FUNimation Announces "Kai" License ("DBZ Kai")

[Kaboom]

I suspect certain members are going to cut it out with both the condescending criticism AND the flame-baiting in response right about now so I don't have to lock another dub-related thread... don't you?

[jjgp1112]

Well, things must've changed then, because back when it was airing on CN, you couldn't find two people who liked the DBZ dub.

Are you talking forums, or real life? Because back when I was in school everyone loved DBZ and watched it on Cartoon Network everyday. My friends watched fansubs when they got impatient and the only thing about the Japanese version that stood out to us was all of the cursing. But for the most part, it was the same exact show, one version just being more adult-oriented.

Which should also speak volumes about the whole "The dub ISN'T DBZ" argument because if the average viewer can't pick up a difference between the two versions. But that's a whole 'nother argument...

[Gozar]

Well, things must've changed then, because back when it was airing on CN, you couldn't find two people who liked the DBZ dub. Must be the new people in the fandom who enjoy it.

On Forums? Yeah, sure, no doubt. But outside of internet life. There's a good chunk of people who haven't even watched it in Japanese once.

[ka1oken]

Well, things must've changed then, because back when it was first airing on CN, you couldn't find two people who liked the DBZ dub. Must be the new people in the fandom who enjoy it. I would have thought standards went up instead of down. I've been out of the fandom for a while, and just returned to it when Kai started airing.

Also, I find just as many people who hate the dub on YouTube.

You're just lying to yourself.
^
You couldn't find two people huh? Not believable.

[penguintruth]

Well, things must've changed then, because back when it was first airing on CN, you couldn't find two people who liked the DBZ dub. Must be the new people in the fandom who enjoy it. I would have thought standards went up instead of down. I've been out of the fandom for a while, and just returned to it when Kai started airing.

Also, I find just as many people who hate the dub on YouTube.

Your just lying to yourself.
^
You couldn't find two people huh? Not believable.

Derp, it's called hyperbole.

[KKZ]

I for one am very disappointed by the name change. I always thought the name, "Dragon Ball Z" was honestly one of the worst aspects of the entire franchise. It's just begging to be made fun of. When FUNi eventually released Kai, I was looking so forward to not having to endure trite "DRAGONBALLZ LOL EPIC FIAL" jokes irl. Now I'll have to deal with trite "DARGONBALLZ & KOCK LOLM EPIC FAIL JOKES" irl, sigh.

Still can't wait for this, I'm praying for an all new dub... Make it happen, FUNi!

[B]

Still can't wait for this, I'm praying for an all new dub... Make it happen, FUNi!

It's new in the aspect they are re-recording it completely. Script-wise, we don't know yet.

[DemonRin]

I really don't see why people are hoping that Fri­eza gets recast. I highly doubt that any of the major (and thus more recognizable) characters will be recast. FUNi is still a business, and I highly doubt that they'll change a highly recognizable and identifiable voice just because a few people don't like it.

I've known DUB Fans who thought Freeza's little old lady voice was bad.

Out of everyone I've spoken to, sub and Dub, Freeza is the weak link of the entire cast. Not that she can't act, just that her voice doesn't fit him AT ALL! I mean seriously, how many times have I had this conversation...

Me: Yeah, Freeza's in Jump Ultimate Stars.
Dub Fan: Oh cool
Me: He's a pretty good character too
Dub Fan: Wait... he?... don't you mean "she"?

They need to recast Freeza as a man.

And also, Cell is one of the major villains. He's got a highly recognizable and identifiable voice with the dubbies. He's being replaced with Travis Willingham.
I mean, if they've gotta do things like that already, they might as well do more to make the dub good this time around.

The majority of the dub fans are the casual fans who bought the season sets. All they have to do is recast a few roles and make sure the script is accurate this time around, and they can please pretty much EVERYONE! I highly doubt there's gonna be a single dubbie who goes "They replaced Freeza, and only Freeza? Well that is IT, I'm not touching a dub where Freeza doesn't sound like a little old lady!".

[SSJmole]

Anyone who says "SHE" must not have watched it for more than 5 minutes, as they refer to him as things like he and him. Also King Cold saying "son".

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

At the risk of looking like a crazy person, my girlfriend and I think Freeza sounds like a girl in both versions. While it's not as strong in Japanese, both interpretations give Freeza some feminine qualities. His characteristics, his tone, his look, they all carry strong qualities from both genders. So I could see how people mistake him as a girl. However like SSJmole said, if you watch more than five minutes of the series they tell you he is male.


*Runs and hides*

[LeprikanGT]

I've always thought Frieza was spot on, especially for the first and final forms.

