Disney titles in Japanese

[Big Disney Fan]

Have you noticed how some Disney movies, animated and live-action alike, have very different names in Japanese? I'm sure we all know that. All foreign language titles are different than English. What I mean is, the Japanese titles, when translated into English, may not the same original titles. There are surprisingly a number of these.

For example, look no further back than "Wreck-It Ralph". In Japan, the movie has a different title, "Sugar Rush", after one of the games in the film. I guess it fits, considering that a large chunk of the movie is set in that game.

Anyway, that's just one example, but what are your thoughts? Let's discuss the matter further.

[Victurtle]

I like how Frozen is Japan is "Anna and the Snow Queen", i.e. Chris Buck's original title for the film.

I did a presentation (for Japanese class) how Japan promotional material differs greatly from the US. In Japan, where femininity is embraced by both men and women, Elsa and Rapunzel clipart is much softer (notice the lack of raise eyebrows, the lack of staring straight at the audience). Japanese, and other Asian promotional material is probably the kind of promotion many members here wish were used generally.

[ce1ticmoon]

I did a presentation (for Japanese class) how Japan promotional material differs greatly from the US. In Japan, where femininity is embraced by both men and women, Elsa and Rapunzel clipart is much softer (notice the lack of raise eyebrows, the lack of staring straight at the audience). Japanese, and other Asian promotional material is probably the kind of promotion many members here wish were used generally.

Yeah, I hated the raised eyebrows clipart. It's especially weird considering Rapunzel never even makes such an expression in the film. It's good to see that it the clipart for Frozen has been softened a bit, though Elsa still has that unnecessary smirk.

I think Shrek had a fair audience in Japan, but that whole "attitude" thing never really caught on in Japan (and aside from a few notable exceptions, Dreamworks doesn't do too hot there). In general, they're more into "inspirational," "touching," or "moving" side of things--almost to the point where it's annoying and even forced onto the audience.

As for the titles, you'll notice that the trend for a lot of Disney and Pixar flicks is to have the one-word titles. Most of these one-word titles are changed to be more descriptive for their Japanese titles. Not sure of what their "official" translations would be, but off the top of my head, there's:

Frozen - アナと雪の女王 - Anna and the Snow Queen
Tangled - 塔の上のラプンツェル- Rapunzel of the Top of the Tower (this one doesn't translate well into English)
Enchanted - 魔法にかけられて - Cast Under a Magic Spell
Brave - メリダとおそろしの森 - Merida and the Terrifying Forest
Up - カールじいさんの空飛ぶ家 - Grandpa Carl's Flying House
Ratatouille - レミーのおいしいレストラン - Remy's Delicious Restaurant

Other interesting title changes from Disney/Pixar include:

The Princess and the Frog - プリンセスと魔法のキス - The Princess and the Magic Kiss

Meet the Robinsons - ルイスと未来泥棒 - Lewis and the Future Thief (This doesn't translate well either. "Future Thief" implies the act of "stealing" the future, and does not indicate a thief from the future; think "jewelry thief" - a thief that steals jewels.

The Emperor's New Groove - ラマになった王様 - The King Who Became A Llama

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - ノートラダムの鐘 - The Bells of Notre Dame (This one's an interesting one, because the Japanese title of the novel is actually a direct translation of the English title, and not the French title. Yet, I remember reading that the movie title was changed in order comply with broadcast law that censors certain words from being used in the media--in this case, the Japanese equivalent of the word "hunchback.")

The Great Mouse Detective - オリビアちゃんの大冒険 - Olivia's Great Adventure

The Black Cauldron - コルドロン - Cauldron (Interestingly changed to one word.... Maybe they just didn't care? lol)

The Rescuers - ビアンカの大冒険 - Bianca's Great Adventure

There are a few others as well...

Most of the older Pixar films remained under their English titles in Japan, but interestingly The Incredibles was changed to Mr.インクレディブル (Mr. Incredible).

The thing is, this really isn't something limited to Disney. Japan has always been changing titles of imported films, TV shows, and even songs and music albums! Honestly, some of them don't even makes sense. The Beatles' I Want To Hold Your Hand, for some reason is titled 抱きしめたい, which essentially translates to "I want to Hug/Embrace You."

