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

[Tsukento]

Here's the thing.

Stephanie's Gohan sounded all sorts of wrong. It worked for her Goku, but not for her Gohan. Let's forget about comparing her to Masako Nozawa. That's not really the problem. The problem was that her Gohan, as a kid, always sounded like he had throat problems. Her 4-year old Gohan didn't sound even remotely close to a 4-year old. Nor did it really sound different compared to her voice as Gohan prior to the time jump for the Boo saga.

[Greenman]

Yes, it's just my opinion. And while I personally don't care for her Gohan, I completely understand how other people do and I do feel a little bad that the Gohan they like isn't coming back.

If it's that Stephanie chose not to reprise her role, then that's her prerogative and I respect it. But if she was replaced for "other" reasons then I do not respect that. Hence why I am determined to know the exact causes for the change-- I don't want to be upset if this turns out to have been her own choice, after all.

But she will be missed, regardless of the reasons. Lord help me if they replace Kara Edwards as Goten down the line.

I'd actually respect FUNimation more if they chose to find a new Gohan of their own volition. It would show that they are willing to cut long time casting choices if it meant a better dub. I don't think that's the case or there would be other replacements. Gohan certainly wouldn't be the first to go, right?

The problem was that her Gohan, as a kid, always sounded like he had throat problems. Her 4-year old Gohan didn't sound even remotely close to a 4-year old. Nor did it really sound different compared to her voice as Gohan prior to the time jump for the Boo saga.

This is exactly my problem with her. She doesn't sound young enough.

[Li'l Lemmy]

Stephanie's Gohan sounded all sorts of wrong. It worked for her Goku, but not for her Gohan. Let's forget about comparing her to Masako Nozawa. That's not really the problem. The problem was that her Gohan, as a kid, always sounded like he had throat problems. Her 4-year old Gohan didn't sound even remotely close to a 4-year old. Nor did it really sound different compared to her voice as Gohan prior to the time jump for the Boo saga.

I don't dispute any of that. My issue, which I suppose is very personal, is that it's just what I'm used to. She started dubbing for the character over a decade ago; she IS Gohan so far as the American version of Z goes. When has FUNimation ever been concerned with changing up the dub for the purposes of "improvement"? I'm not saying that this is in fact the reason; we don't know the the reason(s). But barring Stephanie's own decision not to participate, the decision to actively replace her would make absolutely no sense. The time to replace actors would have been during the initial redub of the first two "seasons" back in 2004, not now when all of these VAs are established as consistent throughout the entire series.

It's FUNimation replacing the Ocean cast mid-season all over again, only on a much smaller scale.

[TheMajinRedComet]

I agree that she did not sound like a 4 year old anyways I always thought that 4 years old was just too young for a fighter even in Dragonball. Age in the dragonworld is so weird sometimes.

[Tsukento]

When has FUNimation ever been concerned with changing up the dub for the purposes of "improvement"?

As of recently after being nagged for god knows how many years to give fans of the original a proper dub?

It's FUNimation replacing the Ocean cast mid-season all over again, only on a much smaller scale.

Not even close. Back then they had no one to replace because FUNi simply had no cast. Once Season 2 finished, FUNi didn't have the budget to continue with Saban, The Ocean Group and so on. They had to start from scratch with their own cast and writers simply because they didn't have the cash to bring them back.

I agree that she did not sound like a 4 year old anyways I always thought that 4 years old was just too young for a fighter even in Dragonball. Age in the dragonworld is so weird sometimes.

Pretty sure TeamFourStar made a goof on this, actually. :p

[penguintruth]

Monica Rial - Bulma
Brina Palencia - Chaozu and Puar
Doc Morgan - Narrator
Colleen Clinkenbeard - Son Gohan

This is all the replacements? How disappointing. They didn't even take away any of Chris Sabat's roles. It shows that they're really not that serious about this.

I can't complain too much, though. Bulma and Gohan badly needed replacing, especially the former. With no more "valley girl" Bulma, I might be able to tolerate a scene with her in it.

Also, it's Monica Rial, who must have my babies.

[jjgp1112]

Monica Rial - Bulma
Brina Palencia - Chaozu and Puar
Doc Morgan - Narrator
Colleen Clinkenbeard - Son Gohan

This is all the replacements? How disappointing. They didn't even take away any of Chris Sabat's roles. It shows that they're really not that serious about this.

I can't complain too much, though. Bulma and Gohan badly needed replacing, especially the former. With no more "valley girl" Bulma, I might be able to tolerate a scene with her in it.

Also, it's Monica Rial, who must have my babies.

What do you mean, "Not serious?" Just because they're not doing everything according to what YOU would like doesn't mean they're not serious about it.

[Shiyonasan]

I'm pretty happy with the voice changes. I'm curious to hear all of them, especially Gohan's voice.

