Since this game and SoJ, the developer blogs are all still up on Capcom's official site, all in Japanese, of course. If you would like to revisit them, translations for some of them have been provided on gyakutensaibanlibrary.blogspot.com (you may need to search the entries by Japanese game title, as that's how they're tagged), namely the most important pieces of info. There are some extra details Ash left out, though, like how Eshiro was depicted as a slave driver or ghoulish nightmare who does nothing but eat all their staff-room snacks and bark at the workers and all that. Eventually things cycled back again by SoJ's production and shenanigans ensue, but that's another story for next time.
This poor game suffered for years through game development stasis, though. I believe it was initially green-lit as early as 2008, following the success of AJ, but along the way, the game was delayed while issues with staffing and reorganization held it back until it was green-lit again (for realsies!) by January 2012. In the meantime, there was one other branch to the GyakuSai groupies, the GyakuKen team, who worked on the AAI games in the meantime. While Takumi's side of the biz was being reallocated, it was up to the GK team to help keep the franchise moving. It was a time for new faces to arise to the challenge.
And then after release, there was the public backlash for introducing a then controversial character in Athena. Girl didn't deserve all the hate; but she did kinda overtake a game that was "supposed" to be a Phoenix Wright game, which was previously "supposed" to be an Apollo Justice game. But between all the "supposed"s, there would be way too much to put into a single game. Considering that Scenario Director Yamazaki and Art Director Fuse basically doubled their roles as overseers of various game aspects as well, it's no wonder that the finished product may have been a bit underwhelming in some ways.
All in all, though, lessons learned and it was still a largely successful sale. Rest assured these complications in the fanbase didn't affect sales for SoJ too much, as that game also reached expected sales marks.
But that's enough of my rants. In other news, I may bring the audio drama translations over to this blog too, since I did in fact give my original translation script a "localization" that I usually shortcut when I'm translating for Ace Attorney comics. Look forward to it!
Main cast
Athena Cykes - Kidzuki Kokone (希月 心音)
kidzuki means “awareness” (kinda following how Trucy is named Minuki) and the second kanji in her surname is “moon”. The kanji in her given name, when pronounced shin’on, means “heartbeat”. It can also be translated literally as “heart sound” to refer to her ability to hear people’s voices of their hearts.
kidzuki means “awareness” (kinda following how Trucy is named Minuki) and the second kanji in her surname is “moon”. The kanji in her given name, when pronounced shin’on, means “heartbeat”. It can also be translated literally as “heart sound” to refer to her ability to hear people’s voices of their hearts.
Simon Blackquill - Yuugami Jin (夕神 迅)
yugami means “distortion” or “twist”, referring to his epithet, “The Twisted Samurai”. The kanji form a phrase meaning “god of dusk”. jin, written as 刃, is “blade”; while the kanji in his name means “swift”. It’s analogous to Edgeworth’s name, Mitsurugi, which is the name of a noble blade of legend.
Trivia: He refers to the chief in person using the term danna, a title reserved for Lords and noblemen back during the days of samurai. Since this couldn’t be replicated in English without sounding drastically out of place, it’s been tamed down to a plain “sir”.
(Imo, he could very well have gone with “sire” and it’d be just the right amount of tradition and respect, but I guess it doesn’t quite sound Japanese enough.)
Incidentally, Taka is Gin, which can mean “silver”, or possibly like the English word (but it’s pronounced with a hard G).
yugami means “distortion” or “twist”, referring to his epithet, “The Twisted Samurai”. The kanji form a phrase meaning “god of dusk”. jin, written as 刃, is “blade”; while the kanji in his name means “swift”. It’s analogous to Edgeworth’s name, Mitsurugi, which is the name of a noble blade of legend.
Trivia: He refers to the chief in person using the term danna, a title reserved for Lords and noblemen back during the days of samurai. Since this couldn’t be replicated in English without sounding drastically out of place, it’s been tamed down to a plain “sir”.
(Imo, he could very well have gone with “sire” and it’d be just the right amount of tradition and respect, but I guess it doesn’t quite sound Japanese enough.)
Incidentally, Taka is Gin, which can mean “silver”, or possibly like the English word (but it’s pronounced with a hard G).