[Big Disney Fan]

Another example:

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - ロジャー・ラビット - Roger Rabbit

And it's not just animated films that do this, either. As I said before, live-action films can do this, too. For example, the Japanese name for "Almost Angels" (renamed "Born To Sing" in the UK) is "The Blue Danube". Also, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" is renamed "MicroKids" (the Tokyo Disneyland name for "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" is "MicroAdventure").

The Rescuers - ビアンカの大冒険 - Bianca's Great Adventure

Interesting that they would mention Bianca, but not Bernard. Then again, there was at least one book called "Miss Bianca", on which the film was at least partially based.

[dilaon]

I don't know man. I think this happens everywhere. Here in Brazil, there are pretty much four things that can happen to a movie title. 1) They come up with their own name for the movie which never comes even close to the original, most of the time, overexplaining the plot or making silly wordplays (specially if it's a comedy or a Rom-Com). 2) They keep the original title in English but add some kind of stupid subtitle (they always get a way of ruining it). 3) They actually make an accurate translation, but still add a subtitle overexplaining the plot (they must think Brazilians are stupid). 4) They just translate the title fair and good.
Needless to say that the fourth and most desirable one is the one that happens with least frequency. Dubbing studios here are really dope. So much that it's become a national joke. *Adventures, adventures, adventures everywhere!*

The Jungle Book - Mogli, O Menino Lobo (Mowgli, The wolf kid/boy)
The Rescuers - Bernardo & Bianca
Tron - Tron: Uma Odisséia Eletrônica (Tron: An Eletronic Odyssey)
The Black Cauldron - O Calderão Mágico (The Magic Cauldron)
The Great Mouse Detective - As Peripécias do Ratinho Detetive (The Vicissitudes of the little Mouse Detective)
The Nightmare Before Christmas - O Estranho Mundo de Jack (Jack's Odd World)
Toy Story - Toy Story: Um Mundo de Aventuras (Toy Story: A World of Adventures)
Chicken Little - O Galinho Chicken Little ("Galinho" is literally "little chicken", so the title pretty much says "The Little Chicken Chicken Little" ¬¬)
Tinker Bell - Sininho: Uma aventura no mundo das fadas (Tinker Bell: An Adventure in the world of the Fairfolk/Fairies)
Bolt - Bolt: Supercão (Bolt: Superdog)
Up - Up: Altas Aventuras (There's a wordplay here which can be translated either to "Up: Many Adventures" or "Up: Adventures in the Height", or literally "Up: High Adventures")
Secret of the Wings - Sininho: O Segredo das Fadas (Tinker Bell: The Secret of the Fairfolk/Fairies)
Frozen - Frozen: Uma Aventura Congelante (Frozen: A Freezing Adventure)
The Pirate Fairy - Sininho: Fadas e Piratas (Tinker Bell: Fairies and Pirates)

And that's because Disney has the habit of keeping the titles close to the originals, but if you check movies in general you'll be assured that Brazilian translators are putting their backs to ruin it.

[Mach Full Force]

Dubbing studios here are really dope. So much that it's become a national joke. *Adventures, adventures, adventures everywhere!*

And that's not even getting into the subject of the Sessão da Tarde narrator guy.

[Big Disney Fan]

I don't know man. I think this happens everywhere. Here in Brazil, there are pretty much four things that can happen to a movie title. 1) They come up with their own name for the movie which never comes even close to the original, most of the time, overexplaining the plot or making silly wordplays (specially if it's a comedy or a Rom-Com). 2) They keep the original title in English but add some kind of stupid subtitle (they always get a way of ruining it). 3) They actually make an accurate translation, but still add a subtitle overexplaining the plot (they must think Brazilians are stupid). 4) They just translate the title fair and good.
Needless to say that the fourth and most desirable one is the one that happens with least frequency. Dubbing studios here are really dope. So much that it's become a national joke. *Adventures, adventures, adventures everywhere!*

