This is another post in my ongoing Fire Emblem Fates localization comparison posts! I discuss anything from major to minor changes here as I play through the game.
Today, I compare every death quote in the game! I had been going through and comparing them one by one, but decided a macro-post would be nice to put them in one place. A reader pointed out that there is already a reddit thread that compared the fan translation to the official one, but I thought to add my own post and translation on the matter.
I include notes/commentary where appropriate, but for the most part present them side by side.
Please note that this post is purely informative and may share some opinion, but this does not mean the change is necessarily good or bad. A change is just a change that is being looked into, and you can be the judge of whether you like it or not!
It is all just for fun and curiosity for me. : )
General things to keep in mind while reading:
- Localization was likely faced with/adhering to the space limitations provided to them when localizing these death quotes. Some of the more long-winded translations are simply to fully portray the intended idea without regards to space. You can get a general idea of the space they had to work with looking at the original length of the Japanese (which is also provided).
- The translations are my own, and are from the text dump. If you see any issues or have questions about it, feel free to ask in the comments or email. : )
- Male characters are the ones that lead to children in this game. As such, their quotes always lean more toward “retreat” quotes. Female characters only determine their hair-color this time around (a reverse of Awakening), and so have more “final” death quotes. As the game has a Casual mode, however, they are generally meant to work either way. (Female royals/characters important to the story are exceptions).
- I listed the characters in text dump order. You can find specific characters simply by using Ctrl + F to search their Japanese name or English name.
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Kamui / Corrin
JPN:
Kamui (M1)…ここまで…か…ごめん、みんな……僕は何も、できなかっ…た……
This is it…huh…? Sorry, everyone… I couldn’t accomplish…anything…
Kamui (M2)…ここまで…か…すまん、みんな……俺は何も、できなかっ…た……
This is it…huh…? Sorry, everyone… I couldn’t accomplish…anything…
Kamui (M3)…ここまで…ですか…ごめんなさい、みなさん……私は何も、できなかっ…た……
This is it…is it…? Apologies, everyone… I could not… accomplish…anything…
Kamui (F1)…ここまで…ですか…ごめんなさい、みなさん……私は何も、できなかっ…た……
This is it…huh…? Sorry, everyone… I couldn’t accomplish…anything…
Kamui (F2)…ここまで…かあ…ごめんね、みんな……あたし、なんにも、できなかっ…た……
This is it…huh? S-sorry, everyone…I…I couldn’t…accomplish anything…
Kamui (F3)…ここまで…みたいね…ごめん、みんな……あたしは何も、できなかっ…た……
Looks like…this is it…sorry, everyone… I couldn’t…accomplish anything.
ENG:
Corrin (M): So this…is the end…Forgive me, everyone…I didn’t…accomplish anything..
Corrin (F): So this…is the end…Forgive me, everyone…I didn’t…accomplish anything..
Notes:
- It’s interesting how many more variations (even if slight) Corrin had according to the Japanese text dump…
- I highlighted the minor differences between the Japanese lines above. They are more obvious to those who can read Japanese, but know there are different levels of formality as well as feminine/masculine tone that is expressed in each which is non existent in English (due to being lost in translation). This is inevitable between languages and of no real fault of the localization, though they could have added slight variety as I attempted above (i.e. apologies vs sorry)
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Ryouma / Ryoma
JPN:
Ryouma: くっ…！ 国や民のため…ここで散るわけにはいかぬ…敵に背中を見せるのは不本意だが…撤退するしか…ないようだ…
Gah…! For the sake of the Kingdom and its people…I cannot fall here… though I hate to turn my back on the enemy… I have no choice but to…retreat…
ENG:
Ryoma: Ugh…I can’t die here! I hate to retreat…but my people still need me. I have no choice..
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Takumi
JPN:
Takumi: やっぱり、僕は…兄さんや姉さんのように、闘えないんだね…せめて、みんなの士気を下げないように…命を落とすことだけは…避けないと……悔しいけど、撤退するよ…
As expected, I…cannot fight like my elder brother and sister… if I lose my life…the morale of the troops may fall…as annoying at it is… I must retreat to avoid this…
ENG:
Takumi: Argh…I must be cursed…It’s not too late… I can still retreat…and fight again another day..
Notes:
- Likely due to space issues (something as a general thing to take into consideration), but it seems his care for others (Hinoka and Ryoma) as well as his general troops’ morale is all lost. It sounds a little more selfish, but that does fit with the overall story regarding his character.