Bobby Fulbright - Ban Gouzou (番 轟三)
The ban in his name may refer to a “guard”, though being written as 万 means “many”. Combined with his first name, which consists of “booming” and “three” (like in “two’s company, three’s a crowd”), you get a whole lot of bombastic in one guy.
Trivia: His catchphrase is shouting “JUSTICE!!!” in English at the top of his lungs and laughing triumphantly. Imo, the localization’s “In Justice We Trust!” was a pretty genius move, as it really pops a second time when you realize just who he is.
The ban in his name may refer to a “guard”, though being written as 万 means “many”. Combined with his first name, which consists of “booming” and “three” (like in “two’s company, three’s a crowd”), you get a whole lot of bombastic in one guy.
Trivia: His catchphrase is shouting “JUSTICE!!!” in English at the top of his lungs and laughing triumphantly. Imo, the localization’s “In Justice We Trust!” was a pretty genius move, as it really pops a second time when you realize just who he is.
Episode 1
Gaspen Payne - Auchi Fumitake (亜内 文武)
“Auchi” is simply “ouch”. His first name is the same as his brother’s but flipped. fumi (文) is “literature”; take (武) is “martial”. I suppose both of them are warriors of words, but I really think the devs just ran out of ideas. He is meant to be the "anti" to the nobler (?) Winston, but really, guys?
“Auchi” is simply “ouch”. His first name is the same as his brother’s but flipped. fumi (文) is “literature”; take (武) is “martial”. I suppose both of them are warriors of words, but I really think the devs just ran out of ideas. He is meant to be the "anti" to the nobler (?) Winston, but really, guys?
Juniper Woods - Morizumi Shinobu (森澄 しのぶ)
mori (森) is “forest” or “woods”; shinobu means “to hide”. Meanwhile, the kanji for zumi (澄) used in the verb sumasu becomes “to look prim” or “to listen carefully”. These two definitions better relate to her from Episode 3, though.
Trivia: In the Japanese version of this episode, the crime scene shows in English letters: “S I N O B U”. Since Japanese is typed using romaji, し can be either shi or si. Either way, it’s still pronounced the same. If it weren’t obvious enough from the intro, this spelling would have easily given away the real killer.
mori (森) is “forest” or “woods”; shinobu means “to hide”. Meanwhile, the kanji for zumi (澄) used in the verb sumasu becomes “to look prim” or “to listen carefully”. These two definitions better relate to her from Episode 3, though.
Trivia: In the Japanese version of this episode, the crime scene shows in English letters: “S I N O B U”. Since Japanese is typed using romaji, し can be either shi or si. Either way, it’s still pronounced the same. If it weren’t obvious enough from the intro, this spelling would have easily given away the real killer.
Ted Tonate - Barashima Shingo (馬等島 晋吾)
barasu can mean a few things: “to expose”, “to take apart”, or “to kill”. He already covers the latter two in the first case, but the first definition doesn’t quite play in until the last one.
The last syllable of his first name ties into his first name to make mashingo, or “machine language”; hence the keyboard.
barasu can mean a few things: “to expose”, “to take apart”, or “to kill”. He already covers the latter two in the first case, but the first definition doesn’t quite play in until the last one.
The last syllable of his first name ties into his first name to make mashingo, or “machine language”; hence the keyboard.
Candice Arme - Kaku Hozumi (賀来 ほずみ)
Her full name can be written as 確保済み, meaning “in custody”. kaku may refer to “square”/”cube”; probably referring to how she’s been hit. Her surname and the first syllable of her first name make kakuho, or “guarantee”, which seems to play into her English name.
Her full name can be written as 確保済み, meaning “in custody”. kaku may refer to “square”/”cube”; probably referring to how she’s been hit. Her surname and the first syllable of her first name make kakuho, or “guarantee”, which seems to play into her English name.
Episode 2
Jinxie Tenma - Tenma Yumemi (天馬 ゆめみ)
Her surname as written here refers to the “heavenly horse” Pegasus. yumemiru means “to dream”.
More on Tenma below.
Her surname as written here refers to the “heavenly horse” Pegasus. yumemiru means “to dream”.
More on Tenma below.
Damian Tenma - Tenma Deemon (天馬 出右衛門)
His first name comes from “demon”.
Tenma, which is also the name of the village, is written as 天魔. It refers to the yokai of the Buddhist sixth heaven in the realm of desire who haunts people and deceives them into avoiding good. According to legend, Tenma tried (and ultimately failed) to lure the young Siddhartha away from enlightenment with earthly desires.
