Things you Dislike about the Japanese version.

[TheRed259]

1. Every single role of Mazako Nozawa (especially Goku).
2. The voice actors always put too much emotions to their voices and they usually end up sounding hilarious to me.

[Fionordequester]

The first rule of screenwriting, ladies and gentlemen. If you need constant narration/explanation of on-screen events, just go read a book.

"Constant explanation of onscreen events" is not the same thing as a quick "here's what happened last time", which the Japanese recaps failed at. And I've fairly certain what you're referring to are movies, which are not quite the same thing as a long running series.

EDIT: Or heck, you could even do what Avatar: The Last Airbender does, and just go "Ok, everything was all good, but then these bad guys attacked, and we need this doofus to help us defeat them! It's a long shot, but...I think he can do it!", every episode.

[Storm]

While there are certainly things I dislike about the show's production and direction, those aren't necessarily unique to the Japanese version. I guess two things off the top of my head:

-There were a distinct focus on silly sounding Kikuchi tunes during the Buu arc. That's all well and fine, given its tone, but one moment in particular was the birth of Vegetto which lacked the drama of such a, well, dramatic moment thanks to its musical choice.
-Replacing Kenji Utsumi as the Budokai announcer in DBZ.

1. The terrible music.

2. Goku sounding like an old lady.

Can I ask why you're posting on a site focused on the Japanese version of the show?

[Fionordequester]

Can I ask why you're posting on a site focused on the Japanese version of the show?

This forum ISN'T just for the Japanese version of the show though. It's a forum for EVERY kind of fan, even the ones that absolutely hate it.

[Storm]

The website is a collection of international fans to be sure, but it uses the Japanese version as a basis since it has the same neutrality to every other culture and language on the planet, in addition to being the original show. It doesn't take long to notice the discussion on these forums is heavily geared towards the Japanese version, so if someone hated two things prominently displayed in the Japanese version (the soundtrack and Masako Nozawa), I would at least be quite confused what that person was getting out of posting here.

[Fionordequester]

The website is a collection of international fans to be sure, but it uses the Japanese version as a basis since it has the same neutrality to every other culture and language on the planet, in addition to being the original show. It doesn't take long to notice the discussion on these forums is heavily geared towards the Japanese version, so if someone hated two things prominently displayed in the Japanese version (the soundtrack and Masako Nozawa), I would at least be quite confused what that person was getting out of posting here.

Because quite frankly, this is just about the only place I've found where I've been able to find a forum that's both active AND full of intelligent discussions! And it's a brilliant source of information as well! Plus, I don't want to go to a forum full of psychopanths who agree with everything I say. I want some good discussion! Like for example, was Gohan an SSJ1 or SSJ2 against Dabura? Love that stuff!

And besides, it's not like this forum is some kind of "good ol' boys" club or anything.

[Storm]

And besides, it's not like this forum is some kind of "good ol' boys" club or anything.

Dunno what you're getting at with that. I'd actually love to see more people embracing the original, speaking as someone who only watched it ~10 years after watching the dub.

[Fionordequester]

Dunno what you're getting at with that. I'd actually love to see more people embracing the original, speaking as someone who only watched it ~10 years after watching the dub.

What I mean is that we're not obligated to share your opinions even though we browse the same forums, nor do we need to in order to have a blast here, and like and appreciate you guys!

[Blade]

My biggest problems with the Japanese version are more to do with the state of the condition that it currently exists in, as opposed to the quality of the acting or music themselves. Due to Toei's storage practices (or lack of) the audio quality is appalling, and the quality of the film was allowed to decay over the 1990's. Toei were totally naive in believing Dragonball had limited re-watch value and no home release value after its initial airing, and essentially it's the fans that have suffered the consequences of that whilst Toei have still managed to make an absolute killing off the Dragonball franchise in international sales.

[TheBlackPaladin]

"Dislike" is too strong a word, as I think the Japanese voice actors turned in great performances. However, things I might want to see changed for the heck of it? Only one thing comes to mind, and that would be the recasting of certain voice actors after their characters pass a certain age.