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Saizou / Saizo
JPN:
Saizou: 主君を残して…死ぬわけには…いかん…俺は…撤退するぞ…
I can’t just…leave my Lord behind by…dying…I’m withdrawing…
ENG:
Saizo: I must not…fall here…My liege still needs me…For him…I shall retreat
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Nishiki / Kaden
JPN:
Nishiki: まずい…このまま闘ったらボク、死んじゃうよ…ここで倒れたら…里のみんなが悲しむから……悪いけど、撤退するね…
Not good…if I keep fighting…I will die…and…if…I fall here… everyone back at the village will be sad… sorry guys, I’m pulling out…
ENG:
Kaden: This is bad… If I keep going like this, I’ll die…Everyone would be sad if I died, so I guess I have to retreat..
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Hinata
JPN:
Hinata: 敵に背中を見せるのは…恥だ…それでも、俺はタクミ様の臣下として…あの方を置いては…死ねないんだ…ここは、撤退するしか…ねぇな…
Turning my back on the enemy…is embarrassing… but as Lord Takumi’s retainer…I can’t just die…and leave him behind… I have no choice…I’ve gotta retreat…
ENG:
Hinata: I’ll never turn my back…to an enemy…I will fight…’til the en—
Notes:
- I did a detailed post on Hinata’s death quote here.
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Azama / Asama
JPN:
Asama: …死は…平等です…私は…死など、怖くはありません…けれど今は…主のために生きるべきなのです…すみませんが、退かせてもらいますよ…
…Death…is the great equalizer…and I…am not afraid of it… However…I ought to live on for…my Lady. Apologies, but I shall be retreating…
ENG:
Azama: Ah, hello there, death. I’m afraid I can’ t surrender my mortal coil to you today. Lady Hinoka still needs me. Until we meet again..
Notes:
- His casual approach to it is the only different thing. One can see how the localization wanted to turn his lack of fear of death into a casual approach addressing Death itself.
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Tsubaki / Subaki
JPN:
Tsubaki: 完璧に…俺の…負けだよー…俺はもう、闘えないけど…それでも…主君を悲しませたくは…ないなぁ…ごめん…撤退…する…ね……
My…perfect self…has lost…? Though…I cannot fight…I do not…want to see my Lady…distraught… Sorry…but…I’m…withdrawing…
ENG:
Subaki: This is my worst nightmare. Complete and utter defeat…I cannot go out like this. I must retreat and try again another day..
Notes:
- He lacks the “perfect self” referral, but more importantly not wanting to see his lady distraught is a larger detail lost along the way. He fears utter defeat over this instead in the localization.
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Tsukuyomi / Hayato
JPN:
Tsukuyomi: この私を…破るとは…悔しいがその腕…認めてやろう…だが…貴様に殺されてやる気は…ない…ここで…撤退させてもらうぞ…
It’s vexing to say…but I…acknowledge your…skill for defeating…even me…! But…you won’t…kill me…here! I’m…retreating…for now…
ENG:
Hayato: Oof…you are skilled, much as I hate to admit it. However…I won’t die like this. I still have the strength to escape..
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Joker / Jakob
JPN:
Joker: ごめんなさい…Kamui様…私は…敗れてしまったようです……ですが、もう闘えなくても、醜態を晒しても…私は貴方のお傍にいたい……すみませんが、撤退いたします…
Sorry…Lord/Lady Kamui…I…was defeated…But, even if I cannot fight, and even if it brings shame upon me…I wish to be by your side… Apologies, but I am withdrawing…
ENG:
Jakob: I’m so sorry, milord/milady…I cannot carry on…However, although I can no longer fight…I shall not leave your side! I must retreat for now…but I shall return..
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Cyrus / Silas
JPN:
Cyrus: すまん、Kamui…俺はもう…闘えない……だが…せめて、あの誓いを果たすために…最後まで…共にいる事だけは許してくれ…これより、撤退する……
Sorry, Kamui…I can’t fight…anymore…but…please…allow me to travel with you…until the end…in order to fulfill my oath…I’ll be backing off for now…
ENG:
Silas: I’m sorry, Corrin…I’m too injured to carry on…But I promised myself I’d stay with you until the end… For you, I shall retreat..
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Suzukaze / Kaze
JPN:
Suzukaze: なんという…失態を…これではもう、闘うことは叶いませんね…せめて…命があるうちに…退かせていただきます…
How…disgraceful…I’m…unable to fight anymore…but so long…as I still have my life…it is best that I retreat…
ENG:
Kaze: How could I make such a mistake…I’ll never be able to fight again after this injury. At least…I still have my life..