Tenma Taro from this game is based on this Tenma. In Japanese folklore, he’s described to have several different appearances, but generally he is known to be bird-like, hence we have jangly-cackling-bird-demon.
His first name comes from “demon”.
Tenma, which is also the name of the village, is written as 天魔. It refers to the yokai of the Buddhist sixth heaven in the realm of desire who haunts people and deceives them into avoiding good. According to legend, Tenma tried (and ultimately failed) to lure the young Siddhartha away from enlightenment with earthly desires.
Tenma Taro from this game is based on this Tenma. In Japanese folklore, he’s described to have several different appearances, but generally he is known to be bird-like, hence we have jangly-cackling-bird-demon.
The Great Nine-Tails - Great Kyuubi (グレート 九尾)
He’s based on the Nine-tailed fox of Japanese legend, a yokai of immense power and influence and sometimes disastrous consequences. You know the one.
He’s based on the Nine-tailed fox of Japanese legend, a yokai of immense power and influence and sometimes disastrous consequences. You know the one.
Rex Kyubi - Kyuubi Ginji (九尾 銀次)
His last name is the same as the Nine-Tails. The gin (銀) in his name refers to his silver hair and to the Nine-tailed fox of legend, which is often portrayed as silver. ginjiru also means “to chant” or “to recite”.
His last name is the same as the Nine-Tails. The gin (銀) in his name refers to his silver hair and to the Nine-tailed fox of legend, which is often portrayed as silver. ginjiru also means “to chant” or “to recite”.
Phineas Filch - Zeniarai Kumabee (銭洗 熊兵衛)
zeni, as written above, is “money”. (This is what Capcom’s fictional currency zenny is based on.) His last name is a reference to the azukiarai, “The Bean Washer”, a yokai who resembles a small boy that keeps people up at night with the sound of washing beans. Filch here claims that he’s the grandson of an infamous thief who once kept people up by the sounds of his money-washing.
His first name is made of bears: kuma (熊) and “bear”; yet he’s frequently called a tanuki instead, especially for his swindling ways.
zeni, as written above, is “money”. (This is what Capcom’s fictional currency zenny is based on.) His last name is a reference to the azukiarai, “The Bean Washer”, a yokai who resembles a small boy that keeps people up at night with the sound of washing beans. Filch here claims that he’s the grandson of an infamous thief who once kept people up by the sounds of his money-washing.
His first name is made of bears: kuma (熊) and “bear”; yet he’s frequently called a tanuki instead, especially for his swindling ways.
Florent L’Belle - Biyouin Shuuichi (美葉院 秀一)
biyouin is “beauty parlor” and shuuichinichi is “once a week”. The kanji in his first name come to “excellence” and “[number] one”.
biyouin is “beauty parlor” and shuuichinichi is “once a week”. The kanji in his first name come to “excellence” and “[number] one”.
Episode 3
Aristotle Means - Ichiro Shinji (一路 真二)
The kanji in his name together mean “one road, two truths”. ichiro, with the same kanji, means “straight” or “directly”, and shinjiru means “to believe”.
The kanji in his name together mean “one road, two truths”. ichiro, with the same kanji, means “straight” or “directly”, and shinjiru means “to believe”.
Constance Courte - Michiba Masayo (道葉 正世)
michibata is “roadside” and masa (正) is “right” or “just”, to parallel Means’ name above.
michibata is “roadside” and masa (正) is “right” or “just”, to parallel Means’ name above.
Hugh O’Conner - Shizuya Rei (静矢 零)
His name is most likely picked for the convenience of the recording that’s played during trial. In Japanese, the muffled recording sounds like it’s saying “Koroshite yare!”, which is Japanese for “I’ll kill you!” Thanks to Athena’s efforts, she reveals it’s actually supposed to say “Kora! Shizuya Rei!”, or a scolding “Hey! Shizuya Rei!”
The kanji of his last name are “quiet” and “arrow”. His first name can also mean “zero”.
Props to the localization team for making this actually work. I wouldn't have guessed "Hugh O'Conner" from "You're a Goner" until in hindsight.
His name is most likely picked for the convenience of the recording that’s played during trial. In Japanese, the muffled recording sounds like it’s saying “Koroshite yare!”, which is Japanese for “I’ll kill you!” Thanks to Athena’s efforts, she reveals it’s actually supposed to say “Kora! Shizuya Rei!”, or a scolding “Hey! Shizuya Rei!”
