Fansub Review: [Watakushi] Absolute Duo (Episode 02)

This post was written by Dark_Sage. He is Dark_Sage.

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This review comes with a trigger warning: if almost-English translations give you headaches, this one will give you a migraine. It is ESL in all the worst ways.

Fuck
Fuck everyone in this image.

 

 

Table of Contents

Release Information

Visual Quality

Script Quality

Results

 

Release Information

Episode details.

Release format: 720p MKV (308 MB, 8-bit)

Japanesiness: Honorifics. “Tor” instead of “Tooru”.

English style: American English.

Encoding details: http://pastebin.com/RyjHbQ83

Speed: Quick (<48 hours)

Translation style: Original TL, but not in a good way.

 

External links.

Group website: http://watakushi-fansub.blogspot.com/

IRC channel: #[email protected]

 

 

Visual Review

Karaoke.

Opening.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_01.26_[2015.01.11_22.00.36] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_02.04_[2015.01.11_22.01.32]

Webm link

Rating: Bad. Do I even need to qualify this rating? I mean, shit, just look at it.

 

Ending.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_21.07_[2015.01.11_22.36.03] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_21.22_[2015.01.11_22.36.23]

Webm link

Rating: Okay+. I’m always one for sparkles and glitter, even when they have no thematic ties to the visuals or the song.

 

 

Typesetting.

It exists, but it sucks.

Spoiler:

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_02.13_[2015.01.11_22.01.44] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.19_[2015.01.11_22.05.53] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.40_[2015.01.11_22.11.57] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.49_[2015.01.11_22.12.14] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_05.49_[2015.01.11_22.13.50] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_06.24_[2015.01.11_22.14.51] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_06.52_[2015.01.11_22.15.42] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_07.36_[2015.01.11_22.16.40] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_11.46_[2015.01.11_22.21.52] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_14.39_[2015.01.11_22.27.06] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_15.37_[2015.01.11_22.28.17] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_15.38_[2015.01.11_22.28.24] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_22.10_[2015.01.11_22.37.18] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_23.36_[2015.01.11_22.39.10] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_23.38_[2015.01.11_22.39.16] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_23.41_[2015.01.11_22.39.24]

 

 

 

Script Review

Karaoke.

I don’t see any reason to go line by line through Watakushi’s translations, but if you hate your free time, be my guest.

Spoiler:

OP:

We survived
the obstructed past.
The future is growing faint
in the never-changing months.
Now that it’s time to fight
someday, I wished for
powers that surpass fate.
We’ll be strong
to the extents possible,
for the two of us.
This radiance reflects
our bonds that are stronger than wounds.
My soul’s dashing at you
wanting to protect you.
Hey.
Everything you put in my care
even the pain is only ours, so let’s change it to strength.
I want to be
your and only your shield.
Back to back, I believe in
miracles, and in us two.
A point of limit is looking down on us from afar
which no one can break into, not stop it.

 

ED:

The wind comes to a stop
when it touches my back as I’m walking alone.
The sounds of bells are echoing by your side.
My loneliness melts away time and again.
I send my song to eternity that’s near the
Even when it rains on us
we just believe…
I’m sure my quiet voice can be conveyed too.
That alone
lets a hope shine on my shaky hands.
As I pluck up my courage, we can seize the sky with our souls in sync.
You’re in my world.

 

 

Main Script.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_02.53_[2015.01.11_22.02.48]

You mean “Pardon the interruption.”

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.05_[2015.01.11_22.05.06]

This isn’t a sentence.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.12_[2015.01.11_22.05.24] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.16_[2015.01.11_22.05.45] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.19_[2015.01.11_22.05.53]

This is also not a sentence. …nor is it even English.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.26_[2015.01.11_22.11.25]

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_04.56_[2015.01.11_22.12.46]

Square-Enix, the fuck are you doing in my fansub scene?

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_05.56_[2015.01.11_22.14.07] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_06.19_[2015.01.11_22.14.42]

I only got a C in Calc 101, but I’m pretty sure there’s something off here.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_06.52_[2015.01.11_22.15.42]

got to

vs.

got into

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_07.15_[2015.01.11_22.16.11]

More stupid fucking ESL bullshit. People don’t “get” misunderstandings; they “have” them.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_07.40_[2015.01.11_22.16.48]

I’m not one to advocate for rape, but considering what they did to English in this release, I think going eye-for-an-eye is rather applicable.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_08.45_[2015.01.11_22.18.01]

This translation is not up to par.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_09.08_[2015.01.11_22.18.32]

Watakushi, giving the advice they need to hear.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_09.10_[2015.01.11_22.18.51] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_09.13_[2015.01.11_22.18.57]

This is literally the opposite of what he’s saying.

That’s a problem. -> That won’t be a problem.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_11.59_[2015.01.11_22.22.26] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_12.00_[2015.01.11_22.22.31]

A conversation, apparently. I’m surprised too.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_12.36_[2015.01.11_22.23.30] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_12.40_[2015.01.11_22.23.37]

People who get to lines like this and think “yeah, this makes sense, I should totally watch more Watakushi subs” shouldn’t be allowed to make their own decisions.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_15.48_[2015.01.11_22.29.20] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_15.51_[2015.01.11_22.29.28]

A. The fuck is “read up this” supposed to mean?

B. The fuck does “lining up” their Blazes work?

C. For real, the fuck is wrong with Watakushi?

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_16.22_[2015.01.11_22.30.05] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_16.23_[2015.01.11_22.30.10] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_16.33_[2015.01.11_22.30.58] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_16.34_[2015.01.11_22.31.04]

If my narcissism didn’t make me immune to depression, these subs would certainly put me over the edge.

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_20.18_[2015.01.11_22.35.08]

apart -> part

[Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_22.20_[2015.01.11_22.37.47] [Watakushi] Absolute Duo 02 [720p][A61D2934].mkv_snapshot_22.22_[2015.01.11_22.37.51]

If someone wants to start a new holocaust, I'd appreciate it if you could remember to put these three enablers on the list. Also, don't kill me. I'm kawaii master race.
If someone wants to start a new holocaust, I’d appreciate it if you could remember to put these three enablers on the list. Also, don’t kill me. I’m kawaii master race.

 

 

 

Results

Watchability: Understandable if you use the subs as a rough “guide”, but unwatchable if you have any standards.

Visual grade: D+

Script grade: F

Overall grade: F

You should avoid this at all costs. Nothing Watakushi has released has done the slightest to justify their existence as a group or as human beings. Go with HorribleSubs if you need this show ASAP.

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11 thoughts on “Fansub Review: [Watakushi] Absolute Duo (Episode 02)”

  1. Well, they’re great at K-Timing and KFX, giving credit where it’s due. The OP just didn’t fit very nicely, but the ED is quite pleasant indeed, sparkles and glitter FTW.

    I just think they need a better typesetter (main font too), but most importantly a half-decent editor.

    Reply

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