Confusion over having both Japanese and English names

[Inazuma]

This is something that has always confused me and hopefully you guys know the answer. With many anime series and video games, I will see the name in both Japanese and English. Some examples:



So my question is, which name is correct? In other words, what name do the Japanese use most of the time? This is very confusing when I get a new import Saturn game and see an English name on the front cover, but a Japanese name on the spine. I want to put it away in alphabetical order but I don't know which name is the real one. Is there some rule that I'm not aware of or an easy way to tell which name is more correct?

[toredauei]

Well since the japanese people speak japanese I think it goes without saying that the japanese name is the actual name of the product.

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

I believe he is asking if it translates correctly between the Japanese and English...

[Inazuma]

Well since the japanese people speak japanese I think it goes without saying that the japanese name is the actual name of the product.

Well, how would you explain the thousands of tv shows and video games with English only titles? Titles like:

Super Mario Galaxy
Sonic the Hedgehog
Blue Dragon
One Piece

The Japanese don't have a problem with using English names for their media. Now if both languages are shown together, you are saying that Japanese one would be more correct because they speak Japanese. Well, what if the English name was more prominent on the box? What if the front cover of a game and the actual game CD itself had the title in different languages? If the Japanese title is always correct in every situation, please let me know.

I believe he is asking if it translates correctly between the Japanese and English...

That's not what I'm asking. I want to know which name is "correct", as in the real, official name of something that has the name in both Japanese and English.

[weasels]

listen the japanese are mostly multilingual when it comes to english, especially the younger generation. because they have english classes. its not hard for a Japanese person to under stand simple english. its that simple.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Uh, who cares?

Look if an anime/game etc... has a translated version of the name (excluding a secondary title of course) on it's cover then that's it's name. Common sense helps in these situations.

[Inazuma]

Uh, who cares?

Look if an anime/game etc... has a translated version of the name (excluding a secondary title of course) on it's cover then that's it's name. Common sense helps in these situations.

Mod Man buys a game. On the front Cover it says "Fun Game 2". On the spine it says "楽しいゲーム２". You want to put it on your shelf in alphabetical order. What do you do?

[grittykitty]

this is all a matter of personal preference. it's up to you!

i myself just put it in english alphabetical order, because english is my native language. there's no "right or wrong" here...

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Uh, who cares?

Look if an anime/game etc... has a translated version of the name (excluding a secondary title of course) on it's cover then that's it's name. Common sense helps in these situations.

Mod Man buys a game. On the front Cover it says "Fun Game 2". On the spine it says "楽しいゲーム２". You want to put it on your shelf in alphabetical order. What do you do?

And what letter does Fun start with?

Seriously though, it's like GrittyKitty said it's a manner of personal preference.

I personally file them by system in US alphabetical order (If I ever file anything) unless I have several imports (let's say about 5 or more) in which case I file all the imports alphabetically as per their english names in their own section at the end of that particular system's domestic games.

[Inazuma]

I guess a better question to ask would be: If you walked into a game store in Japan that had their games in alphabetical order, looking for a game that had the name in both languages on the box, which one would they be using?　So if the game was called "Fun Game 2 楽しいゲーム２", would it filed under ファ or タ?

I know that we can arrange our games however we please. Maybe I just care too much about the topic but it has always bothered me not being sure on what stuff is called. Even if the Japanese name is always the correct one, why do they even bother putting the English one on the box? It only leads to unnecessary confusion.