Dub Fans: What is wrong with the Sub Version?

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

I'm a dub fan. I like parts of FUNimation's dub (first three movies, Dragon Ball, Z Kai) and some foreign dubs (American Spanish, Greek). So I can answer this question, too.


As far as music goes, both scores are repetitive. I like Kikuchi's better though, because of its use of silence. But its crappy quality sometimes annoys me aswell. I don't mind reading subtitles. I prefer not to, but I'm good either way.


My main problem with the original is, in a nutshell, Masako Nozawa. I hate how she plays Gokū, Gohan, Goten, Tules and Barduck. Why do Gokū's sons and father have to have the same voice as him? Not to mention Tules, who isn't even related to him. I really want to know what the hell was going through the casting crew's minds. I'd be beating a long dead horse if I went on another spiel about how a woman voicing a fourty-year-old man is not fitting, so I'll just end the post here.

[Innagadadavida]

Does anyone have a problem with the way Masako Nozawa plays Goku as a child? I really like her Kid Goku. It's very cute. With the exception of some of the screams and struggling sounds. The sound she makes when trying to break out of the monster guy's pink mucus in the 21st Tenkaich Budokai for example (Lordy, what WAS that?). Anyway, overall her take is much more childish than Stephanie Nadolny's portrayal. Though I like both.

[Perfect]

Does anyone have a problem with the way Masako Nozawa plays Goku as a child? I really like her Kid Goku. It's very cute. With the exception of some of the screams and struggling sounds. The sound she makes when trying to break out of the monster guy's pink mucus in the 21st Tenkaich Budokai for example (Lordy, what WAS that?). Anyway, overall her take is much more childish than Stephanie Nadolny's portrayal. Though I like both.

I think she's phenomenal in all of her performances...Though I don't understand why she played Turles (He looks like Goku)?

[Codarik]

I like the original Japanese dub, but I usually don't watch it cause I don't like reading subtitles. Both dub and sub music is fine.

[Mountain]

I'm not a dub fan, but I'd like to post, anyhow. Hear me out.

The Japanese version of the anime is my preferred way to watch. However, I've seen most of FUNi's dubbed episodes of Z via Toonami ages ago. I can definitely understand why dub fans feel the way they do. Back in the day, I didn't have a way to watch every episode in Japanese, so I caught them with the cast that many of you know and love. Schemmel, regardless of what I thought of his talent, was Goku to me, just as Sabat was Vegeta and Piccolo, and so on. I didn't have a huge problem with many of them at that point in time. Sure, I still hated certain voices, such as Artificial Human #19 and Fat Buu, but I looked past it because I loved the show and I wanted to see it through.

I'll be honest... I'm not a Faulconer fan, but in those days I dug a few of the tunes. In particular, I always got excited when that piece of music played as Goku charged up against Cell, right as they were beginning to take it seriously. The Cell arc had some good jams, but some of those ridiculous pieces that played whenever Mr. Satan or Chi Chi were on-screen were horrendous, so much so that I felt disgusted every time I watched it; they annoyed me to no end. I also didn't mind the Ginyu theme, either, but that's basically where any of my interest in Faulconer ends. I definitely respect Faulconer Productions' approach, though. They really hooked a lot of people with it, because it appears that many (not all) are in love with the music and not necessarily the anime, itself.

Kikuchi just felt right the first time I heard it, which was during the Saiyan arc. The various battle themes get me so pumped. This score really makes things feel epic, to me, just in the way that dub fans feel with the best of Faulconer. What I love most about the score during the Freeza arc is just how creepy the atmosphere becomes. On the other hand, some of the best parts are during the moments of silence. Hearing nothing but the wind blow seems to add both a sense of dread and suspense, which elevates the anime to another level. Though, I'll definitely admit that some of the themes grow tired after so many episodes; they really do have them on repeat.

The reason I feel that Nozawa is right for Goku is because she's unlike anything I've ever heard before. Please put aside the fact that he's voiced by a woman. In this case, that isn't what's important here. Nozawa delivers a performance that just can't be replicated, male or female. It's weird, I'll admit, but that's who Goku is. He is an alien. Like Nozawa's voice or not, one must give credit where credit is due. A lot of energy comes out of that performance. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that she is the ultimate and only voice for Goku, because, frankly, the anime is an adaptation of the manga. The only problem I have with Schemmel lies with Kaio, not necessarily Goku. His Goku isn't my favorite, by any means, but it seems to work well for Dragon Ball Kai.

