Anonymous;Code English Dub Will Not Sacrifice Script Translation Quality & Accuracy, Says Translator; No Cut or Altered Content

Following the recent announcement of the MAGES-developed Science Adventure visual novel Anonymous;Code releasing westward with an English dub option by Spike Chunsoft, some fans have expressed worry over the translation quality being hampered because of it.

For those unaware of why this news would even cause concern in the first place, there’s an issue called “dubtitles” in English dubbed anime where, in order to account for screentime and lip flaps, accuracy is compromised or sacrificed to get information out faster. So, an anonymous fan asked the game’s translator, Steiner, whether this problem would be present in the Anonymous;Code localization.

In response, Steiner said that the “dubtitles” issue would not be in this title since, unlike anime, VN line deliveries can be as long as necessary since progress is dependent on player input. Further, the lack of timed lip flaps makes this potential conundrum even less present. He went on to emphasize that the game’s script will have “no altered/cut content, no deviations from intent,” and it’s not being worked as a “dub adaption.”

Steiner concluded this point by saying he solely approached the translation with “readability and delivery in mind,” with nothing to “distract a player if they’re reading it with Japanese audio.” Ultimately, his editor worked alongside him to ensure that the experience would be simultaneously accurate to the source material and suitable for English readers/listeners.

It’s also worth bringing attention to the fact that Steiner has nothing to do with the game’s promotional material and store pages, according to another reply he made.

In case you missed it, check out our recent Anonymous;Code coverage, comprising a new trailer, release date information, and dub casting.

Anonymous;Code will launch westward for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam on September 8, 2023.

In 2037, the protagonist Pollon Takaoka and his best friend Cross Yumikawa work as hackers for Nakano Symphonies following the “Sad Morning” disaster from 2036. However, during one such seemingly ordinary day, Pollon encounters a girl named Momo, who is on the run from the authorities for unknown reasons.