The Jungle Book - Mogli, O Menino Lobo (Mowgli, The wolf kid/boy)
The Rescuers - Bernardo & Bianca
Tron - Tron: Uma Odisséia Eletrônica (Tron: An Eletronic Odyssey)
The Black Cauldron - O Calderão Mágico (The Magic Cauldron)
The Great Mouse Detective - As Peripécias do Ratinho Detetive (The Vicissitudes of the little Mouse Detective)
The Nightmare Before Christmas - O Estranho Mundo de Jack (Jack's Odd World)
Toy Story - Toy Story: Um Mundo de Aventuras (Toy Story: A World of Adventures)
Chicken Little - O Galinho Chicken Little ("Galinho" is literally "little chicken", so the title pretty much says "The Little Chicken Chicken Little" ¬¬)
Tinker Bell - Sininho: Uma aventura no mundo das fadas (Tinker Bell: An Adventure in the world of the Fairfolk/Fairies)
Bolt - Bolt: Supercão (Bolt: Superdog)
Up - Up: Altas Aventuras (There's a wordplay here which can be translated either to "Up: Many Adventures" or "Up: Adventures in the Height", or literally "Up: High Adventures")
Secret of the Wings - Sininho: O Segredo das Fadas (Tinker Bell: The Secret of the Fairfolk/Fairies)
Frozen - Frozen: Uma Aventura Congelante (Frozen: A Freezing Adventure)
The Pirate Fairy - Sininho: Fadas e Piratas (Tinker Bell: Fairies and Pirates)

And that's because Disney has the habit of keeping the titles close to the originals, but if you check movies in general you'll be assured that Brazilian translators are putting their backs to ruin it.

Um... I hate to tell you this, but this is about Japanese titles, not Portuguese titles.

[thedisneyspirit]

In spanish-speaking countries it's almost the same thing as in Brazil. They change a bit the title or add a weird subtitle:

Frozen-

Frozen: The Kingdom of Ice or Frozen: A Frozen Adventure

Home on the Range: Zafarrancho en el Rancho (Chaos in the Range?? I dunno) or Vacas Vaqueras (Cowboy Cows...Yeah, it's stupid)

Princess and the Frog: Tiana and the Frog, The Princess and the Toad

Rescuers and Bianca: Bernard and Bianca in Kangarooland

The Black Cauldron: Taron and The Magic Cauldron

Emperor's new Groove: The emperor's madness

Enchanted: Enchanted- the Story of Giselle

Brave: Untameable

Great Mouse Detective: Mice and Robbers ("Policias y ratones", a play on the famous "Policias y ladrones" aka "Cops and robbers")

Reluctant Dragon: The Crazy Dragon

Fox and the Hound: Tod and Toby (renamed Copper)

A Goofy Movie: Goofy and Son

Wreck it Ralph: Breaking Ralph

[Musical Master]

In spanish-speaking countries it's almost the same thing as in Brazil. They change a bit the title or add a weird subtitle:

Frozen-

Frozen: The Kingdom of Ice or Frozen: A Frozen Adventure

Home on the Range: Zafarrancho en el Rancho (Chaos in the Range?? I dunno) or Vacas Vaqueras (Cowboy Cows...Yeah, it's stupid)

Princess and the Frog: Tiana and the Frog, The Princess and the Toad

Rescuers and Bianca: Bernard and Bianca in Kangarooland

The Black Cauldron: Taron and The Magic Cauldron

Emperor's new Groove: The emperor's madness

Enchanted: Enchanted- the Story of Giselle

Brave: Untameable

Great Mouse Detective: Mice and Robbers ("Policias y ratones", a play on the famous "Policias y ladrones" aka "Cops and robbers")

Reluctant Dragon: The Crazy Dragon

Fox and the Hound: Tod and Toby (renamed Copper)

A Goofy Movie: Goofy and Son

Wreck it Ralph: Breaking Ralph

"Breaking Ralph"? That sure is a stupid name.

[Victurtle]

^^ was the movie called "Frozen: A Frozen Adventure" or simply "A Frozen Adventure"?

Because I love the former

That reminds me, in Singapore Tangled was called "Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale". I assume it was because they speak English, so when the world was talking about Tangled, there wouldn't be any confusion. I wonder if they associated the movie more with Tangled or Rapunzel.

[Big Disney Fan]

In spanish-speaking countries it's almost the same thing as in Brazil. They change a bit the title or add a weird subtitle:

Frozen-

Frozen: The Kingdom of Ice or Frozen: A Frozen Adventure

Home on the Range: Zafarrancho en el Rancho (Chaos in the Range?? I dunno) or Vacas Vaqueras (Cowboy Cows...Yeah, it's stupid)

Princess and the Frog: Tiana and the Frog, The Princess and the Toad

Rescuers and Bianca: Bernard and Bianca in Kangarooland

The Black Cauldron: Taron and The Magic Cauldron

Emperor's new Groove: The emperor's madness

Enchanted: Enchanted- the Story of Giselle

Brave: Untameable

Great Mouse Detective: Mice and Robbers ("Policias y ratones", a play on the famous "Policias y ladrones" aka "Cops and robbers")

Reluctant Dragon: The Crazy Dragon

Fox and the Hound: Tod and Toby (renamed Copper)

A Goofy Movie: Goofy and Son

Wreck it Ralph: Breaking Ralph

"Breaking Ralph"? That sure is a stupid name.

