Sign Tokyopop Petition

[Shiftlock]

http://www.petitiononline.com/initiald/petition.html

To: Tokyopop
We, as fans of the anime and manga series Initial D, feel that Tokyopop didn't show the proper consideration when deciding to change the original japanese names of the characters.

We understand the need of something more "mainstream" to be aired on tv, but we feel changing it also in the manga version was unnecessary and disrespectful not only to the fans that already know the characters by their japanese names, but also for the ones that bought the fist volume of the manga, where everything was in the original japanese format.

We hope Tokyopop will not only release a DVD where the fans of the japanese names have this option, but also that a REAL 100% Authentic version of the Initial D manga will be released right along with the new "american" version, so everyone will have the option of buying which version they please.

We want to be a part of the Initial D experience, but in its original format, and whitout having to wait for a late "Collector's Edition".

The original Initial D fans don't want to be left behind on this race!


Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Show support,and sign the petition..

[JeffForSale!]

Its great that you support it and all, but thats older than my grandmother... its been around for quite awhile when Ver1 got released and it hasnt done shit, its too late now, the anime and manga has already been released and wont be changing anytime now

[penguinzx]

I suppose this sort of thing is important to the more militant fans of the series, but I just can't see how it makes that much difference. I'm a huge fan of Initial D, I spent about 6 months hunting down all the original episodes(fan sub-titled in english) on the internet. I've been buying Tokyo Pop's manga versions for a while now, and sure, the new names seem kind of cheesy. However, the idea is to make them accessible to everyone, not just the die hard fans. I still prefer the original names just because the new names don't fit the setting, which remains unchanged. But really, it's not that important. To be quite honest, I was never even sure how precisely to pronounce some of the original names anyway.

I saw a post on here too complaining about Tokyo Pop's DVD releases. Same general idea, not staying faithful to the original, so it's bad. I went back and looked at the DVD and I can do nothing but commend Tokyo Pop on their effort. The new english audio sucks, if you've already heard the original japanese. The DVD gives you so many options though, including a 100% original version with subtitles(or without), that I simply don't know how even a true fan can complain. Except maybe about the fact that there are only 3 episodes per DVD.

In the end, I think I'll have to pass on this petition. I appreciate that Tokyo Pop took the chance on bringing this great series to the US. All the changes they've made have been minimal and only serve to broaden the fan base and minimize the risk of the series failing here.

-Steve

[Sexy beast]

What? you're organizing a petition so that they keep the original names of some cartoon? how old are you?

[Forhod]

This petition has been going on for quite a long time.

[JeffForSale!]

Originally Posted by Sexy beast

What? you're organizing a petition so that they keep the original names of some cartoon? how old are you?

Hey, why dont you die, this is what the forum is all about.

Originally Posted by penguinzx

I suppose this sort of thing is important to the more militant fans of the series, but I just can't see how it makes that much difference. I'm a huge fan of Initial D, I spent about 6 months hunting down all the original episodes(fan sub-titled in english) on the internet. I've been buying Tokyo Pop's manga versions for a while now, and sure, the new names seem kind of cheesy. However, the idea is to make them accessible to everyone, not just the die hard fans. I still prefer the original names just because the new names don't fit the setting, which remains unchanged. But really, it's not that important. To be quite honest, I was never even sure how precisely to pronounce some of the original names anyway.

I saw a post on here too complaining about Tokyo Pop's DVD releases. Same general idea, not staying faithful to the original, so it's bad. I went back and looked at the DVD and I can do nothing but commend Tokyo Pop on their effort. The new english audio sucks, if you've already heard the original japanese. The DVD gives you so many options though, including a 100% original version with subtitles(or without), that I simply don't know how even a true fan can complain. Except maybe about the fact that there are only 3 episodes per DVD.

In the end, I think I'll have to pass on this petition. I appreciate that Tokyo Pop took the chance on bringing this great series to the US. All the changes they've made have been minimal and only serve to broaden the fan base and minimize the risk of the series failing here.

-Steve

Minimal? Broaden the fan base? What have you been smokin lately? They have horrible audio (sounds like it was done by one person, the voices, and the car exhausts sound like they all came from an APC universal exhaust from a stock civic...) they took out the fact that his gf is a whore (big gap in story) and they took out most of the car talk (SOHC DOHC part) so they could appeal more to little kids, infact, they even made a card game. I do NOT appreciate it, and the anime is NOT falling, infact is has a large (and very large drift scene) in Japan, a PS2 game for it was just released and Stage 4 is coming in February, failing? Maybe in some other dimension.

[Shiftlock]

Originally Posted by JeffForSale!

Hey, why dont you die, this is what the forum is all about.

Minimal? Broaden the fan base? What have you been smokin lately? They have horrible audio (sounds like it was done by one person, the voices, and the car exhausts sound like they all came from an APC universal exhaust from a stock civic...) they took out the fact that his gf is a whore (big gap in story) and they took out most of the car talk (SOHC DOHC part) so they could appeal more to little kids, infact, they even made a card game. I do NOT appreciate it, and the anime is NOT falling, infact is has a large (and very large drift scene) in Japan, a PS2 game for it was just released and Stage 4 is coming in February, failing? Maybe in some other dimension.

