Nozawa and Sabat's multiple roles

Piccolo Daimao · Post by **Piccolo Daimao** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:01 pm

OK, now I've always found it strange that so many people complain about Christopher Sabat's multiple roles in FUNimation's English dub of Dragon Ball, yet are fine or praise Masako Nozawa's multiple roles in the original Japanese version? Or is it the reasoning behind such casting, as Nozawa tends to voice mainly members of the Son family (although, inexplicably, also Bardock and Tullece, seemingly on the flimsy basis that they happen to look like Gokuu) and many believe that she mainly did them well with subtle inflections in each, unlike Sabat with some of his character voices; for example, many complaining that, in the pre-Kai dub, his Piccolo sounded too similar to his Vegeta, especially during their screams. But now, with of them improved in the Kai dub, they sound distinct from one another.

Or is this some kind of possibly subconscious Japanese bias? Not accusing anyone, just suggesting. I don't mean to start up another heated "sub vs. dub" debate or anything, so let's keep it civil.

penguintruth · Post by **penguintruth** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:04 pm

Masako Nozawa plays what, four characters?

In Z, Sabat played way more, and most of them sounded the same until Kai.

Fortunately, Sabat got better at pretty much all his roles (except Recoome) for Kai, so there's no reason to complain anymore.

I think a big problem with Sabat is how he's in every single Funimation dub.

I love his Alex Louis Armstrong.

Drabaz · Post by **Drabaz** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:10 pm

I think it's mainly what you said about Nozawa voicing characters in the same family line. It helps a bit that Goku and his offspring look similar. I was thinking if it would sound weird to hear Sabat voice Trunks, and I definitly think it would. But I have no problem hearing Sabats voice come from Vegeta Jr.'s mouth since he looks just like Vegeta. So yea, it's mostly comes from Sabat playing a ton of people who have no relation to eachother. Could you imagine Nozawa playing Shenlong???

FNF · Post by **FNF** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:10 pm

I understand where you're coming from. However, I do actually like Nozawa's Bardock. IMO she makes him sound more 'fiery' to reflect his more potent Saiyan background in comparison to say Goku.

Sabat's roles in Kai were well delivered so I don't have anything to complain about regarding him really.

Post by **VegettoEX** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:14 pm

You're thinking back to 1999 (or criticisms of 1999) when the cast of FUNimation's DBZ was Chris Sabat, Sean Schemmel, Chris Sabat, Chris Sabat, Dale Kelley, Chris Sabat, and a fresh up-and-comer named Chris Sabat. It was also directed by Chris Sabat.

Every voice sounded exactly the same, and it was easy-pickings at the time to showcase examples of Chris Sabat talking to Chris Sabat talking to Chris Sabat in the same scene all sounding like Chris Sabat talking to Chris Sabat talking to Chris Sabat.

Combine not even watching that version of the show with an immensely-respectable gazillion-fold increase in talent and care, and -- trust me -- it's not really a concern anymore.

(But we're still going to laugh at 1999, 'cuz NEVER FORGET.)

Piccolo Daimao · Post by **Piccolo Daimao** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:16 pm

penguintruth wrote:Masako Nozawa plays what, four characters?

I was kind of counting the child and adult incarnations of characters as seperate. So kid Gokuu, adult Gokuu, kid Gohan, teen Gohan, Goten, Bardock and Tullece: seven in total.

But you're right, it's not that many. I don't know why I thought she voiced more characters, or there were more members of the Son family and/or those that looked like Gokuu.

penguintruth wrote:In Z, Sabat played way more, and most of them sounded the same until Kai.

Fortunately, Sabat got better at pretty much all his roles (except Recoome) for Kai, so there's no reason to complain anymore.

I think a big problem with Sabat is how he's in every single Funimation dub.

I love his Alex Louis Armstrong.

Yeah, that's true. I don't know why FUNimation were so reluctant to let go of Recoom's retard voice. I mean, yes, it was improved, but it still felt derpy, and when they'd changed the voices for all the other Ginyuu members and even more important/main characters (e.g. Gohan, Blooma, Freeza), why keep this one?

But yeah, why was Sabat cast for so many roles and is in every single FUNimation dub? Granted, I don't know that much about FUNimation other than their work on the DB dubs, but what, is he one of the leading members or just expressed such a big desire to voice all these characters, even the minor ones?

I think that all or the main characters he really needs are Piccolo and Vegeta, since he nailed them in the Kai dub.