He's a short, little 'sophisticated' fella [the way he talks] and it kind of reminds me of a lizard type creature, but with the tail and the feet and skin, I could kind of see that.

I like that he stands out as not another deep male voice.

[TripleRach]

And also, Cell is one of the major villains. He's got a highly recognizable and identifiable voice with the dubbies. He's being replaced with Travis Willingham.
I mean, if they've gotta do things like that already, they might as well do more to make the dub good this time around.

That has to do with Dameon Clarke no longer being available, from what I understand. If you want to look at Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood as a precedent for FUNi getting an old cast back together for a new-ish show, Dameon Clarke is one of the only actors who didn't return there either, while nearly everyone else is the same (other than Aaron Dismuke, whose voice physically changed over the years). Sure, it's possible they may have changed a few people anyway just because they can (hell, Toei did), but since they're clearly not recasting from scratch, I'd think their first priority would be the original actors' availability, and as far as we know, Linda Young hasn't gone anywhere.

At the risk of looking like a crazy person, my girlfriend and I think Freeza sounds like a girl in both versions. While it's not as strong in Japanese, both interpretations give Freeza some feminine qualities. His characteristics, his tone, his look, they all carry strong qualities from both genders. So I could see how people mistake him as a girl. However like SSJmole said, if you watch more than five minutes of the series they tell you he is male.

It's not that crazy, but I think the intention of the character is more of a case of a haughty aristocrat than anything. There's definitely some crossover between that and effeminate stereotypes, but not to the extent that the dub implies.

[Blue]

I don't have an issue with the majority of the dub cast myself. However since characters like Recoome, Jheese and North Kai are relatively more minor roles I hope they get recasted though. Raging Blast and games prior have proven a lot of the voice actors can actually manage to play their roles competently. With an accurate script I don't think there should be any problems. They'll definitely be replacing King Cold's original voice for his Sparking Meteor one if nothing else. That seems incredibly likely to me.

[SparkyPantsMcGee]

At the risk of looking like a crazy person, my girlfriend and I think Freeza sounds like a girl in both versions. While it's not as strong in Japanese, both interpretations give Freeza some feminine qualities. His characteristics, his tone, his look, they all carry strong qualities from both genders. So I could see how people mistake him as a girl. However like SSJmole said, if you watch more than five minutes of the series they tell you he is male.

It's not that crazy, but I think the intention of the character is more of a case of a haughty aristocrat than anything. There's definitely some crossover between that and effeminate stereotypes, but not to the extent that the dub implies.

Yea I can agree with that. I think it's just a matter of toning things down. If Linda Young can do that than I think more people would be happier with her interpretation.

[UristtheGreat]

I really hope they can change Recoome's voice, he sounds like a goddamn retard honestly. It ruins the entire character.

[KKZ]

if you watch more than five minutes of the series they tell you he is male.

I don't know man, five minutes is a pretty long time...

Out of anyone, King/North Kai should definitely be recasted the most. I wouldn't mind Freeza either, Nakao is one of the few Japanese actors I like more than the English counterpart. But honestly, I find that most of the actors with annoying or strange dub voices (Season 3 Goku, Season 3 Vegeta, Season 3 Piccolo, Season 3 Yamcha, Freeza, King Cold, Android 19) either improved greatly or recorded for such a short amount of episodes (Or episodes I rarely watch) that it didn't really bother me when looking at the dub as a whole. North Kai's voice on the other hand is annoying throughout pretty much the entirety of the series, even as Schemmel became a more seasoned voice actor. Abominable.

[.:PoetikaL:.]

Something I wondered...

Since FUNimation got the rights to Kai... couldn't FUNimation (if they got the rights for it as well) sell Heya! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! under the DBZKai brand?

[Tanooki Kuribo]

Yea, just like in Japan any new DragonBall Z item is labeled with the Kai logo. I'm sure the same thing will happen here.

[LeprikanGT]

I'm excited for Kai. Although its basically 'almost' the exact same thing as Z, I so very much so long for new DBZ or a new movie or new mini saga or anything like the Jump special movie......but animated to look more like the show than the movie did.

[xzero]

Yea, just like in Japan any new DragonBall Z item is labeled with the Kai logo. I'm sure the same thing will happen here.

So does that mean that DBZ RPG 2 (the sequel to Attack of the Saiyans, assuming it releases) might get an ironic Kai branding in America like it would in Japan?



***For the unaware, it's ironic because the game includes lots of filler -good filler, but filler nonetheless- and is labeled as part of a series that excises filler every chance it gets***