How accurate is the funi dub of Kai?

[Nex Carnifex]

Watching what I believe to be a fansub right now and I think the story is actually very well told whether or not Vegeta's amount of swearing is accurate, he's dropped the f-bomb a few times when he was really pissed which is fitting when looking at the show from a serious angle, though I do know there is a significant amount of cursing in the uncut funimation dub of Kai as well. I want to know how accurate you would consider this, because previous translations of Z had even more minimal cursing from what I recall. Really how much cursing is there in the show, I know the 2 cultures view profanity differently but the same goes for blood and violence, cutting that out changes the show just as much as the language.

[Tanooki Kuribo]

You're definitely watching a fan sub if Vegeta is dropping F-bombs. I don't think they've ever said anything like that in the Japanese version. I'm pretty sure the closest we've gotten to the word "fuck" was when, in the FUNimation version Yamcha said "friggin".

The FUNimation dub of DBK is pretty OK. They do take liberties every now and then, but nothing like the DBZ dub.

[matt0044]

It's 91% accurate but Woolseyisms are still used. I love this since I hate clunky translated dialogue. The only reason everyone else hates it is because of FUNi's old dubs but in the case of Kai, I whole heartedly approve of it.

[dbboxkaifan]

Steve Simmons' subtitles don't have any f-word swearing so you're probably watching some bootleg or fansubbed version, you should stop since official subs exist.

The so-called swearing in FUNi's Kai dub isn't really swearing, but it does end up getting annoyed by how much overuse they give the damn words, such as "damn", "hell", "bastard", "freak" and "shiiiiiii----t" (only used once on Ghurd).

Judging by Simmons' subtitles the dubbed version seems to be accurate but too not much, again, dubs are rarely ever full accurate, anyway.

Tenshinhan is still "Tien", God dammit!

The Brazilian Kai is the closest for me since they make full use of the original names, attacks and whatnot. Well, Buruma is Bulma but I'm happy more happy with Bulma than Buruma.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Honestly, it depends on who you ask, but the general consensus is that, at it's worst, the Kai dub is 75% accurate. I would personally put the figure at around 90-92%. Here's the problem...at what point do you consider a line "changed"?

I mentioned in another thread that often, in order to fit the lip flaps more naturally, dialogue has to be rephrased, but not necessarily rewritten. For example, if the line is, "We need to leave!"...and it is changed to, "We gotta get outta here!"...then technically speaking, yes, that is a changed line, but I wouldn't consider it as such because the meaning is, for all intents and purposes, the exact same. So it depends on at what point you consider a line to be changed. There were a select few lines here and there that, even in my opinion, were so completely changed that the original meaning was gone, but those are--again, in my opinion--very few and far between. Certain sagas have it worse than others. Ironically enough, the most inaccurately-dubbed saga in the Z dub (the Freeza Saga) is the most accurately-dubbed saga in the Kai dub.

The only other "issue" is the "issue" of names and attack names. For example, "Tenshinhan" is still "Tien," and "Tri-Beam" is still used in place of "Kikoho." This really, really, REALLY annoyed some people. Personally, I felt it was a minor dent in an otherwise great dub. Most of the terms have been changed back to their original Japanese names and pronunciations anyway. For people who value consistency, I suppose I could see how this could be bothersome, but for me, as long as they got most of 'em right, that's fine by me. Most people I talk to don't care. I remember pointing out to my friend that they are correctly pronouncing "Kaioken" now, and he just chuckled and said (with heavy sarcasm in his voice), "Oh whoopdy-do, I was having such a terrible time getting through this dub until I knew that--now I can relax."

Putting dub accuracy aside for a moment, I can tell from your description of the fansubs that you are definitely watching a fansub that over-dramatized the swearing for the sake of "internet cool points." A hallmark of fansubs, and one of the many reasons why I hate them. The massive conversation to be had on how they're destroying the anime industry would probably be going off-topic, but suffice to say, no, Vegeta *never* dropped an F-bomb. If you want really accurate English subtitles, buy the show on DVD or Blu-Ray from FUNimation. Steve Simmons, FUNimation's translator and subtitle writer, knows his stuff.

