Dragonball Kai (FUNimation English) Dub: General Discussion

[Kendamu]

Well, I'm watching episode 1 on my Dragon Box now just to make sure I'm not going crazy...and I just...don't...see it.

EDIT: GODDAMN, Raditz sounds SO much worse now than he did in Z. God, what the fuck happened?

Aren't the UUC dub and the dub with Japanese score in the Saiyan arc and the first half of the Freeza arc different, though? I know that, at the least, they pronounce Kaioken different between those dubs. Which one did they use on the DBox?

[jjgp1112]

Well, I'm watching episode 1 on my Dragon Box now just to make sure I'm not going crazy...and I just...don't...see it.

EDIT: GODDAMN, Raditz sounds SO much worse now than he did in Z. God, what the fuck happened?

Aren't the UUC dub and the dub with Japanese score in the Saiyan arc and the first half of the Freeza arc different, though? I know that, at the least, they pronounce Kaioken different between those dubs. Which one did they use on the DBox?

Nope, they're exactly the same. The only time Kaioken was pronounced differently was that one time when Chris Sabat pronounced it correctly in the UUC dub during the fight with Goku. However, he went back and changed it to the incorrect pronunciation for consistency, although he strangely only did it for the Japanese music track. And it's actually quite obviously redubbed too, because his voice is noticeably louder sounding when he says, "That Kaioken attack is a nice trick, but I've encountered something just like it before!" and then it goes right back to his more subdued UUC voice when he says, "You'd better think of something quick or I'll get bored." The dub on the Dragon Box is just a copy and paste of the dub w/ Japanese score track on the Season sets.

[Metalwario64]

Another thing, which is probably script related, is that no longer does it seem like the characters are afraid of stuttering. Previously, stuttering was very rare, and felt unnatural. Here, during Goku's death scene Schemmel's "k...Krillin...." makes it sounds more believable. Although, I'm sure that's less on the parts of the actors and more on the scripts and directing.

If the scripts and directing help the dub this much, then perhaps Linda Young's Fri­eza will become bearable this time around...

[Blue]

Just watched the new clips, man I'm digging it way more then I expected to. Professional sounding actors reading a professionally written script, just like how it should be. (Boy was it weird not hearing the "HA HA HA EXCUSE ME HAS ANYONE SEEN MY ARM!?" line.) I love how Son and Piccolo are actually whispering/mumbling in the battle scene. Something I always hated in the Japanese version where they're just talking in a normal volume with Raditz about 5 steps ahead of them.

I don't know I'm hearing much better acting coming from Sean and the others.As MetalWario pointed out Goku actually sounds like he's in pain and every emotion sounds much more genuine. Also Notice how there isn't an exaggerated "GRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHRRRRRAAGH" coming from Piccolo when he charges his Ki blast? It's very subdued and not obnoxious at all. I'd easily take that over the "kkkkccctcccch" ordeal.

[omegacwa]

Just watched all the clips. God Damn it. Seems like Funi might take even more of my money. This dub actually looks good. I mean Sabat's piccolo sounds way better and he even said Makankosappo. All the voices sound better. I hate you FUNI. HATE.

[B]

Wait, Vegeta doesn't sound like a whiny crybaby?! What is this?!

[Blue]

Wait, Vegeta doesn't sound like a whiny crybaby?! What is this?!

Yes indeed, no cheesy one liners either. My ears would like to personally thank Funi.

[penguintruth]

I think the performances are noticably better from the UUC dub. Goku and Piccolo are actually tolerable to listen to (they sound more natural in their roles), Kuririn is better (though it's not as though he needed to be any better, I guess it's just Sonny Strait showing how awesome he can be), and Vegeta is a little toned down, too (though I've not yet heard how he will handle Vegeta's rage).

And of course, Monica Rial and Colleen Clinkenbeard really make this dub something special, because they completely blow away the previous voices for Bulma and Gohan.

Justin Cook's Raditz sounds about the same, though. It's decent, but maybe a little over the top. I liked the voice, but the performance could have beeen better.

