Fansub Review: [Watashi] Yurikuma Arashi (Episode 02)

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This post was written by Dark_Sage. He is Dark_Sage.

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A-tier vs. A-tier. Whoever wins, something something.

Table of Contents

Release Information

Visual Quality

Script Quality

Results

 

Release Information

Episode details.

Release format: 720p MKV (330 MB, 10-bit)

Japanesiness: No honorifics. Western name order.

English style: American English.

Encoding details: http://pastebin.com/iPi0f5Vj

Speed: Slow (<48 hours)

Translation style: Original TL.

 

External links.

Group website: http://www.watashi.biz/

IRC channel: #[email protected]

 

 

Visual Review

Karaoke.

Opening.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_01.44_[2015.01.15_23.04.10] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_02.21_[2015.01.15_23.04.54]

Webm link

Rating: Great. I love thematic karaoke, and it’s hard to get more thematic here than lilies fancifully blowing all over the goddamn screen.

 

 

Ending.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_22.57_[2015.01.15_23.37.19] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_23.22_[2015.01.15_23.39.14]

Webm link

Rating: Great. It would’ve been good without k-timing, but putting in the extra effort to go syllable by syllable? Hot damnlicious.

 

 

Typesetting.

Except for the memory signs, I was impressed with Watashi’s effort.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_15.04_[2015.01.15_23.27.33]
~Garish~
Like Asenshi’s release, having properly typeset signs adds an important layer of enjoyment to the show.

Spoiler for

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_00.12_[2015.01.15_23.02.19] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_01.23_[2015.01.15_23.03.39] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_01.27_[2015.01.15_23.03.47] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_03.12_[2015.01.15_23.05.48] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_03.20_[2015.01.15_23.06.00] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_03.34_[2015.01.15_23.06.20] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_03.50_[2015.01.15_23.06.40] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_04.05_[2015.01.15_23.06.59] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_04.44_[2015.01.15_23.07.53] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_08.01_[2015.01.15_23.13.21] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_13.17_[2015.01.15_23.24.39]  [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_14.00_[2015.01.15_23.26.16]  [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_15.21_[2015.01.15_23.27.54] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_15.41_[2015.01.15_23.29.12] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_17.18_[2015.01.15_23.31.14] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_17.21_[2015.01.15_23.31.21] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_17.24_[2015.01.15_23.31.29] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_17.35_[2015.01.15_23.31.43] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_17.41_[2015.01.15_23.31.55] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_18.11_[2015.01.15_23.32.29]

This, in particular, was impressive.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_13.18_[2015.01.15_23.24.49]

The background is pure black normally, but Watashi threw in the above signs that look like they were part of the show originally. Pro-tier shit right here.

Taking this into account with all the “Homo” signs in the spoiler should give you an idea of what’s gonna be the determining factor behind which fansub to go with for Yurikuma. But we’ll get into that a bit later.

 

 

 

Script Review

Main Script.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_05.49_[2015.01.16_03.12.57]

Spellcheck before you release. Yes, I’m sure your editors are smart, and I’m sure your QCs are careful, but obviously they weren’t smart or careful enough. It takes 30 seconds. Invest that time.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_08.01_[2015.01.15_23.13.21] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_08.04_[2015.01.16_03.16.42]

For a release that tries so hard to read like a dub script, having Lulu introduce herself like this feels way off.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_09.10_[2015.01.16_03.21.26] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_09.12_[2015.01.16_03.21.31] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_09.17_[2015.01.16_03.21.40]

I didn’t have any issues with these like I did in the other two examples. Just wanted a nice segue into the translation style, because this release is as liberal as the above images imply.

 

 

Translation Style.

This is gonna be the deal-breaker or the deal-maker for most people, so I wanna address it sufficiently.

Watashi had a lot of fun with this release. This means you get extra (in a good way!) visuals, much like the following…

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_13.18_[2015.01.15_23.24.49]

but you also get insta-no’s for some people with translations like this:

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_18.11_[2015.01.15_23.32.29] [Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_18.33_[2015.01.16_03.26.21]

It’s a legitimate translation, it should be noted. They’re trading the yuri/lily euphemism for in-your-face “these girls are lesbians” phrasing with the added benefit of it having the “homo = human” association.

But with the additional baggage behind the term, you don’t have to be SJW scum to want something a little less loaded.

 

Ursa over bear is a solid choice as far as puns go.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_00.12_[2015.01.15_23.02.19]

And it also gives a clear “these are bears yet not actually bears” sense that suits the show. I wouldn’t have minded if they switched off between “bear” and “ursa” though, because they had to stretch for a few lines (“bearfendants” vs. “defendursants” for example).

 

When it comes to the more difficult terminology, I was pretty happy with Watashi’s choices. It’s hard to see this, for example, as anything but fantastic.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_00.30_[2015.01.15_23.02.41]

Severance Barrier works, sure. But “Species Divide” is too natural to avoid being impressed by.

 

When we come to “Invisible Storm”, Watashi also switches things up.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_07.21_[2015.01.15_23.12.03]

I haven’t read Wuthering Heights, nor do I intend to, but I’m going to assume it fits. Sure sounds smart, at least.

 

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_06.06_[2015.01.15_23.09.43]

The release can get a bit tryhard, but that’s sorta the fun of it.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_00.22_[2015.01.16_03.04.09]

And unlike most groups who are like “haha we lulz now”, there is more thought put behind this than regurgitating old tumblr and reddit memes in the hopes that mere references can cause enjoyment.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_06.17_[2015.01.15_23.09.58]

So, sorry 4chan, but this release is too smart for you.

 

…Also, Watashi has good references.

[Watashi]_Yurikuma_Arashi_-_02_[720p][310370C3].mkv_snapshot_17.45_[2015.01.16_15.07.13]

 

 

 

 

Results

Watchability: Can I get rid of this metric yet? :<

Visual grade: A

Script grade: A-

Overall grade: A-

Like I said before, Asenshi is my blanket recommendation for Yurikuma — most people will want to watch that version. But if you’re in the market for a bit more “fun” in your subs, I imagine Watashi will be your ideal choice. It’s certainly mine.

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24 thoughts on “Fansub Review: [Watashi] Yurikuma Arashi (Episode 02)”

  1. >Winter 2015
    >the season fansubbing was supposed to die

    Well look here, streamfags! A legit fansub that you want to watch, not just bitch about it in MAL fansub ratings!

    Reply

  2. ‘When we come to “Invisible Barrier”, Watashi also switches things up.’

    I think you meant Invisible Storm. You know, the translation that worked well in Asenshi’s release but not so well in Funi’s?

    Reply

    • Just because a line works well in one release doesn’t mean it’ll have the same effect in another. And I didn’t factor that into their grades at all.

      Reply

  7. The OP kfx would be amazing if it had a better font. Take Asenshi’s font and put in Watashi’s kfx and you’d have an absolute God-tier OP.

    Reply

  8. I hate “Homo” and “Ursa”, and “phantom wuthering” sounds dumb to me. Generally I’m a big fan of funsubs but I’ll have to go with Asenshi on this one.

    Reply

  11. Watashi’s posts with each new episode concern me. In once post they refer to their work as joke subs, it looks like they skipped an episode, and swapped the audio track of the last episode.

    So…Were they joking in the post, or did they stop subbing seriously, start trolling, and I should choose a different group?

    Reply

  12. I’m going with another group mainly because of the “homo” usage. I’m not gonna whine or complain about it… it just bothers me.

    Reply

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