Dragonball Kai (FUNimation English) Dub: General Discussion

[Chuquita]

With Kai...I might check in on certain episodes of the dub, but I'm already watching the series in Japanese and I just finished up "Attack of the Saiyans" for the DS a little while back, so I'm kind of in the need to take a break from the saiyajin arc so I don't get tired of it (I still have a Funi DBox that I bought a while back and haven't yet gotten to finish watching.)

[Kendamu]

Also, an interesting tidbit:

Seán Schemmel
You also get manga accurate scripts for the most part. In fact, if we get stuck on a part, we dig up the raw japanese translation or the translated manga, and make a decision from there.

Ooh! I'm a fan of both of those things! This is certainly going to be neat!

[Metalwario64]

Also, an interesting tidbit:

Seán Schemmel
You also get manga accurate scripts for the most part. In fact, if we get stuck on a part, we dig up the raw japanese translation or the translated manga, and make a decision from there.

Ooh! I'm a fan of both of those things! This is certainly going to be neat!

Perhaps that means they'll keep the "You're still no match for me!" line from Fr­ieza right before he blows Krillin up (as opposed to Z and Kai's laughing), which would make Kai's dub more accurate than the Japanese Kai in that scene.

[Mewzard]

If an impassioned attempt to give as accurate a dub as possible, with no extra-censorship (on home format), improved voice acting, and improved voice direction isn't enough of an incentive, then really, I can't see there ever being enough incentive at all, bar un-censoring what Toei did.

You're totally right, and that's my answer -- they lost their chance. Not that little ol' me actually matters...

Just as some folks just have absolutely zero interest in watching the show in Cantonese, I have absolutely zero interest watching the show in English.

Well, it is your own view on what you like, I admit. But, on the matter of the last argument, there's a difference in watching a show in one random language, than there is in it's original language (which is closest to the original work) and one's native language (with which one can best grasp some inflections and meanings, without needing a paragraph of notes to explain, if said translation chooses to use it).

And I can see what you mean, Chuquita. I've seen the Saiyan Saga in so many formats, yet, I love it none-the-less.

And the dub more accurate than the original to the manga? That would be hilarious to me.

[Kirbopher]

I'm sorry if we got a little out of hand with it guys, it REALLY is something cool but I honestly should've waited a bit before I teased about it; didn't think it through with all the excitement at the time. I also don't blame any of you guys, Mike included, for still not having any interest in this update, or the dub in general, by this point. It's just a neat little something that I think people will enjoy and appreciate when it comes up.

For the time being I would say let's focus on the release in a little while, since I'd imagine that the Rightstuf orders will be coming in within the next couple weeks, given their track record with delivering.

[Kendamu]

No worries. It wasn't the initial announcement. That gave us something to talk about. It was more of a:

"Hey, guys. Something really special is coming up for the dub, but I can't tell you yet."
"I know it, too! But I'm not telling."
"So do I! I'm not saying anything, either!"
"You guys, too? It's so cool, isn't it? I'm not gonna say what it is, either."

The initial announcement itself was fine. It just got a little old after the third or fourth time someone let us know that they had an awesome secret without really even giving us the slightest idea what it was. It became teasing from there.

[SonGokuGT]

The only reason I'm excited for Kai is the dub. I've always enjoyed the voices, just not the god-awful "adaptation" of the script and the music replacement. The people bashing this must be severely misinformed, but whatever...

[Insert HATERS GONNA HATE image macro here]

Are you creating an argument in your head that doesn't exist in reality?

No-one's arguing that an improvement in the script (one that's accurate), music (one that's not a replacement score), and performances (one directed by someone who cares) is "a bad thing". No-one. Seriously, no-one is saying that. No-one is "bashing" that.

What some of us are saying is that, despite all of these improvements, there's still nothing there to really drag us over to the dark side and find anything of interest to warrant actually becoming involved with viewing the series dubbed.

That's not an expression of "hate" or "bash", even if we do personally think some of those (insert element of the dub here) aren't all that "good". This is just an expression of total indifference and apathy, something the general FUNimation dub fandom has been for over a decade... so I'm not quite sure why seeing it come from the other side should be a surprise.