It's not a perfect dub, but it's definitely the one I've been waiting for, an actual listenable dub for DBZ, a dub I can play and not wince at.

[jjgp1112]

Wait, Vegeta doesn't sound like a whiny crybaby?! What is this?!

Vegeta has only sounded like a whiny crybaby in the scenes where he IS a whiny crybaby...

And, I decided to watch these clips again, and...I'm REALLY not liking Gohan AT ALL. Maybe I need to wait to see more stuff, but it just seemed like she was overdoing it.

[Blue]

Wait, Vegeta doesn't sound like a whiny crybaby?! What is this?!

Vegeta has only sounded like a whiny crybaby in the scenes where he IS a whiny crybaby...

He sounds more like a spoiled 8 year old then a crybaby in the dub. A great example of this is right before Freeza shows up in the Cell saga. Vegeta bitches way more then he does in the sub. He complains about every little thing, it's extremely grating. Vegeta is a snide bastard in the Japanese version not a a pouty child who didn't have his nap yet.

[jjgp1112]

Wait, Vegeta doesn't sound like a whiny crybaby?! What is this?!

Vegeta has only sounded like a whiny crybaby in the scenes where he IS a whiny crybaby...

He sounds more like a spoiled 8 year old then a crybaby in the dub. A great example of this is right before Freeza shows up in the Cell saga. Vegeta bitches way more then he does in the sub. He complains about every little thing, it's extremely grating. Vegeta is a snide bastard in the Japanese version not a a pouty child who didn't have his nap yet.

I just watched this scene yesterday...Vegeta came off as way more whiny in the Japanese version, it was just the usual, "YOU GUYS SUCK! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" while in the dub it was, "You ruined everything even after I helped you guys out!" and he actually was pretty snide in that scene too. "Now where were we?! Oh, I forgot, I was going to kill you guys for turning on me! Who's fir-*shits himself when he sees Frieza*"

[Blue]

I just watched this scene yesterday...Vegeta came off as way more whiny in the Japanese version, it was just the usual, "YOU GUYS SUCK! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" while in the dub it was, "You ruined everything even after I helped you guys out!" and he actually was pretty snide in that scene too. "Now where were we?! Oh, I forgot, I was going to kill you guys for turning on me! Who's fir-*shits himself when he sees Freeza*"

I'm pretty sure Vegeta whines his way through the entire scene which absolutely wasn't in the Japanese version. I watched this recently. Then again everybody was pretty annoying in those few episode. ("IS HIS SHOE SIZE A SECRET TOO!?!?!?") So maybe everyone was just getting on my nerves in general.

[jjgp1112]

I just watched this scene yesterday...Vegeta came off as way more whiny in the Japanese version, it was just the usual, "YOU GUYS SUCK! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" while in the dub it was, "You ruined everything even after I helped you guys out!" and he actually was pretty snide in that scene too. "Now where were we?! Oh, I forgot, I was going to kill you guys for turning on me! Who's fir-*shits himself when he sees Freeza*"

I'm pretty sure Vegeta whines his way through the entire scene which absolutely wasn't in the Japanese version. I watched this recently. Then again everybody was pretty annoying in that episode. ("IS HIS SHOE SIZE A SECRET TOO!?!?!?") So maybe everyone was just getting on my nerves in general.

Oh wait, which scene are you talking about? I was talking about the scene from episode 76, and you seem to be talking about the one from the Trunks saga.

In that case, I agree with you.

[Blue]

Oh wait, which scene are you talking about? I was talking about the scene from episode 76, and you seem to be talking about the one from the Trunks saga.

In that case, I agree with you.

Yeah I was talking about the Trunks saga. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[Metalwario64]

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Is that okay?!

[Blue]

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Is that okay?!

As a matter of fact...IT ISN'T!

[DbzFanboy]

Just went through all the clips and all I have to say wow. Just amazing, I'm now regretting buying the dragon boxes because I think this is going to be the "definitive" version. Funimation is going to be sleeping in my pockets because now I have to buy this on top of dragon ball season 4, dragon box z 3 (I have to finish that collection) so they are going to have a lovely pay day.

