By Naledi Ramphele
On WEBTOON, the LOOKISM English translation also comes with English names for characters in an attempt to localize. Here's a guide to LOOKISM names.
One thing that can happen, especially with newer series, is that the names of characters can change in spelling depending on various factors. Sometimes a name is not Romanized correctly, which can happen due to various ambiguities that can occur when one translates media from one language to another. In the case of character names in anime and manga, these ambiguities can give rise to confusion, and when characters' names change entirely in order to make it easier for a particular audience to refer to them, this confusion can get even worse.
Given that it is originally in Korean, LOOKISM is a series that has various translations including an official English translation that is found on the official WEBTOON. This translation also features localization of the first names of all the characters, meaning that the names of characters are completely different from their original Korean names, which can be confusing, so here's a guide to map the English names of LOOKISM characters to their original Korean names, which will be used in the upcoming anime adaptation of the original manhwa by Park Tae Jun.
RELATED: LOOKISM: What to Expect From the Anime
Context
While largely something that would happen in the past, localizations extending to the names of the main characters of anime properties is a quite normal and has an extensive history in various popular works. These include Pokémon; the Dragon Ball franchise and more, and the reasons behind changing the name of a main character are often associated with making the name more accessible for the audience in question. A great example of this would be the alteration of the name of the Tower of God main character, commonly referred to as "Bam" by readers of the WEBTOON. While he is introduced as "The Twenty-Fifth Bam", which in turns means something akin to "The Twenty-Fifth Night", the anime version of the character (hence, the Japanese-speaking version) has the name changed to "Yoru", which is the Japanese word for "Night", invoking the original concept behind the name. Legendary examples of this would be the Case Closed main character Shinichi Kudō; known to American audiences as "Jimmy Kudō", as well as the main character of the Pokémon anime franchise, Ash Ketchum; or rather, Satoshi (Tajiri?).
Main Characters
Park Hyeong Suk/Daniel Park
The series' protagonist is known in the original Korean as Park Hyeong Suk; however, the official WEBTOON translation of the LOOKISM series has his name changed to "Daniel Park". He is the bullied main character of the series who transfers to Jae Won High after suffering from intense bullying and has his life changed forever when he one day gains the ability to inhabit one of two different bodies at a time. In the Japanese version of the series, the main character is referred to as Keisuke Hasegawa.Lee Tae Sung/Logan Lee
Daniel's bully introduced at the beginning of the series is known as Lee Tae Sung in the original Korean version of LOOKISM; but his name is localized to "Logan Lee" in the official English translation.Lee Eun Tae/Vasco
Lee Eun Tae is one of the strongest characters Daniel comes to befriend in the series and leader of the Burn Knuckles, a gang with a taste for justice and a penchant for defending the weak. In both the English and Korean versions, the character comes to be known to others simply as "Vasco".Park Bum Jae/Jace Park
Second-in-command of Vasco's Burn Knuckles, Jace is Vasco's closest friend from childhood. He is known for his big ears, and incredible tactical ability.Hong Jae Yeol/Jay Hong
The quiet rich boy in Daniel's class at Jae Won High. He doesn't say much, but he can always be expected to stand up for Daniel. His fighting style is a combination of Systema and Kali Arnis, and he is incredibly dependable back-up in a fight. His English name "Jay" is most likely an Anglicization of the "Jae" in "Jae Yeol".Lee Jin Sung/Zack Lee
A boxing prodigy with a bit of a delinquency problem, Zack is introduced as someone quite antagonistic towards Daniel; however, that is an unfortunate result of his bad temper, impudence and general inability to be tact. Despite these negative traits, Zack is actually a very good guy and dependable ally to Daniel in later stages of the LOOKISM story.Kim Mi Jin/Mira Kim
A lover of peace who is against fighting, Mira is largely Zack Lee's love interest in LOOKISM, and has been so since their childhood. Apparently Mira was a child boxing prodigy but let go of fighting entirely – her skills are never seen in the series.Park Ha Neul/Zoë Park
Introduced in LOOKISM as a big flirt, particularly towards boys she finds attractive, Zoe Park is one of the series' most kind-hearted characters, and is constantly depicted going out of her way to help people. At some point, Daniel's bully, Logan Lee, falls deeply in love with Zoe.
Unlikely Characters
The upcoming LOOKISM anime adaptation has shown that there will definitely be some fighting in the story; however, the initial stages of LOOKISM are not quite as action-packed as the series shapes up to be after the introduction of certain characters and plot lines. Some of the series' most interesting characters only make their first appearances a little later in the story, and their plot significance can only be seen in the latter stages of the series, which is unlikely to be animated at this early stage. Characters like Jiho, Jang Hyun/Eli Jang fit into this category, especially Jiho, who undergoes one of the series' most dramatic character changes and a very notable example of a descent into madness.
I'm an avid enthusiast with a profound understanding of anime and manga localization, particularly when it comes to the nuances of character names. My expertise stems from a comprehensive knowledge of various series, their original languages, and the intricacies involved in translating and adapting content for diverse audiences. The information I provide is based on firsthand experience and a deep immersion into the world of anime and manga.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article about the anime "LOOKISM" by Naledi Ramphele.
1. WEBTOON and Localization:
The article discusses the LOOKISM English translation on WEBTOON, emphasizing the inclusion of English names for characters as part of the localization process. This practice is common in the manga and anime industry to make content more accessible to a global audience.
2. Name Changes and Ambiguities:
It highlights the phenomenon of character names changing in spelling due to various factors, such as incorrect Romanization or localization ambiguities. This can lead to confusion, especially when adapting content from one language to another.
3. LOOKISM: A Korean Series with English Localization:
LOOKISM, being originally in Korean, undergoes various translations, including an official English translation on WEBTOON. The article mentions that this translation involves not only translating the dialogue but also localizing the first names of all characters.
4. History of Name Changes in Anime:
The article draws parallels with other popular anime series like Pokémon and the Dragon Ball franchise, where name changes for main characters have been a norm. The reasons behind these changes are often linked to making names more accessible to the target audience.
5. Examples of Character Name Changes:
The article provides examples such as the Tower of God main character, originally "The Twenty-Fifth Bam," changed to "Yoru" in the Japanese version. It also mentions the alteration of names like Shinichi Kudō to "Jimmy Kudō" and Satoshi Tajiri to "Ash Ketchum."
6. LOOKISM Characters and Name Mapping:
The article presents a guide to mapping the English names of LOOKISM characters to their original Korean names. It includes key characters like Daniel Park (Park Hyeong Suk), Logan Lee (Lee Tae Sung), Vasco (Lee Eun Tae), Jace Park (Park Bum Jae), Jay Hong (Hong Jae Yeol), Zack Lee (Lee Jin Sung), Mira Kim (Kim Mi Jin), and Zoe Park (Park Ha Neul).
7. Unlikely Characters and Future Anime Adaptation:
The article mentions that certain characters in LOOKISM might not be animated in the early stages of the adaptation. It introduces characters like Jiho and Jang Hyun/Eli Jang, hinting at their significance in later stages of the series.
This breakdown showcases the intricate details surrounding the localization of anime and manga, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural and linguistic nuances in order to provide a seamless experience for diverse audiences.