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Marx / Xander
JPN:
Marx: 失態を…晒してしまった…な…己の慢心に…呆れかえる……私はもう、戦場に立つことは叶わんが…次期王として、散るわけにはいかない…すまんが、撤退する……
What a…terrible disgrace…I was…too prideful… though I wish to remain…on the battlefield… as the Crown Prince, I cannot fall here… Sorry, but…I’m retreating…
ENG:
Xander: How could I fail?! I let my pride…get the best of me…Though I can no longer stand…as crown prince I must not fall here! Forgive me, my friends, but I must retreat…for the time being..
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Leon / Leo
JPN:
Leon: まさか…この僕が、負けるなんてね…本当は、潔く…死ぬべきなんだろうけど…兄さんや姉さんを…悲しませるわけには…いかない…から……ここで、退かせて…貰うよ……
Impossible…Me…? Defeated…? I really…ought to die…with grace, but… I don’t want to see…my elder brother and sister…sad…so…I shall be retreating…
ENG:
Leo: To think I could lose here… It would be appropriate for me to pay with my life…But I must keep the larger picture in mind—I’ll fall back
Notes:
- It seems a lot of the quotes that involve not wanting to see a family member sad are often omitted. It may be due to what a mouthful it becomes in English to say. “The larger picture” replaced not wanting to see Camilla and Xander sad, in this instance.
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Benoit / Benny
JPN:
Benoit: …もう、皆の盾には…なれそうもない…な……無様な姿だが…ここで死ぬよりは…退いた方が…得策か……
…I guess… I couldn’t be a shield to the others…after all… more like… a clumsy obstacle… but…it’s probably… better that I lumber out of here…rather than dying…
ENG:
Benny: Oh. That’s never happened before…At least I’m still alive. I can still be of some use to someone if I can escape..
Notes:
- In Japanese, like Effie, he references being a shield to the others. He then goes to be more self-depreciating commenting on being a clumsy obstacle, rather than sounding a little more bumbling as he does in English.
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Flannel / Keaton
JPN:
Flannel: こんな深手を負うなんて、初めてだ…このまま闘ったら、死んじまう……みんなのためにも…ここで…退いておくべきかも…な…
This is the first time I’ve had such a grave wound…if I fight anymore, I might die… it’s probably better…that I get out of here…for everybody’s sake…
ENG:
Keaton: OW! I’ve never been hurt this badly before. If I keep fighting, I’ll die for sure…For everyone I left…back home…I’ll retreat…for now..
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Harold / Arthur
JPN:
Harold: 正義の英雄が倒れるとは…無様だが…命があるのは…不幸中の…幸いだ……エリーゼ様、私は撤退します…どんな姿になろうと、私はあなたのお傍に…
The Hero of Justice has been defeated… how unsightly…but at least…despite my terrible luck…I have my life… Lady Elise, I shall retreat… but no matter what state I’m in, I’ll always be by your side…
ENG:
Arthur: It’s humiliating to have failed like this. At least I’m lucky enough to be alive…Lady Elise, though I must withdraw, I will always support you
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Odin
JPN:
Odin: くそ…今までずっと…闘ってきた…のに、ここで終わり…かよ……でも俺は…約束したんだ。必ず戻る、って。だから、ここでは死ねない…悪いが、撤退するぜ…
Dammit…despite all that fighting…this is the end…huh…? But I…I made a promise. I said I will return. So…I can’t die here… sorry, but I’m pulling out.
ENG:
Odin: Blast…I promised I’d return someday, so I can’t die here…Sorry, everyone—I have to retreat..
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Lazward / Laslow
JPN:
Lazward: 僕の負け…かあ…このまま…目を閉じたら、楽になれる…でも…それでも、もう一度帰りたい…こんなところで…死ねないよ…ごめん…みんな。僕は退かせてもらうね…
I lost…huh…? If I close…my eyes…I will be at peace…But…but, I want to go back one more time… so…I can’t die here…sorry…everyone. I’m pulling out…
ENG:
Laslow: I…could close my eyes and be at peace…But I want to go home someday…Sorry, everyone—I need to fall back..
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Zero / Niles
JPN:
Zero: たまには…これぐらい痛いのもいいが…ここでイっちまうわけにはいかないんだ…レオン様に…申し訳が立たないからな…今のうちに、撤退させてもらうぜ…
Once in a while…pain like this is good…but…I shouldn’t get carried away here…Lord Leo…I’m so sorry…but…I’ll be taking my leave for now…
ENG:
Niles: This doesn’t feel good anymore…I must retreat while I still can. I’ll live to suffer another day..