[Big Momma]

Nappa sounded a bit like Takahata101 to me in this clip. I know it's not him, but maybe it's because I haven't heard Funi's dub Nappa in a while.

I agree. But then again, his Nappa was an imitation of the dub, wasn't it?

Curious to hear what the dubbed ED sounds like, and to know who they picked to sing it.

Here ya go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MycrEWvkNfk

[mysteriousdbzgt]

From what I have heard of DBZKAI so far, I'm very happy with the changes that Funimation has made. The script is so much accurate than before (thank God).

I'm liking Colleen Clinkenbeard's Gohan over Nadolny's, he sounds like a child now and Monica Rial's Bulma than Vollmer's, she mostly sounds the same as before, but now Bulma sounds more sophisticated.

I've noticed a huge difference in Sabat's Piccolo, he sounds a lot more subtle now, not so gruff and he sounds a lot more natural, which is good. Schemmel's Goku hasn't had a massive change on the way he portrays Goku but it sounds a lot better than before, he sounds slightly more child-like, which I always thought Goku to be than serious sounding.

I've always liked Strait's Kuririn and McFarland's Muten Roshi, so no problems with them. Cook's Raditz sounds more energetic than usual but I still liked it. I also agree that Nappa's voice sounds like Takahata101 from DBZAB which made me laugh xD I don't hear that massive change of sound for Vegeta but his speech sounds more natural which I'm glad for. I need to hear more of him to make a real decision.

The first time I heard "Tienshinhan" I slightly felt awkward about it, but the more I thought about it, it doesn't bother me so much anymore. Also, I'm liking the opening song a lot, haven't really heard much of the ending song yet.

Overall, I'm impressed with what Funi has done so far. I debating whether to pick this up or not because I want the Dragon Box so much. Darn you Funi, always taking my money!

[B]

Wait, Vegeta doesn't sound like a whiny crybaby?! What is this?!

Vegeta has only sounded like a whiny crybaby in the scenes where he IS a whiny crybaby...

I dunno know about that. Heck, let's look at the scene we just watched of Vegeta:

Kai dub: (In response to Nappa's assessment of Raditz's death) Serves him right. Pathetic. If he can't handle a couple of puny fighters with power levels less than a thousand.

Z dub: (In response to Nappa's assessment of Raditz's death) He's a complete disgrace! How could he let himself be beaten with men of such low fighting power!?

Now at a glance, they're mostly the same, but when watching, the delivery is clearly different. In Kai, it's as if Raditz's death doesn't even register to Vegeta. "Well, whatever, serves him right." In the UUC re-dub, Vegeta is clearly upset(which comes off to me, in my opinion, as a whine), a pretty drastic change from Kai!Vegeta's "hmph" attitude.

Then we go to the Dragon Ball discussion:

Kai: Did you catch the last bit? Those things. Dragon Balls, I believe? I'd say that's worth investigating. [Maybe we can bring Raditz back to life!] Is that a joke? Why would we waste a wish on that worthless scum? If the story is true, we can have anything we want! Immortality; eternal youth! Think you can live with those? We could be the most unstoppable force in the universe!

Z: A waste of time. Then again, I am curious. Heheheheheh. [Are you talking about what Raditz said?] Exactly. Those Dragon Balls caught my interest. Think of the possibilities, Nappa. If we can get our hands on those 7 Dragon Balls, we could wish for anything we want. Anything at all. Wouldn't you say that's worth making a little trip?

This has less to do with Sabat's delivery and more the scriptwriting. What was the point of adding "Waste of time?" He goes and "changes his mind" immediately after, and I use quotes because that didn't happen; the intent to go to Earth was always there. And the final quip about "taking a little trip." Why is he asking Nappa? Nappa is the one who suggested it. Alone, these things are minor, but add them all up together, it just seems sloppy, to me.

EDIT: Just to drive the point home, and actually go back to Sabat's delivery, "A waste of time." and "Then again, I am curious." are spoken so fast together, they almost sound like one whole sentence, making the conflicting statements even stranger.