Moments FUNimation's English Dub Did Better?

[Kendamu]

I heard rumors that when the SSJ2 Gohan ep aired on CN during fall of 2000, the backlash was so awful that Faulconer cried. I bet that was overeggarating it, but it would be funny if it was the truth.

I stand firm that it isn't Faulconer's fault the scene didn't work out so well. The music isn't what crushes the scene. The damn monologue is. Remove the monologue and you'll notice that Nadolny's scream is actually very good and the music, at least the first half of it, isn't bad. The second half could have actually been "grand" instead of the standard "uh oh!" music but it's really the monologue that seriously messes up what is otherwise pretty competent work.

That's always been my biggest beef. It's not the altered script, the score replacement, or any of the actors. It's always been the shoehorning of dialogue and/or music at points where it's not supposed to be. I think it's most often those moments that do the most damage.

Above and beyond everything else, this is exactly why I can't stand the DBZ dub and why I never find any of it better than the Japanese version. I tried to the other day. It was when Goku and Freeza were just about to start fighting and there was so much added crap that I couldn't stand it for more than a minute.

In terms of the Ocean dub of the first three DBZ movies and in terms of the Kai dub, I can watch those movies and Kai in either language and be perfectly happy.

[BluezaBladeNZ]

That's pretty much the same with me, I attempted to watch FUNimation's 1999 dub awhile back, trying to ignore the flaws/changes but immediately stopped after one episode. The only thing I've been able to watch is the first 53 Ocean Dub episodes which was still more bearable to me, the first three movies and Kai.

[obiwan23s]

What kind of mental gymnastics is this?

As if the guy who exists on this board solely just to slam the Japanese version at any opening because the dub music wasn't put on the Dragon Boxes has any room to call others out on "mental gymnastics," whatever the hell that is. I don't have a problem with the Faulconer score as standalone music. It would sound cool in a video game or some other cartoon for sure. It just too drastically alters the feel of DBZ for me that combined with the script writers dropping LSD before going to work makes me want to buy a house on the same street as all the other people who say the old DBZ dub isn't Toriyama's DBZ. That's why I say dubbed DBZ is a glorified AMV, because it takes music not at all suited for the show, plays it nonstop for the entire episode and people eat it up like candy despite it being played out like a Lady Gaga song.

[T Pac]

I heard rumors that when the SSJ2 Gohan ep aired on CN during fall of 2000, the backlash was so awful that Faulconer cried. I bet that was overeggarating it, but it would be funny if it was the truth.

I stand firm that it isn't Faulconer's fault the scene didn't work out so well. The music isn't what crushes the scene. The damn monologue is. Remove the monologue and you'll notice that Nadolny's scream is actually very good and the music, at least the first half of it, isn't bad. The second half could have actually been "grand" instead of the standard "uh oh!" music but it's really the monologue that seriously messes up what is otherwise pretty competent work.

That's always been my biggest beef. It's not the altered script, the score replacement, or any of the actors. It's always been the shoehorning of dialogue and/or music at points where it's not supposed to be. I think it's most often those moments that do the most damage.

Above and beyond everything else, this is exactly why I can't stand the DBZ dub and why I never find any of it better than the Japanese version. I tried to the other day. It was when Goku and Freeza were just about to start fighting and there was so much added crap that I couldn't stand it for more than a minute.

In terms of the Ocean dub of the first three DBZ movies and in terms of the Kai dub, I can watch those movies and Kai in either language and be perfectly happy.

Exactly the same reason it's become hard for me to watch the original anime. Especially after watching Kai.

[Rocketman]

Above and beyond everything else, this is exactly why I can't stand the DBZ dub and why I never find any of it better than the Japanese version. I tried to the other day. It was when Goku and Freeza were just about to start fighting and there was so much added crap that I couldn't stand it for more than a minute.

Inane babble is preferable to blank stares.

[jjgp1112]

What kind of mental gymnastics is this?

As if the guy who exists on this board solely just to slam the Japanese version at any opening because the dub music wasn't put on the Dragon Boxes has any room to call others out on "mental gymnastics," whatever the hell that is. I don't have a problem with the Faulconer score as standalone music. It would sound cool in a video game or some other cartoon for sure. It just too drastically alters the feel of DBZ for me that combined with the script writers dropping LSD before going to work makes me want to buy a house on the same street as all the other people who say the old DBZ dub isn't Toriyama's DBZ. That's why I say dubbed DBZ is a glorified AMV, because it takes music not at all suited for the show, plays it nonstop for the entire episode and people eat it up like candy despite it being played out like a Lady Gaga song.

I think somebody needs to take a chill pill.

I said it's mental gymnastics because you twisted everyone's opinion to come up with a conclusion. "You like the dub's techno pop soundtrack in a show, therefore you think it is a glorified AMV." Now, I'm no expert on fallacies, but I'm pretty sure that is one.

[SuperSaiyan3Goku]

If I tried to watch any 1999-2000 era Dragon Ball Z episode (as dubbed by Funimation), I don't think I could stand it.

Some of the voices are just downright AWFUL. #16 sounds way too *mechanical*, like in the SSJ2 Gohan scene. I just feel like shoving a brick into his voice box, just SHUT THE FUCK UP. #17 and 18, on the other hand, are perfectly fine. Chuck Huber is one of my favorite Funi voice actors, and I love him as 17. I hope he reprises his role as the Android for Kai.

