Opinions on the Funimation dub of Dragon Ball

[Fizzer]

To those that rate GT below DB in terms of the dub, take the quality of the series out of the equation, are you saying that the acting and the scripts aren't as accurate as the DB scripts?

I think there were more intentional changes in GT. "You're going to train, aren't you?" is a pretty big one that comes to mind. That line changes the ending of the series completely.

Does Goku answer?

I don't think the line is that bad, and I'm sure someone can find some line that's worse in DB's dub. It's a single line, and I don't think it shows GT changed things anymore than DB. They are both about equal. I've watched both dubs with the JPN subtitles on.

He shushes him, and it seems like an implied "yes".

[El Diabeetus]

It's negative because not being able to understand what's being said can take lead to boredom and take you out of the show. There's no need for them to be speaking like that when the original target audience for the show won't understand it a lot of the time. I feel like Kai in Japan was still made primarily for kids but the English Kai dub was made more specifically for the older purists and anime fans who complained about the Z dub over the years.

I see no problem with Freeza speaking that way and if Freeza having dialouge written that way was a result of trying to do a 180 from the Z dub. I'm fine with it. Freeza in the Z dub is not Freeza. That Freeza, was given terrible dialouge and a voice that didn't help having terrible dialouge with. Freeza speaks like an arrogant, condescending, aristocratic prick, with an air of pseudo polite-ness to him. That point gets across in the Kai dub based on the well adapted dialouge and voice that is similar in tone to the original. That's all you can ask for from a dub.

[ABED]

Still don't understand why anyone hates Colleen as Goku. We only heard her in one movie, which she was fine in.

Well I can't speak for everyone but not that long ago someone on this site mentioned their little cousin watches Kai on TV but prefers to watch Z because they find the dialogue easier to follow. And I never felt like the old dub was talking down to me and neither did the many others who watched for that matter. I've always just thought of it as a dub that doesn't take itself overly seriously and has a corny sense of humour at times.

Yes maybe you can still get what's going on with the plot but I stand by my opinion of that kind of dialogue being unnecessary.

As for my last sentence I was just pointing out the fact that the Funi cast were bothered for a long time by the criticism they got over the years and that's what ultimately lead to Kai being how it is. The kids who watch Kai on TV probably wouldn't have cared less if the dub hadn't been accurate or intelligent sounding.

The show already doesn't take itself too seriously. FUNi's humorous additions didn't add more humor, that would imply it was actually funny.

The dialog works fine, and it fits the characters. Both characters like to hear themselves speak.

They were bothered for good reason, they did a bad job. If the kids on TV didn't care that it was accurate or not, why not give them something accurate instead of bifurcating the audience

[Attitudefan]

It really seems like adults forget what it was like to be a child. I remember trying to catch shows that were for adults because it was cool, mature, and had interesting story or plots. Kids always want to watch something that isn't aimed at them because kids want to be like their parents: older, more mature, cool etc.

I mean, I was eight or nine when kids in my age group were watching stuff like Family Guy because it was cool and 'funny' even though children might not get any of the jokes. I hate this notion that kids must be shown dumbed down things. It's not right! Watching more adult shows can even expand vocabulary and give them a new perspective on the world that they might not have been introduced to which can help them in the future. By dumbing things down intentionally is wrong. Not only that, children will find a way to watch adult oriented material any ways. Why hide it in the first place? There are exceptions but Dragon Ball ain't one. It is not excessively violent and the swears are mild. I'm sure they hear their parents, brothers, sisters and whomever else say these words often. It's not like they are saying the word "Fuck".

But you know, children are also exposed to the internet and places like Facebook where those words are common place. So, by dumbing down Dragon Ball Kai actually could end up having a negative effect on the fans just like the original did if they removed swears and dumbed it down.

Hey, doctors even say that one should not do the 'googoogaga' thing to their babies since it could slow down their language development. Potentially, this example could be used as a metaphor for other facets of life such as in entertainment towards our children.

But hey, don't let me stop you, 90sDBZ from hating on a more mature script.

[ABED]

It really seems like adults forget what it was like to be a child. I remember trying to catch shows that were for adults because it was cool, mature, and had interesting story or plots. Kids always want to watch something that isn't aimed at them because kids want to be like their parents: older, more mature, cool etc.

This is how I remember me and the kids in my age group acting.

[Ringworm128]

Still don't understand why anyone hates Colleen as Goku. We only heard her in one movie, which she was fine in.

Because she makes Goku sound obnoxious and bossy, it's like Tiffany Grants Asuka without the benefit of working for the character.

[ABED]

Still don't understand why anyone hates Colleen as Goku. We only heard her in one movie, which she was fine in.

Because she makes Goku sound obnoxious and bossy, it's like Tiffany Grants Asuka without the benefit of working for the character.

That's a new one. I've never heard that complaint, nor do I remember anything that would imply bossy. Can you remember a scene where you got that impression?

[Gaffer Tape]

Yeah, people tend to forget that children aren't one size fits all. They're all different, with different rates of development and different desires and personalities, which is why I think people who rigidly adhere to standards for appropriateness for children are a bit silly. So when I say this, I can't speak for all children, but I remember kids' cartoons containing all kinds of words I didn't necessarily know yet. And yet I was never put off by it. I could figure out what they meant through context, and, in the process, I learned new words. And that was cool. To say that putting loquacious characters into a kids' work is problematic, that's just silly. How a character talks is a bit part of characterization. Just off the top of my head, Billy from Power Rangers instantly comes to mind. I was 7 when that show first came on, and he was purposely written to be a wordy little bastard because that fit his character. And yet, somehow, Power Rangers was successful, to put it mildly.

