What mix of dub versions will you introduce new fans to?

[chafenhimer]

For entertainment of a "so bad it's good" variety?

The thing is, it's not even bad enough to hit that mark. And I group-watch hilariously bad movies like it's my hobby.

I disagree. There are some hilarious lines in the original Funimation dub. Maybe not as funny as something like The Room, but amusing nonetheless. But the downside is that anyone who watches that won't take it nearly as seriously as someone watching the Japanese version or the Kai dub.

[Kuwabara]

Yes I can. There are several lines in the Kai dub that sound way more natural and nuanced than the wooden, stilted subtitles.

Oh, I meant in context of the original Z dub only.

Well I should clarify too, subtitled dialogue for anything almost never sits well with me, especially for anime. It seems like anime subtitle translators try so hard to be accurate in order to appease absolute purists, and they end up leaving nuance at the door. I have the same problem with manga translations. I refuse to believe all mangaka are such bland dialogue writers, or that all anime would sound so wooden and forced if I could actually comprehend the original language for myself.

Unfortunately, I have zero interest in learning a second language.

[Taku128]

I'd give them the manga because the anime is universally terrible regardless of language. Why introduce them to a bad adaptation instead of the original?

[SaiyamanMS]

Like many of the others in this thread, if I wanted to introduce someone to Dragon Ball, I wouldn't choose the dub over the original Japanese version. (In fact, I've introduced my dad to the Japanese version of the series and he's quite enjoying it. We're almost at the end of the 22nd Budokai, but I digress...)

However, if I were to use the dub, I'd naturally start at the start of Dragon Ball. It may have been dubbed after Z was, but it should still come before it. As for Dragon Ball Z, I wouldn't wish season 3 upon anybody and while the Android/Cell stuff is passable, it is still ultimately relatively weak. Which means that the obvious choice for these arcs along with the Saiyans would be Kai, before going over to Z for Buu with the Kikuchi score and (perhaps?) onto GT with the Tokunaga score.

[sangofe]

All I can say...
French DBZ Kai for french speakers! It's a really good dub.

[Mountain]

I would advise you to jump to FUNi's dub of DragonBall Kai, for the remainder of the series.

What about the Boo-arc?

Japanese DragonBall Z with subtitles is the only thing I could personally recommend for that arc.

[kemuri07]

It really depends on the "fan."

If said person is a die-hard anime nerd, who has yet to see DBZ (how that happens, I have no idea) then clearly the original japanese with english subs are the way to go.

However, if the person is fairly new to anime, then the english dub would be a far more accessible choice.

[Cipher]

Well I should clarify too, subtitled dialogue for anything almost never sits well with me, especially for anime. It seems like anime subtitle translators try so hard to be accurate in order to appease absolute purists, and they end up leaving nuance at the door. I have the same problem with manga translations. I refuse to believe all mangaka are such bland dialogue writers, or that all anime would sound so wooden and forced if I could actually comprehend the original language for myself.

I guess this is something I've kind of lost contact with. I've been taking Japanese for six years and done homestays in the country. I'm not fluent, but I know enough so that I can usually understand everything they're saying or, with the help of the subtitles for some more difficult lines, piece together why they're saying what they're saying. I can also pick up on a lot of the little quirks and subtleties that don't make it through to the subtitles.

But even without all that, I feel like very literal subtitles still work. You're hearing the way each character speaks as you read the line, so it's not nearly as robotic as it would be if, say, the same subtitles were used as manga dialogue. That would be awkward.

[xzero]

I don't really go around talking about DBZ outside of this particular forum, much less introducing people to it. Unless my girlfriend/wife asked, I probably wouldn't bother "introducing" her to it in any meaningful way.

As for future kids, if they saw it on the shelf and asked about it, I'd actually make the call based on age and relative maturity. Part of that is because I don't generally swear much and wouldn't want my younger kids watching Kai. Once they're like 9 or 10, it becomes a different issue. Consequently, I'd probably let them watch the original broadcast version of the show on the singles discs. Once they're older, though, Kai is probably the way I'd show it to them, coupled with either the Orange Bricks or the DBoxes for the balance of the show. Probably the Orange Bricks so they can hear the Faulconer dub score and/or the Kikuchi score and see which they like better.

