I'm not so sure, honestly, if it had come out around the same time as Funimation's version, it probably would've gotten more attention simply because Kai was still a "new" show at the time. Not to mention Funimation's version wouldn't have had years to become endeared and nostalgic to some. Remember that back then Funi's version of Kai had it's own fair share of hatred online, from people who disliked the censorship to Faulconer fanboys decrying the music to even a misinformed bunch of people saying that the "old voices were better". I'm sure Ocean's version would've suffered a similar backlash but at this point it's all going to seem very one-sided.Attitudefan wrote:In some ways, if this dub is coming out now, it might actually be a better time for it to happen than ever before. If it came out in 2009/2010 alongside Funimation's version, heavy criticisms from people who are not used to the Ocean cast, and those who want to compare it to the American version, would probably have hurt the success of the Ocean version. If it comes out close to the Broly release, after Super, it can really reinvigorate Dragon Ball to the Canadian audiences. A new generation of fans can be introduced to the Canadian actors, and it might even help the new film all around Canada.
I think both dubs would've started on equal footing around that time because both TV airings would've contained censorship and thus the detractors wouldn't have been able to criticise the Ocean version solely for that (and you know that will be the first thing they point out if it happens to come out now). With both dubs censored they would have been forced to critic the performances and script and I have full confidence that Ocean would have fared better in that department, as they've done in the past. At that point, the only thing they could whine about is the music but the Yamamoto scandal in 2011 would've quickly stuck a wrench in that argument.
In any case, I actually think it would likely fair worse now among the older fan group simply because they've had so much time to become endeared to the Funimation version of Kai and form a strong attachment to it. I'm not just talking about the pro-Funimation die-hards but also the kids who were introduced to Kai and grew up on that version. Once they're used to a certain version it's hard to get them to try a different dub, even if the acting turns out to be better. Then again I could be wrong, Brian Drummond's cameo in the Super dub was met with positive reception, even amongst the die-hard Funi fans, but that was in a Funimation dub with Sabat and crew and it was an older Toonami (US) audience so who knows if the "Kai" generation will feel the same as they've likely had little to no exposure to Drummond, nevermind the rest of the Canadian cast.
If it does get on TV I'm sure it will still perform well enough just on the strength of the show and the strong acting talent involved. Kids who haven't seen it before and those who aren't too fussed about the American voice cast will probably enjoy it for what it is but I think there will be some hostile resistance to it online. In any case, I'm sure Ocean's dub will fair better than that the pitiful Bang Zoom dub of Super but I'm sure you'll still see the odd person trying to tear it down for not having Sean Schemmel.
