Dragonball Kai (FUNimation English) Dub: General Discussion

[jjgp1112]

I'm kinda curious how fans of the old dub are feeling about the two big names of stateside DBZ pretty much denouncing that version of the show every time they speak about DB nowadays. (This isn't meant to be read in a "HEH, DUBBIES :SMUGGO" sort of way for the record, I'm honestly curious about how you guys feel about it.)

Indifference.

[Turtle Marked Stone]

I guess I can sorta relate to that. George Lucas wants us to disregard the original Star Wars films and replace them with the "remastered" version. He also wants us to accept the prequels. Although that more makes me annoyed than indifferent. Maybe because I think George Lucas doesn't know what the fuck he's doing 98% of the time and nobody is around to put him back into place nowadays. If you trust Sabat and Sean that they're making something cool and it should replace the originals I guess I could understand "indifferent". Come to think of it that's exactly how I view the remake Pokemon games. Probably better, less glitchy products that tell the story better but I still adore the original version more than anything due to nostalgia.

[Mewzard]

Kid: *talks about how much their work on Dragon Ball meant to him as a kid*
Sean Schemmel: *talks about how most of the credit should go to Akira Toriyama for his work on the manga, but that he appreciates the fan's support*
Chris Sabat: ...I accept it fully. *to amused applause*

Ah, fun stuff.

I mainly posted that for some insight and to fans interest, not to give flack to old dub fans, but I guess to each his own.

They talked a decent amount of things, and really did show the love for the series; they really do enjoy working on Dragon Ball related stuff.

Not me, my nostalgia knows when the back the Hell up, lol. I got what I want from Kai (the voices I love, some new, good ones, accurate scripts, better voice direction and acting, and correct music).

[Turtle Marked Stone]

I mainly posted that for some insight and to fans interest, not to give flack to old dub fans, but I guess to each his own.

Who on Earth is giving flack to dub fans? I asked a very simple polite question because I was genuinely curious. I hate how we all have to walk on eggshells when it comes to a subject that's totally not offensive so long as you aren't an obnoxious asshole about it. If you think I phrased anything annoyingly let me know so I can edit it but the way you're putting things you make it seem like I'm trying to goad on dub fans which was never my intention. In fact I believe I even state so in my original post.

[Adamant]

"What Dragon Ball Z Kai does, it proves that if you leave it the f alone, you can have an awesome good show in America. *insert applause*" -Sean Schemmel

Amusing how that quote comes from Kaiou's voice actor, a character they sure didn't leave the f alone, and who ended up being the biggest shit stain on the Kai dub for that very reason.

[Mountain]

"What Dragon Ball Z Kai does, it proves that if you leave it the f alone, you can have an awesome good show in America. *insert applause*" -Sean Schemmel

Amusing how that quote comes from Kaiou's voice actor, a character they sure didn't leave the f alone, and who ended up being the biggest shit stain on the Kai dub for that very reason.

Harsh, but true.

[Cipher]

Amusing how that quote comes from Kaiou's voice actor, a character they sure didn't leave the f alone, and who ended up being the biggest shit stain on the Kai dub for that very reason.

That's...not really fair. Sean's Kaiou has a very different approach than the original, but the difference is only really in the voice. Sean doesn't sound like Masako Nozawa either. Chris Sabat doesn't sound like Ryo Horikawa, etc.

The scripted lines are pretty faithful. If you don't care for the voice they chose, that's neither here nor there. The intent is no more or less preserved in his character than any other. Schemmel wasn't saying anything along the lines of "We tried to stick as close to the Japanese voices as possible." He was saying the overall presentation and script were faithful, which they are.

[KaiserNeko]

Amusing how that quote comes from Kaiou's voice actor, a character they sure didn't leave the f alone, and who ended up being the biggest shit stain on the Kai dub for that very reason.

That's...not really fair. Sean's Kaiou has a very different approach than the original, but the difference is only really in the voice. Sean doesn't sound like Masako Nozawa either. Chris Sabat doesn't sound like Ryo Horikawa, etc.

The scripted lines are pretty faithful. If you don't care for the voice they chose, that's neither here nor there. The intent is no more or less preserved in his character than any other. Schemmel wasn't saying anything along the lines of "We tried to stick as close to the Japanese voices as possible." He was saying the overall presentation and script were faithful, which they are.

The problem here is that every line that Schemmel speaks as Kaiou sounds HORRIBLE. The voice doesn't just not match the original Japanese version, it doesn't really fit the character and the tone. Every time Kaiou opens his mouth he is annoying, silly, and unable to be taken seriously when he is supposed to.

Sure, he can be funny at times, but when the situation calls for actual drama, Schemmel's Kaiou fails in every regard.

[JulieYBM]

Amusing how that quote comes from Kaiou's voice actor, a character they sure didn't leave the f alone, and who ended up being the biggest shit stain on the Kai dub for that very reason.

That's...not really fair. Sean's Kaiou has a very different approach than the original, but the difference is only really in the voice. Sean doesn't sound like Masako Nozawa either. Chris Sabat doesn't sound like Ryo Horikawa, etc.

