No Editing Zone - Reports • Fanfiction - Modern Dynasty - Garden of EVA • Site/Contact Info
Japanese name(s):
 Sakura Tsushin
English name(s):
 Sakura Diaries
Overall description of edits/changes:
 Nudity has been removed, apparently due to a TV and a LD version being produced in Japan. Some changes to sub dialog. Dub dialog has been drastically changed from the original. DETAILED REPORT Note: This page contains images with nudity.
Reviewed by:

Andy Turner
Jim Lazar (Webmaster/animeprime.com)
Date reviewed/updated:
 Wednesday, April 14, 2004 7:42 PM
North American company releasing title:
 ADV under their ADV Films label.
Japanese version that North American version is based on:

4 disc/tape release: Version that was broadcast on Japanese TV.
2 disc set release: Version that was released on home video in Japan (LD version).

 Description of what effects the edits/changes had on the original story/plot (opinion)

The script changes alter the characterization. The sub makes minor, but noticeable changes to the dialog. The dub completely changes them. The characters in the dub seem to be entirely different people from those in the original.

The video changes don't directly change the story, but the differences do distract from the erotic nature of what most U-jin fans would have expected, especially with a 17+ rating by ADV.

 Detailed description of video edits

Update: ADV has released the Sakura Diaries Collector's Edition containing all 12 episodes of the LD version in a 2 disc set. The subtitle script has also been redone to provide a much more accurate translation of the Japanese dialog than the original subtitles or dub on the 4 disc release.

After watching the set, I can clearly see the improvements over the original 4 disc release. The LD footage is present (although most of the differences between the TV version and the LD version are in the first half of this 12 episode series), the subtitles are much improved (especially over the dub), and even the video quality of the DVD transfer is much better.

For all those wanting the version of this anime series that is closest to U-jin's original manga, this is the version to get.

 

Note: The video edits described in this section do not appear to have been done by ADV. There appears to be two versions of Sakura Diaries that were released/shown in Japan: One that was released on Japanese home video and one that was shown on late night Japanese TV. According to CDJAPAN, the Japanese LDs were apparently released between 5/21/1997 and ending on 10/22/1997. And according to http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/1966/ce981107.htm Sakura Tsuushin(Diaries) began its television broadcast on November 9th, 1998.

For clarity, the following terms will be used in this editing report:

LD/Fansub version = Version of Sakura Diaries as released on the Japanese home video LDs and used as the source of the fansubs.
TV/ADV version = Version of Sakura Diaries as released by ADV and apparently as broadcast on Japanese television.

 

Episode one:

In the LD/Fansub version Urara removes her bra after she is confronted about how she knows Tonma's name (apparently to distract him), in the TV/ADV version she just finsihes removing her shirt. The bra shows up for the rest of the scene, with its straps hovering inexplicably slightly above her shoulders.

Here are some samples of the changes (sorry they aren't higher resolution):

LD/Fansub Version
TV/ADV Version


(note the different angle)

 
 

Episode two:

In the TV/ADV version, there was a recap at the beginning of the episode that was not on the LD/Fansub version.

In the LD/Fansub version, Urara is wearing only an apron at home. In the ADV/TV version she is wearing the apron and panties. This leads to a rather odd line in the ADV/TV version where he gapes at her walking away and says in the sub "She's not wearing..." The fansub has completely different dialog (which by all accounts is an accurate translation). Odd, considering that the ADV/TV version's dialog would only make sense without the panties. There is a scene where she wiggles her rear at Touma in the LD/Fansub version. In the TV/ADV version it is a still frame.

During Tonma's fantasy whith Mieko where he rubs her stomach, the LD/Fansub version has a closeup of his rubbing with more clevage shown (no nipples seen) than the ADV/TV version (which has a bra shown).

Here are some samples of the changes (sorry they aren't higher resolution):

LD/Fansub Version
TV/ADV Version

 
 

Episode three:

In the TV/ADV version, there was a recap at the beginning of the episode that was not on the LD/Fansub version.

At at about sixty-one minutes into the ADV/TV version during Urara's shower scene, there is a face shot of Urara. In the LD/Fansub version this is an overhead shot showing more cleavage (but no actual nudity).

At at about sixty-two minutes into the ADV/TV version during Urara's shower scene, there is more soap on her back than in the LD/Fansub version.

 
 Detailed description of English subtitle and English dub changes
Update: ADV has released the Sakura Diaries Collector's Edition containing all 12 episodes of the LD version in a 2 disc set. The subtitle script has also been redone to provide a much more accurate translation of the Japanese dialog than the original subtitles or dub on the 4 disc release.

After watching the set, I can clearly see the improvements over the original 4 disc release. The LD footage is present (although most of the differences between the TV version and the LD version are in the first half of this 12 episode series), the subtitles are much improved (especially over the dub), and even the video quality of the DVD transfer is much better.

For all those wanting the version of this anime series that is closest to U-jin's original manga, this is the version to get.

