Ocean Studios' "Dragon Ball Kai" Dub Turns 16; Still Unreleased

[VegettoEX]

It wasn't a criticism genius.

I'm reading this as a very, "Ugh, like, it wasn't a criticism, (sarcastic tone) GENIUS...!"

... which is certainly not OK.

[WittyUsername]

I wasn't trying to be sarcastic, I can't even understand sarcasm most of the time. I was just irritated that NitroEx would misinterpret what I said.

[xXInfinite026Xx]

To this day I still find the Ocean voice cast to be overrated. Plus, the fact that Ocean studios is involved with shows like My Little Pony makes it really hard for me to take these people seriously.

Wow, this is one of the most ridiculous criticisms of a dubbing group I've ever seen. I guess we shouldn't take VAs like John DiMaggio seriously anymore because he's done stuff for Powerpuff Girls, Scooby Doo and Adventure Time, screw all that stuff he did for Gears of War and Batman. I guess the message is unless you act in nothing but anime you aren't good enough of an actor despite it taking more acting skill and range to be able to pull off such a diverse pool of characters.

I do have to agree with NitroEx though. Despite the Ocean voice cast not being my overall favorite cast for DBZ, it's a bit ridiculous to me to "not take them seriously" because of a certain cartoon that they are known to voice for. They've voiced for many North American cartoons and dubbed quite a bit of foreign material over the last 20 years. With the exception of the later DBZ episodes (which was a rushed production), their work is generally regarded as high-quality in terms of sound and professionalism. Now, to like and enjoy what they produce is all subjective, but it's a known fact that what they DO produce is a clear and technically-sound product.

Personally, just about every cartoon and anime dub I hear from them always tend to have really clear and articulate reads from their actors. I'm not quite sure what equipment they use, but I feel like it really picks up their actor's diction more so than ANY other studio I've heard. I have a feeling it also has to do with the voice direction they are given now that I think about it, since technology always evolves yet they've maintained a level of clarity for many years. Just listen to their lines that use a G, K, T, or D letter in the word and you can hear how clearly it's articulated even back in '97: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWDlLjJifg

[TheBlackPaladin]

To this day I still find the Ocean voice cast to be overrated. Plus, the fact that Ocean studios is involved with shows like My Little Pony makes it really hard for me to take these people seriously.

Wow, this is one of the most ridiculous criticisms of a dubbing group I've ever seen. I guess we shouldn't take VAs like John DiMaggio seriously anymore because he's done stuff for Powerpuff Girls, Scooby Doo and Adventure Time, screw all that stuff he did for Gears of War and Batman. I guess the message is unless you act in nothing but anime you aren't good enough of an actor despite it taking more acting skill and range to be able to pull off such a diverse pool of characters.

I do have to agree with NitroEx though. Despite the Ocean voice cast not being my overall favorite cast for DBZ, it's a bit ridiculous to me to "not take them seriously" because of a certain cartoon that they are known to voice for. They've voiced for many North American cartoons and dubbed quite a bit of foreign material over the last 20 years. With the exception of the later DBZ episodes (which was a rushed production), their work is generally regarded as high-quality in terms of sound and professionalism. Now, to like and enjoy what they produce is all subjective, but it's a known fact that what they DO produce is a clear and technically-sound product.

Personally, just about every cartoon and anime dub I hear from them always tend to have really clear and articulate reads from their actors. I'm not quite sure what equipment they use, but I feel like it really picks up their actor's diction more so than ANY other studio I've heard. I have a feeling it also has to do with the voice direction they are given now that I think about it, since technology always evolves yet they've maintained a level of clarity for many years. Just listen to their lines that use a G, K, T, or D letter in the word and you can hear how clearly it's articulated even back in '97: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWDlLjJifg

It's interesting that you bring that up, because I'm an audio geek and I'm very interested to know what their setup is. The vast majority of the audio quality in any setup is determined by acoustics, so I'm curious to see their whole setup--what the studio looked like, what acoustic material it was treated with, what the mics were, and what the preamps were.

Based on an interview with Kyle Hebert, I know that when FUNimation first switched to dubbing in-house, they used something called a Whisper Room, a portable booth of sorts. That's the booth I have...it can produce good acoustics (depending on the acoustic material it's padded with inside), but as far as "pre-made booths" are concerned, the Whisper Room is little on the cheap side. Not cheap-cheap by any means, but relatively cheap in the context of a professional recording studio (not to mention that it gets really hot and stuffy after a while). And judging from this picture in an old Dallas Observer report, it looks like the mic they were using was a Neumann TLM103, which is an excellent mic, frequently used in animation. Not sure about the preamp.

