Tokyopop to butcher Initial D US release by westernizing the character names.

Hi peeps..
Decided to post this here and hope that petition gets TP's attention.. the new names are going to sound really pathetic on network tv...Tak?! Ugh.

From: "Beto" <bjgmachado@sec.secrel.com.br>
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Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2002 00:42:28 -0300
Subject: [InitialD] Tokyopop Changes Initial D
Reply-To: InitialD@yahoogroups.com

Hi.

I'm e-mailing you to let you know about the fact Tokyopop decided to butcher the anime and manga Initial D in its american tv version and manga format.

The character names will be as follow (in the manga, the changes will start in volume 02):

Tak (original name Takumi)
Iggy (original name Itsuki)
Cole (original name Koichiro)
Natalie (original name Natsuki)
Boss (original name Yuichi)
Ry (original name Ryosuke)
K.T. (original name Keisuke)
Zack (original name Takeshi)
Maya (original name Mako)
Simone (original name Sayuki)
Kyle (original name Kyoichi)
Hawk (original name Seiji)
Aki (original name Wataru)
Carrie (original name Kazumi)

I've started a petition about this matter.

http://www.petitiononline.com/initiald/petition.html

Even tought i'm not very fond of petitions, i think this, and having the fans e-mail Tokyopop at info@tokyopop.com will let them know how the fans feel about these pointless changes.

Thanks,

Beto "The Shape" Machado
http://www.theslayer.com.br

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I hate how they always westernize everything.

good luck, but i doubt it'll change anything. if they have a name list made public already, then the voices are probably finished. maybe in 10 yrs they'll get it right like AKIRA.

They would probably attract more non-otakus with the westernized names.

I was lucky enough to get the first printing of volume 1 with japanese names, but I didn't know about the butchering of the second volume until after I got it.

100% original manga my ass, they better include the Japanese voicetrack in the DVD release (even if it takes one or two more discs).

What's Buntas name?
Damn that sucks big time... hopefully they never realese any initial D for my country so i'll just watch the original ones and practice my japanese too :toothless

dude i got GTO from tokyo pop they have the jap dubbing anyways
and the trailer for initial D had the real names
the guy said takumi fujiwara so no sweat!