The Archives are more than just a level in Golden Eye

Your Face Is a Comic!

Home Archive Art Characters Creators Affiliates Contact FAQ FORUM! Downloads

Zounds? Oh, Lupin, you need to lay off of the Shakespeare

Creator's Comments: Teehee...zounds. I'm fairly certain that I'm the only web cartoonist who is using the word "zounds" in his comic.

I'm curious why Buster absolutely needs to see Lupin suffer. What kind of perverted mentality does this guy have?

Lupin's making fun of Harry's saying "I'll never forgive you" which is a common phrase in manga and anime. It's translated from "zettai yurusanai." (zettai= absolutely/unconditionally, yurusu= to forgive/excuse/permit [dictionary form], nai= will not [plain form]) This is supposed to be more badass in Japanese but when it's translated to English is just sounds awkward. In many cases I would translate it to "[This is] absolutely unforgivable/inexcusable!" That probably holds more of the original connotation, but the English translators like to choose "I won't ever forgive you." In those cases that just sounds stupid in English.

Case where this translation works:

Sakura: I'm home! Taro? Why is it so dark in here? Who the hell is that woman?!

Taro: Well, you've been working late all month! A man has needs!

Sakura: I'll never forgive you, Taro!

Case where this translation doesn't work:

Sakura: I'm home! Taro? Why is it so dark in here? What's all this blood on your shirt? Taro? Answer me! Wake up!

Killer: I killed your husband, because I hate you and I want you to suffer.

Sakura: I'll never forgive your for this!

See the difference? In scenario 1 the man might actually want to be forgiven. In scenario 2 the killer wants the woman to suffer. So forgiveness is not something the killer cares for. In fact I'm sure forgiveness is the last thing the killer wants.

Let's try this once more:

Sakura: I'm home! Taro? Why is it so dark in here? What's all this blood on your shirt? Taro? Answer me! Wake up!

Killer: I killed your husband, because I hate you and I want you to suffer.

Sakura: This is absolutely unforgivable!

Still kind of awkward but MUCH MUCH BETTER!

Lupin using zounds is a bit of verbal irony. Lupin's making fun of Harry for reading manga to the point where he starts using the diction of the bad translations. However, Lupin is using an archaic term like "zounds," which means "Christ's wounds" or like "Jesus Christ!" I've mainly only seen this word used in Shakespeare.

See? You learn so much shit when you read my comments!