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Hinoka
JPN:
Hinoka: くそっ…もう、立ち上がれない…か。敵の力、侮っていた…だが…Corrinのためにも、ここで倒れるわけにはいかない…すまないが、撤退させてもらう…
Damn…I can barely stand…I underestimated the enemy’s strength…but…I can’t fall here…for Corrin’s sake…sorry…but I have to retreat…
ENG:
Hinoka: Dang it! I can’t continue fighting like this… I hate myself for this…but I have to retreat. For Corrin’s sake…
Notes:
- Underestimating the enemy’s strength alludes to her reckless nature more than the English version does.
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Sakura
JPN:
Sakura: こ…ここで死んだら、兄様や姉様を…悲しませてしまいます……私なんかのせいで…みんなが悲しむのは…嫌…です…ごめんなさい…撤退…します……
I…if I die here…my elder brothers and sisters…will be saddened…I…I hate to see…anybody upset…so I am very sorry…I will be…retreating…
ENG:
Sakura: I-I don’t want to die and make everyone sad…I think I better retreat for now..
Notes:
- I quite like how the localization handled this one simply saying “make everyone sad.” Considering Sakura goes from siblings to hating seeing anybody upset, it was a nice way to shorten it (compared to the rather long-winded translation I provide).
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Orochi
JPN:
Orochi: 今朝のまじないで…見えた死相は……わらわのもの…だったのじゃ…な……
So…the death I foresaw this morning…was none other…than my own…
ENG:
Orochi: So the death…I foresaw this morning…was my own..
Notes:
- This is one of the few direct translations. It’s interesting to see some like these amidst the others that were changed even more.
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Kagerou / Kagero
JPN:
Kagerou: 任務で散ることは…覚悟の…上…リョウマ様…あなたは…どうか……
I had long been…prepared to die in the service…of Lord… Ryouma…
ENG:
Kagero: I have always been prepared to die for my duty… Stay safe, Lord Ryoma…please..
Notes:
- The English one provides more of her personal feelings to Ryoma, beyond the call of duty.
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Kazahana / Hana
JPN:
Kazahana: 最後まで…サクラを守れたなら…いいや……父上…あたしも今…そっちに……
If only…I could protect Sakura…to the end…well…father…I’ll be…joining you…now…
ENG:
Hana: I did everything I could…to protect Lady Sakura..
Notes:
- It’s a shame that the mention of joining her father is lost here. I don’t think it was exactly a limitation of text this time either, so I wonder why the localization decided to change it.
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Setsuna
JPN:
Setsuna: ヒノカ様…ごめんなさい…私よりもいい臣下を…見つけて…くださ……
Lady Hinoka…I’m sorry…please…find a better…retainer than…I was…
ENG:
Setsuna: I’m so sorry, Lady Hinoka… I hope you find…a better retainer…than me..
Notes:
- A near-direct translation! I prefer “I hope you find” to “find a better” for sure.
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Yuugiri / Reina
JPN:
Yuugiri: まあ…お強い方ですこと…まるで…昔の…私のようです…わね……
ENG:
Well now…this sort of strength…brings back…memories…of my younger…self…
Reina: How…unfortunate… At least I’ll finally…know what they’ve all seen..
Notes:
- They both delve into her darker past and actions, though in very different ways. The Japanese focuses on having been the aggressor (the victim being struck down by her strength), the English focuses on what her victims had seen. The English one works nicely for the theme of wanting to see the light drain from their eyes though, especially since she will now see for herself.
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Oboro
JPN:
Oboro: 私の負けね…最期の着物がこれっていうのも…まあ…悪くない…かしら……
I lost…? While wearing these clothes… of all things…ah, well…it’s not too…bad…
ENG:
Oboro: That’s it… I’ll never avenge my parents now..
Notes:
- In a reversal, the English one has the more serious quote in terms of showing where her priorities lie. Though it does make her seem more absolutely revenge bent compared to how she manages to be generally cheery and fashionable in Japanese while harboring a deep hatred for Nohr. I like both quotes very much.
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Felicia
JPN:
Felicia: すみません、Kamui様……私、いつまでも…ドジ…ですね……闘いではもうお役に立てませんが…せめて最後まで…お傍に置いてください…これより…撤退いたします…
Sorry, Lord/Lady Kamui…I’m always making…mistakes…even if I can no longer fight…I will remain by your side…until the very end… I will retreat… for now…
ENG:
Felicia: Oh…I can’t believe I’m letting Lord/Lady Corrin down like this…I…I think I still have the strength to retreat. I hope he/she can forgive me..
