Get Viz Media To Correct One Piece Character Roronoa Zoro's Name ...

Skip to main contentGet Viz Media to correct One Piece character Roronoa Zoro's name from "Zolo" to "Zoro."Get Viz Media to correct One Piece character Roronoa Zoro's name from "Zolo" to "Zoro."Decision Maker: VIZ Media LLC

The Issue

For years now, the official manga translation's for Eiichiro Oda's manga "One Piece" have featured a naming error for one of the primary protagonists. The character "Roronoa Zoro" has had his name translated incorrectly as Zolo since Viz began publishing the series, and have stuck to this mistranslation for the sake of continuity, which no one has asked for. Every other medium of One Piece features his name written in the correct romanized name of "Zoro," including the Funimation dub, all versions of the anime's subtitles, video games, and merchandise. This mistranslation is something fans have been complaining about for well over a decade, and it is frankly absurd that it hasn't been fixed already. It has been described as immersion breaking and generally confusing to many in the community who try to transition to reading the manga from other mediums such as the anime, and while I have heard many fans voice annoyance I have never found a single fan who wished for the translation to stay as is. 

This petition is NOT asking for Viz to edit and change all previous translations of the manga, though if they did it would be extremely nice, only that from here forward they translate it correctly. All we wish for is a translation note at the beginning of the next volume that explains the mistake and that it will be changed, and for the name to be fixed going forward.

This is an excellent opportunity for Viz to show the fans of One Piece, fans who have often described Viz's treatment of fan concerns regarding translations as "tone deaf," that they do, in fact, care about their consumers, and that they are invested in putting forth the best product which they are capable of. I hope that this can reach them so the fans of the One Piece manga and the team who works on it can be on better terms and see eye to eye in the future, and though a small gesture it would do a great amount to show that these fans are important. Let's all try to support the Oda and his amazing work of One Piece as best we can, and make sure everyone enjoys doing so.

Report a policy violationAaron JohnsonPetition StarterMedia inquiriesSign petition

336

Verified signaturesDecision Maker: VIZ Media LLC

The Issue

For years now, the official manga translation's for Eiichiro Oda's manga "One Piece" have featured a naming error for one of the primary protagonists. The character "Roronoa Zoro" has had his name translated incorrectly as Zolo since Viz began publishing the series, and have stuck to this mistranslation for the sake of continuity, which no one has asked for. Every other medium of One Piece features his name written in the correct romanized name of "Zoro," including the Funimation dub, all versions of the anime's subtitles, video games, and merchandise. This mistranslation is something fans have been complaining about for well over a decade, and it is frankly absurd that it hasn't been fixed already. It has been described as immersion breaking and generally confusing to many in the community who try to transition to reading the manga from other mediums such as the anime, and while I have heard many fans voice annoyance I have never found a single fan who wished for the translation to stay as is. 

This petition is NOT asking for Viz to edit and change all previous translations of the manga, though if they did it would be extremely nice, only that from here forward they translate it correctly. All we wish for is a translation note at the beginning of the next volume that explains the mistake and that it will be changed, and for the name to be fixed going forward.

This is an excellent opportunity for Viz to show the fans of One Piece, fans who have often described Viz's treatment of fan concerns regarding translations as "tone deaf," that they do, in fact, care about their consumers, and that they are invested in putting forth the best product which they are capable of. I hope that this can reach them so the fans of the One Piece manga and the team who works on it can be on better terms and see eye to eye in the future, and though a small gesture it would do a great amount to show that these fans are important. Let's all try to support the Oda and his amazing work of One Piece as best we can, and make sure everyone enjoys doing so.

Report a policy violationAaron JohnsonPetition StarterMedia inquiriesSupport nowSign petition

336

Verified signatures

The Decision Makers

VIZ Media LLCAwaiting responseVIZ Media LLCAwaiting responseSupporter Voices

Featured Comments

Macy, Clinton1 year agoLiterally anytime I’ve opened up my One Piece manga and I see “zolo” all I can think of is the 4kids dub and just- it sounds so stupid like “Zoro” sounds awesome and cool and “Zolo” sounds really dumb to me 😭View all comments

Petition updates

Share this petition

Petition created on December 21, 2019

1. Change.org
2. Entertainment
3. Get Viz Media to correct One Piece character Roronoa Zoro's name from "Zolo" to "Zoro."