[Super Sonic]

The thing with introducing to your kids is that introducing subs will require them to be at a certain age while the dub not so much. I admit I don't know how much things have changed since I was little, but remember that while really young, you learn the alphabet from Sesame Street, literacy really happens around age 3-4 but you really learn more at later ages.

Eh, kids are smarter than most people think. I was already reading chapter books at five years old. I had a highschool graduate reading level by sixth grade. I'm also not that bright. If I can do it, anyone can. Besides, I doubt I'll show my children Dragon Ball when they're toddlers. By the time they're old enough to give Dragon Ball a chance, I'll have made sure they're literate.

Like I said things have changed since I was little. At age 5 only read Little Golden Books, fairy tales and Seuss later though more at 6-8, though mainly played and watched Smurfs, Care Bears, etc. Late 1987 and majority 1988 was quite a time.

On topic, I'd say for season 2, to have a mix of Funi dub and Ocean dub. While the Funimation dub is great for being uncensored, the Ocean dub has good moments too like Vegeta's wrath and Ocean Recoome who was awesome by proxy you could say. Kind of like how some guys might watch the original version of the first Star Wars then after Han shoots Greedo, switch to the special edition.

[DB_Fan1991]

I wouldn't show my kids DB until they were about 7 due to the nudity, and heavy violence, but anyways

Dragon Ball: FUNi dub
DBZ Saiyan-Cell sagas: FUNi Kai dub
DBZ Buu saga: FUNi Z dub
DBGT: FUNi dub

[BlazingFiddlesticks]

Yes I can. There are several lines in the Kai dub that sound way more natural and nuanced than the wooden, stilted subtitles.

Oh, I meant in context of the original Z dub only.

Well I should clarify too, subtitled dialogue for anything almost never sits well with me, especially for anime. It seems like anime subtitle translators try so hard to be accurate in order to appease absolute purists, and they end up leaving nuance at the door. I have the same problem with manga translations. I refuse to believe all mangaka are such bland dialogue writers, or that all anime would sound so wooden and forced if I could actually comprehend the original language for myself.

Unfortunately, I have zero interest in learning a second language.

Isn't all of this the biproduct of shonen writing and the nature of translation? Linguistic tricks and nuances rarely cross over into others in their intended form, and as far as the Dragon Ball anime is concerned, it has a lot of the usual shonen problems that illustrate its target audience and perhaps a difference in languages, stating the obvious, phrases or even insults and threats translating into something an English speaker deems wordy or tame, etc.

[CODii]

I have to agree that I would never show anyone something other than the subtitled Japanese version. I would never show someone a dubbed version of a film, so why would anime be any different? I have introduced my family and friends to DragonBall and it has always been done using the Japanese version. Nobody has ever had a problem with that.

[Kuwabara]

Well I should clarify too, subtitled dialogue for anything almost never sits well with me, especially for anime. It seems like anime subtitle translators try so hard to be accurate in order to appease absolute purists, and they end up leaving nuance at the door. I have the same problem with manga translations. I refuse to believe all mangaka are such bland dialogue writers, or that all anime would sound so wooden and forced if I could actually comprehend the original language for myself.

Unfortunately, I have zero interest in learning a second language.

Isn't all of this the biproduct of shonen writing and the nature of translation? Linguistic tricks and nuances rarely cross over into others in their intended form, and as far as the Dragon Ball anime is concerned, it has a lot of the usual shonen problems that illustrate its target audience and perhaps a difference in languages, stating the obvious, phrases or even insults and threats translating into something an English speaker deems wordy or tame, etc.

To an extent I guess you could be onto something. But even Berserk, a seinen manga I follow adamantly, has some borderline irksome examples of the things you described, especially stating the obvious or (what I hate most of all) announcing one's name or status mid-sentence in an effort to bring more importance to themselves. It just comes off as goofy most of the time.

