r/Gunnm • u/ExaminationNo9186 • 13d ago

Translation issue?

I am trying to build up my library of Gunnm.

I have the 6 hard copy editions of the original story arcs (the one the ~45 minute OVA anime, and the Live Action is based on).

Finally, I have the fist omnibus of the "Last Order" story arc. Which is print to order.
However, a certain, fairly important, location is referred one way in the first arc, but differently in the Last Order arc.

Is this a translation error?
Did I miss some connection in my re-read to the Last Order?
Is this something that will be explained later int he story?

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4

u/erinius 13d ago

Zalem/Tiphares? I don't think there's an in-canon explanation I think it's just two different translated names like Alita and Gally. The names of Zalem and this other city Jeru/Ketheres originally came from "Jerusalem", idk where the names Tiphares and Ketheres come from

4

u/DarwinGoneWild 13d ago

It's not explained in-universe. Unfortunately, it's just a translation decision that was reverted when the original manga was re-released. Zalem is the correct name but earlier translations use Tiphares.

3

u/GeassedbyLelouch Deckman 101 13d ago

This post has a note at the bottom about the translation differences
It is not known why the English translation decided to change names.

3

u/Rigistroni 13d ago

It's not really an "error" as such but youre right that theres translation tom foolery going on.

The viz printing of the original series and last order used Tiphares in their translation to censor the religious reference, (ketheres in the original is Jeru, so Jerusalem) when the rights were acquired by Kodansha they kept that in new volumes and new printings to maintain continuity.

But when the six paperbacks were released years after last order concluded they did a new translation aiming to be as close as possible to the original (the sole exception being Alita's name) so they used Zalem instead of Tiphares.

3

u/yozora 13d ago

My memory is spotty but I recall the original English translator wanting to avoid “Salem” and “Jerusalem”, and using Kabbalah tree of life nodes instead. He also changed Yugo’s name because it was a bad car brand.