Miscellaneous Musings

First up, blades. Here's a transcription of the English convo:

Viridi: Blades are both versatile and extremely well balanced. Pit: I was just thinking that, but with smaller words. Viridi: But they're really straightforward, almost as if they were created on autopilot. Pit: Straightforward isn't necessarily a bad thing. Viridi: But it can be very boring. Very, very boring. Pit: Wait, are we still talking about blades? Viridi: What do you think?

Honestly I never got what the joke was meant to be with this one. Anyway, this is emblematic of what Surachi was talking about, right? Viridi's trying to engage with Pit on a higher level and he's just not up to snuff. The Japanese version of the conversation is nothing like this, but it's not anything high-level either:

Dunno if you could tell by the audio, but Viridi's giving Pit a tongue twister here. As much as these conversations do feel weird considering the arc of the game they appear in, they only trigger upon beating the game, so I don't think their lighthearted nature is intended to give off tonal whiplash. Anyway, here's a rough translation:

Viridi: Blades are truly terrifying weapons. Pit: Because they’re almighty and well-balanced! And they’re versatile. Viridi: However, they’re too orthodox and there’s no sign of playfulness from this weapon’s god. Pit: This weapon’s god…? Viridi: We believe in the weapon god, myth god, offering god, and shrine god! Your turn! Pit: We believe in the weapon god, myth—oh oh oh, I bit my tongue! Viridi: You still have a long way to go.

The Japanese language apparently has only four hundred sixteen unique syllable combinations possible so I have to imagine tongue twisters are easy to make.

Next are staffs. Here's the English transcription:

Viridi: So, Pit... Have you gotten used to firing ranged attacks with that staff? Pit: Yeah, it's like I was born to shoot stuff with a stick! I still don't understand how it works, though. Viridi: All of your weapons have been imbued with the power of the gods. Pit: So are humans able to use them? Viridi: No. But they miss out on a lot. You know the saying about humans... Both: Born crying, soon they're dying! Pit: That's kind of mean, isn't it? Viridi: Well, I've always liked the saying about the gods better. Both: Powerful and frightening, smite everything with lightning!

Pit's not very enthused about this one. But once again, Pit seems like he's a bit scatterbrained, especially in the beginning of the dialogue. The Japanese version of this interaction, much like the blade convo, has some fun with words, and they also sing a little song.

Whatever is happening in this conversation is far too native™️ for plebeian, intermediate level ahh. I spent an unreasonable amount of time trying to comprehend it and even took a look at some outside sources. Below is the best translation I could come up with. Sorry for failing to be creative with the song but I am simply not proficient enough to handle it.

Viridi: Pit, are you going to shoot at enemies with that staff? Pit: Of course! Locking dead-on feels great! Viridi: Even better if ya pierce ‘em! Pit: Zooming in’s a breeze! Aiming’s a breeze! Viridi: Dodge and attack in a pow-pow-pinch! Both: Hah! Pit: Staffs are a straight line above the best! Viridi: Staffs leave a bloody battlefield in their wake! Both: Hah!

The "六帖" (roku jou) in Viridi's last line is some kind of unit of measurement for... tatami mats I think??? According to said outside sources that I consulted, it's just meaningless nonsense solely for the sake of rhyming or something.

This is just "staff," "six bundles," and "bloody battlefield" mashed together (as you can see the translated line I came up with is mostly made-up nonsense and not literal in the least). If anyone can actually wrap their heads around this I would greatly appreciate your input.

In any case, one could argue Pit is on Viridi's level here, right? I mean, they're totally in sync for this little ditty.

But! The difference between the claws conversation is really interesting! First, let's look at the English version:

Viridi: So claws are your weapon of choice, are they? Pit: They're light, razor sharp, and fire super fast! Viridi: They're nothing compared to my fingernails. Now THOSE would rip you up! Pit: Wow, really? Viridi: My nails can displace entire rivers and level mountain ranges! Pit: I don't doubt it! Viridi: My nails can eviscerate the entire core of the earth! Pit: OK, OK, I get it. Geez. You must have, like, the worst cuticles.

