Ever feel like it's difficult to return to the English dub?

[Son Satan]

I don't think the Ocean dub was any more serious than Funimation's.

I think, if anything, the later arc's FUNi dubs were more serious, if only because the actors cared the littlest bit.

[SylentEcho]

I can't seem to watch one episode of the dub at length. The Japanese version is really that much better.

[Corporate_Nothing]

Yes. I shouldn't speak for anyone else in this community, but what you're describing seems to be the general sentiment among fans of the Dragon Ball franchise that grew up with Funimation's dub and discovered the original Japanese version later down the line. I can't even enjoy the English dub out of nostalgia anymore, both because of the blatant cheese factor, and because of the lack of the original music, which is, in part, what drew me in as a kid to begin with. This applies to DBZ only, though. I think I stopped watching Funi's dub of Dragon Ball on Cartoon Network during the General Blue episodes, so I don't really have a proper frame of reference to compare Funi's dub of the latter half of the series with that of the original Japanese version.

Figured I'd bump my post from the first page of this thread for the sake of context. I'm about 65 episodes in Dragon Ball Z Kai now and I haven't had the slightest desire, even out of curiosity, to switch to the original Japanese audio track. For the first time in YEARS, I'm not simply tolerating a Funimation dub - I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It holds my interest and provides the same excitement for me now that Funimation's original English dub for Dragon Ball Z did almost a decade ago. Granted, the English versions of the opening and closing themes drive me crazy, but that is literally my only complaint about Funi's Kai dub.

[Son Satan]

In line with what Corporate_Nothing said, the Kai dub is literally the first time in years where I watched an English dub and was enraptured by a feeling other than nostalgia. For me, it was especially cool, because the TV guide listed Kai on Nicktoons as "Dragon Ball Z" so I switched just out of curiosity of seeing why Z was on TV (until this point I only of the Kai Part 1 BD release). And wow. That was the only way I could react.

I don't find that it's particularly difficult to return to the original dubs, though. Granted, the only dub I own is the partial redub, but save for things like Linda Young's Freeza, I don't think that it's excruciating to come back to, even with the broadcast score. Maybe it's nostalgia for my younger days, but whatever.
The only segment of the dub I cannot stand to see ever again is GT with Menza's score, because I'd honestly rather drive a spike trough my head then listen to it (even when I was 10, I knew it was crap).

[orangebrick94]

I prefer the English dub for DragonBall, but as for DragonBall Z I prefer the Japanese version.

[VegettoEX]

I prefer the English dub for DragonBall, but as for DragonBall Z I prefer the Japanese version.

While we appreciate your input, the question at hand was not a simple one of "which version do you like", but rather, after being exposed to and diving into the original version, (as a prior fan of an English dub) do you find it it difficult to go back to said dub?

[Codarik]

It's not difficult for me at all, I still continue to watch FUNi's old Z dub all the time. I like it because it's...different(?), I guess that would be the right word to use. I like things that are different, a completely rewritten script that isn't close to the original + uncut video footage = perfect for me. I like all the 4kids anime dubs but editing the footage kills it for me.

[dprez]

It actually is difficult to go back to the English dub. It sounds terrible compared to the original version. Not to say that Funimation completely sucked at making their own dub, but the original Japanese voice actors captured the personalities of the characters better than the English voice actors could ever hope to.

[GS7X7]

If I sit back, turn my brain off regarding the differences between the two versions, and am open-minded, I guess the DBZ dub can be tolerable. I mean, there are some good scenes and cool lines in it but overall.... nah.... Even the guy doing Goku in it doesn't like it!

[jjgp1112]

Meh, I've watched the Japanese version before, but it's pretty much a useless artifact to me.

[Jawdrahb]

Yes although nostalgia always gets the better of me.

[Pokewhiz7]

It's not difficult for me at all, I still continue to watch FUNi's old Z dub all the time. I like it because it's...different(?), I guess that would be the right word to use. I like things that are different, a completely rewritten script that isn't close to the original + uncut video footage = perfect for me. I like all the 4kids anime dubs but editing the footage kills it for me.

You're allowed to like whatever you want, but quite honestly I find this really silly. Why would you want something rewritten?
If anything, I think what 4Kids does with the scripts and voices is far worse than their editing.

[the_abberration]

It's not difficult for me at all, I still continue to watch FUNi's old Z dub all the time. I like it because it's...different(?), I guess that would be the right word to use. I like things that are different, a completely rewritten script that isn't close to the original + uncut video footage = perfect for me. I like all the 4kids anime dubs but editing the footage kills it for me.

You're allowed to like whatever you want, but quite honestly I find this really silly. Why would you want something rewritten?
If anything, I think what 4Kids does with the scripts and voices is far worse than their editing.