The kanji of his last name are “quiet” and “arrow”. His first name can also mean “zero”.
Props to the localization team for making this actually work. I wouldn't have guessed "Hugh O'Conner" from "You're a Goner" until in hindsight.
Robin Newman - Atsui Chishio (厚井 知潮)
atsui is “hot”; it can also mean “hot-tempered” or “passionate”. chishio is “blood circulation”, usually referring to hot-headedness. It also doubles over as a gender-ambiguous name.
atsui is “hot”; it can also mean “hot-tempered” or “passionate”. chishio is “blood circulation”, usually referring to hot-headedness. It also doubles over as a gender-ambiguous name.
Myriam Scuttlebutt - Uwasa Atsume (宇和佐 集芽)
uwasa is “rumor” and atsumeru is “to gather”; thus, her full name comes to “gather gossip”.
Trivia: Producer Eshiro is a huge MGS fan; hence Myriam’s M.O. of traveling under the cover of a box.
uwasa is “rumor” and atsumeru is “to gather”; thus, her full name comes to “gather gossip”.
Trivia: Producer Eshiro is a huge MGS fan; hence Myriam’s M.O. of traveling under the cover of a box.
Episode 4-5
Solomon Starbuck - Hoshinari Taiyou (星成 太陽)
His name comes from the phrase “hoshi ni naritai yo”, which means “I wish to become a star”. taiyou, as written above, means “sun”.
His name comes from the phrase “hoshi ni naritai yo”, which means “I wish to become a star”. taiyou, as written above, means “sun”.
Clay Terran - Aoi Daichi (葵 大地)
aoi is the color “blue”. daichi is “ground” or “earth”; also refers to the planet itself. His relative calm and the color blue was chosen specifically to pair with Apollo’s bright and passionate red.
(In fact, it may very well have been the localization’s choice to name Odoroki as Apollo that led to the development of this game’s space theme. I don’t remember if it was mentioned in an interview or not, but I’m sure it played some role.)
aoi is the color “blue”. daichi is “ground” or “earth”; also refers to the planet itself. His relative calm and the color blue was chosen specifically to pair with Apollo’s bright and passionate red.
(In fact, it may very well have been the localization’s choice to name Odoroki as Apollo that led to the development of this game’s space theme. I don’t remember if it was mentioned in an interview or not, but I’m sure it played some role.)
Yuri Cosmos - Oogawara Uchuu (大河原 有忠)
His last name means “bank of the great river”, which is a reference to the Milky Way. It’s known as “The Great River” in several cultures, including Japanese.
uchuu, written as 宇宙, means “space” or “universe”.
His last name means “bank of the great river”, which is a reference to the Milky Way. It’s known as “The Great River” in several cultures, including Japanese.
uchuu, written as 宇宙, means “space” or “universe”.
Aura Blackquill - Yuugami Kaguya (夕神 かぐや)
Kaguya is a reference to a famous Japanese folktale from the 10th century, Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. The main character’s name is Kaguya-hime, or Princess Kaguya, who was one of a mysterious people living on the Moon but was sent down to Earth and raised by an old bamboo cutter.
I’m not too sure if this tale inspired her English name, but when Princess Kaguya was discovered as a baby, she was described to be the size of a thumb and glowing with brilliant light. Aura may come from the Latin root aurum for “gold”, to parallel Simon's Taka (Gin).
Kaguya is a reference to a famous Japanese folktale from the 10th century, Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. The main character’s name is Kaguya-hime, or Princess Kaguya, who was one of a mysterious people living on the Moon but was sent down to Earth and raised by an old bamboo cutter.
I’m not too sure if this tale inspired her English name, but when Princess Kaguya was discovered as a baby, she was described to be the size of a thumb and glowing with brilliant light. Aura may come from the Latin root aurum for “gold”, to parallel Simon's Taka (Gin).
Ponco & Clonco - Ponko & Ponta (ポンコ＆ポンタ)
ko and ta are common endings to boys’ and girls’ names, respectively.
Aura also likes to call Clonco “Ponkotsu”, referring both to how he’s basically “Ponco #2″ and ponkotsu, “junk”.
ko and ta are common endings to boys’ and girls’ names, respectively.
