Similar to their work last season, WhyNot is just re-encoding this show, so I’ll be reviewing the HorribleSubs release instead. The explanation is too long for the preview, so I’ll continue in the review itself.

Here are the changes in WhyNot’s release from the HorribleSubs version:

• Main script is defaulted to rainbow text (what hilarity). Secondary script has a reddish text.
• OP/ED are subbed (in rainbow text).
• Honorifics are removed.
• One line in every hundred has a comma removed.

…That’s about it.

I really can’t consider such a blantant copy to be a fansub release. I’m sure WhyNot’s leader, EpicNaruto, thinks this is the best way to operate things, but I don’t see much of a difference between them and any other re-encoding group.

Unless you absolutely love their rainbow karaoke, there’s no reason to wait for the WhyNot version, so I’m just gonna review the Crunchysubs release.

 

Table of Contents

Release Information

Visual Quality

Script Quality

Results

Release Information

Episode details.

Release format: MKV (328 MB, 8-bit), 1080p MKV (551 MB, 8-bit), LQ MKV (149 MB, 8-bit)

Japanesiness: Honorifics.

English style: American English.

Encoding details: http://pastebin.com/kESHyS2C

Speed: Quick (<48 hours)

 

 

Visual Review

Karaoke.

No OP/ED karaoke in Crunchyroll releases. They did do the insert, though.

And it’s… about what you’d expect from them.

 

Typesetting.

Wait, I think I can translate this title on my own.

And… “Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 2000%”. I did it. I totally translated that. Thanks for giving me this opportunity, Crunchyroll. I would have never gained the courage to become a top-tier translator without your loving assistance.

What a beaut.

 

 

Other.

Timing is off by a frame.

Flashback text is in… blue? W-Why?

 

 

Script Review

Karaoke.

Let me hear your voice
Let your hair blow in the wind
Ah, lesson of the night
Slowly, slowly
Kind left hand
Entwined right hand
Search for the destination of love!
Pretend you cannot see the clock
Come with me as you are
Try putting your ear to my chest
To the distance between us, my heartbeat is
Feeling, feeling, feeling
I will make you crazy, poison kiss
Rocking hard, rocking hard.
Melting poison kiss
More and move and…
Eternally poison kiss
From my heart
Let me give you a poison kiss
Feel the love
Burn with love
Believe in love
Love is all!
Quartet night!

So that’s their version of the insert song. I’d fix a few things straight up:

• lesson of the night -> lessons of the night
• Kind left hand -> A left hand to caress
• Entwined right hand -> And our right hands intertwined
• Search for the destination of love! -> Let’s search for the destination of love!
• To the distance between us, my heartbeat is -> I don’t fucking know. This reads like a non-translation
• I will make you crazy, poison kiss -> I will make you crazy with my poisoned kiss
• Melting poison kiss -> My melting, poisoned kiss
• Eternally poison kiss -> My eternal, poisoned kiss
• Let me give you a poison kiss -> Let me give you a poisoned kiss

The main issue with their version is that it’s not really telling much of a story. I’m sure an actual lyricist would need to fix my version up heavily too, but as-is, it’s not really working out for CR.

 

 

Main Script.

Ignoring the double adverb issue (that kind shit doesn’t bug me, honestly), there is some up-fuckery with the tenses here.

“wrapped” needs to be switched up to “wrapping”, and the last part should be “leading STARISH to be born amidst the splendor.”

While we’re at it, I’d add specificity to “people” by changing that to “listeners” or “concertgoers”. It gives a little more life to the sentence.

Speaking of life, I already want to end mine. The “someday” piece is entirely unnecessary to include. It’s filler and has no place in the line.

“It would come to be known as their legendary debut concert.” (Hell you don’t even need “concert” in there.)

“walking”? Really? That’s the kind of imagery you’re going to give? Fucking hell, I’m three sentences in and not a one has been written by someone competent.

“walking” implies slowness, which is really not at all what they’re going for.

Most lines in this script need improvement, but I’m not keen on rewriting an entire script for a review, so I’m going to assume you get the point by now and are fine with me moving onto other issues in the script.

“Even my roommate, Shibuya Tomochika-san, has debuted,”

Yes, there are a lot of commas, but they’re necessary here. Though I guess you could separate the two lines and improve the second one…

“Even my roommate, Shibuya Tomochika-san, has debuted.” “And she already has work lined up.” {In real life, it’s a-okay to start sentences with “and”.}

You wouldn’t really say “You can have it.” Since she already has it, the phrase would be “You can keep it.”

Conversely, “keep” is a shitty word to use in the second line here. Since it needs fixing anyway, throw the ladies a little fucking innuendo.

“I want you to have what I treasure the most…”

This would only make sense if they both were speaking harshly to each other in season 1. Haruka’s not exactly… a character I can imagine acting like that, so I doubt this is accurate.

‘course, I never actually finished s1, so I could be wrong. Let me know if I am.

“Yes.” is not really a human response here. Well, maybe it is in Japan, but not in Best America. I’d switch it up to “I’m glad.” or “Bitchin’.”

~_~

Pretty fucking certain the word you’re looking for is “normal”, not “real”, because all that happened is they changed outfits from performing gear to street clothes.

He’s not actually asking “What test?” The question is more along the lines of “What kind of test?” Well, that’s if you wanna get creative. The Japanese line is just “Huh? ‘Kenkyuu’?”

CR has difficulties deciding whether or not “Master Course” should be capitalized.

Though I’d assume their translator’s most pressing concerns are related to whether or not he can get away with translating an episode without putting his helmet on.

This gives the impression everyone is going to be sharing one giant room together. Really, it’s just one senior and two juniors to a room.

“After all, we’ll each be sharing rooms with you.”

No, actually that would be them not being responsible.

“If either of you are late, you’ll both be held responsible.”

 

 

 

Results

Watchability: Watchable.

Visual grade: N/A (I’ll exempt CR from the visual grades since they don’t really have a choice in the matter)

Script grade: D+

Overall grade: D+

I touched on this in the first few bits of the script review, but this release is not written very well. It’s not a serious issue in the understanding department, but boring scripts do no favors when it comes to enjoying a show. It’d be nice if I were exaggerating, but the script needs a full rewrite.

Beyond the poor writing, there are issues with the visuals and the English structure. But at least the insert was subbed, which was a pleasant surprise.

All in all, this is a mediocre effort by Crunchyroll, but at least it’s watchable. If you must have your OP/ED translated and accompanied by shitty karaoke, then go with WhyNot’s version (though karafags likely will not be pleased by the missing honorifics), but I personally don’t see a reason to wait.
Back to top