If I tried to watch another kind of episode, like with Kaio or Freeza, I just couldn't do it. Those voices are just unbearable to me. Sure, Sean is still voicing Kaio in Kai, but at least he won't be there *as much* as he is in Z.

[jjgp1112]

So when exactly did this thread turn into your usual "let's bicker at each other about the dub" thread?

[Kendamu]

Above and beyond everything else, this is exactly why I can't stand the DBZ dub and why I never find any of it better than the Japanese version. I tried to the other day. It was when Goku and Freeza were just about to start fighting and there was so much added crap that I couldn't stand it for more than a minute.

Inane babble is preferable to blank stares.

If you got "blank" from those stare downs then I'm thinking you're looking into the wrong genre for entertainment.

Accuracy is preferable to making up random crap to "improve" something that's great to begin with.

[Tsukento]

But Bardock is different from Goku. The only things they have in common is that they hate Freeza and care about their comrads. Bardock is niether pure hearted, nor is he a child in a mans body. Bardock is more like Raditz. Both seem to enjoy conquering planets and destroying them for Freeza before they knew he was like them aliens from that Twilight Zone episode.

Masako Nozawa did the same thing she did with Tullece; she applied a much different tone to the character's voice than she does with Goku. They don't speak or sound entirely the same.

[penguintruth]

Above and beyond everything else, this is exactly why I can't stand the DBZ dub and why I never find any of it better than the Japanese version. I tried to the other day. It was when Goku and Freeza were just about to start fighting and there was so much added crap that I couldn't stand it for more than a minute.

Inane babble is preferable to blank stares.

Not when it's not in there to begin with. And especially not when it's written by Funimation writers.

[Chibi Mystic Gohan]

But Bardock is different from Goku. The only things they have in common is that they hate Freeza and care about their comrads. Bardock is niether pure hearted, nor is he a child in a mans body. Bardock is more like Raditz. Both seem to enjoy conquering planets and destroying them for Freeza before they knew he was like them aliens from that Twilight Zone episode.

Masako Nozawa did the same thing she did with Tullece; she applied a much different tone to the character's voice than she does with Goku. They don't speak or sound entirely the same.

Yeah, I really love Nozawa as Burdock and Tullece. All three voices are subtly different. Tullece's voice could almost be mistaken for a man! Of course, Nozawa haters will still say, "Lol still sounds like an annoying granny." But the delivery is vastly different.

Anyone care to throw a comparison clip on YouTube?

[Tsukento]

I planned on doing something like that, but lord knows Toei would rape the hell out of my account with copyright claims.

[Chibi Mystic Gohan]

That's a shame. You know, this might make for an interesting podcast episode! "The many voices of Masako Nozawa!"

[penguintruth]

I'd just like to have a clip of little Goku and adult Goku to prove to idiots that no, adult Goku doesn't sound JUST LIKE he did as a child. Yes, obviously it's Nozawa, but the evolution is clear.

[TonyTheTiger]

Above and beyond everything else, this is exactly why I can't stand the DBZ dub and why I never find any of it better than the Japanese version. I tried to the other day. It was when Goku and Freeza were just about to start fighting and there was so much added crap that I couldn't stand it for more than a minute.

Inane babble is preferable to blank stares.

Not when it's not in there to begin with. And especially not when it's written by Funimation writers.

It's why I'm much more bothered by Gohan's monologue than the complete rewrite of Vegeta's death on Namek. Sure, Vegeta's death scene changes the meaning of the sequence but at least it keeps the composition intact. The rewrites I actually can take or leave for the most part. Some of them are weirder than others but they generally don't offend my sensibilities. But when there's wall to wall music or random rambling at moments framed for silence, it completely crushes the impact of what you're watching unfold. I tend to notice that more.

[Chibi Mystic Gohan]

I'd just like to have a clip of little Goku and adult Goku to prove to idiots that no, adult Goku doesn't sound JUST LIKE he did as a child. Yes, obviously it's Nozawa, but the evolution is clear.

Yeah, I mean, unless you're just terrible at listening to Japanese voices, there's a VERY clear difference. Mike! We need a Masako Nozawa episode of the podcast~!

[Castor Troy]

I have to agree with Zionist, that is much better. It reminds me of Unmei no Hi, not necessarily in rhythm, but in style. It has the "they will triumph" feel that the original missed. Unfortunately, the triumphant music they picked in the Ocean dub just doesn't have an awe-inspiring factor so it fails.

The ocean dub music was just awful in general. They just should played the Mega Man cartoon theme.

[Kendamu]

I have to agree with Zionist, that is much better. It reminds me of Unmei no Hi, not necessarily in rhythm, but in style. It has the "they will triumph" feel that the original missed. Unfortunately, the triumphant music they picked in the Ocean dub just doesn't have an awe-inspiring factor so it fails.

The ocean dub music was just awful in general. They just should played the Mega Man cartoon theme.

You should make an AMV of that!

[Metalwario64]

The ocean dub music was just awful in general. They just should played the Mega Man cartoon theme.

Didn't they actually play an instrumental of the Mega Man cartoon theme at one point? I thought I saw a YouTube video of the Ocean dub where an instrumental of the theme was playing, and there was a comment along the lines of "lol super fighting robot".