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Aqua / Azura
JPN:
Aqua: せめて、もう少し…闘えればよかった…のに…ここまで…みたいね…けれど…この戦争を止めるために…私にはまだ、すべきことがある…ごめんなさい、Kamui…ここで撤退させて頂戴…
If only…I could fight…a little longer…but it looks…like this is…all I can do…but…in order to end this war…there is still…something I must do…sorry, Kamui…allow me to withdraw…
ENG:
Azura: I wish I could keep fighting…but these wounds are too grievous. I must retreat…and save my secret weapon for when it’s truly needed..
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Mozume / Mozu
JPN:
Mozume: 頑張ったんやけど…あかんかった…なぁ…村のみんな…いま…行くで……
I did my best…yet was still so…useless…huh? To all…my fellow…villagers…I’m…coming…
ENG:
Mozu: I did my best…but it wasn’t good enough. Maybe the next life will be better than this one..
Notes:
- A reference to the next life rather than directly addressing everyone she lost. But the rest is the same worded in a better way.
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Camilla
JPN:
Camilla: 困った…わね…もう…闘えそうにない…わ……でも、こんな…出来損ないの姉だけれど…まだ…Kamuiの傍にいたいの…今のうちに…撤退…するわね……
What…a conundrum…I can…no longer fight…yet…this failure of an…older sister…wants to remain by Kamui’s side…I will…be taking my leave…for now…
ENG:
Camilla: Oh! I can’t die like this… What would Corrin do without me? I…I have just enough strength to sneak away for now..
Notes:
- The reference to her more “selfish” desire to remain by Corrin’s side (despite being a failure) is lost, and instead makes it sound like she assumes Corrin completely relies on her. Though this does imply the selfish desire, it is more indirect. It’s a subtle difference, but does portray their relationship slightly differently.
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Elise
JPN:
Elise: ご、ごめん…おにいちゃん、おねえちゃん…あたし、もう、闘えないや……でも、王女として…せめて、無様に死ぬような真似だけは、したくない…動けるうちに、撤退…する…ね。
S-sorry…brothers, sisters…I can’t fight anymore…but, as a Princess…I don’t want to die an undignified death…either…I’ll be…retreating…while I can still move…
ENG:
Elise: I’m…I’m sorry. I can’t go on fighting…I can’t bear to hurt anyone by dying…I’ll retreat now, while I still can..
Notes:
- It’s a bit of an awkward translation, but in Japanese she means a Princess is expected to die a better death than what she had been given.
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Charlotte
JPN:
Charlotte: 悪い冗談…だわ…私…もっともっと…生きてたかった……
What a bad joke…I…wanted to…live…longer than…this…
ENG:
Charlotte: Someone beat me? Is this a trick…?
Notes:
- Her desire to live longer is notably missing. It may be an assumption that most people would want to do such, I suppose!
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Elfie / Effie
JPN:
Elfie: ごめんね…エリーゼ…私、最後まで…あなたの盾で…いたかっ……
Sorry…Elise…I…couldn’t…be your shield…until…the end…
ENG:
Effie: I guess this is it… I’m maxed out. I’m sorry, Elise. I’ve failed you..
Notes:
- “Maxed out” as opposed to being Elise’s shield is the main difference here.
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Pieri / Peri
JPN:
Pieri: あれ…身体が動かないの…ピエリ、もっと沢山、殺したい…のに……
Huh…my body can’t move…even though…Pieri…wants to kill…even more…!
ENG:
Peri: Huh? My body won’t move…But—I wasn’t done killing..
Notes:
- She refers to herself in the third person in Japanese, but otherwise this is pretty accurate. Saying she “wasn’t done killing” versus “wants to kill more” does have a different meaning in terms of character intentions though. (One implies wanting to and likely enjoying such, the other more of a failure of expected duty as a soldier, for instance).
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Belka / Beruka
JPN:
Belka: 私の任務…これで…最後だったの……
So this…was my final…mission…
ENG:
Beruka: So this was my final mission..
Notes:
- Direct translation!
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Luna / Selena
JPN:
Luna: 馬鹿みたい…ここで…死んじゃうなんて…あたし…もう、みんなに…会えな……
I’m such an idiot… dying here…now I won’t…be able …to meet them again…
ENG:
Selena: Way to go, Selena…getting yourself killed here. Now you’ll never see them again..
Notes:
- I did a detailed post on Selena’s death quote and implications here.
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Nyx
JPN:
Nyx: 一人の子供が死んだ…それだけ。ただ…それだけ…なの…よ……
And so a lonesome child dies… that’s all this is. Nothing more…nothing…less…
ENG:
Nyx: A cursed soul perishes in the clutches of a fallen dragon. How…fitting..
Notes:
- Just what is she talking about? I did a very detailed comparison on Nyx’s changed death quote here.