[matt0044]

Yeah, inconsistencies in names and terms aside, the dialogue IS changed from the original version BUT not in way that completely changes what's being said in both versions. An example would be:

Trunks (JPN): *chuckles* She's (Bulma) the same in the future.
Trunks (Kai dub): *chuckles* Trust me, she's not going to mellow with age.

In other words, a Wooleyism. I love this since they're able to appeal to Americans with dialogue that sounds natural in their native language, English. Some tidbits are lost due to the words being matched with the lip flaps and some bits are added but they NEVER get to the level of 4kids, Saban or the old DBZ dub overall. I'm able to watch Kai with full confidence that the dub I'm watching emulates the story and feel of the original version. Maybe not totally but mostly.

Plus, Krillin's comic relief dub one-liner always make smile. I helps me love the character even more. It's reminds me of Ziggy Grover from Power Rangers RPM.

[OzzyApu]

Tenshinhan is still "Tenshinhan", God dammit!

For example, "Tenshinhan" is still "Tenshinhan," ...

Wait, how are these bad? That's his name in the original. Ten or Tenshinhan. You guys mean "Tien or "Tienshinhan"?

[dbboxkaifan]

Yes, I meant to say Tien not Tenshinhan and he too, I suppose.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Tenshinhan is still "Tenshinhan", God dammit!

For example, "Tenshinhan" is still "Tenshinhan," ...

Wait, how are these bad? That's his name in the original. Ten or Tenshinhan. You guys mean "Tien or "Tienshinhan"?

Ha...what you just saw there is a result of the Kanzenshuu forum's "auto-correct" feature. It's not possible to spell...you know, the revised name for Tenshinhan...without some sort of trick, otherwise the forum will auto-correct it. I remember the first time I discovered this, I must have gone back and tried to edit my post 28 times, all the while very confused as to why that was happening.

[Pokewhiz7]

It's pretty damn accurate other than a few things: dub names like TlEN, Master Roshi, Tri-Beam, Destructo Disk, and Solar Flare. The only names that I know for sure where changed to the original are "Grand Elder" from "Guru" and "Makankosappo" from "Special Beam Cannon." FUNimation mostly fixed mis-pronunciations like Kayoken, but still retain their incorrect pronunciation of "Saiyan." There's also a few script "liberties" here and there, such as when Piccolo is taking Gohan away, and Bulma asks if he needs a permission slip, or when Bulma was originally asking if Goku has ever worn Earth clothes, and now she's asking if Vegeta would take them all hostage until Goku comes back. However, my biggest problem is with a few characters with terrible voices. Kaio/King Kai should sound like a wise old man who's a bit goofy at times, not like this. Recoome shouldn't sound retarded. Really though, these are few and far between, and besides a few voices like Linda Young's Freeza (who was, of course, replaced with the mighty Chris Ayres), Sean Schemmel's Kaio/King Kai, and Chris Sabat's Recoome, I never really had any problem with the voices in the old dub. I just thought that the voices' main problem was the terrible acting, which is, of course, much better now. I definitely consider it somewhere from a good to a great dub. It's far superior to the terrible Dragon Ball Z dub, and way better than the somewhat tolerable Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball GT dubs. Overall, it's accurate, and once my ass actually gets around to GETTING Kai, I'll probably watch it dubbed. Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT, unless there's a redub, I will always watch in Japanese with subtitles, however.

[TheBlackPaladin]

The only names that I know for sure where changed to the original are "Grand Elder" from "Guru" and "Makankosappo" from "Special Beam Cannon."

In addition to that, there are two more, but they have catches. "Solar Flare" is now correctly called "Taiyoken"...for the most part. On the "Part 1" uncut home release, it was called "Solar Flare," possibly as a result of a TV-edit line accidentally being mixed into the uncut version. Also, "Destructo Disc" was changed back to "Kienzan"...although it appeared to be mispronounced in the "Part 1" uncut home release.

Like you said though, small things that are few and far between.

[dbboxkaifan]

The one time I heard Kuririn in FUNi's Kai dub say "Taiyo-ken" sounded like "Tey-oken" instead, it was around the Freeza arc, maybe he pronounced it correctly sometime before/after.

