Shenmue Dojo

In the Shenmue many names were pronounced one way for example Zhao Sunming, but in Shenmue 2 its Sunming Zhao. Tao Lishao in Shenmue but in Shenmue 2 its Lishao Tao. Zhu Yuan Da in Shenmue and Yuanda Zhu in Shenmue 2.

Anyone know the reason for it? Its something I've been pondering for years. But since I recently played through Shenmue and about to start Shenmue 2 figured I would try to find out now after so many years lol.

In many Asian languages, last name comes before first name. In the first game, when translated, they made the name on a first name basis. In the second they stuck to the original Japanese/Chinese name where the last name is first.

I prefer the other way. Lishao Tao rolls on the tongue better to me.

Himuro wrote:In the first game, when translated, they made the name on a first name basis. In the second they stuck to the original Japanese/Chinese name where the last name is first.

Are you sure it's not the other way around? Last name first in S1, first name first in S2. Zhao, Tao, and Zhu are all surnames.

zaneiken wrote:

Himuro wrote:In the first game, when translated, they made the name on a first name basis. In the second they stuck to the original Japanese/Chinese name where the last name is first.

Are you sure it's not the other way around? Last name first in S1, first name first in S2. Zhao, Tao, and Zhu are all surnames.

I think you're right.

I was thinking about this recently, and back in the day a lot of us were quite forgiving about this, but as much as I love the series, that kind of localization inconsistency is ridiculous - almost unacceptable. I honestly think that the localization team for Shenmue II didn't even look at the original game to see what decisions had been made to keep it consistent.

The worst aspect about this, is Shenhua's (sorry, SHA Hua in the first game) prophecy/poem. In the Japanese version, the poem remains the same in both games, but in the English translation, S1's poem is completely different to S2's. Yes, the sentiments are the same, but I think it loses a part of its clearly intended iconic appeal when one poem becomes a totally different poem between games.

Hopefully Shenmue III's localization will make a choice and stick with it!

That did always bother me. I wonder which English translation is closer to the Japanese version? I always preferred Shenmue I's, because I heard it first.

I still refer to the characters as they were named in Chapter I... (Zhu Yuan Da, Zhao Sunming etc...)

JaySw34 wrote: I still refer to the characters as they were named in Chapter I... (Zhu Yuan Da, Zhao Sunming etc...)

I used to do that myself.. but I now prefer that the characters have 2 names and not 3.

i.e. Zhao Sun Ming is simply easier as Sunming Zhao. Zhu Yuan Da isn't Mr. "Da".. he's Mr. Zhu.. Yuanda Zhu.

I did sort of like Ling "Sha Hua" but Shenhua is probably better.

Speaking of Shenhua.. was her name ever "Rei"?

I remember in the early ads for Shenmue she was called "Rei Shenhua" That became Ling Sha Hua in Shenmue 1 and Ling Shenhua in Shenmue 2.

I also remember in the instruction booklet for Shenmue I, it says that Lan Di's name is Chang Long.... Kinda weird

Not to mention the whole "Ryo" vs "Deo" debate.....

Supa wrote:I wonder which English translation is closer to the Japanese version?

The first game got it right. In Shenmue II on DC, the spoken Japanese dialogue says surname first. Shu Gen Tatsu = Zhu Yuan Da.

Wel how come Ryo introduces himself as "Ryo.. Ryo Hazuki" to the Chinese kid in Shenmue 1?

SMDzero wrote: Not to mention the whole "Ryo" vs "Deo" debate.....

In Japanese R's have a slight difference. Japanese R's sound like a slight d. So when pronouncing Ryo, it's not necessarilly Ree-yo but rather Dree-yo with d being very fast and subtle and the r part of the name being more prominent. The English dub of Shenmue pronounces Ryo's very accurately, which is funny because they don't do the same for other words like Ajiichi. In the English dub, they pronounce it Ajee-ichi like it's two words when it's Ajeeechi. The double means a longer i sound, not a break in the work.