I hope you're still with me. I trying not to give a biased write-up, because, to be fair, this thread is about what's wrong with the sub. I've already mentioned that the music can be repetitive. There are a few other things that bother me, as well. For one, as much as I love the Japanese voices, I was never able to enjoy Yajirobe's voice. I know he's supposed to be annoying, but it always bugs me for some reason. I think a better voice could suit him, for sure. Also, I don't mind mono at all, but it is so low-fi that it sometimes hurts my ears when the voices get too shrill, such as a character calling out an attack.

At the end of the day, I still prefer to watch the original Japanese version. Though, I don't mind watching Kai in English; it really isn't too shabby, with the exception of a few irritating voices here and there. I'm definitely open though. The old dub with the Faulconer track had its moments, for me, but I keep that in the past; it's never as good revisited as my memory serves. To dub fans, I hope one day that, if you haven't already, you'll give the original version a shot (you just may love it). To sub fans, the dub may not be your bag, but there are those who love it. We're all of the same community here. If everyone were more open, then it would be a more enjoyable experience, overall. Sorry for the rant.

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Though I don't understand why she played Tullece (He looks like Goku)?

Tullece is supposed to be a representation of Goku as a villain. Think of it this way: Even if he didn't suffer a head injury and become good, it wouldn't have made a difference in the way his voice sounds.

[Perfect]

Though I don't understand why she played Tullece (He looks like Goku)?

Tullece is supposed to be a representation of Goku as a villain. Think of it this way: Even if he didn't suffer a head injury and become good, it wouldn't have made a difference in the way his voice sounds.

Yes, that seems obvious enough, but he thing is, Turles isn't Goku. That'd make a fine what if movie, but you don't see Sean voicing Turles (I recall DB Wiki saying Turles was supposed to be Goku's what if counterpart because that's what Toei was going to make the movie about). It'd be pretty lame if he did, seeing as it'd be quite boring (As I find him in the JPN version). Since they're not the same person, regardless of what he's supposed to represent, logically they shouldn't have the same voice.

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

you don't see Sean voicing Tullece

FUNimation didn't produce the movie or Tullece, so their interpretation is irrelevant.

Since they're not the same person, regardless of what he's supposed to represent, logically they shouldn't have the same voice.

Not necessarily. You'd be surprised how completely different people can coincidentally sound alike. All and all, though, DBZ is a fictional cartoon, so essentially anything is possible.

[Gaffer Tape]

Wasn't the idea behind that movie that lower-ranking Saiya-jin warriors are all pretty much physically the same? Tullece and Goku look alike because they're basically the same thing. Obviously that idea is really movie-exclusive, and it's strange that they'd almost immediately revisit such a similar character in Bardock, but, yeah, Tullece is a physical personification of what Goku WOULD have been had he held on to his Saiya-jin savagery.

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Wasn't the idea behind that movie that lower-ranking Saiya-jin warriors are all pretty much physically the same? Tullece and Goku look alike because they're basically the same thing. Obviously that idea is really movie-exclusive, and it's strange that they'd almost immediately revisit such a similar character in Bardock, but, yeah, Tullece is a physical personification of what Goku WOULD have been had he held on to his Saiya-jin savagery.

Well, that's true, too.

[Perfect]

you don't see Sean voicing Tullece

FUNimation didn't produce the movie or Tullece, so their interpretation is irrelevant.

Since they're not the same person, regardless of what he's supposed to represent, logically they shouldn't have the same voice.

Not necessarily. You'd be surprised how completely different people can sound alike, even if by coincidence. All and all, though, it's an artistic thing, really.

It doesn't matter if they had nothing to do with it, it sounds a hell of a lot better and makes a whole lot more sense. Sounds like Toei was just being uncreative. Not to say I dislike the movie, but I do dislike the usage of her voice for Goku, Turles and Bardock (Not the voice itself, the performance is great, but it's overused. Turles was really pushing it). Though Bardock is understandable, however children rarely have the same voices as their fathers (Goten and Gohan do, so it runs in the family I guess). I mean, Goku, Bardock and Gohan... And then Turles? Why not make usage of the rest of the talent they have, they sure had a lot of it (So I'm sure they could find something a bit more fitting for the role).

[TonyTheTiger]

Though I don't understand why she played Tullece (He looks like Goku)?

