Naoki Tatsuta Replaces Joji Yanami as Kaio/Narrator

[VegettoEX]

The whole thing is a caustic mixture of ignorance and hyper-sensitivity.

I don't think it's hyper-sensitive -- in a thread dedicated to the fact that an old man is ill and therefore is being temporarily replaced -- to not expect to see crass "opinions" about his performance. There is no ignorance here about the situation. It's completely transparent, in the open, and HAS to be understood to even get to a place where you're making a response.

Again, there's a time and place, and this goddamn isn't it.

[Blade]

The whole thing is a caustic mixture of ignorance and hyper-sensitivity.

I don't think it's hyper-sensitive -- in a thread dedicated to the fact that an old man is ill and therefore is being temporarily replaced -- to not expect to see crass "opinions" about his performance. There is no ignorance here about the situation. It's completely transparent, in the open, and HAS to be understood to even get to a place where you're making a response.

Again, there's a time and place, and this goddamn isn't it.

I was speaking in general about the some of the comments that people have made in the weeks prior, long before the recent announcement of him being replaced. Moreover, perhaps I'm misreadings your tone, but the acerbic way that your post reads, to my eye, is an example of the sort of knee-jerk sensitivity on the subject I was referring to. I was attempting to be objective and analytical, and I don't think that's tantamount to being disrespectful - it certainly was not meant that way. It's a subject which hits close to home, believe me I know, but my point is that short of asking the entire community to walk around on eggshells, it's natural that people are going to be offended by things in the coming days and weeks on the matter - and not necessarily for the right reasons.

[DragonBalllKaiHD]

The whole thing is a caustic mixture of ignorance and hyper-sensitivity.

I don't think it's hyper-sensitive -- in a thread dedicated to the fact that an old man is ill and therefore is being temporarily replaced -- to not expect to see crass "opinions" about his performance. There is no ignorance here about the situation. It's completely transparent, in the open, and HAS to be understood to even get to a place where you're making a response.

Again, there's a time and place, and this goddamn isn't it.

You really need to calm yourself down. Nobody is saying ill things about Yanami. We all know he has been off with his performance since Super #1 due to his health problems and age, but we also rather have his health taken care of, instead of forcing his way for more work. Was the member's response appropriate? No. But you need to understand that we are struggling with his performance, and we currently cannot say positive things about him anymore. Of course, we have high respect for his work ever since his debut back in 1986, but I think it's for the best that he steps down and do what he's supposed to do in the first place: take care of his health.

[Kamiccolo9]

I personally have no attachment to Yanami, or for the Japanese version in general, but "Hopefully he gets well soon but please keep him out of Super from now on. Kaio's voice was awful," is, in no way, an appropriate way to refer to a fellow human being. The fact that this is even in dispute is, frankly, astonishing to me. I wasn't aware that civility doesn't apply when talking about a cartoon.

[Tyro]

I'm scared to even post my feelings about this because it sounds like some people have in mind to carry a grudge if you say the wrong thing.

Just like everyone else, I wish Joji Yanami the very best and hope that he makes a speedy and full recovery from whatever sickness ails him. Far as I can tell he's been a trooper through all of this, someone who prefers to work through sickness than take time away from work. But if his health has slipped to the point where he can no longer properly voice the roles that he's traditionally maintained...what can you even say other than I hope that they find a suitable replacement for him if it comes to it? The fact is that a combination of his age and illness has been affecting his performance. We've been saying it/hearing about it for months now. I'm not even the type of person to normally pick up on such things, but even I noticed it. So with all due respect, it won't break my heart if they choose someone else to take over as Kaio and the Narrator. Truth be told, I think Yanami would still make a fine Narrator, but the role of Kaio might be better left to someone else at this point.

I'll also say that I don't see any disrespect from Marco Polo's post. Maybe he should have fleshed his feelings out a little more, but he wasn't attacking or deriding Yanami to my eyes.

[Ajay]

I guess the point is that, while we're all aware that Yanami has had trouble performing because of his illness, the current discussion should revolve around wishing an ill old man the best of luck in his recovery.

It's fine to have your opinions on his performance, and whether you think he should return, but if that's the main point of your post, you're not painting yourself in the best light.

We get it, his work in Super was uncomfortable, but if you want to talk voice acting, it's probably better to focus on what Tatsuta is going to do. That's a lot more considerate (and relevant) than bashing the work of someone very unwell.

I think Mike was perhaps a little rough, but can you blame him? When there's people on other forums reacting to the news with a simple "Good. King Kai sucked!", you'd expect a little more tact here.

[Blade]

It essentially comes down to the seperation of the artist, the human being, from their work - in this case, Yanami's voice acting output.

That might sound like a black and white distinction, but this is a Dragonball forum. The focus is inherantly going to be geared towards to latter nine times out of ten, and I think it's important to approach such discussions with the understanding that there may not be any disrespect meant by merely broaching performance-related issues.