[Avenged]

The point of the topic was what "dub". I actually have grown tiresome of most of you saying you're true fans because you say any dub sucks and the original JP (but with subtitles!1!!1ones) is better. I can guarantee that most of you claiming to be die hard sub fans grew up on DBZ (not DB) due to either Ocean or FUNimations dub, especially if you're not over the age of 25. I recall a time when all we had was a dub of the Saiyan arc in the US, nothing else (aside from the movies), I resorted to watching the JP version and preferring it at the time. But I will at least admit I was not introduced to DragonBall via a poorly translated sub version and I will also admit I was introduced to DragonBall thanks to the dubs. Anyone here that is actually from Japan, this comment does not concern you.

Prefer whatever you want, but please do not diss on FUNi or Ocean just because you think you grew up in Japan and watched the anime in it's original stature, when in reality you're some white kid from America.

That's my two cents, had to get it out there, if I offended any of you, well too bad

But back on topic...

FUNimation and Ocean.

But I would say if it was a "custom" mix, FUNimations voice actors (aside from Freeza, use the DBZ Kai voice), a mix of Bruce Faulconer's and the original JP soundtrack and all uncut.

Yes it is always good when introducing this series to new viewers to show them the original in subtitles and the manga as well, do not get me wrong I am not ripping on the original whatsoever. But this topic was what dub would you introduce them too.

[Cacarot]

The point of the topic was what "dub". I actually have grown tiresome of most of you saying you're true fans because you say any dub sucks and the original JP (but with subtitles!1!!1ones) is better. I can guarantee that most of you claiming to be die hard sub fans grew up on DBZ (not DB) due to either Ocean or FUNimations dub, especially if you're not over the age of 25. I recall a time when all we had was a dub of the Saiyan arc in the US, nothing else (aside from the movies), I resorted to watching the JP version and preferring it at the time. But I will at least admit I was not introduced to DragonBall via a poorly translated sub version and I will also admit I was introduced to DragonBall thanks to the dubs. Anyone here that is actually from Japan, this comment does not concern you.

Prefer whatever you want, but please do not diss on FUNi or Ocean just because you think you grew up in Japan and watched the anime in it's original stature, when in reality you're some white kid from America.

That's my two cents, had to get it out there, if I offended any of you, well too bad

But back on topic...

FUNimation and Ocean.

But I would say if it was a "custom" mix, FUNimations voice actors (aside from Freeza, use the DBZ Kai voice), a mix of Bruce Faulconer's and the original JP soundtrack and all uncut.

Yes it is always good when introducing this series to new viewers to show them the original in subtitles and the manga as well, do not get me wrong I am not ripping on the original whatsoever. But this topic was what dub would you introduce them too.

^this
I could not agree with you anymore. Dragonball was immensely popular with what many of you called a subpar dub so I don't see how the original Funi or Ocean dubs would be bad ways to introduce one to Dragonball when most of you (though you may pretend otherwise) first watched Dragonball with those aforementioned dubs. Now if they eventually become hardcore fans and watch the original JP and grow to prefer it that is great but in terms of introducing one to a series through a dub the original English dubs are fine.

[Mountain]

Sorry to inform you, but America isn't the only country on Earth, meaning that the FUNimation dub isn't the only dub around, either. Not to mention, many people who have never watched a FUNi dub still found a way to love DragonBall. I'm a purist, sure, but I grew up with the terrible FUNi dub; should I love it just because it was the only thing available at the time? Hell no. Do I care if other people enjoy it? Absolutely not. To each his or her own.

I personally wouldn't enjoy watching Fellini's 8½ in English and I don't find DragonBall to be any different. One may watch the anime any way they please, but please keep in mind that it is a Japanese show. No one is attempting to be elitist here, but the anime, as previously stated, is already an adaptation of the manga; that's why I'm not interested in watching an adaptation of an adaptation. No thanks.

[XanatosVanBadass]

The point of the topic was what "dub". I actually have grown tiresome of most of you saying you're true fans because you say any dub sucks and the original JP (but with subtitles!1!!1ones) is better. I can guarantee that most of you claiming to be die hard sub fans grew up on DBZ (not DB) due to either Ocean or FUNimations dub, especially if you're not over the age of 25. I recall a time when all we had was a dub of the Saiyan arc in the US, nothing else (aside from the movies), I resorted to watching the JP version and preferring it at the time. But I will at least admit I was not introduced to DragonBall via a poorly translated sub version and I will also admit I was introduced to DragonBall thanks to the dubs. Anyone here that is actually from Japan, this comment does not concern you.