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Shinonome / Shiro
JPN:
Shinonome: もっと…強くなりたかった…父さんや…母さんの…よう…に……
If only…I was as strong…as father…and…mother…
ENG:
Shiro: I wanted…to be stronger…like Mom and Dad..
Notes:
- In the Japanese, he wanted to be on their level. In English, he wanted to surpass them.
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Kisaragi / Kiragi
JPN:
Kisaragi: ありがと…みんな…僕…今まで…すごく…楽しかったよ……
Thanks…for all…the fun times…everyone…
ENG:
Kiragi: Thank you…everyone…It’s been an honor..
Notes:
- Surprisingly his Japanese is the more casual of the two, as seen above.
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Gurei / Asugi
JPN:
Gurei: 父さん…悪い…俺は…サイゾウには…なれない…みたいだ……
Sorry…dad…it looks like…I’ll never…be a…Saizou…
ENG:
Asugi: Sorry, Dad… Guess I won’t be able to carry on your name..
Notes:
- I am quite fond of the English version here. They conveyed the meaning in a way without directly saying the name Saizo.
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Kinu / Selkie
JPN:
Kinu: おかしいな…いっぱい遊んだから…アタシ…眠くなって…きちゃっ……
All I…ever did…was play…that must be…why…I’m feeling so…sleepy…how…funny…
ENG:
Selkie: Aww…playtime’s over..
Notes:
- In Japanese, one can interpret it like she had an epiphany, or is just that naive to think it was from her playing that she’s on the brink of death. In English, it is clearly a matter of treating everything like a game.
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Hisame
JPN:
Hisame: 短い…人生でした…ね……先立つ不孝を…ゆるして…くださ……
Life…is so…short…huh? Dying before…one’s parents…please…forgive…m….
ENG:
Hisame: I lived my life as an old man…and now I’ll die like one, too. Urgh..
Notes:
- This one confuses some people, but the likely interpretation is in regards to his maturity in “living life as an old man.’ In Japanese, he is more concerned about the saying “no parents should have to see their child die.”
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Mitama
JPN:
Mitama: 辞世の句を…詠むべき…ですのに…眠くて…もう…何…も……
I should…compose…a farewell…poem…but…I’m…just so…sleepy…
ENG:
Mitama: So tired..
Notes:
- The Japanese manages to get her poetry quirk in here too, and a more clear realization she has met her end. English sounds like she’s just about ready for another nap. While fitting, to her constant sleepiness, it does have less character.
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Matoi / Caeldori
JPN:
Matoi: まだ…終わってないわ…あたし…大丈夫…次こそは、もっと…完璧…に……
This…isn’t over…yet…I…I’m fine…I’ll…do it…perfectly… next…time…
ENG:
Caeldori: But…I’m not done yet… I’ll just have to be perfect…in the next life
Notes:
- Japanese simply emphasizes “next time.” It can be an attempt to grasp the fact there will be a next time (even if she is going to die), or a “next life.” In English, they use “next life,” likely an allusion to Cordelia and hints of reincarnation (along the same lines as is implied with Shara’s quote below).
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Shara / Rhajat
JPN:
Shara: 異国の…砂塵が見える……ああ…私…そこでまた、貴方に……
I see…a desert… in a foreign land…Aah…there…I will…you…again…
ENG:
Rhajat: I see…a distant sandstorm. Will you be there waiting?
Notes:
- Like Caeldori, Rhajat makes an allusion to Awakening and being a pre-Tharja. In Japanese, her lines break up as she is dying, so never actually directly says “see” or “meet,” simply “__ again.” That can go either way. The English one implies them more directly, however.
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Kanna / Kana
JPN:
Kanna (F): お父さん…いっしょにいてくれて…ありがと…だいすき…だ…よ……
Father…thank you…so much…for taking…me…with…you…
Kanna (M): お母さん…僕を生んでくれて…ありがと…だいすき…だ…よ……
Mother…thank you…for…bringing me…into this…world…
ENG:
Kana (F) I…love you, Papa..
Kana (M): I…love you, Mama..
Notes:
- It was a little saddening to see the personal/specific sentiments toward their mother/father was lost to the simple loving. It shows just how much it meant to be brought along (for female Kana) and how much it meant to just be their child in general (for male Kana) and being brought into the world in general. A lot is lost in this one.
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Shigure
JPN:
Shigure: 母…さん…あなたの歌声…は…空の上まで…聴こえる…でしょうか……
M…mother…will I hear your…singing… even…in the…heavens…?
ENG:
Shigure: I hope…I’ll still be able to hear Mother’s song..
Notes:
- They have the same indirect meaning, though the Japanese is more direct in this case.