Excuse me, we're getting way off topic here. This is about Japanese-language names translated into English, not Spanish- or Portuguese-language. This is not for all English titles translated from all languages, only Japanese. Sorry to repeat myself so much, but I just want to keep this thread on track.

To get this thread back on track, did you know that the Japanese-language name for "The Reluctant Dragon" (AKA "Behind the Scenes At the Walt Disney Studios") is "Sorcery Animation Heaven"? Or that "Saludos Amigos" is also called "Journey Latin America"?

[dilaon]

Um... I hate to tell you this, but this is about Japanese titles, not Portuguese titles.

Excuse me, we're getting way off topic here. This is about Japanese-language names translated into English, not Spanish- or Portuguese-language. This is not for all English titles translated from all languages, only Japanese. Sorry to repeat myself so much, but I just want to keep this thread on track.

Relax, bro!

My point is, since you seemed amazed and surprised to how japanese titles deviated from their english correspondents and vice-versa, I was trying to show you that that's not at all amazing and actually happens all around the world.

But if you wanna talk strictly only about Japanese, I'm out, cause I don't know the first thing about it other than I'm a big Studio Ghibli fan .

And that's not even getting into the subject of the Sessão da Tarde narrator guy.

[Lady Cluck]

Excuse me, we're getting way off topic here. This is about Japanese-language names translated into English, not Spanish- or Portuguese-language. This is not for all English titles translated from all languages, only Japanese. Sorry to repeat myself so much, but I just want to keep this thread on track.

Well you already posted a big list so what else is there to discuss? You don't need to discriminate against other cultures. All these people had the kindness to respond your thread and you just scream at them to stop. CALM DOWN.

Rescuers and Bianca: Bernard and Bianca in Kangarooland

LMAO

[Big Disney Fan]

Excuse me, we're getting way off topic here. This is about Japanese-language names translated into English, not Spanish- or Portuguese-language. This is not for all English titles translated from all languages, only Japanese. Sorry to repeat myself so much, but I just want to keep this thread on track.

Well you already posted a big list so what else is there to discuss? You don't need to discriminate against other cultures. All these people had the kindness to respond your thread and you just scream at them to stop. CALM DOWN.

Well, I just don't like taking threads in another direction. I'm not trying to discriminate against others. Part of the thing is I have Asperger's Syndrome, and as such, it's very difficult for me to be so open-minded like this. When I created the title "...in Japanese", I meant that literally.

As for what else is there to discuss, I thought there were plenty of other Disney films in Japanese that were not entirely the same in English. Not just animated films, as others seem to be moving towards, but live-action films. I don't even think that's a transliteration device online here.

[Big Disney Fan]

Another example is "Lady and the Tramp". The Japanese name for it (わんわん物語) is actually translated to "Bowwow Story".

And it's not just animated films that do this, either. As I said before, live-action films can do this, too. For example, the Japanese name for "Almost Angels" (renamed "Born To Sing" in the UK) is "The Blue Danube". Also, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" is renamed "MicroKids" (the Tokyo Disneyland name for "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" is "MicroAdventure").

[ProfessorRatigan]

The King Who Became A Llama

That's the best, hands down. I mean, you get exactly what's on the tin with that one.

[Scamander]

The King Who Became A Llama

That's the best, hands down. I mean, you get exactly what's on the tin with that one.

In German we have the title "Ein Königreich für ein Llama" (A Kingdom for a Llama) imitating the well-known phrase "Mein Königreich für ein Pferd" (My kingdom for a horse) from Shakespeare's Richard III. One of the most clever German titles, back then when they still cared, lol.

[Big Disney Fan]

What do you think of the idea of live-action films' titles? One example is "The Reluctant Dragon": did you know that the Japanese-language name for "The Reluctant Dragon" (AKA "Behind the Scenes At the Walt Disney Studios") is "Sorcery Animation Heaven"?

[Big Disney Fan]

Also, "Big Hero 6" in Japan is called simply "Baymax".

[271286]

In Danish Home on The Range is called The Fearless - The Muuhvie