DISCLAIMER: This post will have uncensored spoilers! Read at your own peril!

So I went through my second rewatch of Penguindrum, and wow, I noticed a -LOT- of references to things that seemed to be lost in translation.

I’m pretty sure it is common enough knowledge here on these forums that the Shadow Girls in Utena are the lens by which Ikuhara intends the viewer to watch the show. I believe the same formula is happening with the Slogan of the Day messages we see on the train. And if things are being lost in translation, English viewers are alienated by the lack of a shared cultural knowledge.

I wanted a space where I could let my observations about the train slogans to be known, and so as not to loose focus, this thread is going to be dedicated solely to the train sequences of the show. Many of these are pretty self explanatory, but as the show progresses...well...some of them not so much.

This is a work in progress, so I’m going to edit this post as many times as I need to as I go back through the show to revisit and expand on my commentary. And if you didn't take the hit above, there will be uncensored spoilers. This is your last warning! Okay?

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EPISODE 1
ゴミはゴミ箱へ
lit. Garbage goes in the garbage bin

Commentary:
Remember the Child Broiler. They are the unwanted children. (Penguins are also birds that don’t belong in the sky because they are stuck on land, but at least they can swim.)

EPISODE 2
チカンはイカン
lit. You must not molest

EPISODE 3
STOP 加齢臭
lit. STOP Old Person Smell

Commentary:
This is a pun, because it could also be read as “STOP Curry Smell”.

EPISODE 4
置き引きに注意！
lit. Beware of Luggage Theft

EPISODE 5
ご利用は計画的で。使いすぎに注意しましょう。
lit. Preplan your usage. Be careful to not overuse.

Commentary: We’re finally getting into the cultural references. This is an advisory that plays with Japanese credit card commercials. More specifically, it is a reference to the iconic Takefuji CM. Just compare the poses!


Here are the videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q13V5S5LRk0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN3FtUktBoU

The words are an advisory to borrow money from the credit card company responsibly. I don’t have much to say about it’s connection to this episode yet (need to rewatch), but here is just a thought, perhaps the song Synchronized Love by Joe Rinoie is actually what is important here.

EPISODE 6
気をつけよう　自分の足元　痛いワケ
lit. Watch your step! Your feet will hurt!

EPISODE 7
あきらめが肝心…。
lit. Resignation is vital.

EPISODE 8
騒音物・持ち込み禁止
lit. Noise making objects are prohibited

EPISODE 9
場外ホームラン
夢をあきらめないで　夢打球
lit. Out-of-the-park home run!
Don’t give up on your dreams! Dream [hit] ball.

EPISODE 10
思い出は大切に
lit. Cherish your memories

EPISODE 11
その一言が命取り
lit. A single word can kill.

EPISODE 12
それは生まれる前のお話
lit. That is a story that took place before I was born.

EPISODE 13
桃3栗　8柿8　10周年おめでとう!!
lit. Peaches and Chestnuts 3 Years / Persimmons 8 Years / Happy 10th Year Aniversary

Commentary:
This is the beginning to a famous proverb regarding how long it takes for fruit to bear. There are a multitude of variations with some continuing “Sour Ume 13 Years / Blossoming Yuzu 18 years / Smiling Apple 25 Years / A wife after 60 years will no longer bear fruit / But a husband will bear fruit for a lifetime.”


EPISODE 14
行きはよいよい　帰りはこわい
lit. Going is good, but returning is scary.

Commentary:
This is an old nursery rhyme from Japan called Tooryanse. It is a traditional singing game similar to London Bridge is Falling Down. The object is to not be caught when the song is over. The figures on the advertisement seem to be playing this game.
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EPISODE 22
今、まさに　会に行きます
lit. Now, (quite literally) I am going to see you

Commentary:
This is also the title of a famous Japanese novel by Takuji Ichikawa that did receive an English translation under the title Be With You. I am certain this a reference due to the sunflowers in the ad. It has been a long time since I have read Be With You, but I do recall a very famous sunflower scene in the movie. A quick online search reveals that the sunflower motif is used to market the movie:


Like I said, it has been awhile since I’ve read the book, seen the drama, or movie, but I do have a copy on my shelf and I decided to transcribe the synopsis on the jacket here:

“When Takumi’s wife suddenly returns from the grave, he can’t believe his eyes. How could such a thing be possible? Is she here to stay? Has love miraculously, triumphed over death? As Takumi starts looking for answers to these questions, he discovers the secret of his wife’s appearance is somehow linked to the past…and the future.”

“Back in 2003, Japanese readers fell in love with Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu, Takuji Ichikawa’s heartbreaking story of a couple’s second chance at first love. The novel was so popular it inspired a blockbuster movie, a top-rated TV series and a best-selling manga. Now published in the U.S. as Be With You, Ishikawa’s novel proves one thing: Love is a miracle that lasts a lifetime and beyond.”

“A sentimental meditation on life and happiness through the modern Japanese ghost story. — Ain’t It Cool News”
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[MORE TO COME]
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Last edited by barafubuki (08-09-2016 03:28:05 PM)