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Deere / Dwyer
JPN:
Deere: はぁ…疲れた……もう…指の一本も…動かせな……
Ha…so…tired…I can’t…even…lift…a finger…
ENG:
Dwyer: Finally…I can rest
Notes:
- The localizaton aims for being able to finally rest (and go with his generally lazy attitude), the other is more about how tired he is.
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Sophie
JPN:
Sophie: えへ…最後まで…ドジだった…なぁ…あたしも…立派な騎士に…なりたかっ……
Oof…I…messed up…even at the end…huh? I…wanted to be…a…true Knight…
ENG:
Sophie: Heh… A klutz to the very end…Guess I’ll never be a gallant knight..
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Midoriko / Midori
JPN:
Midoriko: ミドリコ…ここでおしまいね…だって、この傷…おくすりでは…なおらな……
Midoriko…meets her end here…huh? I don’t…have…any medicine…for this wound…
ENG:
Midori: Guess I should have made…better medicines..
Notes:
- Like with Peri, Midori refers to herself in the third person in Japanese, which generally doesn’t seem to be the case in English. More importantly, not having medicine for “this wound” comes across (personally) more powerful than “should have made better medicines.”
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Siegbert
JPN:
Siegbert: 私は…ついに…父上には…届かなかったの…だな……
I couldn’t…reach my father’s…level…in…the end…
ENG:
Siegbert: It seems I won’t be able to…exceed you after all, Father..
Notes:
- Like with Shiro, English portrays the children as wanting to surpass their parents rather than reach their level. Of course, this is more of a nitpick, as reaching their level also implies surpassing them eventually. I wonder if it is just a matter of cultural differences in these cases.
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Foleo / Forrest
JPN:
Foleo: せめて、綺麗に…終わりたい…ですが…もう…何も…見えませ……
I wanted…a beautiful…end…at least…but…I can’t…see…a thing…
ENG:
Forrest: At least I die…content with myself..
Notes:
- One is more of a tragic release (from society?), the other is wanting a beautiful end. The quotes are pretty different, and emphasize a different aspect of Forrest in that sense. Which do you prefer?
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Ignis / Ignatius
JPN:
Ignis: 不思議…だな…闇が見えるのに……少しも…怖く…ない…
Curious…isn’t it…? All I see…is darkness…yet…I am not…the least bit…afraid…
ENG:
Ingnatius: How strange…I’m not scared at all..
Notes:
- The Japanese one draws out his lack of fear even when facing the end a bit more.
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Velour / Velouria
Velour: …さよなら…
…Goodbye…
Velouria: Good-bye..
Notes:
- This is the most direct and accurate translation in the game.
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Lutz / Percy
JPN:
Lutz: ミシェル…どこ…？最期のお別れ…させてよ…ミシェ……
Michelle…where are you…? I wanted…to say…one last…farewell…Michelle…
ENG:
Percy: Bye, Ace..
Notes:
- The Japanese one shows just how deep his emotional connection ran with Michelle. The English one may seem quite to the point, but it still is a final farewell to them.
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Ophelia
JPN:
Ophelia: 父さん…ごめんね…私は…選ばれし者には…なれなかっ……
Sorry…dad…looks like…I wasn’t the….chosen…one…
ENG:
Ophelia: I guess I wasn’t…chosen..
Notes:
- One directly addressing her father, the other simply a statement of the self.
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Soleil
JPN:
Soleil: あはは…かっこ悪い…なあ…笑って…終わりたいのに…涙…が……
Ahaha…how lame…I wanted…to smile…in the end…but…these…are tears…
ENG:
Soleil: Haha… I want to laugh as I die…So why can’t I stop crying?
Notes:
- This quote is mostly the same, though a bit less subtle about the crying. Her casual demeanor in Japanese changes quite serious quickly, though in English sounds mostly the same.
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Eponine / Nina
JPN:
Eponine: 父さんと同じ道…選んだ時から……こうなるかもって…わかってた…わ……
… I knew…this was coming… the moment…I chose the same path… as my dad…
ENG:
Nina: Now my dreams will never come true..
Notes:
- Very different. The first says a lot about her relationship with her father and her thoughts on him. The second… not so much.
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Yukimura
JPN:
Yukimura: 私の策が…甘かったようですね……ですが、ここで死ぬわけには参りません…ミコト様の分まで…Kamui様を守ることが…私の使命…私はここで、退かせていただきます…
I suppose…my plan was naive… However…I cannot fall here… in order to…protect Lady Mikoto’s…child…I must…retreat…
ENG:
Yukimura: It seems I did not plan for all eventualities. I must retreat immediately..
