What do you think is more insulting? "Odango Atama", "Meatball Head" or "Bun Head"?

[GalX3]

It occurs to me that shoving the word head after any word and calling someone it pretty much turns it into an insult...
That aside I was wondering if the actual proper Japanese word for Usagi's hair style is odangos.
Perhaps Mamoru had just forgotten Usagi's name (again) or confused her with a (rather demanding) unnamed princess from his dreams and that was all he could think to say... or perhaps Mamo is just a jerk.

Don't know what odango means? It's... "A Japanese sweet round dumpling made from mochiko (rice flour), eaten off a stick" and it always uses the same sauce (in my experience, I'm sure there are variations but generally if you ask for odango you get this). It's quite nice and considered a treat/snack.

 

[Star Angel Haruki]

Meatball head....

But it just sounds so insulting. Lol

 

[sapphire91]

Meatballs are kind a gross and definitely the most insulting. Bun head on the other hand is cute and much closer to the intent.

 

[Guardian Princess Nadia]

"Meatball head" is insulting, but cute, and it gets across the image well since her buns do look like meatballs to me.

"Bun head" is insulting and not cute. It reminds me too much of "Butt-Head."

It could always be worse. He could have called her "hairballs."

 

[MementoNepenthe]

The correct answer is "Cow Tails"

 

[GalX3]

The correct answer is "Cow Tails"

Wait what? Are you saying that the Odango hair style is officially called cow tails (vegetarians need not search for that esp. in Japanese) in Japan? Or are you recollecting abuse you have received about your personal hairstyle?

 

[Clow]

Odango is the actual hair style, isn’t it?

 

[MementoNepenthe]

Wait what? Are you saying that the Odango hair style is officially called cow tails (vegetarians need not search for that esp. in Japanese) in Japan? Or are you recollecting abuse you have received about your personal hairstyle?

"Cow Tails" is what Darien calls Bunny in the Tokyopop translation of the manga.

 

[Maraviollantes]

It's quite nice and considered a treat/snack.

Actually, it tastes (and feels inside your mouth) something in between uncooked dough and wallpaper starch paste. Very difficult to get used to and appreciate for somebody who wasn't born in Japan and was eating it since childhood.

 

[GalX3]

Actually, it tastes (and feels inside your mouth) something in between uncooked dough and wallpaper starch paste.

I imagine that is how Nattō tastes on a good day. Mind you I took one whiff of the stuff and didn't try it on any day!

 

[Frenchfries&AChocolateMalt]

Bun Head is such a lame “insult” and I look down on all translations that use it for Odango Atama. Like haha I’m referring to the fact that you wear your hair in buns. Like...okay?

Dumpling Head works better (that’s the translation I believe ADV used and was the most common translation pre-Kodansha USA’s rerelease of the manga) but doesn’t necessarily translate to western culture so I can see why Optimum changed it.

Meatball Head is cute, iconic, and is just plain fun to say.

 

[Onuzim Ima]

Meatball Head is cute, iconic, and is just plain fun to say.

That's why I also used it in my FF.

 

[tux67]

Meatball head is my favorite.

 

[FloraKiraraHime]

I think "Meat Ball Head" is insulting. It's especially bad considering it's used often.

 

[julayla]

Yeah, for the US...I think Meatball Head is a bit more insulting rather than Bun Head or Odango Atama when it comes to translation. And at least they're way better than "Moon Face"