I've come to accept and even enjoy that Masako Nozawa voices Goku in every stage of his life. Goku's a very weird guy, so having the same voice throughout his life adds to his quirkiness, his strangeness, and his uniqueness. However, I don't know that this applies to every character in the series. I think the specialness and weirdness of Goku having the same voice throughout his life is significantly toned down with the idea of all the voice actors playing their respective characters throughout every stage of their lives. As an example, Gohan's not a particularly weird guy, so it would have been nice to see a more mature, more identifiably male voice when he became an adult (not super-deep of course, just identifiably male...like Brad Swaile, but in Japanese). The same applies in reverse. I would have been interested to have seen a female voice actor take over the role of Trunks from Takeshi Kusao once we get to the Buu arc and Trunks is a kid.

Of course, I don't know for certain that I would have liked these changes, but it's something I wouldn't have minded seeing, just to see if it worked.

[UltimateHammerBro]

I've read a rumor about a possible Nozawa replacement in DB back in the day. But again, it was said (supposedly) by DB Mexican voice actors, and believing information coming from Lat.Am isn't a really wise thing to do if there are no more sources. I think we all remember those "200-episode new DB series after BoG!!!" news.

Is it true that, when the Piccolo Jr. saga first aired in Japan, Nozawa had been replaced by a male voice for Goku, and that the audience's reaction was so negative that they had to call Nozawa back and redub the episode?

I am very sceptical about it, but I'd like to have reliable information.

[dbzfan7]

K-kk--kaaa-k-akaka--aaakaakkaaaa-a-kaa--

That can get grating after a while.

No real complaints aside from that.

This...it's my only real complaint..

[TheOverlyMadHatter]

I... don't really have anything against it all. My only complaint would be about the inferiority of the audio, but that has nothing to do with the Japanese cast itself.

Is it true that, when the Piccolo Jr. saga first aired in Japan, Nozawa had been replaced by a male voice for Goku, and that the audience's reaction was so negative that they had to call Nozawa back and redub the episode?

I am very sceptical about it, but I'd like to have reliable information.

Definitely not. It'd be common knowledge, and there are a few people here that have actually seen the original broadcast and there have been no changes in casting to note. I wouldn't take any rumors along the lines of "Fans were so pissed about something that Toriyama/Toei fixed it immediately" seriously.

[DBZGTKOSDH]

K-kk--kaaa-k-akaka--aaakaakkaaaa-a-kaa--

That can get grating after a while.

No real complaints aside from that.

This...it's my only real complaint..

Same here.

[Tatakae!!Ramenman]

I don't like that Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Bardock all had the same voice. I think it was fine to have Masako Nozawa voice Gohan as a kid also, but they don't all have to have the same voice just because they're related.

[TheGmGoken]

I don't like that Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Bardock all had the same voice. I think it was fine to have Masako Nozawa voice Gohan as a kid also, but they don't all have to have the same voice just because they're related.

Well I think it was the idea that some family members do sound like. But I have never seen an entire family sound alike. Maybe as kids but as they get older their voices should be different I admit. Though Goten and Gohan do have different voices than Goku. The screams are similar. Bardock however should of had Raditz's voice if they're going to do similar voices.

Goku - Free sprit. Pure of life.

Gohan - Soft Spoken.

Goten - A mixture of the two. Always thought his voice was like a wild boy

[Storm]

I would have been interested to have seen a female voice actor take over the role of Trunks from Takeshi Kusao once we get to the Buu arc and Trunks is a kid.

Oh, yeah, I neglected to mention this. Kusao's kid Trunks sounds really off a lot of the time, like he's holding his nose while he's in the voice booth. I'd actually like to see what Hiromi Tsuru would have done for the role.

[dbzfan7]

I don't like that Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Bardock all had the same voice. I think it was fine to have Masako Nozawa voice Gohan as a kid also, but they don't all have to have the same voice just because they're related.

Oh yeah this too. I don't mind her voicing the kids or Goku...but I think Adult Gohan should have had a different voice...Bardock included.

[TheGmGoken]

I don't like that Goku, Gohan, Goten, and Bardock all had the same voice. I think it was fine to have Masako Nozawa voice Gohan as a kid also, but they don't all have to have the same voice just because they're related.

Oh yeah this too. I don't mind her voicing the kids or Goku...but I think Adult Gohan should have had a different voice...Bardock included.

I don't know why. But I kinda want to see Krillin's voice actor(JPN of course) on Gohan. I just image that in my head. The results.....was kinda...good?

[DarkPrince_92]

How Goku and Gohan sound exactly the same when Gohan got older. The fact that Goku and Gohan's voices are still prepubescent. And the KKKKKKKk..... during power ups.