I wasn't specifying HERE as the location where this was taking place. This was in reference to Schemmel's posts on Facebook.

[ohaimynameiserik]

The only reason I'm excited for Kai is the dub. I've always enjoyed the voices, just not the god-awful "adaptation" of the script and the music replacement. The people bashing this must be severely misinformed, but whatever...

[Insert HATERS GONNA HATE image macro here]

Are you creating an argument in your head that doesn't exist in reality?

No-one's arguing that an improvement in the script (one that's accurate), music (one that's not a replacement score), and performances (one directed by someone who cares) is "a bad thing". No-one. Seriously, no-one is saying that. No-one is "bashing" that.

What some of us are saying is that, despite all of these improvements, there's still nothing there to really drag us over to the dark side and find anything of interest to warrant actually becoming involved with viewing the series dubbed.

That's not an expression of "hate" or "bash", even if we do personally think some of those (insert element of the dub here) aren't all that "good". This is just an expression of total indifference and apathy, something the general FUNimation dub fandom has been for over a decade... so I'm not quite sure why seeing it come from the other side should be a surprise.

I wasn't specifying HERE as the location where this was taking place. This was in reference to Schemmel's posts on Facebook.

Already had you covered.

[Kendamu]

Well, no need to whine or contemplate about what other people are doing at other forums. Let's just be on our way about our own opinions instead.

I'm planning on giving Kai a once-over in English. Maybe more than that if I have time before I have to review it that way I can spot-check it compared to the Japanese version of Kai, the Z dub and the VIZ Z manga. If I like it enough, I'll watch it in English once in awhile when I wanna watch Kai but feel like seeing something different than usual.

It'll be nice if it turns out good enough that, if asked, I can say I don't care which version I watch even if I do have a preference when viewing it alone.

[ohaimynameiserik]

Well, no need to whine or contemplate about what other people are doing at other forums. Let's just be on our way about our own opinions instead.

I'm planning on giving Kai a once-over in English. Maybe more than that if I have time before I have to review it that way I can spot-check it compared to the Japanese version of Kai, the Z dub and the VIZ Z manga. If I like it enough, I'll watch it in English once in awhile when I wanna watch Kai but feel like seeing something different than usual.

It'll be nice if it turns out good enough that, if asked, I can say I don't care which version I watch even if I do have a preference when viewing it alone.

An accurate English dub will definitely be my preferred way of watching.

I already have the Japanese voice actors giving better performances on DVD, the dub is my main reason for purchasing this. It really almost is like a brand new series if you're watching the English version.

[SonGokuGT]

Ohaimynameiserik,

Thank you! I noticed after the fact. I just read the response and I was like "oh, what the..."
But DaizEX has been really cool on both sides of the fence and an all-around pleasure to discuss the release of Kai.

[ohaimynameiserik]

Ohaimynameiserik,

Thank you! I noticed after the fact. I just read the response and I was like "oh, what the..."
But DaizEX has been really cool on both sides of the fence and an all-around pleasure to discuss the release of Kai.

Ayo homie G dawg, it ain't no thang.

Yes, DaizEX is a blessing to mankind!

[Mewzard]

Daizex is a forum where I don't have to lower my intelligence, too often , to enjoy a conversation about a series I love. I can't complain about that.

The main thing I'm curious about is which attack and character names will be more reflective of the original, and which will be more closely retained to the original dub for copyright purposes.

Also this:

Seán Schemmel
Oh don't get me wrong everybody, I can take, and am used to the bitching. I've been playing Goku for over 10 years and trust me I've heard it all. I think I've taken a public stance on this one, because there is no reason to not like the new DBZ Kai, unless you 1. Have always hated the funi cast, or 2, prefer Japanese voices no matter what.

It's really interesting to see, in this day and age, more famous people's opinions rather quickly, and in response to just curious people on the net. The man seems legitimately proud/confident of his work, doing a more accurate dub with improved acting. I guess it's one way to correct a mistake.

What about you guys? Will a more accurate dub hanging about make you feel a bit more proud in the series' American view? Less horribly off, sometimes embarrassingly silly lines, etc?