Prefer whatever you want, but please do not diss on FUNi or Ocean just because you think you grew up in Japan and watched the anime in it's original stature, when in reality you're some white kid from America.

That's my two cents, had to get it out there, if I offended any of you, well too bad

But back on topic...

FUNimation and Ocean.

But I would say if it was a "custom" mix, FUNimations voice actors (aside from Freeza, use the DBZ Kai voice), a mix of Bruce Faulconer's and the original JP soundtrack and all uncut.

Yes it is always good when introducing this series to new viewers to show them the original in subtitles and the manga as well, do not get me wrong I am not ripping on the original whatsoever. But this topic was what dub would you introduce them too.

^this
I could not agree with you anymore. Dragonball was immensely popular with what many of you called a subpar dub so I don't see how the original Funi or Ocean dubs would be bad ways to introduce one to Dragonball when most of you (though you may pretend otherwise) first watched Dragonball with those aforementioned dubs. Now if they eventually become hardcore fans and watch the original JP and grow to prefer it that is great but in terms of introducing one to a series through a dub the original English dubs are fine.

As was said, Funi's dub wasn't the only one ever made and at the time, was the only version of the show available for many people in the US. For my part, I did first watch DBZ in english. I hated it. Keep in mind, the first anime I got into was Gundam Wing and I was used to this intelligent, well written show (keep in mind I was in HS here, guys! ) that treated its viewers with maturity. Now, I watched DBZ for the first time with its awful dipshit banging on a keyboard, "music," horrendeous acting, and flat out embarassing dialogue . . . the difference was night and day in terms of quality. I was genuinely embarassed to be watching that dub and thought that represented Dragon Ball. It wasn't until I saw the international version and some fansubs that I realized that what I saw on Toonami was a fucktarded bastardization. Again, the difference was night and day to me. BDZU also helped to get me to realize there was a good show burried under all that Americanization.

It really annoys me when people treat so shitty a dub like it was some sort of necessary evil. The fact is that DBZ succeeded in the US despite what Funimation did, not because of it.

As for OP's question: If I HAD to choose, I guess I'd show them the uncut Kai dub. Still, I'd prefer to show them the series in Japanese.

[VegettoEX]

I actually have grown tiresome of most of you saying you're true fans because you say any dub sucks and the original JP (but with subtitles!1!!1ones) is better.

Err... I'm not actually reading any of that in what has been posted so far. Are you reading the right thread? Comments like this toward opinions you don't like borders on playing the victim.

As has been noted, a huge portion of the fanbase (and 50% of our audience here at the site) doesn't come from the United States (or even North America) in the first place. Their command of the English language is frighteningly amazing, so perhaps your reading into a lot of these foreign folks not giving an English dub the time of day is... well... misguided?

Regardless of whether the topic creator asked which "dub" someone would use to introduce the series to someone, an answer of the original Japanese version is perfectly legitimate.

if I offended any of you, well too bad

Well, in that case, stop getting upset if others' opinions offend you.

[roidrage]

As has been noted, a huge portion of the fanbase (and 50% of our audience here at the site) doesn't come from the United States (or even North America) in the first place. Their command of the English language is frighteningly amazing, so perhaps your reading into a lot of these foreign folks not giving an English dub the time of day is... well... misguided?

Regardless of whether the topic creator asked which "dub" someone would use to introduce the series to someone, an answer of the original Japanese version is perfectly legitimate..

Well, I'm not so sure about that. Don't misunderstand me; I can hardly take the dub seriously, and watch it only for the laughs...but "dub" is in the title, and the OP actually says "English dub" moreover; so I can't understand why an answer of the Japanese version would be "perfectly legitimate", since it isn't the direction the OP set the ball rolling in. Furthermore, if a member is not originally from an English-speaking country and has no interest in an English dub, then why are they bothering with this thread?