Couldn't have been said better.

What? you're organizing a petition so that they keep the original names of some cartoon? how old are you?

Please ask yourself that.Then come back and question why you posted that response.I'm not organizing it,it is quite old.And it is not a "cartoon" maybe if you understood the concept behind Initial D,and understood the skill and technique behind touge.Then maybe your opinons would be different.

[penguinzx]

Minimal? Broaden the fan base? What have you been smokin lately? They have horrible audio (sounds like it was done by one person, the voices, and the car exhausts sound like they all came from an APC universal exhaust from a stock civic...) they took out the fact that his gf is a whore (big gap in story) and they took out most of the car talk (SOHC DOHC part) so they could appeal more to little kids, infact, they even made a card game. I do NOT appreciate it, and the anime is NOT falling, infact is has a large (and very large drift scene) in Japan, a PS2 game for it was just released and Stage 4 is coming in February, failing? Maybe in some other dimension.

You say this like you're telling me something I didn't already know. As I said, I have the original anime episodes, all of them. I also have Tokyo Pop's dvd, and yes, their new english audio version is inferior. I don't believe I stated otherwise anywhere in my post. That's why I prefer to watch the episodes with the original sound. Something Tokyopop has made an option. You don't like the knew english audio, don't listen to it. I'm as curious as you are about how they plan to work around the Natsuki issue.

However, yes, these are minimal changes. Yes, you are nit-picking. The story is the same, the cars are the same, the characters are the same, the plot is the same. It is introducing many people who may be unfamiliar with the series to the series. It appears to me you are basing your judgement of it's popularity strictly on what Initial D has spawned in Japan, and what has then carried over into North America. Why is it a bad thing that Tokyopop would want it's manga and anime releases to appeal to as many people as possible in the North American market? Of course they want to appeal to more kids. Kids are a sustainable market. They will become customers early and continue to be customers. Just ask the tobacco industry(that was meant as a joke, laugh).

I am as pleased as you are that Initial D has become as popular as it has, however that popularity is currently confined primarily to the car community. Initial D has the potential to draw many more people into the car hobby as it is an accesible medium, with a broad audience. As such, Tokyopop needs to take into account all of those potential fans, not just those who are aware of the original series already. All I am saying is sometime you have to take the bad with the good. You're never going to get exactly what you want, and you'll just make yourself crazy if you spend all your time obsessing about the details.

And what have I been smoking? None of your business. ; )

-Steve

[JeffForSale!]

Originally Posted by penguinzx

You say this like you're telling me something I didn't already know. As I said, I have the original anime episodes, all of them. I also have Tokyo Pop's dvd, and yes, their new english audio version is inferior. I don't believe I stated otherwise anywhere in my post. That's why I prefer to watch the episodes with the original sound. Something Tokyopop has made an option. You don't like the knew english audio, don't listen to it. I'm as curious as you are about how they plan to work around the Natsuki issue.

However, yes, these are minimal changes. Yes, you are nit-picking. The story is the same, the cars are the same, the characters are the same, the plot is the same. It is introducing many people who may be unfamiliar with the series to the series. It appears to me you are basing your judgement of it's popularity strictly on what Initial D has spawned in Japan, and what has then carried over into North America. Why is it a bad thing that Tokyopop would want it's manga and anime releases to appeal to as many people as possible in the North American market? Of course they want to appeal to more kids. Kids are a sustainable market. They will become customers early and continue to be customers. Just ask the tobacco industry(that was meant as a joke, laugh).

I am as pleased as you are that Initial D has become as popular as it has, however that popularity is currently confined primarily to the car community. Initial D has the potential to draw many more people into the car hobby as it is an accesible medium, with a broad audience. As such, Tokyopop needs to take into account all of those potential fans, not just those who are aware of the original series already. All I am saying is sometime you have to take the bad with the good. You're never going to get exactly what you want, and you'll just make yourself crazy if you spend all your time obsessing about the details.

And what have I been smoking? None of your business. ; )

-Steve

Ah yes the details, the details, the details, but what Im concerned about here is all the "westernizing". The manga is written in "authentic form", so if these Americans have to read backwards, why the hell dont you just keep the damn names! Dont forget that they were even thinking, thinking about changing him to a pizza delivery boy.

Originally Posted by S15-guy

your point is valid, but the bottom line is that tokyopop sold out. They chose to make money, rather than profit from the authentic translation of a manga/anime.

Seriously though, who would like to watch a car race with stupid effects and shit, and its is just not acceptable to cut out an entire section of a storyline because they deem it to be inappropriate for a certain age group.

Sure, I can see why they did it, but that doesnt make it okay.

Now, I stopped hating on TokyoPop a while ago (but still, wtf is up with their marketing? They said the "hachiroku/takumi team" runs on STDs "Spirit, Determination, and Talent") but they still messed up this time