About The Author
“I always loved ‘shojo-comics’ when I was younger, especially the ‘magical girls’ ones. When I moved to this beautiful island of Kauai, I became fascinated by its history, its culture, and its myths and legends.
Every Hawaiian island is different, having their own variety of nature and myths, too. One day, the idea struck me that if there was a character from each island, it would be fun and interesting to revisit those unique myths and legends special by creating whole new adventures set in modern-day Hawaii.
Being often in the bookstore in Kauai, I noticed that many local Hawaii kids are eager to read Japanese comics (manga). I thought it would be fun to have a character who speaks with a Hawaiian Pidgin-English accent which they would already be familiar with. Also, many tourists who come here are interested in Hawaiian culture, myths & legends, and are often looking for something Hawaii-related for their kids.
So, I thought I would to try to create something that hopefully everyone could enjoy!“
- Yuriko Justus / Art & Story
Yuriko Justus was born and raised in Japan. Her husband is the owner of the “Talk Story Bookstore” in Kauai, Hawaii.
About The “LocalizatiON”
“Yuriko original created the first story of ‘Mana Girls’ in her native Japanese language, including the text and sound effect words in it. After it was finished and she decided to do an English-language version, she did the hard work of translating it to English. As you might know, there are some words and phrases which don’t translate exactly!
It was fun working with her to adjust and edit her translation to make sure it was clear and suited her intent for an English-reading audience.
But one of the most important changes made in the translation was changing DaKine’s speaking-style! Originally, in the Japanese version, he spoke in the “Osaka” dialect (often used in Japan for more “comedic” characters). But for the English-language version, Yuriko and I both agreed that DaKine had to speak with a “Hawaiian Pidgin English” accent. With a name like “DaKine”, how could he not!?
This began the process known as “localization": adapting material intended for one language & region into another—this one being the Hawaii region! After consulting with our local friends (and studying the various forms of written “pidgin”), we worked at rewriting the “standard” English translation of DaKine’s words into phonetic “Hawaiian-English Pidgin”.
While I am not a native speaker of “pidgin”, it is my hope that it shows we have tried to respectfully capture its “sound” and “feel”. Hawaii pidgin a wonderful language, full of lively character that makes Hawaii and its people all the more special.
Both Yuriko and I hope you enjoy the localization of ‘Mana Girls - Episode One’!”
— Edgar Justus / Localization Editor
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to our friends and acquaintances on Kauai who gave their helpful suggestions, and to the many writers, authors, historians, and archaeologists who have chronicled the treasury of Hawaiian culture. Their work has been invaluable in being able to make this story happen.