Notes:
- In Japanese he mentions Corrin by name (I changed it to “child” for better flow) and emphasizing his duty to protect them under his loyalty to Mikoto. In English it is simply his plan not accounting for all eventualities.
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Izana
JPN:
Izana: ほんとは…ここで死ぬって…予知してたんだ…みんな…あとは…よろしく……
The truth is… I foresaw … myself… dying here… I leave…the rest…to all of you…
ENG:
Izana: Just as I predicted, sadly. I have but one dying wish… Keep the party going forever. Heehee!
Notes:
- By far the most different character. I did two lengthy posts on him here and here. His death quote is specifically addressed in the second of the two links.
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Asura / Shura
JPN:
Asura: 当然の…報いだな……俺には相応しい…最期…だ……
I deserve…this…it is a fitting end…for me..
ENG:
Shura: Seems about right…about what I deserve..
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Fuuga / Fuga
JPN:
Fuuga: 風が…止んだな……私の命は…ここまでだ……
The winds…are eternal…but my life…ends here…
ENG:
Fuga: At long last…my life ends. I believe I lived with honor..
Notes:
- No reference to the winds, but instead a notion of having lived it with honor. I do wonder what led to that localization choice?
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Gunter
JPN:
Gunter: 既に老いた身とはいえ…ここで…散るわけにはいかん…Kamui様…私はあなたを最後まで…お守りせねばなりません…ここで、撤退させていただきます…
Though my body has aged…I cannot…fall here…Lord/Lady Kamui…I must…protect you to the end…so…I shall retreat for now…
ENG:
Gunter: I may be old…but I can’t die yet. I’ll retreat and protect Lord/Lady Corrin another day..
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Crimson / Scarlet
JPN:
Crimson: 自分の信念のために…闘って死ぬ…か。最高に…イカした死に方だけど…ここで終わるわけには…いかないね…Kamui…リョウマ…ごめん。撤退させてもらうよ…
Will I die…fighting for…what I believe in…? That would be the coolest…way to go, but…I can’t let it end here… Kamui, Ryoma…sorry…I have to pull out.
ENG:
Scarlet: I’m all right dying for what I believe…but I can’t give up yet. Corrin… Ryoma… I’m sorry, but I need to fall back..
Notes:
- The casual and almost dreamy way of saying “the coolest way to go” didn’t carry over. Likely to make her slightly more serious toward the possibility of her own death. It is arguable which one fits her better.
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Rinka / Rinkah
JPN:
Rinka: あたしの炎は…ここで終わり…か…もう闘えないが…炎の部族の誇りは…潰えたりしない…こんな奴の手にかかるぐらいなら…撤退を選ばせてもらうぞ……
Will my flame…burn out…here? I can’t fight anymore, but…as a member of the flame tribe…I cannot fall here…especially not by their hand…I’ll choose to retreat for now…
ENG:
Rinkah: So this…is how my flame goes out…No! I have to pull it together enough to…retreat
Notes:
- I personally have no idea why Rinka is located this far down the text dump, and why she has a retreat only line rather than a proper death despite not really being needed later on. If there is a death quote out there not listed above, please notify me in some way!
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Anna
JPN:
Anna: あーあ…死んじゃったら…もうお店できないじゃない……
Ah…if I die…I won’t be able…to run my…store…
ENG:
Anna: Penny on a dead woman’s eyes? Please…?
Notes:
- Straightforward, yet so strange in English…
- Update: A user on twitter revealed a fun fact to me: “fun fact! Anna’s english line refers to a greek myth, where one would place a coin on a dead person’s mouth/eyes! to pay for their passage in the after-life!”
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Flora
JPN:
Flora: 悲しまないで…私は…星になって…あの空で…ずっと…見ている…から……
Do not mourn…I will… always… be…watching over you… as one of…the many…stars in the…sky…
ENG:
Flora: Please don’t cry..
Notes:
- Quite different. I commented on this change and implications on a dedicated post here.
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Phew! That’s that! It took a lot of time, but there is every single death quote that I translated out of the text dump. For the most part, the meanings get across and flow nicely in the localization. But there are some odd choices along the way (of which I made sure to comment on).
As stated at the top, the meaning likely had to be conveyed in the space they had available to them. I understand this, and opted to present the original idea and how the localization went about portraying or changing it. Some managed to get the ideas across rather well, others had to change it completely. I constantly wonder what prompts them for a full change, but we will never know for sure!
For some of the Japanese ones you may have liked, how would you have portrayed the idea in limited space? Or for some of the English ideas, why do you think they settled on them? I am curious to know. : )