This one always made me really uncomfortable as a kid. Still kinda icky even now...

Onto the Japanese:

Viridi: Pit, I see you’re equipped with claws. Pit: They’re light, sharp, and their continuous fire is effective! Nothin’ more to say! Viridi: Hmph. Compared to my nails, it’s like play-biting. Pit: Urk. Even if she’s just messing around, she’s a goddess, so she’s probably not lying. Viridi: My nails turn rivers to poison, and my headbutts level mountains to plains! Pit: She sounds serious… Viridi: As much as I’d like to show you, we have to focus on saving Palutena right now. Let’s go, Pit! Pit: Lady Palutena, please wait for me!

After I said these conversations probably weren't meant to give off tonal whiplash... here Viridi and Pit are, locking in at the end to focus on the mission at hand. I think this might be the only random conversation to do this? It's interesting nonetheless. Nice to see Viridi so motivated, too.

Next are bows:

Viridi: That bow meshes well with your look, Pit. Pit: Back in the day, I only had a bow to use. But my old bow didn't split in two parts. Viridi: It WAS pretty sad. That old bow was like shooting straws with a rubber band. Pit: Ugh, I still can't believe I had to use that stupid thing! Viridi: How do you think you'd fare today if you had to use that old bow? Pit: I'd be finished. Viridi: I guess some things never change.

Honestly the Japanese version goes about the same way, with the notable exception of Viridi being slightly less of a Debby downer.

Viridi: Bows seem like your strong suit, Pit. Pit: Because back then, it was all I could use. That one couldn’t separate, though. Viridi: Yeah, I know. It had about as much power as a bamboo bow shooting chopsticks. Pit: Ugh… Just thinking about those days irks me! Viridi: How about if you used it now? It’d be like competing against a hero-class warrior or something… Pit: To be blown away or not to be blown away… Viridi: Times do change, you know.

Viridi's trying to be a bit encouraging here, I think. She's saying that because times have changed, Pit could probably use that old bow more effectively. Hypothetically, of course. I don't think Pit would have a good time if he were handicapped like that.

Next are palms:

Viridi: So, you're all equipped with a palm, huh? Pit: Yep. I've got it right here on my arm. Viridi: Is it like a tattoo or more like a shirtsleeve? Pit: Uh...well, from what I understand, it feeds off your life force to-- Viridi: Hmm, sounds bad for your skin. Pit: What? That's really the least of my worries right now. Viridi: Take my skin, Pit. It's supple and dewy, like a peach at dawn. Pit: And your point is? Viridi: I've managed to stave off the effects of aging because I take care of my skin! Pit: So...how old are you, anyway? Viridi: Hello, I'm IMMORTAL!

Aside from this conversation never failing to make me kinda feel uncomfortable, even now, her commenting about her immortality always had me curious, because in this universe, divine beings are capable of aging as well as being killed, so what's the extent of this immortality?

Like with the bows, this conversation is also pretty similar in Japanese:

Viridi: Pit, I see you’re equipped with a palm. Pit: It’s stuck to my arm, so I feel it when it gets hot and cold and stuff, you know? Viridi: But that measly seal is powerful, isn’t it? Pit: Lady Palutena said that it saps life force and converts it to firepower but… Viridi: That sounds bad for your skin. Pit: Mind your own business! Ever considered worrying about your own skin? Viridi: My skin is so supple it can even repel water! Pit: …Viridi, you look young and all, but how old are you really? Viridi: There are things you can and can’t ask a lady, you know. Pit: A lady, huh… Viridi: You truly are insensitive.

No commentary on immortality here... hmm...

