違国日記 and My Gripes With Localization
I read 違国日記 (Diary of A Strange Land) about a year ago, and it is safe to say its my favorite manga. Recently it received an anime adaptation (a very good one at that!) which is great. But it has one issue, the English localization of the title to Journal With Witch. It's everywhere! From the poster, to the British localization (in bad font at that), to even the Japanese edition of the manga (though in small print). I simply just don't understand how that logical leap took place, I understand the need for concise titles but I think it is equally important to retain meaning. Which this title simply does not. I don't think you even need to study Japanese to find it out of place. I mean watch any episode of the Anime and watch as the main character references how she feels like she is in a strange land. If anything analyzing the characters of the original title make the localization even more confusing. I mean we have, 違 - Different/Foreign, 国 - Country, and 日記 - Journal/Diary, everything points to maybe calling it Foreign Country Diary or as many fan translation groups do, Diary of a Strange Land. But alas here we Journal of Witch, even the grammar bothers me, and I bet if you ask anyone, if they had to guess what the Anime/Manga was about. They would probably say something along the lines of fantasy.
I'll leave it off with this quote though from the Manga as a sign that you should read it even if the title makes no sense, cause maybe that's life.
I think I’ve even gotten fed up with being angry. I wonder if I should be watering my own loneliness. I wonder if I did that, then I’d find it. The thing I’m searching for.
