Officialsubs Review: [Crunchyroll] Shokugeki no Soma (Episode 05)

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This post was written by Dark_Sage. He is Dark_Sage.

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This is the best anime of the season, so I figure there’s value in getting this review done while I’m not struggling with forward motion.

 

Table of Contents

Release Information

Visual Quality

Script Quality

Results

 

Release Information

Episode details.

Release format: 1080p MKV (571 MB, 8-bit), 720p MKV (339 MB, 8-bit), 480p MKV (155 MB, 8-bit)

Japanesiness: Honorifics. “Senpai” used. Various food dishes translated (onigiri -> rice ball), others untranslated.

There’s a lot of culture clash in the show, to the point that you’d be missing out if the subs were significantly westernized. Luckily, Crunchyroll chose to leave a lot of Japanese flavor in.

English style: American English.

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

Speed: Simulcast.

 

 

 

Visual Review

Karaoke.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_02.06_[2015.05.06_21.18.57]

Crunchyroll did not translate songs for this release as they are tone deaf.

 

 

Typesetting.

I missed a few signs here, as I was originally planning to do a subtitle comparison instead of full reviews, but eventually had too much to get through in one post. Still, got 35 signs to share, so I imagine you won’t miss the missing.

Spoiler for

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_00.31_[2015.05.06_21.14.32] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_00.34_[2015.05.06_21.14.45] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_00.35_[2015.05.06_21.14.49] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_00.39_[2015.05.06_21.14.58] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_02.55_[2015.05.06_21.19.23] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_06.33_[2015.05.06_21.25.49] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_09.17_[2015.05.06_21.29.49] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_11.59_[2015.05.06_21.32.53] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_12.01_[2015.05.06_21.33.00] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_12.05_[2015.05.06_21.33.09] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_12.57_[2015.05.06_21.34.27] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_13.08_[2015.05.06_21.34.42] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_13.11_[2015.05.06_21.34.50] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_13.15_[2015.05.06_21.34.57] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_13.24_[2015.05.06_21.35.12] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_13.33_[2015.05.06_21.35.27] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_14.49_[2015.05.06_21.37.01] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_14.51_[2015.05.06_21.37.10] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_15.12_[2015.05.06_21.37.37] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_16.28_[2015.05.06_21.39.06] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_16.32_[2015.05.06_21.39.14] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_17.49_[2015.05.06_21.40.36] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_17.56_[2015.05.06_21.40.46] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_18.01_[2015.05.06_21.40.56] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_18.12_[2015.05.06_21.41.12] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_20.17_[2015.05.06_21.43.20] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_20.37_[2015.05.06_21.43.52] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_20.45_[2015.05.06_21.44.04] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.17_[2015.05.06_21.44.59] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.30_[2015.05.06_21.45.28] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_24.36_[2015.05.06_21.48.52] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_24.38_[2015.05.06_21.48.57] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_24.42_[2015.05.06_21.49.05] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_24.48_[2015.05.06_21.49.20] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_24.52_[2015.05.06_21.49.39]

Per Crunchyroll’s relatively new typesetting effort, everything was typeset in the show with decent effort. You can’t reasonably expect better than this (from officialsubs) without having the subs burned into the video, so they definitely deserve praise for their effort.

 

 

 

Script Review

Main Script.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_01.05_[2015.05.06_21.17.31]

Crunchyroll paints a picture like it’s modern art. At numerous points throughout the release I had to think of what metaphor they actually meant instead of whatever came to the top of their translator’s deformed head.

This particular line’s bad because logically you can’t “show” a narrative. Crunchyroll should’ve gone with “story” over “narrative”, as precedent for “showing” a story exists.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_01.20_[2015.05.06_21.18.00]

For such a spicy anime, this catchphrase sure is bland, and the visual doesn’t make sense.

There’s literally no reason to not use “Strap yourself in!” here. Meaning retained, innuendo added, visual matched.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_03.35_[2015.05.06_21.20.19]

This ain’t a huge deal, but I figure it’s a good opportunity to teach y’all ESL nakama how to English.

When you’ve got two adjectives and they’re both “equally” describing the same word, you’ll want to place a comma between them. In this case, “mild, smooth sweetness”. A good rule of thumb is to switch the two adjectives and see if the sentence still makes sense — “smooth, mild sweetness” works just as well, so you’d want the comma. If it didn’t, you’d leave the comma off.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_03.40_[2015.05.06_21.20.37] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_03.43_[2015.05.06_21.20.45]

Again, the Crunchy TL seems to struggle with standard English concepts. “the spring cabbage” cannot “heighten each other’s flavors”.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_04.08_[2015.05.06_21.21.17] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_04.09_[2015.05.06_21.21.22]

Leave it to the pros to come up with naturally unnatural English. Wonder what the unprofessionals at FFF had.