Drabaz wrote:I think it's mainly what you said about Nozawa voicing characters in the same family line. It helps a bit that Goku and his offspring look similar. I was thinking if it would sound weird to hear Sabat voice Trunks, and I definitly think it would. But I have no problem hearing Sabats voice come from Vegeta Jr.'s mouth since he looks just like Vegeta. So yea, it's mostly comes from Sabat playing a ton of people who have no relation to eachother. Could you imagine Nozawa playing Shenlong???

Yeah, that's true. I don't agree with Nozawa voicing Bardock and Tullece, though, because while the high-pitched voices work for the characters of the Sons, they really don't for the evil and fierce Saiyans that have no real relation to Gokuu other than in appearance and it's just jarring.

Did Sabat voice kid Vegeta in both the old Z dub (anime and Bardock special) and the Kai dub? If so, it's a good improvement, since I recall him not sounding raspy anymore and like a genuine child, but retaining that smug regality.

Drabaz · Post by **Drabaz** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:42 pm

I was talking about Vegeta Jr. from GT, but the same applies for kid Vegeta.

Lord Eeyore Haw-Haw · Post by **Lord Eeyore Haw-Haw** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 3:25 pm

Piccolo Daimao wrote: Did Sabat voice kid Vegeta in both the old Z dub (anime and Bardock special) and the Kai dub? If so, it's a good improvement, since I recall him not sounding raspy anymore and like a genuine child, but retaining that smug regality.

I can't say for sure, without the credits to hand, but I'm pretty sure that (in the Kai dub, at least) was Laura Bailey, which would be appropriate.

A quick check, and yes, she's credited as Young Vegeeta in Kai. Again, very appropriate, considering...

dbboxkaifan · Post by **dbboxkaifan** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:23 pm

I'm perfectly happy with Nozawa voicing Son Goku, Son Gohan, Son Goten, Tullece and Burdock, as she's able to change (kid/adult voice - low/high pitch, etc) her voice for the several characters though we still know it's her, but as for Sabat...

I really hated watching FUNi DBZ dub clips where there's Vegeta and Piccolo and both have the same damn voices with absolutely no different.

At least in Kai he managed to improve his voice acting but made Vegeta sound like a 60 year old retired man and Piccolo's vocal's quite deeper.

Piccolo Daimao · Post by **Piccolo Daimao** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:58 pm

Drabaz wrote:I was talking about Vegeta Jr. from GT, but the same applies for kid Vegeta.

I know, you just reminded me of kid Vegeta.

Lord Eeyore Haw-Haw wrote:I can't say for sure, without the credits to hand, but I'm pretty sure that (in the Kai dub, at least) was Laura Bailey, which would be appropriate.

A quick check, and yes, she's credited as Young Vegeeta in Kai. Again, very appropriate, considering...

Ah, I had an inkling it was her. Nice.

dbboxkaifan wrote:At least in Kai he managed to improve his voice acting but made Vegeta sound like a 60 year old retired man and Piccolo's vocal's quite deeper.

I don't know about that. Sabat removed the rasp and made them both more natural and smooth, and Vegeta sounds nothing like a 60-year-old retired man. He sounds like Vegeta. Same for Piccolo.

DBZGTKOSDH · Post by **DBZGTKOSDH** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:09 pm

Piccolo Daimao wrote:I was kind of counting the child and adult incarnations of characters as seperate. So kid Gokuu, adult Gokuu, kid Gohan, teen Gohan, Goten, Bardock and Tullece: seven in total.

Only seven? They are more. Kid Goku, adult Goku, kid Gohan, adult Gohan, kid Goten, adult Goten, Bardock, Tullece, Goku Jr., Vegetto, Gogeta & Gotenks: 12(!) in total.

dbboxkaifan · Post by **dbboxkaifan** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:16 pm

Piccolo Daimao wrote:I don't know about that. Sabat removed the rasp and made them both more natural and smooth, and Vegeta sounds nothing like a 60-year-old retired man. He sounds like Vegeta. Same for Piccolo.

His Vegeta or Piccolo nor sound natural for the characters, his Vegeta is too raspy and old, and Piccolo's too deep of a voice.

Piccolo Daimao · Post by **Piccolo Daimao** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:19 pm

DBZGTKOSDH wrote:
Piccolo Daimao wrote:I was kind of counting the child and adult incarnations of characters as seperate. So kid Gokuu, adult Gokuu, kid Gohan, teen Gohan, Goten, Bardock and Tullece: seven in total.
Only seven? They are more. Kid Goku, adult Goku, kid Gohan, adult Gohan, kid Goten, adult Goten, Bardock, Tullece, Goku Jr., Vegetto, Gogeta & Gotenks: 12(!) in total.

