Viz Translations Well, it's official! If you haven't been willing to poor over scripts or search all over for a Japanese copy of the Musk story arc, Viz has finally finished publishing the translated tale in English! However, while the art of Miss Takahashi remains as true as ever, it's been noted that the "official" English translations do differ slightly from the original. Thus, for those who need to know all the details (or just want to look at the pretty pictures) here's a scope at Herb in English! Covers I'll add more of these as I find them. Scans were taken by me, Ronin She-Wolf; if you wish to use them, please ask for permission first. Names Well, we couldn't keep those old Japanese names forever. Although Herb, Lime and Mint remain the same, objects and attacks do vary. Here's the list so far: Actual name Direct Translation Viz Ryu Sei Hisho Dragon Spirit Flying Soar! Soaring Dragon Spirit Ro Ga Ryusei Dan Wolf fang shooting star bullets Wolf Fang Meteor Bullets Hiryu Korin Dan Dragon Descent Bomb Dragon's Descending Crashing Wave Hito Ryu-zan Ha Flying Sword Dragon Slice Wave Flying Sword of the Dragon Chiisuiton Ladel....just....ladel Pale of Preservation Kaisufuu The Open Water Kettle Water pot of Liberation The Dragon Counter: Just thought I'd mention- in the English version, after Herb has explained to Ranma about his fear of breasts, he states that seeing them again grants him the same wrath as "The Dragon Counter", indicating an attack. This is false: Herb just gets REALLY P.O'd, no special names included. Hey Viz, wanna clue us in? Well, this is a silly bit of info, but I'm going to add it in anyway. Readers of the Herb story arc from Viz might want to look at how Herb and Ranma refer to the Water pot of Liberation. Initually, that's it- Colonge calls it the Water pot of liberation, and from then on, it's either that or simply the water pot. However, at some point (Part 11, issue 9, part 2), Herb and Ranma drop the water pot in favour for Kai-sui-fu! What's really strange here is how it's dropped- not only do Ranma and Herb refur to Kai-Sui-Fu without an added definition (e.i., they never come right out and say Kai-Sui-Fu, the water pot of Liberation; rather, Kai-Sui-Fu is simply "the treasure"), but they continue to use Kai-Sui-Fu for the remander of the story! Uh, editors? No offence, but if you're gonna switch to the Japanese rendition of the Chinese name, why bother putting in an English name in the first place? Dialoge Scenarios Scenario 1# Mostly, from what I've seen this is based on one event. In the Japanese manga, in conversations between Lime and Mint, the topic of breasts readily appears. However, in the Japanese version, one of their endless confusions is with the actual word "breast". Y'see, in Japan, the word "breast" (chichi) can also be taken for "father". So, for a pair of foreigners working with the language, there's a little bit of confusion as to why the father is on the chest. In English however, there's no connection between the word "breast" and "father"- so Viz does a little improvision, and makes a subsitution...... with a chicken. Yep, chicken! Actually not that bad- the idea here is a mixup between a chicken breast, which tastes quite good in barbeque sauce, and the female anatomy. So, rather then having a father on the chest, there's a chicken on the chest. Silly I suppose, but that's Herb's retainers for you. Quote Mint.... "Like a chicken breast!? But why a chicken on his chest!?" Scenario 2# Another "breast" gag- after reaching treasure mountain, when Herb needs to rest, Mint can't help but comment. Originally, he and Lime are checking out the "Mistress" sleeping, and Mint asks "When she sleeps, does father sleep too?". Viz changes the line to now read "I w-wonder if her chest is also unconscious?" Still a silly bit of humour, but one non-Japanese readers can pick up on a bit more easily. Scenario 3# Well this is short, but I'm surprised it's gone past my notice for so long. Page 81# of the translated graphic novel: check out Lime's quick question on the monkeys. Notice a problem? He's calling Herb "Master Lime"! Perhaps a misprint with my particular copy, but silly nonetheless.   Want to check it out for yourself? Er, I don't sell, sorry. If you are interested however, I can recommend checking Viz or Amazon.com for what they've got in stock. Herb-fans should note the Musk Prince only appears in volumes 22# & 23# of the translated series. If you're not keen on online orders, check your local bookshop: many book stores and comic shops (Chapters for example) can order things in. Finally, if you're strapped for cash (as many of us frequently are) you can always take a trip to your local library. I browsed through a copy of Volume 22# on one such trip, and most will hold items easy.