[Xyex]

TripleRach just brought up a possibility in chat that hasn't been mentioned yet. What about the insert songs? We don't know what the latter ones will be like.

<TripleRach> Maybe they got someone big to do a dub of that Ginyuu Tokusentai song
<TripleRach> Like that Power Rangers music guy that everyone poops their pants over

If this really isn't something that'll surface in the first set, it really could be anything. Insert song dub, new voice(s) for Kui, Dodoria, Zarbon, and/or the Ginyu Force....

[Gaffer Tape]

What about you guys? Will a more accurate dub hanging about make you feel a bit more proud in the series' American view? Less horribly off, sometimes embarrassingly silly lines, etc?

A good dub that would hopefully improve the general perception of the show to non-fandom would be great, and I would take some pride in that. I still won't care much to watch it, but there's a fine line between "not caring to watch" and "disliking." I think Schemmel fails to grasp that point in his post. I mean, I suppose I mostly fit into his type 2 (although I have a bit residual type 1 as well), but that standpoint doesn't mean that I will automatically hate this dub. It just means I'd prefer to watch the original version of anything no matter what, and, while I'm thrilled those who have to have a product in their native language to enjoy it will have a quality product accurate to the original, it's not something for me.

[G1Ravage]

I was thinking it over, and have come up with another guess. Perhaps the DVDs will have alternate angles once again, so the English version will have translated episode titles and credits, and the Japanese track will use the original Japanese text. That would be neat.

[penguintruth]

I hate that this guy who I hate as Goku is winning me over with his passion. I mean, I really cannot stand his Goku, but I like a lot of the stuff he's saying lately.

I think that a good DB(Z) Kai dub is good for everyone, even for the folks who don't really feel up to watching another DBZ dub, because it enhances the stock of the show. More than that, it enhances the stock, the reputation of Funimation, at least in my eyes. Yes, they should have done this years ago, it's true, and the oldies who take the attitude of "too little, too late", I can understand that entirely.

Me, I just want to see this material finally get its due in English. It feels like it's been a hard road, and even if the dub isn't quite up to the standard the Japanese cast has set, that it's even as good as those clips I've seen gives me a little (cautious) optimism, like maybe things will finally be "okay" with Funimation's handling of DB stuff.

[ohaimynameiserik]

I was thinking it over, and have come up with another guess. Perhaps the DVDs will have alternate angles once again, so the English version will have translated episode titles and credits, and the Japanese track will use the original Japanese text. That would be neat.

I suppose, but I doubt it. It's not nearly as big of a problem now as the episode titles are closely translated this time around.

[Kirbopher]

I hate that this guy who I hate as Goku is winning me over with his passion. I mean, I really cannot stand his Goku, but I like a lot of the stuff he's saying lately.

I probably said this a long time ago about Sabat too, but trust me. These people GENUINELY give a shit about what they're doing. Chris and Sean, specifically, are incredibly big fans of this stuff just like we are...and I say -JUST- like -WE- are in the sense that they like the show for the same reasons; not the reasons a 10-year old kid watching it on Cartoon Network watching the "butchered" version of it would. They love and respect the original content and if anything I'm GLAD to see how open Sean's being about it while he has the opportunity.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

Seán Schemmel
Oh don't get me wrong everybody, I can take, and am used to the bitching. I've been playing Goku for over 10 years and trust me I've heard it all. I think I've taken a public stance on this one, because there is no reason to not like the new DBZ Kai, unless you 1. Have always hated the funi cast, or 2, prefer Japanese voices no matter what.

It's really interesting to see, in this day and age, more famous people's opinions rather quickly, and in response to just curious people on the net. The man seems legitimately proud/confident of his work, doing a more accurate dub with improved acting. I guess it's one way to correct a mistake.

What about you guys? Will a more accurate dub hanging about make you feel a bit more proud in the series' American view? Less horribly off, sometimes embarrassingly silly lines, etc?

Sean pretty much hit the nail on the head. To answer his question, yes I'm more proud to be a fan of the dub now that DBZ Kai has been released. I have an accurate dub with all my favourite actors and I don't have to listen to such silly lines like: "Mondo Cool" and "Lined up all our ducks".