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I’m reading Tezuka’s Phoenix, Yamato book and in it there is a species of shapeshifter called “Moopie” in the English translation. Is this just a nonsense word picked by the translator or does it have some meaning phonetically in Japan (or elsewhere)? moopie: Tezuka Phoenix

Aki Tanaka
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Drai
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2 Answers2

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Not all terms need to have a meaning. Moopie are referred to as ムーピー in Japanese, which can be "Moopy" or "Moopie". So it's to say it's a nonsense word chosen by the author.

кяαzєя
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    Thanks, I am not suggesting it "needs" to have a meaning, just wondering if it does and more specifically if the translation made up a nonsense word or if the original Japanese author, Tezuka, made up the word and the translator converted it phonetically. From your answer it seems you are suggesting the latter, but I think to answer this we would need confirmation that the original text in jaanese included "ムーピー" – Drai Jun 22 '22 at 03:53
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    @Drai yes, Tezuka also uses ムーピー in the original Japanese manga. [The official website](https://tezukaosamu.net/jp/manga/398.html) also mentions this name. – Aki Tanaka Jun 22 '22 at 08:50
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If Osamu Tezuka made up the word Moopie or Moopy combining two words, I guess "Moo" is from movie, motion, move.

And "py" is from copy.

And in terms of Bouba/kiki effect, for me the pronounciation of "moopie" just corresponds to the original appearance of Moopie.

user70594
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