Opinions on the original Funi Dragon Ball dub

[MasenkoHA]

I disagree the score is still part of the show’s identity and a replacement score would make it worse especially if the replacement score is well crap (and we know Funimation is batting a perfect score on godawful replacement music)

Does keeping the music for the original Dragon Ball save the Dragon Ball dub from bad stilted acting, stupid unfunny jokes being added in, careless script errors, and unnecessary censorship? Absolutely not. Those problems plague the Dragon Ball dub and having the Kikuchi music doesn’t change that. But would it be worse to have a crappy replacement score on top of those horrid creative decisions? Absolutely.

The Kikuchi score was a part of the original show's identity. The Funimation version has a different identity. The replacement score is a reflection of that. Having a replacement score on top of Funi's other creative decisions would complete the process, fulfilling the show's new identity and allowing the dub to flourish. The Kikuchi score would have the opposite effect, inhibiting everything else that Funimation did with the series so that it never quite succeeds, or maybe even falls apart.

Why? At the end of the day Funimation can only reversion the show so much. It’s still visually and tonally inspired by 70s kung fu movies. Adding a bunch of lame dialog and making the actors sound like they’re taking a giant dump when they’re powering up doesn’t change that. Part of the reason the Faulconer score is so bad (aside from being terrible, non-stop, and badly placed) is that it’s actively fighting against what the show is. What specifically about the dub necessitates a new score other than “It’s crap so it should have a crappy score to go with it”

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you’re watching the Funimation dub or the Japanese dub you’re still watching a bunch of martial arts dudes beat each other up.

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

[SuperSaiyaManZ94]

I disagree the score is still part of the show’s identity and a replacement score would make it worse especially if the replacement score is well crap (and we know Funimation is batting a perfect score on godawful replacement music)

Does keeping the music for the original Dragon Ball save the Dragon Ball dub from bad stilted acting, stupid unfunny jokes being added in, careless script errors, and unnecessary censorship? Absolutely not. Those problems plague the Dragon Ball dub and having the Kikuchi music doesn’t change that. But would it be worse to have a crappy replacement score on top of those horrid creative decisions? Absolutely.

The Kikuchi score was a part of the original show's identity. The Funimation version has a different identity. The replacement score is a reflection of that. Having a replacement score on top of Funi's other creative decisions would complete the process, fulfilling the show's new identity and allowing the dub to flourish. The Kikuchi score would have the opposite effect, inhibiting everything else that Funimation did with the series so that it never quite succeeds, or maybe even falls apart.

Why? At the end of the day Funimation can only reversion the show so much. It’s still visually and tonally inspired by 70s kung fu movies. Adding a bunch of lame dialog and making the actors sound like they’re taking a giant dump when they’re powering up doesn’t change that. Part of the reason the Faulconer score is so bad (aside from being terrible, non-stop, and badly placed) is that it’s actively fighting against what the show is. What specifically about the dub necessitates a new score other than “It’s crap so it should have a crappy score to go with it”

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you’re watching the Funimation dub or the Japanese dub you’re still watching a bunch of martial arts dudes beat each other up.

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

Same with the Menza music in GT's dub, it like everything else FUNi did was with the intent to make up the show as a "ZOMG HARDCORE EDGINESS!!!!!!!" product even when the original show itself actually isn't. This also is another example of them having bastardized something to cater to a certain audience that being preteen boys watching Toonami. Everything about it gives off that vibe, even Andy Chandler's narration played into it.

From that standpoint, i guess you could say that OG DB wasn't tainted to nearly the extent as DBZ and GT.

[MyVisionity]

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

[SuperSaiyaManZ94]

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

Yet even then they still didn't bother replacing the score for DB, it's the odd outlier since the other two series had theirs changed.

[PurestEvil]

I don't get why people are saying that a rescore would help capture the spirit of DB's Funi dub. Like, Funi did not really deviate that much from the original, barring the sex jokes. Sure, some lines have been changed, but they in no way made the show out to be "cool" and "badass" like the DBZ dub; it was still goofy and camp like the Japanese version.

[ABED]

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

What an abuse of language. Keeping the original score is now deception.