Next are clubs:

Viridi: I always forget how big clubs are. Pit: But they're not as heavy as they look! Viridi: Bigger isn't always better, you know. Pit: Small things please small minds! Viridi: The best things come in small packages! Pit: So do small potatoes! Viridi: Great oaks from little acorns grow! Pit: Talk softly and carry a big stick! Viridi: The bigger they are, the harder they fall! Pit: I'm...large and in charge? Viridi: You're too big for your britches! Pit: A bird in the hand will keep the doctor away? Viridi: What? Pit: The squeaky wheel gets the worm. Viridi: Nope. Stop.

The biggest whiplash of them all is the Theodore Roosevelt quote. I think my inability to reconcile with the aforementioned Theodore Roosevelt reference prevents me from properly enjoying the humor behind the back-and-forth idioms and their subsequent butchering. I get it, it's perfect, the club is the big stick in question, but for whatever reason, it gives me the same reaction as one might have when they notice something anachronistic in a movie or something. It just stands out too much, ya know?

Anyway, the Japanese version is once again pretty similar, but with Japanese idioms.

Viridi: Clubs are just as massive as expected. Pit: But they’re not as heavy as they look! Viridi: Just because they’re big doesn’t mean they’re good, though. Pit: Big things are good things! Viridi: A smart hawk hides its talons! Pit: The big encompasses the small! Viridi: A lone large tree! Pit: Under big trees grow small trees! Viridi: Wisdom cannot flow through a large man’s body! Pit: Big fish don't live in small ponds! Viridi: Small grabs over big grabs! Pit: Catch a red snapper with a shrimp! Viridi: The big eater remains thin! Pit: Peaches and chestnuts take three years, persimmons take eight! Viridi: The customer next to me is eating persimmons!

This one was also a freaking pain in the butt for me to handle. Like any idiom, they're kinda funky and not often easily understood unless you're fluent and all that jazz. I am not that. I can dream, though.

Anyway, I translated all these idioms kind of literally so...

"A smart hawk hides its talons" -- I guess it's like "don't be a showoff." "The big encompasses the small" -- The equivalent of our "better too big than too small." "A lone large tree" -- Used to describe something big but useless. "Under big trees grow small trees" -- This one's... not an idiom I guess. "Wisdom cannot flow through a large man's body" -- The weirdest one yet. It's supposed to be like "big heads have little wit." "Big fish don't live in small ponds" -- Self-explanatory, I think. "Small grabs over big grabs" -- In other words, "better small takings than a large win." "Catch a red snapper with a shrimp" -- I checked some outside sources, and they usually translate it as "whale," but the word they use is "red snapper," I can assure you. "Whale" is more befitting of the idiom's actual meaning, though. It's used to describe big returns on a small investment. "The big eater remains thin" -- I wrote this like an idiom but I honestly don't think it is one. It's just some phrase used to describe a thin person who eats a lot but never gains weight. "Peaches and chestnuts take three years, persimmons take eight" -- In other words, "it takes time to bear the fruit of one's respective actions." "The customer next to me is eating persimmons!" -- This one's just a tongue twister, I guess. Again with the tongue twisters.

In the English conversation, Pit derails things by messing up some idioms. Here, Viridi is actually the one to derail things. Unlike the English dialogue, I don't really feel as much of a conflict with the Japanese version, but that could just be me...

Next are cannons:

Viridi: I see you're using a cannon, Pit. Pit: Now THIS is a weapon worthy of the gods! Viridi: Oh, because gods LOVE grenade launchers. Pit: WHAT launchers? I don't know what you're talking about. Viridi: A weapon that launches explosive rounds. It won't be long before humans get their hands on these as well. Pit: They can't be trusted with this technology! They'd go around shooting everything! Viridi: Do you not see the irony in what you just said? Pit: Nope.

And the Japanese:

Viridi: I see you’re using a cannon, Pit. Pit: Such destructive power is naturally fitting for a weapon of the gods! Viridi: A grenade launcher, so to speak. Pit: Grenade—what now? Viridi: A weapon that shoots out explosives. It won’t be long until humans start using them. Pit: What would humans plan on shooting at with them? That sounds totally barbaric. Viridi: Oh really? What about you? Aren’t you using one right now? Pit: Oops!

