Re: Defender of Public Morals: Swordswoman Asagi (Ahriman) 風紀剣士アサギ
I'd say no to "pinch". In English it's generally used figuratively instead of for life-or-death situations (unless the speaker is being ironic). It's also generally a set expression, as in "in a pinch", "to feel the pinch", instead of just "pinch", which to me the first thing that comes to mind is somebody being literally pinched.
"Crisis" reflects the low-'health' state much better, as well as other Japanese uses of the English loanword "pinch". Have 5 projects due tomorrow? Crisis. Someone is trying to kill you? Crisis. Imminent capture and rape? Crisis. Etc.
"Critical condition" is more precise for a status condition, but it is quite a mouthful ('though it's often used to translate the 瀕死 yellow-health state in most JRPGs, and the same state is often affectionately referred to as 「ピンチモード」 in Japanese walkthrough wikis or in less serious games).
In general, I don't think it's a good idea just to use Wasei-eigo (Foreign loanwords) wholescale, as the Japanese often use the words they borrowed in a different manner (especially with respect to context) than the original language (same goes for English speakers when they use Spanish/French/Latin loanwords). Examples:
ビッチ usually means slut (promiscuous woman) instead of "bitch", which can have non-sexual connotations and generally implies an abrasive personality even if used in a sexual context.
カンニング means "cheating" instead of "cunning".
スパッツ refers to "leggings" ("tights", and is most commonly used to describe "bicycle shorts"), and not spats, which are footwear.
コンセント is the worse out of the bunch. It means "power socket", not "consent". Some idiot goofed up with "concentric plug socket", that's why.
