Original Japanese or American version?

Kabijin · Post by **Kabijin** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:38 am

Hi everybody! I just wanted to know how many of you prefer the original Japanese version (or similar) or the American version.

I grew up watching the Chinese-dubbed Japanese version with the original composition of music and uncut episodes of DBZ/GT and also the movie series. For me, I favor the Japanese version way more because they have a different feel to them. I've watched most of the American DBZ episodes and movies, and I like the the music presented but the original Japanese gives me a better "feel" to it. At times, the music is a bit more jittery and blends in with the overall scenes better. The American music to me feels a little bit more edgy and harder (kinda like rock/techno) giving a more intense feel, yet which is still cool. I just love Shunsuke Kikuchi's BGM music but not too much of a fan of Bruce Faulconer's.

When I watch them side by side, I just seem to get a totally different experience from each. I guess this has to do with the whole package including the music, voicework of all characters, and such. In the end, this ultimately influences the presentation of DBZ alltogether.

I guess the only thing I don't like about the American version is the censorship on the episodes. I like to see every single episode! Fully uncut. But, I do have to give props to the better quality of audio and video in the American version. The sound effects and visual quality (in terms of contrast, coloring, etc) seems to look *WAY* better than the original Japanese version. I've always watched chinese-dubbed (cantonese) episodes, and all they do is just really just dub over the Japanese voices while the music and sound effects are unchanged. I have collected most of the chinese DBZ series on VCDs and DVDs--however, they still can't compare to the newly redone American versions. Because the Chinese versions are older in terms of production, the audio and video are really crappy. And since, they (Toei or whomever) haven't released any remastered versions of anything, I'm stuck with outdated mono sound with early 90's laser-disc quality stuff.

But anyways, has anyone else seen both Japanese and American versions of either the same episode(s) or movie(s)? What do you guys think? To me, it just feels different for both versions--but in the end, I will have to stick with the one I grew up with and overall enjoy better: the original Japanese one! Thanks!

Pedro The Hutt · Post by **Pedro The Hutt** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:10 pm

My first DB experience was the german dub of the original Dragonball, which luckily edited nothing but the voices. =D In any case, I prefer to watch things in their original version. Thus, japanese!

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:12 pm

I prefer the US version, mostly because I cannot stand the sound of the Japanese language.

Dai · Post by **Dai** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:13 pm

TOEI has put out all of the series, remastered, on DVD. And yes, the quality is miles above the American version.

Add that to the fact I simply prefer the Japanese music and voices so much, my choice is pretty clear.

Of course, I got introduced to the series via the dub, so it still holds a certain level of nostalgia...

SpaceKappa · Post by **SpaceKappa** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 3:59 pm

I'm one of the few who got into the series before the dub, so original Japanese all the way.

MajinVejitaXV · Post by **MajinVejitaXV** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:46 pm

Started with the english in '95 or so, started watching the Japanese in '99 or so when I found clips on the internet...haven't turned back. Those who like the english version are welcome to it, but it pales in comparision in my opinion.

-Corey

Kabijin · Post by **Kabijin** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:02 pm

Hmm...it seems Toei has indeed released DVDs of everything. I managed to find the Chinese version of the DBZ Episodes, and they're all still being released on DVD Box sets. But unfortunately, they're Region-2 DVD discs, and I can't seem to find any being sold right now in the US either--only Hong Kong/China. All I got are the older VCDs that Toei and other companies have released in the past 10 years. But in the end, I could always import.

SuperFusion · Post by **SuperFusion** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:12 pm

I like the American verson better. The Japanese version had sorry music IMO. I didn't like the voices of some characters. King Kai for one, sounds horrible. I never wanna hear him in Japanese again. American version has better music/voice actors IMO.

Pedro The Hutt · Post by **Pedro The Hutt** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:21 pm

>.>;; Might I be so curious to inquire why some people don't like hearing to the japanese language? Personally I like listening to japanese. Not to mention that it's a bliss in terms of grammar. XD

Frobman · Post by **Frobman** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:21 pm

I stick to the original! If Toriyam had chosen the voices, then so be it! Plus they tend to sound cool at most times!

Sun_Wukong · Post by **Sun_Wukong** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:28 pm

Dai wrote: Of course, I got introduced to the series via the dub, so it still holds a certain level of nostalgia...

What he said. I was lucky enough to catch DBZ on its first run on Toonami. My first exposiure to the original version wasnt untill late into 2001. But personally, I dont mind either one. I think they're both fine.