The scripted lines are pretty faithful. If you don't care for the voice they chose, that's neither here nor there. The intent is no more or less preserved in his character than any other. Schemmel wasn't saying anything along the lines of "We tried to stick as close to the Japanese voices as possible." He was saying the overall presentation and script were faithful, which they are.

The problem here is that every line that Schemmel speaks as Kaiou sounds HORRIBLE. The voice doesn't just not match the original Japanese version, it doesn't really fit the character and the tone. Every time Kaiou opens his mouth he is annoying, silly, and unable to be taken seriously when he is supposed to.

Sure, he can be funny at times, but when the situation calls for actual drama, Schemmel's Kaiou fails in every regard.

*Cue Kaiô's reactions while Freeza is kicking the Hell out of Gokû*

Oh good Lord Sabat, why didn't you just bite the bullet and recast him? Egads...

[penguintruth]

Sean Schemmel is like Chris Sabat's BFF. They're practically making out in those interview videos.

Sabat couldn't even tear himself away from Recoome, despite his equally awful voice for him.

[Mewzard]

Sean Schemmel is like Chris Sabat's BFF. They're practically making out in those interview videos.

Sabat couldn't even tear himself away from Recoome, despite his equally awful voice for him.

To be fair, he did greatly tone down the special needs end of the voice from what it was becoming, which made it far less mind shattering. And I would have preferred him to stay on Jheese if anyone (if he had to), but hey, his call.

[DB_Fan1991]

Sean Schemmel is like Chris Sabat's BFF. They're practically making out in those interview videos.

Sabat couldn't even tear himself away from Recoome, despite his equally awful voice for him.

To be fair, he did greatly tone down the special needs end of the voice from what it was becoming, which made it far less mind shattering. And I would have preferred him to stay on Jheese if anyone (if he had to), but hey, his call.

I agree with penguintruth Sabat's Recoome is downright awful. I agree with Mewzard that Jeice was his best Ginyu Force member, and that he should have stayed in that role, now if Sabat voiced Recoome in the same manner that he voices Armstrong in Fullmetal Alchemist the voice would be better, but I am glad that he at least toned down the derp da derp voice as it was just horrible in the Z dub.

[Turtle Marked Stone]

I wonder what his Jheese would sound like without an Australian accent?

[KaiserNeko]

I wonder what his Jheese would sound like without an Australian accent?

Probably his Yamcha.

[Deimos]

Yeah, I definitely agree. I would rather have Sabat's Jheese over Sabat's Recoome. I don't like Jason Liebricht's Jheese and Sabat's Recoome very much at all. But at least Sabat's Kai Recoome is better than his Z performance (it's marginal, but it's better than nothing).

They should have really changed Kaio and Recoome up. But, Recoome is a relatively minor character and I'm used to Kaio after all these years. So, I'm very happy with Kai so far. It has definitely replaced Z Dub Season 1-3 for me. Although I will miss some of the Saiyan Saga filler.

[B]

Wait, new Jheese is Jason Liebricht? Well damn, I'm now 9009% certain that accent is 100% stupid and can't be done right by any actor at FUNi.

[Soul]

Damn, what the heck.
I heard people bashing Jason when he was Syaoran in Tsubasa, and I think his Jheese is fine. I haven't heard much of the Japanese counterpart but I'll definitely listen to it soon.
And what is with YouTube Dub fan trolls wanting that awful friggin' accent anyway? >_>

Side-note: I finally got Part 2 & 3 today. As when Part 2 came out, I don't think Justin's Dragon Soul is THAT horrible but maybe its just cause I like guy's voice (Yusuke thing probably).

[Asura]

Hey, I'll probably get hated on for this but I think King Kai's voice is awesome and unique. It's not anything like the original japanese, no, but I still think it sounds good, even if it is a bit silly.

[Turtle Marked Stone]

Hey, I'll probably get hated on for this but I think King Kai's voice is awesome and unique. It's not anything like the original japanese, no, but I still think it sounds good, even if it is a bit silly.

I could look past the voice, I honestly could. Hell Yoda has a crazy, funny voice and it's really great for the comedic scenes in Empire. The thing is Yoda's VA knows how to take that voice and make it very serious and heartfelt. He can go from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtfejKs_mI4t=1m38s to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1uBn2LFIp0. Hell I could even make a DB comparison by pointing you in the direction of Curse of the Blood Rubies where Mike does an amazing job becoming serious with his Roshi voice. Meanwhile Sean's Kaio is ALWAYS doing this "WACKY WHOO-HOO-HEY WACKA WACKA" shtick even during serious scenes. As someone mentioned Kaio falling to the ground in despair in one of the latest Kai episodes was accompanied by Sean making a bunch of stupid inappropriate noises which oddly enough wasn't even something the director felt he needed to correct him on. That sort of thing makes me wonder if they still have this season 3 "this guy is just a big fat blue dickbutt who doesn't even fight, fuck em'" understanding of Kaio. So I do think the voice can be worked with but it feels like nobody wants to put effort into acting with it correctly.

[DemonRin]

Doc Morgan Should have played Kaio.