“I’ll make a variation on one of our popular dishes.”//”It’ll be on the same theme of spring.”

…okay, that’s not much better. Here, let me help you all out.

“I’ll serve you one of our most popular dishes, with a hint of spring.”

Dull scripts simply won’t cut it for Shokugeki.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_05.10_[2015.05.06_21.23.31]

This a goddamn essay? Revised means “corrected”, and it’s obvious he’s not correcting the dish; he’s just offering a variation of it.

I wouldn’t even bother with trying to find a synonym for “revised” here. Easy mode it with changing that to “spring edition” or something similar.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_05.45_[2015.05.06_21.24.47]

CR’s TL watched too much Django; the d ain’t silent here.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_06.10_[2015.05.06_21.25.18]

I honestly didn’t know mouthfeel was a word until this fucking episode. Shokugeki is the show that keeps on giving.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_09.51_[2015.05.06_21.30.33]

I’ve heard these called cook-offs before, but I admit I’m a dirty gaijin who doesn’t speak Japanese nearly as good as all the outspoken N4s, so I could be wrong here.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_12.08_[2015.05.06_21.33.31]

The mystical egg: the only true claimant of the definite article.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_13.24_[2015.05.06_21.35.12]

The less you usually the better.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.07_[2015.05.06_21.44.41] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.09_[2015.05.06_21.44.47]

can -> could.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.15_[2015.05.06_21.45.07]

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.17_[2015.05.06_21.44.59]

I know chef butt muscles is weird, but that doesn’t mean the dialogue needs to match. If a line could not be conceivably spoken by a normal person, it should be seriously evaluated.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.54_[2015.05.06_21.45.55] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_21.56_[2015.05.06_21.46.02] [HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_22.01_[2015.05.06_21.46.12]

I admit it, I started drinking at 9 AM this morning, but that was mostly to get in a state where I could parse the thought process behind creating this… sentence.

Damn right I drink this classy.
Damn right I drink this classy.

I’m about one conference call from getting fired, and I’m still not at the TL’s level. Hope their fucking liver gave out.

[HorribleSubs] Shokugeki no Soma - 05 [720p].mkv_snapshot_24.42_[2015.05.06_21.49.05]

The word “Shokugeki” was used no less than five times in the release. So why the fuck is it translated here? Did Sentai put you up to this, Crunchyroll?

 

 

 

 

Results

Overall grade: Pass.

It shouldn’t be too surprising that I’m saying this, but you’ll be fine with the official release if you wanna watch the show quickly. This shit’s definitely watchable, albeit not good.

I assume FFF’s attempt will be superior, since like most “fansubs” it’s a simple Crunchyroll edit. But beyond a few script checks, I haven’t looked at it too much. And based on their download numbers, you haven’t either. So who gives a fuck?

Verdict: Watch with HorribleSubs/Crunchyroll, archive with FFF if you must.

 

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49 thoughts on “Officialsubs Review: [Crunchyroll] Shokugeki no Soma (Episode 05)”

  3. Not sure I agree with your call on watching CR over FFF, considering that FFF’s is a lot more pleasant to read and is out in less than 48 hours.

    Reply

    • Not sure if I agree with your call on waiting to watch the show of the season for subs that can hardly justify their own existence.

      Reply

    • Why not? The script isn’t the best, and the encode isn’t great, but it’s still watchable. It’s not like he’s saying “Watch CR, and don’t bother with FFF at all”

      Also, if you didn’t know D_S, their Encode is cancerous in a lot of scenes (CR)

      Reply

    • People can just watch CR for their weekly fix, and download the FFF batch for archive, assuming people archive this shit.

      Reply

  4. My beef with HorribleSubs is they strip all the font choices that CrunchyRoll use. Yes, CR are limited to universal system fonts, but at least they make the effort to use Serrifs when the sign they’re matching uses it. They actually use multiple fonts and font sizes per episode.
    HS strips all that in favor of the boring OpenSans font with a single font size.

    Reply

  7. I’m mildly disappointed Dark_Sage, I get the sense we’ve reached a point in anime subs where I can generally expect crunchy-roll to be tolerable, which I didn’t expect to ever say, but now I don’t need this confirmed.

    I found your awesome website and I come here now hoping to learn what fansub groups are producing the archive quality alternatives.