It should be noted that FUNimation has since upgraded from a Whisper Room to their own custom-made studio, and it looks AWESOME. Still using a TLM103, too. Chris Sabat and Sean Schemmel have both mentioned that the upgrades in recording technology that FUNimation made to their studios over the years made the entire recording process much, much faster and easier.

[TheGmGoken]

To this day I still find the Ocean voice cast to be overrated. Plus, the fact that Ocean studios is involved with shows like My Little Pony makes it really hard for me to take these people seriously.

Wow, this is one of the most ridiculous criticisms of a dubbing group I've ever seen. I guess we shouldn't take VAs like John DiMaggio seriously anymore because he's done stuff for Powerpuff Girls, Scooby Doo and Adventure Time, screw all that stuff he did for Gears of War and Batman. I guess the message is unless you act in nothing but anime you aren't good enough of an actor despite it taking more acting skill and range to be able to pull off such a diverse pool of characters.

One of my favourite VAs from the Ocean side was Don Brown, especially for his King Kai and Mr. Satan. I think he's a better actor in comedy roles like those in large part because of his experience with goofy characters in kids cartoons. You can just hear that he knows what he's doing in those roles.

Opinion. They are ALL debatable. I disagree with ALL of those except for Raditz.

Though I agree Ocean dub is overrated. All of their voices are shit imho besides Raditz. I'm VERY disappointed in Goten's ocean voice. If we can even call it one

You seem bias and a little hypocritical. You jump down anyone's throat when they praise an Ocean performance and claim it's all opinion and debatable yet you don't seem to have any strong reasons why the Funi versions are better. I mean what does that last part even mean? It's not a real voice? Ocean Goten is perfectly fine and Jillian Michaels does a much better job at it than her Gohan performance. At least her Goten sounds more like a real 8(?) year old kid whereas the Funi version, much like Funi (Z) Gohan sounds all croaky and too raspy to be believable. When I hear Funi Goten I hear someone doing a cartoon frog voice voice, that's my opinion.

It wasn't a criticism genius. Being involved with Mlp has nothing to do with my dislike for the Ocean group. I genuinely find them to be overrated. Also, don't just assume that I'm an anime fan just because I like Dragon Ball.

That's your opinion. Funi Goten capture Goten's persona much better. I'm not being hypocritical. I didn't say you HAVE TO like Funi.

[Dbzfan94]

I honestly don't get why the Ocean Dub team is so popular around here, compared to the regular Funimation team.

I was looking up Ocean Dub clips the other night on YouTube, as I don't have a very good knowledge of their dub other than the original series of Dragon Ball Z. Their dubbing is laughably bad.. aside from their script being almost word for word of the Funimation script, they sound like they are straight out of a generic action cartoon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyILqP80gEA

Some of their voices are better than Funimation's current ones even today:
- Uub (For god damn sure)
- Recoome
- Jeice
- Burter
- Pan's
- Videl (debatable)
- Super Buu's
- Hurcle's (debatable)
- Cyborg 18
- Raditz (For sure)
- Nappa (For sure)
- Kid Gohan (debatable)
- Dr. Wheelo
- Tullece

Opinion. From I what I heard of the Ocean Dub of these characters, I think the Funi voice is much better,.

[Xell]

What is the point of an Ocean dub of Kai at this point? Sure, it seemed like a possibility when the UK didn't have Kai, but we now have Funimation's version of Kai on the channel 'Kix'. Isn't it just a waste of time when one takes that into consideration? Unless they would try to get the Ocean version on Cartoon Network?.. I don't know.

[Fennekin]

What is the point of an Ocean dub of Kai at this point? Sure, it seemed like a possibility when the UK didn't have Kai, but we now have Funimation's version of Kai on the channel 'Kix'. Isn't it just a waste of time when one takes that into consideration? Unless they would try to get the Ocean version on Cartoon Network?.. I don't know.

Are you talking about Cartoon Network UK or Cartoon Network USA?

Because IIRC, Nicktoons is the only cable network in the US allowed to air Z Kai, FUNimation Dub or Ocean Dub. Sure, they haven't aired Z Kai recently, but they may still hold the rights.

[Xell]

What is the point of an Ocean dub of Kai at this point? Sure, it seemed like a possibility when the UK didn't have Kai, but we now have Funimation's version of Kai on the channel 'Kix'. Isn't it just a waste of time when one takes that into consideration? Unless they would try to get the Ocean version on Cartoon Network?.. I don't know.