 

Although the video changes are not ADV's doing, they did produce the English sub and dub scripts. According to the credits, the English ADR & subtitle scripts were both done by a L.B. Batholomee. This makes some of the differences between the two versions even more surprising. Although we understand the need to change the words to make them speakable and match mouth flaps, some of the changes seemed to be made for no reason (although several were made to drive home he point that Urara was eighteen to avoid legal problems). Although fansub translations are sometimes inaccurate and I generally don't use them for comparisons, by all accounts the Team ABCB translations are accurate and several sources have indicated that ADV's translations do differ from the spoken Japanese in some places.

Here are some of the major changes we spotted (omments are in parentheses):

Episode 1:

Scene: News reporter with map of northern Japanese island displayed and then a skier
ADV Disc 1 Time: 2:33
Fansub dialog:
Due to heavy snows, the taxis...
ADV sub dialog:
...heavy snow is reported in all districts...
ADV dub dialog:
Leaving hundreds dead in Kuwait.

(I know it doesn't affect the story, but why make this change at all?)


Actors in the porn movie on the TV say things like "iye, dame" (which can be translated as something like: "no, I can't", or "no, no more") in Japanese but it is subtitled as "Give it to me!" We realize that this may be a valid high level translation, but it certainly does alter the flavor of the show. It makes it seem much less Japanese.


Scene: Urara arrives and sits in bed
ADV Disc 1 Time: 4:56
Fansub dialog:
I know... the girl you paged for was Keiko, right?
Well, she's not available right now.
She's been skipping class because she's pregnant.
ADV sub dialog:
You actually paged Keiko, right?
She couldn't work tonight.
She had to take a leave of absence.
She got herself knocked up.
ADV dub dialog:
It's okay, I don't mind if you want to warm up for me.
Some guys prefer that (porno videos) to the real thing.
But I can tell that you're not like that.

(I guess dub watchers couldn't understand her subbing for another call girl because she got pregnant?)


Scene: Urara shows her ID
ADV Disc 1 Time: 4:51
Fansub dialog:
See? I'm a "grade A", authentic, high school girl!
ADV sub dialog:
I'm a bona fide private high school student, see?
ADV dub dialog:
See... I had my eighteenth birthday last month.

(Okay, I can kind of understand the legal reasons to drive home the point that she's eighteen, but they really kind of over did it here.)


Scene: Urara's in bed hiding herself from Tonma
ADV Disc 1 Time: 7:54
Fansub dialog:
Not Yet! You can't look yet!
ADV sub dialog:
No, not yet! You can't look yet!
ADV dub dialog:
I love it when you scream and act all manly!

(In the original, she is apparently trying to delay him until he recognizes her, this dialog in the ADV dub makes it seem like she is encouraging him more at this point.)


Scene: Tonma's fantasy of Urara showing off her panties
ADV Disc 1 Time: 8:06
Fansub dialog:
Complete with a pair of fresh warm panties for only 10,000 yen.
ADV sub dialog:
Look, my tight panties are soaking wet for you!
ADV dub dialog:
Tomna, <kissing sounds or something>

(The dialog about her selling her panties has been confirmed as being accurate by several people, so I can only guess they didn't think people watching the English sub could understand that particular part of Japanese culture surrounding High School girls selling their panties. This probably relates to an earlier decision to translate "burusera" as "call girl", thus dropping the references to the practice of high school girls selling their undergarments. How an offer to sell her panties became the odd noises Urara emits in the English dub is beyond me, but I'd have to guess it's not a literal translation.)


Scene: Just before Tonma throws her out of his hotel room
ADV Disc 1 Time: 8:20
Fansub dialog:
I said I'm not ready yet...
ADV sub dialog:
So you can't do it, can you?
ADV dub dialog:
It's okay, lots of guys can't get it up.

(Her saying that she's not ready yet becomes a insult to his ability to get an erection?)


Scene: Urara's out in the hallway
ADV Disc 1 Time: 8:42
Fansub dialog:
You still don't get it?
ADV sub dialog:
Jeez! Haven't you figured it out?!
ADV dub dialog:
Hey, why are you so mean to me?

(This dialog is supposed to show that she's upset he doesn't recognize her, instead the English dub turns it into a general comment on him being mean to her.)


Scene: In the girl's locker room
ADV Disc 1 Time: 11:25
Fansub dialog:
6th grade
ADV sub dialog:
8th grade
ADV dub dialog:
8th grade

(I'm guessing that ADV changed it to 8th grade in the sub and dub to avoid complaints that she might be underage. The problem with this is that she mentions it was 6 years ago in all three versions. She'd have to be 20 in ADV's version and have been held back a couple years in school.)


Scene: In the locker room with Kohme
ADV Disc 1 Time: 12:29
Fansub dialog:
But, my big sister says there's nothing better than sex.
ADV sub dialog:
My sister told me there wasn't anything better , so...
ADV dub dialog:
My mom says that boys are only good for one thing. Then they buy you stuff.

