Name Translation Issues.

[secludedly.livejournal.com]

Seriously... I'm not Japanese, and don't really make it a point to learn it, but I love Anime and manga, and pick up what I can. That doesn't mean I'm fluent in it, and I'm assuming most fans in the states, our outside Japan aren't either. The point being... I am about to burst if I don't get a proper translation of this guy's name, so someone fluent in what Japanese they know, seriously... pick one please before I shoot the sheriff.

Kakazu, Kakuza, Kakuzu, or Kakaza?

The first one I saw was Kakuza, and now I'm used to it, but all these different versions are driving me insane, and now that I'm used to it, I'm gonna be frustrated if it's wrong.

Comments

[areku1993.livejournal.com]

Kakuzu. XD Because all the others make him sound like a girl.

[demonoflight.livejournal.com]

Kakuzu. That's final.

[kayuuko.livejournal.com]

It's Kakuzu, yes

[infinitefirefly.livejournal.com]

Yep, Kakuzu it is~

[ex-duelist.livejournal.com]

Kakuzu. Whoever told you Kakuza was flat out wrong. There's no ambiguity to his name like there arguably is with other characters; the only possible way to read it is Kakuzu.

[rasenth.livejournal.com]

Kakuzu. Thank God for katakana reading! :D

I weep whenever people mispell Naruto names... ;_; ESPECIALLY Kimimaro's. I really want to strangle whoever started the "Kimimaru" thing. x__x

[dusk.livejournal.com]

'Kikimaro', too. XD

[ilabb.livejournal.com]

Can't forget Kimmimaro >.>

[rasenth.livejournal.com]

OH GOD, I'm imagining Kimimaro in Kiki's outfit (that witch movie XD).
POOR KIMIMARO!!

[alittlesilent.livejournal.com]

I know I've misspelled it over and over again (but I mention that I might be making a spellilng mistake..) =P I always forget if it's Kakazu, or Kazuzu, or Kakuzu.. glad I'm not the only one. ;P

[dusk.livejournal.com]

I've never heard anything other than Kakuzu. Plus, all the others are feminine. X_X

[jennilee.livejournal.com]

You've already got a final answer, but may I suggest actively learning katakana and hiragana? It wouldn't take you long at all, a month at the most. And it's really fun to be able to read sound effects and the like. =D

[gryffindorsnake.livejournal.com]

Where could you learn that? Would you need a book or is there an internet course or something? Because that would be awesome.

[jennilee.livejournal.com]

You don't need to buy a book, the internet has a ton of resources. Sites like this one (http://www-apparitions.ucsd.edu/~shope/kana/) and this one (http://www.zompist.com/flash.html) and this one (http://www.manythings.org/japanese/kana/) all have flash flashcards.

The flashcards are very convenient and all, but it would be good if you had a little information beforehand, especially with learning how to pronounce the characters as well as the stroke order. Knowing what they look like is all well and good, I suppose, if that's all you want to know, but stroke order is very important if you want to learn how to write it. Personally I think stroke order helps you memorize it too.

Here's about.com's lessons on writing hiragana (http://japanese.about.com/blhira.htm) and one on writing katakana (http://japanese.about.com/blkatakana.htm).

I find learning away from the computer a much more productive experience, so I personally bought a book to learn the kana systems. I bought this book (http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Hiragana/dp/0804833915), which I highly recommend. I also recommend printing a few of these (http://www.all.umn.edu/japanese_language/class_materials/genkoyoshi.pdf) out to practice writing them. I used to write both systems all out twice a day. Oh, and I made actual flashcards, put them on a ring, and quizzed myself on the way to work and back.

I hope that helps. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me! I'm no expert by any means, but I will do what I can!

[gryffindorsnake.livejournal.com]

Sorry for replying so late, but thanks for the links! It's very much appreciated. =D

[koaled.livejournal.com]

Kakuza.....



Wait! Not Kakuza but Kakuzu!