Would it be a better idea to replace Nozawa before she passes away?

[DragonBallKing]

Do you think it would lessen the blow of having a new actor for Goku if Nozawa retired after the new movie and allowed her understudy whoever that may be take over for her, rather than have a sudden replacement should she pass away during the production of a future series. Discuss

[PsionicWarrior]

To me I'd end the series the day Nozawa passes away.... Unless they can find a replacement that is really, really close to what she is doing, I mean that she could fool someone who doesn't know better.

[Shounen]

It would be unnecessary since she is still active. Actors rarely retire

[Logania]

It would be easier to digest another actor slowly while she's alive for me, but since Nozawa loves voicing Goku and the others so much she probably wouldn't want to stop unless she needs to.

I think using the replacement in video games would be a good way to see how he/she does as it wouldn't effect the anime/movie material while also giving them experience with DB content.

[sintzu]

To me I'd end the series the day Nozawa passes away.... Unless they can find a replacement that is really, really close to what she is doing.

DB is too big to end on someone's death, even if it's Toriyama, unless it's a temporary ending. In terms of her replacement, I think they already have one.

[Thanos]

What makes it complicated is that not only does she voice Goku, but the rest of the male family, Bardock, Black, and Tullece. Makes me wonder... would they recast one actor to do all the voices, or start fresh with new interpretations and cast them all individually? Whatever happens it will be very strange.

I guess with Tullece and Bardock, they probably could just use archival audio for them until the end of time. It’s not like they’re really saying anything new.

[GamerSkull]

As it was mentioned before... it'd be easier to digest if she was replaced while she was still alive but a part of me also thinks that Goku would be gone the moment she is so,,,

[TheBlackPaladin]

My thought is, as long as she's able and willing to do it without it being adverse to her health, she ought to be able to do it. That said, she will undoubtedly be replaced at some point. I understand the sentiments of the fans who think the shows should be cancelled upon her inability to voice the character anymore, but unfortunately, I think those fans underestimate how determined Toei execs are to keep making money off of a property that has, historically, been a big money-maker for them. We have to keep in mind, that while the Dragon Ball shows (and mangas) may be the main product over here in North America and Europe, in Japan, DVDs and Blu-Rays of the show are viewed morel like glorified collector's items, because the main product is not considered the show, but the merchandise.

All that to say, Dragon Ball won't end with Nozawa's death, it'll end when it no longer makes money.

[SuperCyan2]

Definitely! If Masako perished midway of a series it would then make for an awkward transition with a different VA so it's better that they just replace her while she's still alive so everything stays consistent with the cast from start to end.

I love Masako's Gokû and no one will ever replace the original Son Gokû but the time for a substitute is coming.

[Kamiccolo9]

What's with all the "We need a replacement for Nozawa" threads all of a sudden? Is she seriously ill and I missed it?

She'll keep on doing the role as long as she wants. I don't see anyone at Toei kicking her off the show as long as she feels she can do it.

And before someone spouts out "Dude, she's 81," yeah, no shit. So what? I mean, anything could happen to anyone at any time, as we've already seen in the past few months. Nozawa's been at this for a while now; she and Toei know what they're doing.

[Jackal puFF]

Sounds like an awful idea. Imagine how Nozawa would feel if they were to pull something like that? No way it would happen unless she wanted out.

[DBZAOTA482]

No Nozawa means no more Dragon Ball. They'll just give Goku the Chef from South Park treatment.

[SuperCyan2]

No Nozawa means no more Dragon Ball. They'll just give Goku the Chef from South Park treatment.

Dragon Ball is too hot of a franchise for TOEI just to archive it. The replacement will happen even though that probably will be really frustrating I just can't imagine anyone filling her shoes but it will happen.

Masako has a beautiful smile, voice, face and she's just so energetic. Just listening to her voice or seeing her smiling makes me smile, too.

[Kodoshin]

She has obviously, at this point, earned the right to call her own shot. It's definitely going to happen someday. Gonna be hard to deal with when it does

[Vegeta_Sama]

No Nozawa means no more Dragon Ball. They'll just give Goku the Chef from South Park treatment.

And lose all the cash?? Yeah, I don't think so

[Tian]

No Nozawa means no more Dragon Ball. They'll just give Goku the Chef from South Park treatment.

I don't think so. It's Toriyama's franchise, not Nozawa's. So it's up to him, whether he wants to continue the franchise or not.

[Lord Beerus]

Let Nozawa keep playing Goku until she feels she needs to step down from the role. And then you can focus on finding a new seiyuu for Goku.

[Firebolt]

I think it would be ideal if they had an understudy ready to replace Nozawa when she does tragically pass away.

[majinwarman]

I think it would be ideal if they had an understudy ready to replace Nozawa when she does tragically pass away.

I think that they already have a understudy ready to go in case it happens. Which doesn't want or wish to happen. But, they probably have a plan in place in case they need it.

[Banana]

I agree that it's best to let her voice the role for as long as she feels able... I mean she's legendary after all and the more we have of her as Goku-tachi the better. She could even live to be a hundred, and we don't know. I mean that would be a miracle for the dbz community but stranger things can happen. I know they had to replace Bulma and I can hardly tell a difference. The thing I worry about though is that Nozawa's voice is just so unique. Time will tell, there's no use talking about something so sad and depressing. What happens happens.