I looked up Doc Morgan, and he has quite the background:

http://docmorgan.net/index.html

* Miller Lite national radio
* 24X24 Jeff Gordon Wide Open DVD
* Public Broadcasting "Make 'Em Laugh"
* Florida Lottery / DDB
* Ford / J. Walter Thompson
* Sports Illustrated
* 7/11 Stores
* Pepsi
* EA Games "Medal of Honor-Rising Sun" for Play Station. Radio, television & theatrical trailer.
* Popeye's Chicken / Temerlin McClain
* Hasbro / GI Joe and Tonka
* American Airlines
* Dell Computers
* Dallas Cowboys
* Pizza Hut
* Houston Texans of the NFL
* Big Dog Motorcycles
* Texas Rangers
* Golfsmith
* Bell Helicoptor
* Lone Star Park Thoroughbred Racing
* Lockheed Martin
* Dallas Symphony
* Dragon Ball Kai (Coming soon)

He also has some samples. He kind of reminds me of Brice Armstrong:

http://docmorgan.net/04campaign.html

Samples:

http://docmorgan.net/video/BIT50002.mov
http://docmorgan.net/DallasDriveZone.mov
http://docmorgan.net/video/Steelers_v2.mov
http://docmorgan.net/video/Tonka_Trailer_072004.mpeg
http://docmorgan.net/video/VVV_NIck_071404.mpeg
http://docmorgan.net/video/BigDog5.wmv
http://docmorgan.net/JE-10-18-06-08YourCarpetbagger.mpg
http://docmorgan.net/video/ToughSurveillance.wmv

An interesting choice nonetheless. We'll see how he does in the realm of anime....

[penguintruth]

What do you mean, "Not serious?" Just because they're not doing everything according to what YOU would like doesn't mean they're not serious about it.

If they want to do an accurate dub, they need to replace inaccurate voices. DBZ's dub is riddled with them.

[Tsukento]

After Googling Monica and Doc, it would seem they do have rather large histories for voice work. And it also appears Monica's pretty hot.

As for the replacing, it's not set in stone that these are the only replacements that'll be happening. Remember how as time passed, we got more and more info on changed casts of Japanese Kai? Who knows? We might see more for the English dub.

[jjgp1112]

What do you mean, "Not serious?" Just because they're not doing everything according to what YOU would like doesn't mean they're not serious about it.

If they want to do an accurate dub, they need to replace inaccurate voices. DBZ's dub is riddled with them.

Dude, "inaccurate voices" is completely subjective. There's more than just YOUR opinion.

[Kaboom]

What do you mean, "Not serious?" Just because they're not doing everything according to what YOU would like doesn't mean they're not serious about it.

If they want to do an accurate dub, they need to replace inaccurate voices. DBZ's dub is riddled with them.

Dude, "inaccurate voices" is completely subjective. There's more than just YOUR opinion.

Drop it now. Let's all remember that this is not what this thread is about. I don't want to have to lock another one of these topics.

[TheMajinRedComet]

I am guessing that the set will be two or possibly three disks. Either 6/7 or 4/4/5.

[Tsukento]

If the sets go the way of thin packs, it's possible then to include the Japanese cover art for some of the covers.

[Kendamu]

Stephanie Nadolny is getting replaced? The Kai dub may be at least somewhat better after all.

That . . . is an opinion. I respect it. Needless to say, it differs from mine.

Rargh.


~Da Lemmy

I gotta wonder if Clinkenbeard is being directed to sound more like Maso or more like Luffy.

[Hujio]

I am guessing that the set will be two or possibly three disks. Either 6/7 or 4/4/5.

I'm guessing it'll be similar to One Piece, which has two discs per set (6/7).

[Greenman]

I gotta wonder if Clinkenbeard is being directed to sound more like Maso or more like Luffy.

Now that I think about it... Ugh. Probably Luffy. They may go for a sudo-impersonation of Stephanie. They both have that same gruff sounding boy's voice.

[jjgp1112]

Since they're replacements, I'm willing to bet that they'll probably doing impressions of whoever they're replacing.

[Kendamu]

I'm hoping that, even if the gruff is kept, that Clinkenbeard can still sound like a Kindergartner and maybe age the voice little by little as the series goes on.

[Gozar]

M-Monkey D. Gohan?

Wow, I must say I'm really shocked that such a main cast member was changed. I mean I knew Brina was going to be handling Chaozu and Pu'ar. That was obvious from recent Video Games.

The new Narrator really doesn't bother me. Actually it makes sense. Kyle's may not work as well with such short recaps. I wish they had Brice Armstrong do it instead though.

Bulma & Gohan is the real shocker to me and the ones that bother me. Such distinct and well known voices for the past decade being replaced just doesn't sit well with me. It's quite dissapointing. But I'm willing to keep an open mind. I'm especially curious to hear Colleen's Gohan.