reply
      • I’m very much on the fence regarding localization. Mostly I like to see translations that capture the meaning, but at other times I sort of miss the translations with small touches like ‘onigiri’ and ‘senpai’.

        …I think I’m getting old.

        Reply
    • I knew it too, it’s in the face lotion commercials all the time. If you believe them, then hyaluronan makes all your wrinkles dissapear the second you use their face lotion.

      But that set aside, I can’t think of anything they could have done about that line without putting in translation notes. I really dislike translation notes…

      Reply
    • It’s not sarcasm. Based on that, it looks like hyaluronan is an ingredient, not the final product they’d purchase? I shouldn’t have to read an entire fucking Wikipedia article to understand the line.

      Reply
      • D_S, please, this is why you don’t get taken seriously. I understood the line and mostly figured out what hyaluronan was from the context. They’re talking about going to a beauty salon/spa; it’s pretty obvious that hyaluronan is some kind of active ingredient that likely does something for your skin. You really don’t need a more precise definition to understand what’s going on.

        The ghost leg thing I’d tend to agree with more. They talk about it more than once in passing, and the context offers very little hints as to how the game works. I managed to guess correctly, but I wasn’t sure until I saw the discussion about it below.

        Reply
    • >There are easily substitutable English terms for all of them.
      >“Wait, why are you in that get-up anyway?”
      … ehhh, no thanks. You’d do this if the line said ‘kimono’ too? A hakama is hardly any more obscure.

      >“I hate green peas in my dumplings!”
      … yes, clearly this should’ve been TL’d.

      >“We can use a lottery to decide.”
      … lottery is not right, but the ghost leg game could use a better explanation in the subs, even considering the following line. Changing to lottery is an overreach IMO.

      Reply
  3. Do any of your reviews consider accuracy? I couldn’t care less about OP’s & ED’s and I fix all the grammar and spelling mistakes automatically when I read it anyways so the best done translation/localization is all I care about. Its hard to tell if your script section is a review of their script in comparison to what was actually said or just a review of its English and flow. Also, I think crack under pressure is the more common term (or at least it sounds better to me). One last thing, lots of swimmers I know just say free. Its pretty common.

    Reply
    • You really can’t tell? It’s the latter. D_S knows a minimal amount of Japanese, so a line that makes sense in context but is wrong is going to slip past.

      Look for one of the translation reviews, which are conveniently labeled as such. This isn’t one of them.

      Agreed that “free” is common usage and shorthand among swimmers. I haven’t watched more than one episode of the show, but plain “free” also seems to be like a better match with respect to the title of the show and prob. with angsty bishies wanting to be free in a societal / emotional / spiritual / whatever sense. Or at least that’s what I assumed the show was about from the title and PV.

      Reply
  4. >Ending. Solid kara in general, but I can’t work out why some of the color-coding decisions that were made… were made (see the green-on-purple screen). Actually, I probably have a good guess: apathy.

    IIRC, you can’t change colors in the middle of a line with KFX. You could do it in AFX tho.

    Reply

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