[MasenkoHA]

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

The day to day scripts tend to vary from 1. faithful 2.the general plot is the same but the dialog is completely different 3. and half and half. But the overall spirit of the series is the same. Like even die hard dubbies identify Dragon Ball as the pervy one. Downplaying the sexuality or having King Piccolo and Kami stupidily refer to themselves as aliens doesn’t fundamentally change the series.


Same goes for the Z dub for that matter. Goku is still a martial artist, throwing in dialog about the sword of injustice and hope of the universe doesn’t change that.

[GhostEmperorX]

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

Just because they already dug a hole for themselves doesn’t mean they should dig any deeper. By not changing that element they were getting that much closer to making proper dubs, even if they hadn’t quite gotten there at that point.
Plus it was impossible to use that team’s project in DB anyway. Besides the fact that it wasn’t the only replacement score for the show even at the time of its use (it only came 60+ episodes into the show).
You’re pretty much in the minority even among replacement score fans m8.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

Your posts are always full of this kind of drooling moron logic. I cant remember a post that of yours that doesnt have an hideously bad take.

[MyVisionity]

Just because they already dug a hole for themselves doesn’t mean they should dig any deeper.

And sometimes you might as well just keep digging the hole and come on out the other side. Don't just throw down the shovel and sit at the bottom of the hole.

By not changing that element they were getting that much closer to making proper dubs, even if they hadn’t quite gotten there at that point.

Well that's all well and good for the future dubs, but where did that leave Dragon Ball? Who says it has to become a sacrifice for the sake of every other series that follows it? Dragon Ball should be able to do what's best for itself first and foremost, and if that means the future series have a slightly tougher time of it, then so be it.

Plus it was impossible to use that team’s project in DB anyway.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Why was it impossible to use the Faulconer replacement score? Plus it could've been another replacement score instead if they wanted.

[Brodes]

Part of the reason many fans believe Dragon Ball’s dub is more faithful (despite really not being that much more faithful from a day to day script standpoint) is because it kept the original music and thus it feels closer to the original show.

But that's all a deception. As you said it's not actually any more faithful to the original despite what audiences are led to believe by the score.

That's why a replacement score would bring about a truer authenticity for the series. Then the show wouldn't pretend to be anything more than it actually is, allowing it to be more successful.

No. Changing the music is a deception. Altering the scripts far more than any adaptions needs and the characters is a deception. Skipping multiple episodes is a deception. Funimation built their entire reputation off multiple deceptions. Absolutely none of these things (singular or combined) make for a more "authentic experience". Not a single damn one.

[MyVisionity]

No. Changing the music is a deception. Altering the scripts far more than any adaptions needs and the characters is a deception. Skipping multiple episodes is a deception. Funimation built their entire reputation off multiple deceptions. Absolutely none of these things (singular or combined) make for a more "authentic experience". Not a single damn one.

And keeping the original music alongside all of those other alterations would only compound the deception.

By "authentic", I mean authentic in terms of the Funimation version, not authentic to the original Japanese version.

[jjgp1112]

Just because they already dug a hole for themselves doesn’t mean they should dig any deeper.

And sometimes you might as well just keep digging the hole and come on out the other side. Don't just throw down the shovel and sit at the bottom of the hole.

By not changing that element they were getting that much closer to making proper dubs, even if they hadn’t quite gotten there at that point.

Well that's all well and good for the future dubs, but where did that leave Dragon Ball? Who says it has to become a sacrifice for the sake of every other series that follows it? Dragon Ball should be able to do what's best for itself first and foremost, and if that means the future series have a slightly tougher time of it, then so be it.

Plus it was impossible to use that team’s project in DB anyway.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Why was it impossible to use the Faulconer replacement score? Plus it could've been another replacement score instead if they wanted.

A sacrifice? For what...? Improving the quality of their dubbing, which also included future Dragon Ball properties? Is that what you're saying?

My dude, I think I speak for everyone when I say, what in the Home For Infinite Losers are you talking about? You're making an absolute zero of sense.

[MyVisionity]

A sacrifice? For what...? Improving the quality of their dubbing, which also included future Dragon Ball properties? Is that what you're saying?

