I for one am finding this current version of Yamucha quite entertaining. I like the guy and feels he gets shafted much more than his fair share, both by the story and even more by fans of the story, but even I have to admit there is a lot to be mined for comedic potential. It's a parody, and all of the characters get the piss taken out of them. It's part of the fun!
Interestingly, though, I've been of the mind that Yamucha's portrayal in this series has been somewhat inconsistent or, perhaps a better way of putting it, took time to find just what direction they wanted to go with him. Perhaps I've always interpreted it wrong, but at the beginning of the series, it seemed to me like they were trying to subvert or make the characters oblivious the typical Yamucha fan reaction. Like when Yamucha arrives to the Saiyan fight. Everyone's excited to see him, act like he's going to save the day. He gives an inspirational speech. And then he dies. And it's like, "Hmm, didn't see that one coming." And I remember just busting a gut the first time I saw that. And that seems to be an extension of the pre-TFS dubs with their, "Whoah, you know Yamucha?!" jokes.
Later on, he seemed to have developed into a completely oblivious surfer moron with the "wax off" jokes, "What about Yamucha?" and the like.
It seems only lately, with his VA change, that he's evolved into this current version, which I also really like. He seems really down to earth, fully aware of himself and his place in the universe, but, sadly, that place isn't terribly good for a guy like him.
So, yeah, I'd say it's a bit inconsistent but all have been interesting and funny. And it's not like the real story is any less consistent with him. He's always been at the mercy of what the plot needs him to be. Sometimes he lives for fighting. Other times he can't be bothered. Sometimes he's level-headed. But when the plot needs him to be arrogant, suddenly he's arrogant. He's shy around women and is usually the voice of reason around his boy-hungry, domineering girlfriend. But when the plot needs him to be, suddenly he's labeled a womanizer out of nowhere.