Okay. So. I'm a liar. A faker. A poser. A larper. I had fully convinced myself that this game never used the actual Japanese word for "weapon" in favor of "sacred treasure" to make things seem more family-friendly or something, but... here they are, using the actual Japanese word for weapon, 武器 (buki).

That embarrassing blunder aside, when Viridi points out Pit's hypocristy in English, he is ignorant, but he realizes the irony behind his statements upon Viridi's observation in Japanese.

The next two conversations are the ones that Surachi brought up specifically. Let's start with orbitars...

Viridi: So I see you've equipped orbitars. If you like those, you need to try the orbitars I made from my troops. Pit: You meant FOR your troops, right? Viridi: Nope! These orbitars are made FROM my troops, so they're all natural! They're very energy efficient and 100 percent compostable. Plus, if you're hungry, they're edible. Pit: Awesome! But if you're at a point where you'd eat an orbitar, you're probably already doomed. Viridi: Hmm. Good point.

Yup! This sure is one of the conversations Surachi mentioned! Well... I hate to disappoint, but it's about the same in Japanese.

Viridi: I see you’re equipped with orbitars, Pit. I wonder, would it be better if I loaned you some Forces of Nature-made orbitars? Pit: Does something like that really exist? And made from your troops no less? Viridi: The Forces of Nature orbitars are made from natural ingredients! They have a high energy replenishment rate, and if you toss ‘em as is they’ll return to nature. On top of that, you can even eat them if you get hungry. Pit: What the?! A weapon that can become military rations?! But if I ever reached the point of eating my weapon, I feel like it'd already be over for me. Viridi: Hm, yeah, you have a point.

Well, there's one thing: In English, Pit's very excited about the prospect of an edible weapon, whereas in Japanese, he's more surprised than anything. I guess either way he's still fixating on their edibility, huh...

Next are arms:

Viridi: Now that, my friend, is a weapon! Pit: Yeah! I'll smash anything that gets in my way! Viridi: You do seem to have more of a presence with that arm equipped. It's like how driving an SUV or a big truck makes a person feel more in control. But that's just a misconception. Driving a big car doesn't make the cars around you any smaller. And it doesn't mean you don't have to pay attention to your surroundings. Pit: I think I know what you're getting at, Viridi. You're saying I should get a big truck! Viridi: No, Pit. That's not what I'm saying.

Also a conversation Surachi mentioned. The Japanese is... also mostly the same...

Viridi: I see you’re equipped with an arm. Very dynamic. Pit: I’ll smash anyone that gets close! Viridi: Maybe it’s just the arm, but you seem bolder than usual. Like how people are prone to feel a surge of strength when they ride a big vehicle. But that’s a childish delusion. Neither one’s smallness nor the enemies’ largeness changes. Be sure you do not forget that. Pit: I totally get what you’re saying. To summarize, you want to stress the importance of safe driving! Viridi: That’s it?! That’s all you got?!

The punchline is... ever so slightly different, I guess. But eh, either way, he doesn't really pick up on what Viridi is trying to say.

Even if the Japanese versions of the last two conversations don't necessarily contradict the point Surachi was trying to make, I'd still make the argument that these subtle line changes hint at Pit having... at least a couple more brain cells in Japanese, I dunno. With something like the club or staff conversation, he and Viridi come across as more on the same level in Japanese. Heck, in the club conversation, Viridi's the one who starts to goof off. Not to mention the claws conversation, where the two both return to the mission at hand. Or even the cannon conversation, where Pit is made to realize his contradictory words, as opposed to remaining oblivious in English. What I wanted to say with this big, admittedly bloated post, is that I think these conversations serve as yet another example of Pit's slightly different characterization between languages. Ultimately, he's a lot more of a goof in English, and although he's still not the brightest in Japanese, I'd nonetheless argue he's better at staying on track compared to his English counterpart.

...Dunno if that's what I already said in my original big Pit post. I am still too scared to check. Y'all will have to tell me your thoughts on the matter...