No I meant Dragon Ball as in the first anime, not the franchise itself. I was saying how it shouldn't have been used as a test dummy for Funimation's future series but instead been allowed to be made for its own sake. And if that means a replacement score then that means a replacement score. I don't think it's right to argue for the future of the other Funi series dubs over the Dragon Ball dub.

[Shaddy]

But it doesn't mean a replacement score. Never has, never will. That will always be a mistake.

[PurestEvil]

Are you all still going about with this "deception" nonsense? My god, learn how to use words correctly.

[MasenkoHA]

A sacrifice? For what...? Improving the quality of their dubbing, which also included future Dragon Ball properties? Is that what you're saying?

No I meant Dragon Ball as in the first anime, not the franchise itself. I was saying how it shouldn't have been used as a test dummy for Funimation's future series but instead been allowed to be made for its own sake. And if that means a replacement score then that means a replacement score. I don't think it's right to argue for the future of the other Funi series dubs over the Dragon Ball dub.

What are you even talking about? It just sounds like you wanted Dragon Ball to have a replacement score for the sake of a replacement score and go with any flimsy nonsense justification you can.

[GhostEmperorX]

Well that's all well and good for the future dubs, but where did that leave Dragon Ball? Who says it has to become a sacrifice for the sake of every other series that follows it? Dragon Ball should be able to do what's best for itself first and foremost, and if that means the future series have a slightly tougher time of it, then so be it.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Why was it impossible to use the Faulconer replacement score? Plus it could've been another replacement score instead if they wanted.

Em, it was already a sacrifice for proper dubs to be made because that was probably the series that marked the end of adaptation practices altogether.

That’s because the team that worked on that soundtrack had long since left by that point. And no, keeping the original score reduces the degree to which it’s a fake version. You can’t even suggest any better ideas than keeping the original score because you don’t even know what would have worked with it, there’s zero justification for creating even more of a rift due to the ridiculous “exceptionalism” mentality that prevailed at the time.

No I meant Dragon Ball as in the first anime, not the franchise itself. I was saying how it shouldn't have been used as a test dummy for Funimation's future series but instead been allowed to be made for its own sake. And if that means a replacement score then that means a replacement score. I don't think it's right to argue for the future of the other Funi series dubs over the Dragon Ball dub.

You really have no idea what you’re talking about, do you?
It would have been a lot better if the US hadn’t gotten their hands on the series to begin with, if you want to play it that way.

[GhostEmperorX]

By "authentic", I mean authentic in terms of the Funimation version, not authentic to the original Japanese version.

Wrong again, the only version that actually matters is the original JP version, Funimation’s was a fake, almost as much as Harmony Gold versions of Macross & 2 other series (or anything else like that) if only for the fact that they didn’t change character names or massively edit the footage.
What’s next, are you going to say that G Gundam should have had its score changed just because some sound effects and a few names were changed too?

[Robo4900]

To be honest, I think I get where MyVisionity is coming from, to a certain extent in regards to replacement score vs original; the OG Funi Z dub with the replacement score is the experience intended by Funimation in 1999-2002, whereas the "Remastered" version with the Kikuchi score is like trying to polish a turd; it's really just a waste of polish, and trying to turn something into another thing that it was never meant to be.

If Funi had any interest in doing a proper dub, they would have had to start from scratch, so instead they sort of pandered to the hardcore crowd by bringing in the original score, and they pandered to what the actors wanted (mainly Chris Sabat, from what I've observed) by allowing a limited amount of redubbing of dialogue, but ultimately none of this really amounted to anything productive, and Kai would end up being a far better version of what "Remastered" was sort of pretending to be.

As for how OG DB fits into this, I have no idea. Funi's handling of the original series never made sense to me. I've openly theorised about a million different ways it could make sense, but I think the reality of it is that Funi's crew had no idea what to do with the show, and it really shows. That dub is a fucking mess; it can't decide from one scene to another whether it wants to be a 4Kids-style TV dub (complete with the original score) or a Funi Z-style uncut dub except without the replacement score.
I don't get why so many people see this dub as such a step up from Funi's work on Z and GT, it's just as bad as those two, just more confused, and originally produced with the original score, a decision that still baffles me to this day.