I think that Tyro hit the nail on the head about being scared to even speak on the subject for fear of offending. That is neither a productive or healthy atmosphere for discussions.

It's a touchy issue that people will, of course, approach in different ways. I think therefore that we should aim to be not judgemental towards how indivuduals approach the issue, but empathetic. That's not to say that outright insults should be tolerated, but that allowances be made for the missunderstandings that appear to be rife.

[Gyt Kaliba]

For what it's worth, I kind of agree with Blade, that we're kind of in a situation where a mixture of feelings are getting the best of us here. There's no denying, as far as I'm concerned, that a lot of people have been pretty crass - whether they realize it or not - in this thread and others about Yanami. It happens all the time when discussing actors online, sadly. Some people seem to think that just because it's just words on a screen, it doesn't matter how you present yourself, whereas others are almost primed at the ready to take offense from even things said respectfully. It's just the way the internet is unfortunately.

The best thing to do, IMO, when posting about something like this is to treat it in your mind as if you're actually talking about someone you know and at least care a little bit about. It's perfectly fine to not want Yanami back in the show when his health recovers, but if you must bring it up in a thread about the man's health, then you've got to think very carefully about how you're going to word it, lest your words be taken in a way you never meant them to be.

Even among the people that want him replaced permanently, I'd ceratainly hope everyone is at least still wishing him well and a speedy recovery.

[MCDaveG]

I wish him safe recovery. It was disheartening to hear him like that, they should've recast him since the beginning and let him recover, so he can return with full force presumably.
I am his big fan and this didn't do him justice, more so from heartless fanatic fans, who were harsh because their favorite show was destroyed by bad acting induced by illness.
Hang in there Yanami, sir!

[Deathbringer]

I haven't seen the episode yet but what are people's reactions to Tatsuta's performance in episode 12 as Kaio and the narrator?

[Doctor.]

I haven't seen the episode yet but what are people's reactions to Tatsuta's performance in episode 12 as Kaio and the narrator?

He hasn't played Kaio yet, but he did a really good job as the narrator. His intonation is similar to Yanami's.

[MCDaveG]

I haven't seen the episode yet but what are people's reactions to Tatsuta's performance in episode 12 as Kaio and the narrator?

He has different voice, but he is good. Reminds me of Shigeru Chiba narating in Hokuto no Ken
I wonder about his Kaio tough.

[TripleRach]

The best thing to do, IMO, when posting about something like this is to treat it in your mind as if you're actually talking about someone you know and at least care a little bit about. It's perfectly fine to not want Yanami back in the show when his health recovers, but if you must bring it up in a thread about the man's health, then you've got to think very carefully about how you're going to word it, lest your words be taken in a way you never meant them to be.

That's exactly what I'd hope everyone would do. Imagine if a close friend of yours was ill and it was beginning to affect his job performance. Eventually he ends up in the hospital for it. And one of his customers tells you, "I wish him well, but I hope he never comes back to work. He was awful." How would it make you feel? Obviously none of us are close friends with Yanami, but to me it's just common sense that you'd treat strangers with the same level of courtesy and respect that you'd treat your friends and family.

It's not that we want to censor anyone's opinions, but I have to agree that this is really not the most appropriate time to express the most negative ones. It's social etiquette, sensitivity, empathy, etc.

[irreality]

I haven't seen the episode yet but what are people's reactions to Tatsuta's performance in episode 12 as Kaio and the narrator?

He did a fine job as narrator, but I'd be lying if I didn't really miss Yanami's narration.

[Sora Saiyan]

Hope his treatment is successful and he makes a healthy recovery.

[Blade]

I haven't seen the episode yet but what are people's reactions to Tatsuta's performance in episode 12 as Kaio and the narrator?

He did a fine job as narrator, but I'd be lying if I didn't really miss Yanami's narration.

I agree, I thought in Episode 12 Tatsuta's performance was a nice homage, especially in delivery, where it could have easily been a pale imitation or caricature. As a stand-in solution, it was spot-on the mark.

[Deathbringer]

wow after seeing the episode myself I must say I'm surprised how he sounds almost exactly the same, you could have told me that Yamani was still doing the voice and I would have been fooled easily.

I hope Yamani will be okay and return healthier than before

[eledoremassis02]

Glad he sounds like a good match. Given the circumstances, I do think people have been a little hard on him. Heck, Nozawa isn't as vocally strong as she used to be. I do feel people could be more polite about it (even before this news). I do wish him to have a speedy recovery and is able to come back soon, if he cannot, then I am glad it seems there is a good replacement.

[Naruto6583]

While I didn't grow up with the Japanese version, they many times I watched z in Japanese I enjoyed yanami's performance and I wish him nothing but the best recovery.
On a side note I really liked tatsuta as the narrator he did a really good job