    Reply

    • The only reason for I to not watch CrunchyRoll is the encode. Their starved bitrates gives eyecancer on whoever has ‘encoder eyes’.
      Right now, they only mean to me good subs for when no fansubs care about a show and/or long-running shounens like hxh that never get subs, good reencodes and hardly gets blu-ray rips.

      Reply

  9. Why are you trying so hard to bash on fansub groups recently, D_S. I mean, you always have when they did something stupid, but now it just seems like you’re trying to hard to insult them.

    Reply

    • There’s only so long a person can hold up the corpse of a scene before they have no choice but to acknowledge the stench.

      I’m done waving the flag. If fansubbers don’t want me to point out their irrelevance, perhaps they should do something about it.

      Reply

      • To be fair, without any fansub reviews, nobody knows which fansubs to get. So they stick with official subs instead.
        So it is your fault that the fansub scene is irrelevant.

        Reply

        • lol no

          Most people watching officialsubs don’t give a rat’s ass about fansubs; they just get whatever’s fastest and most reliable, which is almost always officialsubs. Fansub reviews, and fansubs in general, mean jack all to most anime viewers.

          Reply

        • I just come here for the angst and drama, I watch official subs cause they are reliable and fast.

          As D_S said in a different post, reliability and speed are more important than all the pretty fonts, encodes and karaoke.

          Reply

      • How are fansub irrelevant just because they don’t get as many downloads as they did before everything got simulcasted?

        A bunch of shows that are even being simulcasted are still getting over 10k downloads. Plus there’s those that don’t have official subs, are released late, or are censored (DxD) which are in the 20k+ count in the very first week of being released.

        This isn’t even the point, though. Your posts have gone from being funny to just you trying to hard to bash on fansub groups. Every post recently has had mindless insults and you going on about how irrelevant fansubs are. And yeah, there are faggots like Xythar in the scene, but as a whole fansubs still provide a very important service to thousands of people who do still care about quality.

        But yeah, I don’t know, recently your posts have just become tasteless.

        Reply

  10. I never really understood why speed matters for some people. Why is it so important if I watch it now or a week later? Even if it is the show of the season, it’s not like there is any decent place to discuss the new episodes on the internet. So even if there would only be very minor improvements in subs or encode (wich matters very much to me by the way), I would wait for the other release.
    So enlighten me, what are your reasons? (this is not meant in a condescending way, I’m just really curious about this as it has been bothering me for a while now)

    Reply

    • Some people simply want to watch everything ASAP as they can’t resist waiting. In my case, I don’t mind waiting 3-4 days because I don’t have time to keep track of everything as it comes out. I just subscribe to the RSS feeds of the groups that do a series I want to watch and have an app notify me on the phone.

      Reply

    • It depends on the show, but generally I don’t watch immediately (or much for that matter) so I really don’t mind when my fansub of choice releases.

      Reply

    • While it’s true that, as Googol said, some people just do want to watch everything ASAP, one major more general reason is the social element. For some shows, particularly ones that end up in the “hilarious clusterfuck” category rather then “just plain shit”, much of the fun of it is threadstorms afterwards. People want to get in a first run of the show ASAP so they can go shitpost abou-… I mean have thoughtful philosophical discussions about it with all their special, special friends. And even those who aren’t interested in that or would be fine joining in later may choose to watch something simply to avoid the giant spoilers that every Tom, Dick, and Hairy Dick immediately rush to spray onto any web service in existence that can be coerced into accepting some form of arbitrary text input.

      Reply

    • I see, that does make sense. From time to time it’s fun to look at the threads on /a/. But mostly it just makes you become more and more misanthropical.

      Reply

    • I think a lot of people like to watch shows as soon as the first subs are released so they can take part in the discussion on shitholes like reddit, tumblr, twitter, 4chan etc. And if you start waiting hours (or days) for better releases, you miss out on a lot of that. See the retards spamming twitter of pics of Hestia from the newest Danmachi episode minutes after the first subs are released, as an example — couldn’t afford to miss out on that, now could you?

      Personally, I would much rather wait for a better release. To me watching crappy simulcasts is like watching a cam rip of a movie that’s not out in my country yet just so I’m not “missing out” while everyone else has already seen it and talked about it.

      Reply

    • Most of the anime I watch airs on weekends. I also only find time to watch anime on weekends because of my work. So I pick up the first release . I sometimes even grab the raw if there is no release within 24-36 hours.

      Reply

    • >So even if there would only be very minor improvements in subs or encode (wich matters very much to me by the way), I would wait for the other release.

      No, lol. And who cares about encodes anyway?

      Reply

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