Donmai

Oshi no Ko character signature translation

Posted under General

Posts like post #6258178 (which should really have the character signature tag, I probably will go through the copyright tag and add this where applicable), contain a signature with the name of the idol group, B-Komachi (post #6270324), and an extra swirl. I have 2 questions based on this:

  • Should signatures like this be translated? I think in the linked post it "makes sense", but translating every post in character signature would be kind of obnoxious I think, but I'm unsure what other may think.
  • Based on the trailing katakana イ, I believe the rabbit swirl plus that are supposed to be "アイ" (which is how Hoshino Ai's name is spelled), but this is just speculation, and I was hoping someone else may know this. In case it makes sense to translate the signature, would it make sense to also translate this name?

B-Komachi = B小町. Any resemblance to Ai's name is likely a coincidence.

Personally, I think translating signatures depends on context. In some cases, it's good to make sure the audience knows that they aren't missing out on any crucial information. If it's a recurring, recognizable signature, however, it might be more efficient to just tag character signature and expect the audience to already know it.

feline_lump said:

B-Komachi = B小町. Any resemblance to Ai's name is likely a coincidence.

I'm talking specifically about the second part, with the rabbit drawing and what appears to be an "extra" イ. Actually, looking at the manga covers (https://myanimelist.net/manga/126146/Oshi_no_Ko/pics), all volumes have character signatures, and the second (bottom) part in post #6258178 matches Ai's signature.

Personally, I think translating signatures depends on context. In some cases, it's good to make sure the audience knows that they aren't missing out on any crucial information. If it's a recurring, recognizable signature, however, it might be more efficient to just tag character signature and expect the audience to already know it.

That sounds like a good approach.

星野アイ said:

I'm talking specifically about the second part, with the rabbit drawing and what appears to be an "extra" イ. Actually, looking at the manga covers (https://myanimelist.net/manga/126146/Oshi_no_Ko/pics), all volumes have character signatures, and the second (bottom) part in post #6258178 matches Ai's signature.

Ah, I see that now. Yes, I think that is likely to be an extremely freehanded "Ai". Stylization is very common in character signatures, and I would treat this in the same way as the overall group signature.

To erase any doubt, the recent artbook includes a signature collection which shows that signature as hers, including the B-Komachi part and the rabbit-Ai. Her family name isn't public so she literally signs her own name as "B-Komachi Ai".

I don't usually translate signatures, but I wouldn't object to it. It feels unnecessary to me, but that's as someone who knows enough Japanese to recognize what's a signature and what's not. It may not be obvious to everyone using the site. It's probably preferable to over-translate than under, especially if there is other text in the image. If a character signature is the only text in an image then the appropriate tag without a translation might be cleaner though? Depends on the composition of the image.

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