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Glossary Entry : Flopped
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The reason for the existence of this term is that English people read their books from the wrong side...at least according to the Japanese. More specifically first page of an English book is the back page of a Japanese one. This is a particular problem for manga, where the `panels' inside the page are also read in a right to left (then descending) path. To convert this into a form more natural for English readers requires substantial re-working, which is known as `flopping' the artwork. The process can also result in `artifacts', such as reversed globes, clocks and signs as well as have negative interactions with the story flow. One imagines it's also a pain to do.
For these reasons, because it may have negative effects and because it is expensive, many English language productions will try and avoid flopping wherever the artwork can cope with it. Even to the extent of having some `unnatural' transitions between frames. In addition there have been some attempts, from both fans and producers, to translate without flopping the artwork. In effect asking the english reader to read in Japanese fashion. The best known (and first?) title to highlight this being Neon Genesis Evangelion, the collectors edition of which was unflopped.
Words by Andrew Shelton, Web by Ticti, Last Compile: Wed Aug 5 12:39:50 WST 2009