Oh yeah, forgot about the last four, but I didn't really count the fusions because they were dual performances and she kind of has to be one of them if she's already been voicing a Fusion component or whatever.

dbboxkaifan wrote:
Piccolo Daimao wrote:I don't know about that. Sabat removed the rasp and made them both more natural and smooth, and Vegeta sounds nothing like a 60-year-old retired man. He sounds like Vegeta. Same for Piccolo.
His Vegeta or Piccolo nor sound natural for the characters, his Vegeta is too raspy and old, and Piccolo's too deep of a voice.

Well, each to their own.

Fionordequester · Post by **Fionordequester** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:20 pm

It's always kind of irritating to me to hear people say that Chris Sabat's characters all sound alike, because even in the old dub, that wasn't the case. There were clear differences in their voices...for example...

Recoome: Was very bass and deep from the chest.
Piccolo: Was around as deep as Recoome, but not voiced with anywhere near as much force. His voice wasn't BOOMING like Recoome was.
Vegeta: Was higher than Piccolo and much more raspy, even later on into the Buu and Remastered Saiyan Sagas. The lines were also delivered with much more intensity.
Jeice: Australian
Zarbon: British
Kami: Higher than Vegeta, with a little bit, but not as much of a rasp as Vegeta.

Thoughts?

Piccolo Daimao · Post by **Piccolo Daimao** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:38 pm

Fionordequester wrote:It's always kind of irritating to me to hear people say that Chris Sabat's characters all sound alike, because even in the old dub, that wasn't the case. There were clear differences in their voices...for example...

Recoome: Was very bass and deep from the chest.
Piccolo: Was around as deep as Recoome, but not voiced with anywhere near as much force. His voice wasn't BOOMING like Recoome was.
Vegeta: Was higher than Piccolo and much more raspy, even later on into the Buu and Remastered Saiyan Sagas. The lines were also delivered with much more intensity.
Jeice: Australian
Zarbon: British
Kami: Higher than Vegeta, with a little bit, but not as much of a rasp as Vegeta.

Thoughts?

You're right, I never got why people said that either, although you do have to admit that Piccolo and Vegeta used to sound very similar during their screams.

Fionordequester · Post by **Fionordequester** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:41 pm

Eh, perhaps. But I never really minded personally.

Akumaito Beam · Post by **Akumaito Beam** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:44 pm

Is that really a popular opinion?

I guess someone could get that impression due to Sabat's character voices slapping around into other character voices while screaming during the earlier seasons but save for that I personally never thought his voices were indistinguishable.

dbboxkaifan · Post by **dbboxkaifan** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:48 pm

Fionordequester wrote:Zarbon: British

You serious? ._. *facepalm* Please take that back.

Even Chris Ayres' Freeza sounds much more British than Sabat's Zarbon, in comparison.

By the way, there are voice actors out there in the world that can modify his voice for several characters and none sound alike but Sabat's a different case.

Fionordequester · Post by **Fionordequester** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:54 pm

Well...alright, maybe that was a bad choice of words. I guess "arrogant and upper class" would be better?

Lord Eeyore Haw-Haw · Post by **Lord Eeyore Haw-Haw** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:12 pm

dbboxkaifan wrote:
Fionordequester wrote:Zarbon: British
You serious? ._. *facepalm* Please take that back.

Even Chris Ayres' Freeza sounds much more British than Sabat's Zarbon, in comparison.

By the way, there are voice actors out there in the world that can modify his voice for several characters and none sound alike but Sabat's a different case.

Depends on who's listening. After a while, I can tend to recognise a character voice from a certain actor. Doesn't mean that they're bad. By the way, shock horror. There are some actors who aren't as able to modify their voices, and they're not bad actors either. And can I just say that even the great Mel Blanc had voices that crossed over into one another? Are you going to say that he shouldn't have had all the roles he had, because sometimes you could tell it was Mel Blanc again?

Oh, and by the way... It's his opinion that Sabat's Zarbon had something of a British accent. Just because you don't feel so doesn't mean you should tell him to take back his opinion. If I did that for every person who called a regional English accent something like Australian or Cockney, just because it's not what they immediately think when they hear "English", then I would have very little time on my hands.

Kanzenshuu

Nozawa and Sabat's multiple roles

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