(I have no idea why this was changed. For some reason her mother saying boys are good for sex and to buy stuff is more understandable to dub listeners than her sister saying sex was the greatest thing. I'd have to agree with the sister.)


During tennis practice, after Urara finishes she looks up to see the team doing practice swings. In the Japanese audio they are counting (and are at about 34, showing how long she was out of it) as well as naming their swings, in English they are just naming their swing (this changes the impact of how long Urara was thinking about Tonma).


Between 13:17 and 13:32 there is some clear background talk in the Japanese audio that's subbed, but the English dub just has unrecognizable murmers.


Scene: Mieko explains her name
ADV Disc 1 Time: 14:45
Fansub dialog:
Yotsuba, as in "four-leafed clover".
I'd be nice if some of that luck would rub off on me.
ADV sub dialog:
"Yotsuba" like the four leaves on the clover.
Hopefully my name will be my good luck charm during the test.
ADV dub dialog:
You're a fast reader.
You should have no trouble at all passing the test.

(I'd think if they made a point of explaining what a character's name means and how it relates to their situation that it would be somewhat important to the story.)


Episode 2:

Scene: In a fantasy, Tonma feels Meiko's stomach on a couch
ADV Disc 1 Time: 27:12
Fansub dialog:
Well now, is it around here?
Is our little baby somewhere around here?
Or what have you!
I won’t let you sleep tonight.
ADV sub dialog:
Where is he? Here?
As the baby started kicking yet?
What if you end up having twins?
Oh, how happy the four of us will be!
ADV dub dialog:
Let me see if I can tickle my big girl and the little one at the same time.
I'm in love!

(I have no idea where the 'twins' came from, maybe the script writer has a fantasy about having twin babies?)


Scene: Tonma walking down the hall
ADV Disc 1 Time: 34:04
Fansub dialog:
Let's see...
503... 503... 503...
ADV sub dialog:
Let's see here.
503... 503... 503...
ADV dub dialog:
Let's see...
201... 202... 203... 204... 205.

(Tonma's mouth is never shown as he's speaking the apartment number he's looking for, so it's not a matter of matching mouth movements. Maybe the people listening to the English dub can't stand heights so they changed the fifth floor to the second floor?)


When Urara lets Touma into her apartment, in the Japanese version he worries about her letting strangers in, in the US version he complains about her being rude.


Scene: First view of Urara's backside
ADV Disc 1 Time: 35:31
Fansub dialog:
This...
Can't be happening!
ADV sub dialog:
You're not...
Wearing...
ADV dub dialog:
<gasps and screams>

(The original is more that he can't believe what's happening than a comment on her current state of undress, the ADV sub seemingly only makes sense if she wasn't wearing the panties.)


At about 37:50 all versions mention going to college together next year.

(This would make Urara 17/18 in Japan (baring skipping/being held back), so I have to wonder why they changed their first meeting to 8th grade since she could easily be 18.)


Episode 3:

Scene: Guy hitting on girl
ADV Disc 1 Time: 50:07
Fansub dialog:
Got it? There's no doubt you'll get into Keio.
ADV sub dialog:
Yeah, you sure look like a Keio student!
ADV dub dialog:
Hey , baby, want to help me study for my entrance exam?

(Not that big of difference in the English dub, but his mention of Keio may mean he's trying to score with a Keio girl for a particular reason (wants a woman who can support him maybe?))

Scene: At the college
ADV Disc 1 Time: 60:15
Fansub dialog:
Could it possibly be love?
ADV sub dialog:
Maybe it's love.
ADV dub dialog:
Do you?
It might.

(The dub tones down Mieko's talk of love, which isn't something the Japanese just toss around casually. The implication is that she might be getting real feelings for Tonma.)


Scene: Tonma in the laundry room outside of the shower
ADV Disc 1 Time: 61:24
Fansub dialog:
Fresh out of the oven!
ADV sub dialog:
I wonder if they're still warm
ADV dub dialog:
They're so cute

(To me, his commenting on warm panties instead of just being 'cute' speaks volumes about his character in the Fansub and ADV sub.)

What you can do to get the unedited version (import and domestic)
Import version:
  • You can get the LD version of Sakura Diaries/Sakura Tsushin is by obtaining an import version from Japan (should be available on assorted home video formats from various sources).
  • A fan translated English script was made by Team ABCB, but as far as I know they never released the script. They also never released subbed videos after episode 4.

Collector's Edition
  • ADV has released the LD version of Sakura Diaries in a 2 disc 'Collector's Edition'. It is subtitled only, since the existing dub doesn't match the LD version's video.
Write/contact:
  • Please write or otherwise contact ADV and thank them for releasing the LD version in the 2 disc collector's edition.

All screen shots on this page are copyright YUJI/SHOGAKUKAN/Kitty Film/Victor Entertainment

This page last modified Wednesday, April 14, 2004 7:42 PM PST

All content (columns, reports, stories, original artwork, HTML source, etc...) on this web site is Copyright 1998-2007 by Jim Lazar and animeprime.com unless otherwise specified.

Google
Search WWW Search