How does DBZ Kai English Dub stack up?

[XanatosVanBadass]

Really, while I can immediately tell that the seiyuus voices have aged since they last did this, it's not so bad as to take you out of the performance. Sadly, I find it hard to say the same for Fujiko's seiyuu in Lupin III. Try as she might, sultry Fujiko doesn't sound like anything besides a lady in her 70's these days.

[Flamingwindjutsu]

Alright, I'll throw my hat into the ring.

1. Against the Ocean Dub-PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!!! Is it even a contest!? Besides a few moments of hilariousness (Over 9000) and a few moments of epicness (Angry Vegeta is Angry) Kai is superior in every way.

2. Against the old Funi dub-Again, PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!!!! There's just no contest! Sure, the old dub has a sort of nostalgia factor, which means I'll always be able to watch it and enjoy it, it just doesn't hold a candle to Kai.

3. Against similar dubs-I'd say it matches up about equally. Surpasses Naruto's dub, and arrives at about equal with Funi's One Piece dub. Most of the cast on One Piece are playing roles in Kai too, so it makes sense. However, it's far inferior to other fantastic english dubs, i.e, Death Note and Fullmetal Alchemist. However, FMA is dubbed by Funi, so I know they have it in them to be outstanding. (I know not part of the question, just wanted to throw it in there.)

4. Against the Japanese-Honestly, here, I really can't judge, having not seen much of Kai's japanese episodes. I will say that Nozawa has finally worked her way into my heart as Goku, after years of WTFing at the voice. As Gohan though, too grating for my tastes, and Bardock... you don't wanna hear me start, believe me. However, there are two characters I can compare, and that's Krillin. The japanese Krillin voice annoys me. I think Sonny Strait is fantastic in the role, and one of the best actors on the cast.

[penguintruth]

Really, while I can immediately tell that the seiyuus voices have aged since they last did this, it's not so bad as to take you out of the performance. Sadly, I find it hard to say the same for Fujiko's seiyuu in Lupin III. Try as she might, sultry Fujiko doesn't sound like anything besides a lady in her 70's these days.

Sometime in the near future they need to completely replace the Lupin III cast. It'll be really sad to see the classic voices go, but even Yamada's replacement as Lupin is sounding a little old now and he hasn't been around nearly as long as the others.

[XanatosVanBadass]

I've actually always thought what they should do is use the necessity to replace the Lupin III cast as an opportunity to start fresh and reboot the franchise with a vew TV series.

It makes me wonder though. If say, in 20 years or so they want to make a new version of DB and Nozawa/the principle cast is dead or unable to return at that point . . . would you or any of us be willing to give the new voices a chance. Granted, as fantastic an actress as Nozawa is, she doesn't "own" Son Goku, he existed as a manga character from Toriyama's imagination. However, she's the only one who has truly played Goku to date and her ticks and nuances are so much a part of the character to so many of us.

[penguintruth]

Well, I'd be devestated if Nozawa ever left the role, but of course I'd give the new voice a chance. Hopefully it would be somebody who could capture with warmth, sincerity, and energy, the same characterstics of Son Goku that Nozawa captured.

But, I think as far as I'm concerned, Nozawa is as much Goku as Kevin Conroy is Batman or Mark Hamill is the Joker. If not more.

Nobody lives forever. Some day, there may be a new Goku. Some day there could be a new Amuro Ray or Char Aznable, there could be a new Lupin, or Harlock, or any number of characters.

I just hope it's not any time soon.

[XanatosVanBadass]

Some day there could be a new Amuro Ray or Char Aznable

After watching the Zeta Gundam movies and the first two episodes of Gundam Unicorn, I'm beginning to believe those two seiyuus will never die. They sound just as good as they did in the '70s. Maybe even a little better with their experience.

[penguintruth]

Well, it is my belief that Tohru Furuya (who plays both Amuro Ray and Yamucha) is immortal, or at least uses the same fountain of youth Keanu Reeves does. (It's too bad Keanu doesn't use the same fountain of talent.)

[Mewzard]

Well, it is my belief that Tohru Furuya (who plays both Amuro Ray and Yamucha) is immortal, or at least uses the same fountain of youth Keanu Reeves does. (It's too bad Keanu doesn't use the same fountain of talent.)

Pegasus Seiya, Amuro Ray, Yamcha, he's got quite a variety of good roles, and seems to enjoy staying with them where possible (Sadly, leaving SS when the series left Toei for the Inferno and Elyseum OVAs).

But, one day, they all must go. Hopefully for something better (however unlikely), or at least, something good enough to make the role still enjoyable.

At least with both the English and Japanese cast on my enjoyment list, I can likely still have one when it's time for the Japanese cast to step down (in 30 years, of course).

[coola]

1. Against Ocean dub.
2. Against old Funi work

I consider both versions as alternative version of DBZ,they`re cheesy,but in a good way {similar to Showa Gamera}

3. Against other similar dubs (One Piece, Naruto etc)

Only English dubbed anime i saw so far,is Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Season 1 and Battle Athletes {OAV and TV series} some voices didnt match character{or were based on character look} but script wise,they were fine

4. Japanese dub of Kai

I'm sorry to say,but i dont like Japanese Kai, most seiyuu sound really aged{especially Ryō Horikawa,i keep trying to watch Cell Saga,but as soon as i hear Vegeta,i want to cry,he sound awful,and i loved him so much in Z i know its not his fault,but still...}And while English dub still isnt perfect{Kaio...}it`s much better then Japanese version,you could say,that English dub saved Kai in my eyes

[Attitudefan]

About Jeice(Jheese), he still would have an accent, an American one.... so that's just stupid to say "he should not have a Brit/Scot/Aussie accent." Having a raspy voice is somewhat of an accent if done a certain way (Burter in Ocean)

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

Against Ocean dub

No competition. FUNimation's old Z dub was better than the Ocean dub, for pete's sake. The joint FUNimation/Ocean dub was edited to shit, and the Westwood dub had bad acting and a miscast main character.


Against old FUNi work

On the Dragon Ball series? Do I really need to elaborate no why? Kai's script is much more faithful to the original than any FUNimation Dragon Ball-related dub.


Against other similar dubs (One Piece, Naruto etc)

I could go on and on about this, but I'll just stick to Naruto and One Piece like you said. I'd say that Kai's on par with them. You could argue that Kai falls short a bit, due to the few name changes it has retained from Z. But they don't really bother me that much, personally. Rock Lee's elixir, anyone?


Against Japanese dub of Kai

The English dub, but it's close. Mainly because the performances from the Japanese actors sound tired and no where near as good as they were in Z. For example, Gokū's screams sound much more irritating and shrill and Cell just sounds pedestrian. Maybe this is because of their age or because they aren't trying as hard since they've been doing their respective roles for so many years now. I don't know. The English actors sound like new life has been breathed into them. Schemmel sounds better than ever, and the recasts really shine.