Yeah, I agree with the above reasoning. He's like a Bizarro world alternate path had Goku never arrived on Earth and bumped his head. The symbolism is there justifying it. I actually think Sean Schemmel should have played the role for that reason. Just like how Tim Daly (or George Newburn when relevant) play Bizarro Superman in the cartoons.

It's Bardock that's the stranger one. Having one person play every single member of a guy's bloodline is a little absurd. Especially since as fun as Nozawa's performances are, she's no Mel Blanc. You can tell it's one person.

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Like I said, it's a cartoon. It doesn't have to be ultra-realistic. Creative liberties can be taken to present characters and relationships in more stylistic and metaphorical fashion, etc.

Besides, neither Tullece nor Bardock are around for long anyway. I mean, Tullece only appears at all in one movie, and Bardock only has the first TV special and flashbacks in a few episodes (having dialogue in only one of which) and movie 5's prologue. Compared to the show as a whole, those are nothing. I don't see what the big deal is.

Also, you may not have noticed it, but while Masako Nozawa has a total of five roles in DBZ, only up to three of them appear in any given episode, special, or movie. Plus Nozawa does voice them at different pitches, with the oldest character having the lowest voice, at least when any of them are together. Plus, they are but a few characters compared to the widely vocally varied cast as a whole.

So again, what's the big deal?

[Perfect]

Though I don't understand why she played Tullece (He looks like Goku)?

Yeah, I agree with the above reasoning. He's like a Bizarro world alternate path had Goku never arrived on Earth and bumped his head. The symbolism is there justifying it. I actually think Sean Schemmel should have played the role for that reason. Just like how Tim Daly (or George Newburn when relevant) play Bizzarro Superman in the cartoons.

It's Bardock that's the stranger one. Having one person play every single member of a guy's bloodline is a little absurd. Especially since as fun as Nozawa's performances are, she's no Mel Blanc. You can tell it's one person.

Bardock huh? Like I said, you could really say the same for Gohan and Goten. Perhaps it's something to do with Saiyan DNA? Did Toriyama ever have anything to do (As in, a minor suggestion) with Toei's reasoning for her playing all these parts?
I honestly loved Sonny as Bardock, I also liked Ocean's Ted Cole for Turles. FUNi's Chris Patton is eh... Okay I suppose.

[TonyTheTiger]

Bardock huh? Like I said, you could really say the same for Gohan and Goten. Perhaps it's something to do with Saiyan DNA? Did Toriyama ever have anything to do (As in, a minor suggestion) with Toei's reasoning for her playing all these parts?
I honestly loved Sonny as Bardock, I also liked Ocean's Ted Cole for Tullece. FUNi's Chris Patton is eh... Okay I suppose.

It can't have anything to do with Saiyans specifically since Trunks isn't voiced by Ryo Horikawa.

But, yeah, I think the English actors did a great job in both those roles, don't get me wrong. I just think that having Sean (or Ian Corlett/Peter Kelamis) play Tullece would have kept the metaphor intact. Whereas with Bardock there is no metaphor. He's just a dad who happens to look a crap load like his son (the one that matters). There's no reason whatsoever why Nozawa should be playing him other than his appearance. Otherwise why didn't she play Raditz?

[Perfect]

Maybe Goku's special? That seems like a stretch I guess. I suppose I can understand Gohan and Goten being voiced by her, since they have similar naive qualities. Bardock however is the complete opposite...

[BluezaBladeNZ]

Brian Drummond actually voiced Tullece in the Ocean Dub (both edited and uncut), just to correct that.

[TonyTheTiger]

Goten at least has a similar "I'm a Goku metaphor" thing going on so Nozawa makes some sense there. Gohan...I guess it just had to do with the casting director figuring that Nozawa had already spent years playing a young naive kid and here's that kid's four year old son...so...hey, why not?

[Perfect]

Brian Drummond actually voiced Tullece in the Ocean Dub (both edited and uncut), just to correct that.

Huh, Wikipedia has betrayed me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cole http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ocean_Group

[Ussj Future Trunks]

The only real legit criticism I've seen was of Kikuche's repetitive music. But I've grown to love that and Yamamoto more than Faulconer (But Faulconer is right at home on his CD's. Just not fitting for the show itself).

But the criticism that "they all sound like girls" I just don't understand. Only Goku and Gohan remotely sound girlish, and even then its more like a rough little boy voice.