Nintendo and Illumination's animated film "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has once again captured significant attention following its recent release in Japan.
As the film premiered in Japanese cinemas several weeks after its debut in the United States, many viewers were curious about potential differences between the Japanese and previously released English versions. Addressing this, Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of the "Mario" series, revealed that the Japanese script was not merely a translation or localization of the English version, but was entirely rewritten in Japanese.
In an interview with Crank In, Miyamoto explained that the movie was a collaborative project between Japan and the United States. Consequently, the team aimed for the Japanese version to be more than just a localized English script; their goal was to authentically recreate the dialogue and rhythm in Japanese. He emphasized that the characters' lines needed to sound natural to Japanese audiences, rather than simply converting the original meaning.
The Japanese script was penned by Makoto Ueda, head of the theater company "Europe Kikaku." Miyamoto praised Ueda's distinctive writing style, expressing his desire for characters like Mario to deliver dialogue as naturally as if they were performing in a stage play. He noted that Japanese and international audiences perceive humor and pacing differently, and a standard localization might alter the original "breathing" of the dialogue. Therefore, the team opted to rewrite the lines to ensure the Japanese version resonated more deeply with local viewers.
Despite these adjustments to dialogue and humor in the Japanese version, the film's overall story progression remains consistent. Miyamoto had previously indicated that the lore established for Princess Peach in the movie would be integrated into the official game canon. This suggests that the sisterly relationship between Princess Peach and Rosalina, as depicted in the film, could become a significant element of the series' future narrative.
via： Crank In