Are you talking about Cartoon Network UK or Cartoon Network USA?

Because IIRC, Nicktoons is the only cable network in the US allowed to air Z Kai, FUNimation Dub or Ocean Dub. Sure, they haven't aired Z Kai recently, but they may still hold the rights.

I'm referring to Cartoon Network UK. Kix isn't exactly the most well known kid's channel. I'm wondering if one of the bigger channels will pick up the Ocean Dub.

As for one of the US kid's channels getting it, I really can't see why they would. Unless the Ocean Dub ends up being cheaper to broadcast?

[Mewzard]

What is the point of an Ocean dub of Kai at this point? Sure, it seemed like a possibility when the UK didn't have Kai, but we now have Funimation's version of Kai on the channel 'Kix'. Isn't it just a waste of time when one takes that into consideration? Unless they would try to get the Ocean version on Cartoon Network?.. I don't know.

Are you talking about Cartoon Network UK or Cartoon Network USA?

Because IIRC, Nicktoons is the only cable network in the US allowed to air Z Kai, FUNimation Dub or Ocean Dub. Sure, they haven't aired Z Kai recently, but they may still hold the rights.

I'm referring to Cartoon Network UK. Kix isn't exactly the most well known kid's channel. I'm wondering if one of the bigger channels will pick up the Ocean Dub.

As for one of the US kid's channels getting it, I really can't see why they would. Unless the Ocean Dub ends up being cheaper to broadcast?

But Funimation owns the US broadcasting rights (both Cable and standard) to Kai, nobody could license the Ocean Dub there even if they wanted to.

As for the UK, I imagine someone already owns the rights (hence releasing it on Kix).

Really, the only place I can see the Ocean Dub airing is Canada...but can they make their bank back on that one market alone?

[Fennekin]

Really, the only place I can see the Ocean Dub airing is Canada...but can they make their bank back on that one market alone?

It's a hit or miss, that's for sure. While YTV doesn't treat most of their anime titles with as much respect as a decade ago, they do have a lot of advertisements for the Beyblade franchise, mainly because they're funding it. Since the Ocean dub is also being produced in Canada, perhaps YTV would also give decent advertising to it, but it's a long shot. I think they would also need a DVD distribution deal.

[TheBlackPaladin]

I think they would also need a DVD distribution deal.

Which I'd be shocked if they got, considering that FUNimation is already distributing Kai on home video (with their dub) in Canada.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Wouldnt it be hilarious if the Buu saga came to Nicktoons with...The Ocean dub.

Yes, I know they denied working on the Buu saga but,hey! So did Funimation!

[matiasdf]

Seriously, I don´t think that after everything that has been said, this isn´t hapenning. It would be really a waste.

[Attitudefan]

I am also curious to how their set-up was. I assume whatever studio set-up, type of mics used, so on and so forth, I really think it also has to do with their sound mixer as well. For some reason, I really like the way it sounds too in the Original English dub back in 1996. It is super clear. Unlike in 1999, when FUNi took over completely and their sound set-up was really bad and muffled. The Ocean episodes have the sound of the voices sharply coming through your speakers and it really feels like I am brought into the show because of how clear it sounds.

I haven't heard of sound like this afterwards in any FUNi production, and I can't say I have for anything else dubbed for cartoons either.

[Daimo-Rukiri]

Wouldnt it be hilarious if the Buu saga came to Nicktoons with...The Ocean dub.

Yes, I know they denied working on the Buu saga but,hey! So did Funimation!

That would be hilarious but also not likely, it would confuse everyone yet again!

[Mewzard]

Wouldnt it be hilarious if the Buu saga came to Nicktoons with...The Ocean dub.

Yes, I know they denied working on the Buu saga but,hey! So did Funimation!

That would be hilarious but also not likely, it would confuse everyone yet again!

It'd be impossible. Funi owns the rights to the US Broadcast. They'd have to be the ones to approve a dub they don't own being on TV over their own. That goes against making money, because Ocean wouldn't pay for it, they have no DVD rights in the US to make money off of.

[Super Sonic]

Was thinking recently the torch might be passed to some previous actors' offspring being in this if it were to come? Know Mr. Corlett's daughter and Mr. Drummond's son do voice acting and maybe they might be in an Ocean Kai.

[Hades]

A higher pitched Linda Young's Freeza as Goku? ALL OF MY NOPE.

[matiasdf]

What do you guys think of the chances (that is, if this ever comes out) that Ian James Corlett is back as Goku?