Rocketman · Post by **Rocketman** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:54 pm

Pedro The Hutt wrote:Might I be so curious to inquire why some people don't like hearing to the japanese language?

You might. Doesn't mean you'll get a good answer though.

Partially, it's because the Japanese VAs sound odd, especially Goku, who sounds like a girl.

Also, the Japanese language grates on my ears. I can't really give you a reason why, I guess it's just for the same reason people's tastes in music differ.

I guess the biggest thing, though, is I hate not understanding what's going on without reading the subtitles. If I hear, say, Cooler explaining himself, I want to hear:

"I am Frieza's brother. I'm going to kill you for killing him"

not:

"Da! Akamvsvid akn gdgs aosnbv uneg ogn gjg ndfjnf jndegakgnadgk! KEKEKEKE!!"

DBW · Post by **DBW** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:08 pm

SuperFusion wrote:I didn't like the voices of some characters. King Kai for one, sounds horrible.

You like dub Kaio over Yanami Jouji? I respect your opinion and everything, but...wow...just, wow...

The Japanese version had sorry music IMO.

I was just wondering what you mean by this. Too out of date, or just all around crappy?

Kabijin · Post by **Kabijin** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:15 pm

I agree that the Japanese voices can get annoying. But that's just coming from my viewpoint. It's not that I don't like Japanese voicework because I don't UNDERSTAND it. That would be an unfair judgement because you base your views then on the fact that you lack the language instead of why you particularly don't like the voices. But what I'm saying is if you're not use to the Japanese voices (because you probably either don't know it) ... it would be bias to say that you hate the voices just 'cause they suck.

Heritic · Post by **Heritic** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:28 pm

I was introduced by the dub. I never even saw the Japanese version until I bought a DVD. At first I didn't really like watching in Japanese voices. Then I started watching a lot of my anime subbed and then I got used to hearing Japanese. Both versions are fine by me, I actually like the Japanese a little more because I can't understand it. Yeah, I'm weird like that.

Post by **VegettoEX** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:42 pm

Let's try to avoid the ridiculous "Dub vs Sub" topic, if at all possible, and stick to simply answering the question at hand as best as possible. Thanks for the co-operation.

And no, that message wasn't necessarily aimed any individual(s) in particular, or even in regards to any statement(s) in particular. Mostly just a preventive warning.

I was introduced to the property via print-only (early internet picture/synopsis downloads, magazine ads, etc). I was introduced to the show via the original syndication dub. What I fell in love with was the Japanese version. The music, voices, acting... it all came together into one cohesive product of love.

tarsonis · Post by **tarsonis** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 9:04 pm

I was introduced via the dub back at the beginning of 99, so yeah, I'll agree with the fact about nostalgia mentioned earlier. But I've found I like the Japanese version more mostly because of the background music. The dub had some good cues, but as an avid film/TV music fan, I don't like the idea of changing the background music.

Plus, when you hear songs like Unmei no Hi and see just how well they match up to what's happening on screen (Gohan's ssj2 transformation in this case), there's just no comparison. The dub of that scene could not convey the emotion at all.

SuperFusion · Post by **SuperFusion** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:15 pm

DBW wrote:
The Japanese version had sorry music IMO.
I was just wondering what you mean by this. Too out of date, or just all around crappy?

I only like the opening and closing credits. And the re-cap music too. The BG just plain sucks IMO.

Meri · Post by **Meri** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:26 pm

My first taste of the DB universe was the dubbed version of Dragonball (not DBZ) that first aired in syndication back in 1995 at like 6:30 am. Then, about one or two years later, I was introduced to the Japanese version of DBZ via fansubs from a friend in high school when I was 16 (at this point, dubbed DBZ had been on TV for not too long, so I had some exposure to DBZ at this point). I was hooked immediately.

The main selling point for me for the Japanese version was the fact I was seeing the show as it was meant to be seen (crappy video quality and bad fansub translations notwithstanding). It just DID NOT compare to the garbage that was being fed to us in the mangled English version airing on TV at the time (though admittedly, I have very fond memories of corny dub lines from the first two seasons circa 1996-1997). So yeah... big ups to the Japanese version for keeping it real. */end ghetto-fied me*

Pedro The Hutt · Post by **Pedro The Hutt** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 4:20 am

Word-up Excel-fan!

But yeah, that's the main reason why I prefer my anime and movies alike to be subtitled in their unedited glory. XD It's how they were meant to be (or how the director intended them to be). Not to mention... it would be downright silly for me to watch american movies in a dutch dub. >.>;;