Although I'm still generalizing, I agree with AttitudeFan. Some people forget what it's like to be a kid.

[penguintruth]

Freeza barely ever uses plain English. One of his lines that comes to mind is "But its precious core has been utterly desiccated. Need I give you a lesson in Geology?"

Well, that's the way Freeza is. They probably exaggerated it a tad, but it's certainly better than him screaming "ROUND AND ROUND THE MONKEY GOES!"

Still don't understand why anyone hates Colleen as Goku. We only heard her in one movie, which she was fine in.

Because she makes Goku sound obnoxious and bossy, it's like Tiffany Grants Asuka without the benefit of working for the character.

Nothing about Tiffany Grant's Asuka works.

[Ringworm128]

Freeza barely ever uses plain English. One of his lines that comes to mind is "But its precious core has been utterly desiccated. Need I give you a lesson in Geology?"

Well, that's the way Freeza is. They probably exaggerated it a tad, but it's certainly better than him screaming "ROUND AND ROUND THE MONKEY GOES!"

Still don't understand why anyone hates Colleen as Goku. We only heard her in one movie, which she was fine in.

Because she makes Goku sound obnoxious and bossy, it's like Tiffany Grants Asuka without the benefit of working for the character.

Nothing about Tiffany Grant's Asuka works.

I know right, it's like the voice directors thought Asuka is supposed to act like a stuck up bitch to hide her troubled past. And don't get me started on what they did with Rei, making her sound emotionless? WTF. They even had a chance to fix that for the Rebuild dub, but noooo.

[Super Sonic]

Freeza barely ever uses plain English. One of his lines that comes to mind is "But its precious core has been utterly desiccated. Need I give you a lesson in Geology?"

Well, that's the way Freeza is. They probably exaggerated it a tad, but it's certainly better than him screaming "ROUND AND ROUND THE MONKEY GOES!"

Still don't understand why anyone hates Colleen as Goku. We only heard her in one movie, which she was fine in.

Because she makes Goku sound obnoxious and bossy, it's like Tiffany Grants Asuka without the benefit of working for the character.

Nothing about Tiffany Grant's Asuka works.

Oh really now! Ach du lieber! Now I couldn't find a clip in Japanese, but I've heard it there, and there she's just speaking lines. Ms. Grant actually speaks German.

[Gokuden]

As a kid, the only difference I would notice between Funimation and the Oceanic Dub was Vegeta's voice.

[Super Sonic]

Vegeta wasn't in DB.

[Gokuden]

Vegeta wasn't in DB.

BUT... He existed in the same universe.

[Ringworm128]

And a talking sponge,

Spongebob is actually a well written show with good humor and likable characters.

[Gokuden]

And a talking sponge,

Spongebob is actually a well written show with good humor and likable characters.

I don't know, I couldn't sit through it without grinding my teeth because of the yellow square's voice. I do know there is a funny prank based on it though.

The evil shrimp thing, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxlpbgWW18M , and this is Maxmofoe, I'm sure you're both already acquainted, however.

[Ringworm128]

Just realized I posted in the wrong thread....

[UltimateHammerBro]

If I remember well, he asks him where he is going, then he gasps and says "Are you...?" and Goku tells him to stop.

By the way, the Spanish line is "Hold on! I hate to say this, but... good luck, Goku." And curiously, the "but" is synchronized with Vegeta's surprised face, where he originally gasped.

Had a feeling I was wrong, but i really recall seeing that line somewhere else, oh well.

Maybe in French? I recall "tu vas traîner?" being said.

[Valerius Dover]

I really liked the Dragon Ball dub (granted this is coming for someone who likes the remastered Z dub as well). It managed to have a certain charm of it's own while still being very much like the original. The original music actually fits the dub (whereas in Z I felt it was a little awkward, but that's just my opinion).

I get that a lot of people don't like Nadolny's Goku, but I thought it was great, and gets points for being memorable. Pretty much everybody in the Red Ribbon Army deserves a mention, too (even if Commander Red's accent wasn't consistent). Chris Sabat made Colonel Silver into a different character, practically. Also, Ninja Murasaki.....need I say any more?

Everybody says they removed a bunch of risque jokes, but most of them were kept in the uncut version. They didn't shy away when those two soldiers were harassing Bulma, for example. Or take any seen involving Master Roshi, just priceless. And the lack of swearing doesn't feel awkward like in Z. In fact, the one time somebody did swear in the King Piccolo Saga, it doubled as a Precision F Strike. I was like did he just say Hell?

Despite this, I wouldn't mind seeing a Dragon Ball Kai (as in original pre-Raditz) but seeing as how Funimation's not even dubbing the Buu Arc, I doubt I should get my hopes up. It'd be nice to have a COMPLETE Manga edition.

[Freeza Soldier #156]

but seeing as how Funimation's not even dubbing the Buu Arc, I doubt I should get my hopes up. It'd be nice to have a COMPLETE Manga edition.

I don't buy Chris Sabat's statement one bit. Multiple VA's have already talked about working on Buu Kai, even Sabat himself (If the rumor about him talking about FUNi licensing the episodes is true. I don't think there has ever been an official source so I'm not sure.) Even if by some chance both Schemmel and Hebert were lying, there is no doubt in my mind that FUNi will dub Buu Kai eventually. The whole point in reviving Kai originally was for the international markets.