Feature:Mistranslations

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This page contains a list of mistranslations present in Legend of Galactic Heroes fan subs. It is not meant to be a criticism of any fan-sub group; rather, its purpose is as a resource for fans who may be confused by references contained in the subtitles, and perhaps even as a tool to improve future fan translations.

Although many proper names in the series appear to have been mistranslated in the original subtitles and on-screen maps and diagrams (for instance, Attemborough instead of Attenborough), these are considered for the purposes of Gineipaedia to be canon, and should not be included here. Additionally, this list should not contain references to minor errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar; nor should it contain any references to simple matters of style (for instance, Central Anime have made a conscious decision to use the LaserDisc name spellings over the DVD spellings).

Time stamps should refer to the DVD version when available; LaserDisc time stamps should be used only for errors specific to LaserDisc translations.

Legend of Galactic Heroes (OVA)

Generally

The references to Otho von Braunschweig, Reinhard von Lohengramm, and Klaus von Lichtenlade as Princes are incorrect. The correct title is Duke. Prince is accurately used in relation to Prince Alec.

The Battle of Astarte (002)

00:06:53 — 60 billion tons (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: A huge, artificial heavenly body, with a mass of 60 billion tons.
Dialogue: [To be Inserted]
Explanation: The correct mass is 60 trillion tons. This error has been confirmed by Central Anime (see here).

The Castrop Rebellion (005)

00:01:36 — Oigen Kastrop (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: The Galactic Empire's distinguished Prince Oigen Kastrop, former Treasury Secretary...
Dialogue: カストロプ公オイゲン, kasutoropu-kou oigen
Explanation: The name Oigen Kastrop used in the subtitles is erroneous for two reasons: (1) The spelling Oigen, whilst phonetically accurate, is actually a mistranslation of the German name Eugen. (2) Carrying over the translation practice used throughout the series with other names containing titles like kou and haku, Castrop's name ought to contain a von — thus, Eugen von Castrop. The noble rank 公 is Duke not Prince.

The Actress Exits (011)

00:08:43 — Imperial Admiral (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line (DVD): Reinhard, as an Imperial Admiral, was required to attend these meetings.
Line (LD): Reinhard, as an Admiral, was required to attend these meetings.
Dialogue: 元帥, gensui
Explanation: The subtitles refer to Reinhard as an Imperial Admiral (DVD) or Admiral (LD); however, the dialogue uses only the term fleet admiral, which is more accurate. It appears there was an attempt to translate gensui to Imperial Admiral as a matter of style, given how frequently it is used in the subtitles of earlier episodes; however, its use is not supported by the dialogue, and it is not consistent with the translation for gensui in the context of the Alliance (which is always fleet admiral).

00:12:41 — Imperial Admiral (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line (DVD): I'd like to speak with His Excellency, Imperial Admiral Lohengramm, please.
Line (LD): I'd like to speak with His Excellency, Admiral Lohengramm, please.
Dialogue: 元帥, gensui
Explanation: See above.

00:16:52 — Imperial Admiral (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line (DVD): We should inform His Excellency, the Imperial Admiral.
Line (LD): We should inform His Excellency, the Admiral.
Dialogue: 元帥, gensui
Explanation: See above.

00:17:00 — Imperial Admiral (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line (DVD): Your Excellency, Imperial Admiral Lohengramm.
Line (LD): Your Excellency, Admiral Lohengramm.
Dialogue: 元帥, gensui
Explanation: See above.

Invasion of the Imperial Territory (012)

00:14:39 — Borainen (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: Information Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Borainen and 3 assistants.
Dialogue: ビロライネン, birolainen
Explanation: The subtitles refer to a character named Borainen; this is a mistranslation of the Finnish surname Virolainen. The source of the error is the fact that the LaserDisc release, from which Central Anime's translation is derived, did not include name subtitles for this particular character. As a result, the translator had to go by ear, and apparently missed one character. (The B/V mix-up is a consequence of the fact that the /v/ sound is not native to Japanese and is therefore often approximated with /b/.) The DVD subtitles, which came later, also mistranslated the name — this time as Birolinen.

Farewell, Distant Memories (026)

00:20:59 — Imperial Admiral (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: At the same time, Siegfried Kircheis was promoted to Imperial Admiral...
Dialogue: 帝国元帥, teikoku gensui
Explanation: The subtitles' use of Imperial Admiral may be particularly confusing in this case given that Kircheis's previous rank was high admiral. The dialogue establishes that this should read Imperial fleet admiral instead. See also the explanation provided above.

The Two-Headed Snake: The Battle of Rantemario (048)

00:02:27 — Commander (Central Anime, DVD)

Line: Commander Armsdorf (name subtitle)
Dialogue: n/a
Explanation: Armsdorf's rank here is referred to as commander; according to the original Japanese subtitles and his uniform, however, he is in fact a lieutenant. (This error is not present in the LaserDisc translation because the original name subtitles are preserved.)

Battle After Battle (050)

00:03:52 — Ritarl (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: Their location is between Ritarl and Triplar.
Dialogue: ライガール, raigaaru
Explanation: Ritarl is a reference to the star Raigarh. The name appears only in dialogue, so the mistranslation is understandable.

00:03:52 — Triplar (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: Their location is between Ritarl and Triplar.
Dialogue: トリプラ, toripura
Explanation: Triplar is a reference to the star Tripura. The name appears only in dialogue, so the mistranslation is understandable.

00:08:22 — Rainharl (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: Then we'll retreat to the Rainharl system.
Dialogue: ライガール, raigaaru
Explanation: Rainharl is another reference to the star Raigarh. The name appears only in dialogue, so the mistranslation is understandable. The difference in spelling compared to its previous mention is likely the result of pronunciation differences between the two different speakers (in this case it is Yang).

00:19:21 — Rio Bell (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: You take your fleet to Rio Bell sector and attack the supply base and secure the area.
Dialogue: リオヴェルデ, rioverude
Explanation: Rio Bell is a reference to the star Rio Verde. The name appears only in dialogue, so the mistranslation is understandable.

The Battle of Vermilion (Part Two) (052)

00:03:00 — Rear Admiral (Central Anime, DVD)

Line: Rear Admiral Marino (name subtitle)
Dialogue: n/a
Explanation: Marino's rank here is referred to as rear admiral; according to the original Japanese subtitles and his insignia, however, he is in fact a commodore. (This error is not present in the LaserDisc translation because the original name subtitles are preserved.)

The Prodigal Sons Come Home (070)

00:16:48 — 80,000 (Central Anime, LD/DVD)

Line: We've discovered the enemy fleet, at 6 o'clock, distance, 80,000 kilometers.
Dialogue: 八十万, hachi jyu man
Explanation: The reference to a distance of 80,000 kilometres here appears to be a typo; it should instead read 800,000 kilometres. This error has been confirmed and corrected by Central Anime (see here) in a subsequent release of the DVD fansub.

The Crimson Star Road (107)

00:09:18 — light years (Central Anime, LD)

Line: There's signs of the opposition at a distance of 106.4 light years, 31,920,000 km.
Dialogue: 光秒, koubyou
Explanation: The reference to light-years here should read light-seconds. This error has been confirmed by Central Anime (see here) and corrected in the DVD fansub.

00:09:24 — 188 (Central Anime, LD)

Line: Their earliest entry into the Red Zone is estimated to be 188 seconds.
Dialogue: 千八百八十, sen happyaku hachi jyu
Explanation: The reference to 188 seconds here should read 1880 seconds. This error has been confirmed by Central Anime (see here) and corrected in the DVD fansub.