Aura also likes to call Clonco “Ponkotsu”, referring both to how he’s basically “Ponco #2″ and ponkotsu, “junk”.
Metis Cykes - Kidzuki Mari (希月 真理)
Her first name can also be pronounced shinri, meaning “truth”. In turn, shinri, when written as 心理, means “psychology”.
Her first name can also be pronounced shinri, meaning “truth”. In turn, shinri, when written as 心理, means “psychology”.
DLC Episode
Sasha Buckler - Umino Shouko (羽美野 翔子)
umi is “sea”, and shouko, written as 証拠, is “evidence”. Thus, her full name becomes “evidence from the sea”. The first kanji in both first and last name have to do with “feathers” and “flight”. She’s quite a flighty personality for sure.
umi is “sea”, and shouko, written as 証拠, is “evidence”. Thus, her full name becomes “evidence from the sea”. The first kanji in both first and last name have to do with “feathers” and “flight”. She’s quite a flighty personality for sure.
Ora “Orla” Shipley - Arafune Elle / Ale (荒船エル / エール)
Her last name is made of the kanji for “wild” and “ship”. Her name is Ale, as a shortened form of “whale”, but it doubles as the alcoholic drink too. Actually, it triples as “air”, to complement her trainer.
Her supposed real name is actually her sister’s name, and it seems it was just picked to sound similar.
Her last name is made of the kanji for “wild” and “ship”. Her name is Ale, as a shortened form of “whale”, but it doubles as the alcoholic drink too. Actually, it triples as “air”, to complement her trainer.
Her supposed real name is actually her sister’s name, and it seems it was just picked to sound similar.
Jack Shipley - Arafune Ryouji (荒船 良治)
ryouji as 療治 means “treatment”/“cure”, possibly referring to how he saved two precious orcas and returned them to health.
ryouji as 療治 means “treatment”/“cure”, possibly referring to how he saved two precious orcas and returned them to health.
Norma DePlume - Uratori Reika (浦鳥 麗華)
uratori refers to “gathering evidence” as for a news story. reika as 冷夏 becomes “cool summer”. It can even be written as 零下 to mean “sub-zero”. She’s quite the contrast to the rest of the sunny crew.
uratori refers to “gathering evidence” as for a news story. reika as 冷夏 becomes “cool summer”. It can even be written as 零下 to mean “sub-zero”. She’s quite the contrast to the rest of the sunny crew.
Marlon Rimes - Itsuka Ikuya (伊塚 育也)
itsuka means “someday”; the kanji iku (育) means “raise”, as in pets or children. In other words, he’ll “become a real trainer someday”. His name may have been chosen for its easy rhyme as well.
itsuka means “someday”; the kanji iku (育) means “raise”, as in pets or children. In other words, he’ll “become a real trainer someday”. His name may have been chosen for its easy rhyme as well.
Rifle (ライフル)
She was named for her dangerous temper, and probably as a shout-out to Mr. Takumi’s naming of Missile.
Her daughter Sniper also keeps the same name.
She was named for her dangerous temper, and probably as a shout-out to Mr. Takumi’s naming of Missile.
Her daughter Sniper also keeps the same name.
Herman Crab - Sugomori Gaku (巣古森 学)
His last name may be referring to su-komori, or “nest-babysitter”, since he keeps li’l Sniper up there. Even the first kanji in his last name is the right one for “nest”.
gaku as above is “learning” or “study of” a subject.
His last name may be referring to su-komori, or “nest-babysitter”, since he keeps li’l Sniper up there. Even the first kanji in his last name is the right one for “nest”.
gaku as above is “learning” or “study of” a subject.
Azura Summers - Natsukaze Suzumi (夏風 邪涼海)
natsukaze means “a summer cold”, but it can also literally mean “summer wind”. It was picked probably as a stark contrast to Norma’s Japanese name.
suzumi is “cooling off”, like outdoors in the breeze.
Okay, last one to go before I start picking apart my old blog and retrieving various translations and works.
natsukaze means “a summer cold”, but it can also literally mean “summer wind”. It was picked probably as a stark contrast to Norma’s Japanese name.
suzumi is “cooling off”, like outdoors in the breeze.
Okay, last one to go before I start picking apart my old blog and retrieving various translations and works.
This is all very interesting. Thanks for doing theses.
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