Maybe Codarik means it in the way similar to how the dub for "Ghost Stories" was rewritten. They took a serious toned show and made it an outright comedy. Die hard fans give that dub flack, but it was the best move they could have made IMHO.

[dbboxkaifan]

I can't seem to watch one episode of the dub at length. The Japanese version is really that much better.

I'd agree with you if that was about the FUNi DBZ Dub, but DB/GT/KAI dubs are much better, especially the Kai one, been watching Kai with the English dub.

Really nice and comfy to watch.

If I get to buy (because the first season was released with Yamamoto Kai music) all four seasons of DBZ Kai with Kikuchi Kai music, I'll watch all episodes dubbed in English (for Parts I've only been watching with its original Japanese audio).

[Aoi]

I can't seem to watch one episode of the dub at length. The Japanese version is really that much better.

I'd agree with you if that was about the FUNi DBZ Dub, but DB/GT/KAI dubs are much better, especially the Kai one, been watching Kai with the English dub.

Really nice and comfy to watch.

If I get to buy (because the first season was released with Yamamoto Kai music) all four seasons of DBZ Kai with Kikuchi Kai music, I'll watch all episodes dubbed in English (for Parts I've only been watching with its original Japanese audio).

Yeah I agree with this above. I find the Dragon Ball dub to be solid. Basically anything post- Cell saga is good enough to enjoy. They actually nail certain emotional scenes I find in English. For example: Majin Vegeta's speeches to Goku.

One of the issues I find that certain people have when watching something with subtitles is that they don't actually know how to watch something with subtitles. Anyone ever had this issue? Some people either read every single word too fast (in order to get back to the image) and tire their minds after maybe 1 episode. Others read at the pace that the characters talk, so don't get to enjoy the full extent of the screen. There's a technique to actually watching things subbed. I find it's just as enjoyable as watching the best dub once you get the hang of it.

[dprez]

I can't seem to watch one episode of the dub at length. The Japanese version is really that much better.

I'd agree with you if that was about the FUNi DBZ Dub, but DB/GT/KAI dubs are much better, especially the Kai one, been watching Kai with the English dub.

Really nice and comfy to watch.

If I get to buy (because the first season was released with Yamamoto Kai music) all four seasons of DBZ Kai with Kikuchi Kai music, I'll watch all episodes dubbed in English (for Parts I've only been watching with its original Japanese audio).

Yeah I agree with this above. I find the Dragon Ball dub to be solid. Basically anything post- Cell saga is good enough to enjoy. They actually nail certain emotional scenes I find in English. For example: Majin Vegeta's speeches to Goku.

One of the issues I find that certain people have when watching something with subtitles is that they don't actually know how to watch something with subtitles. Anyone ever had this issue? Some people either read every single word too fast (in order to get back to the image) and tire their minds after maybe 1 episode. Others read at the pace that the characters talk, so don't get to enjoy the full extent of the screen. There's a technique to actually watching things subbed. I find it's just as enjoyable as watching the best dub once you get the hang of it.

This is very true now that I remember. Before the orange bricks came out, I was watching some of those dubbed episodes online, and that filler scene with Vegeta's speech really got to me. Super emotional and intense.

Yea that's true to. I can kind of catch a glimpse of what the subtitles read without taking my eyes completely off the image for too long. I have absolutely no problem watching anime and having to read subtitles.

[BlazingFiddlesticks]

I would actually say DBZ has taught me how to read subtitles.

[Kendamu]

I can easily watch the DBZ dub amongst friends who prefer it. On my own, I can't watch it at length at all. However, I usually watch Kai in English.

[Aoi]

Know what you guys mean. Generally, I feel people don't enjoy subs. It's unfortunate that FUNI never bothered to re-dub the Frieza arc. I'm a guy that needs consistancy, and I would probably just watch the show in English if the entire show was as consistent as it was during the Remastered Saiyan arc and Buu arc. Unfortunately, the Frieza-Cell arc dubs range from good at times to god awful.

[TripleRach]

I don't like misinformation, and to me the English dub was a major case of misinformation.

After I first found out how much had been altered and I started watching the series with the original audio, I still watched the dub for curiosity's sake for a while. But it's been years since I've actively done that. I had the TV turned on during Cartoon Network's airings of GT and the Ultimate Uncut Z episodes, but I barely paid attention to them. It was just background noise, and all I remember is Pan's dub voice was annoying.

I didn't hate all the dub voices, and I don't think the Faulconer music is that bad on its own. But even if I preferred all those voices and music, the script changes alone would keep me from enjoying the dub. Just like I can't stand radio edited songs ("rollin down the street smokin smokin") or TV edited movies when I know what the uncut versions are like.

I don't think I've seen the English dub since... 2006? And I probably never will again, unless I get tricked into watching it via Youtube links. Or someone pays me lots of money to watch it. Otherwise, I just have no interest at all.