[matt0044]

Why would FUNi use the attack names from the old dub for Nicktoons? What was the point? I mean, the Kai dub is to be accurate to the JPN version and the NT version was the same save for some censorship.

[Pokewhiz7]

Why would FUNi use the attack names from the old dub for Nicktoons? What was the point? I mean, the Kai dub is to be accurate to the JPN version and the NT version was the same save for some censorship.

The only reason that I can think of is that they thought hardcore fans of the old dub would see it first on TV and be angry if they didn't have the names that they were familiar with, though FUNimation brought back other accurate names, and they changed some voices like Linda Young's Freeza, Stephanie Nadolny's Gohan, Tiffany Vollmer's Blooma, etc., so I personally think they should have just gone all-out accurate.

[matt0044]

Why would FUNi use the attack names from the old dub for Nicktoons? What was the point? I mean, the Kai dub is to be accurate to the JPN version and the NT version was the same save for some censorship.

The only reason that I can think of is that they thought hardcore fans of the old dub would see it first on TV and be angry if they didn't have the names that they were familiar with, though FUNimation brought back other accurate names, and they changed some voices like Linda Young's Freeza, Stephanie Nadolny's Gohan, Tiffany Vollmer's Blooma, etc., so I personally think they should have just gone all-out accurate.

Yeah, why would they think that? They really should've gone all out.

[dbboxkaifan]

so I personally think they should have just gone all-out accurate.

I concur but instead it was a mess of an inconsistency dub.

[TheBlackPaladin]

so I personally think they should have just gone all-out accurate.

I concur but instead it was a mess of an inconsistency dub.

"Mess"?

Well, to each their own. I maintain that it was just a few scratches. And that's just talking about consistency/naming/accuracy. The no. 1 factor for me, in any dub, will always be the acting...and the acting was great. Not without a few hiccups, but it was great overall. Anime News Network called Chris Ayers' performance of Freeza "one of the best English dub performances of the last decade," and I full-hardheartedly agree.

Why would FUNi use the attack names from the old dub for Nicktoons? What was the point? I mean, the Kai dub is to be accurate to the JPN version and the NT version was the same save for some censorship.

The only reason that I can think of is that they thought hardcore fans of the old dub would see it first on TV and be angry if they didn't have the names that they were familiar with, though FUNimation brought back other accurate names, and they changed some voices like Linda Young's Freeza, Stephanie Nadolny's Gohan, Tiffany Vollmer's Blooma, etc., so I personally think they should have just gone all-out accurate.

Yeah. I'd have to imagine that whatever terms were retained were an effort to keep the old fans from getting angry. My thought is, since the "hardcore" dub fans were already enraged at certain changes in voice actors, it probably would have been best to go all-out accurate on the Kai dub and tell those fans to watch the old DBZ dub if that's what they preferred. After all, DBZ, with a marketing emphasis on FUNimation's old English dub, continues to be FUNimation's highest-selling product...they're never going to stop printing the DVDs, so it's not like that old DBZ dub will suddenly become a rare collector's item.

On the other hand, that's me thinking from an artistic perspective. From a business perspective, I don't find it surprising at all that FUNimation tried to appease the most people they could in an effort to get the biggest profit. It makes sense from a business perspective, as much as I hate to say it.

[dbboxkaifan]

Tien, Solar Flare, Tri Beam, Spirit Bomb, Chiatzu, Seiyen, Hercule (TV only), Special Beam Cannon (TV only), etc.

For an accurate dub, they should have used the actual names and attacks.

[TheBlackPaladin]

Tien, Solar Flare, Tri Beam, Spirit Bomb, Chiatzu, Seiyen, Hercule (TV only), Special Beam Cannon (TV only), etc.

For an accurate dub, they should have used the actual names and attacks.

Oh there certainly were problems, yes, but I just don't personally find those bad enough to qualify the dub as a "mess." Or an inaccurate dub. More like an accurate dub with a few inaccurate parts.

[Pokewhiz7]

"Mess"?

Well, to each their own. I maintain that it was just a few scratches.

I agree. It's just a few bad things here and there. Honestly, changed names never even bothered me as much as the actual dialog. I'm not one to get angry over Vegerot in Viz's manga translation or FUNimation using Tien. They do take away from what is otherwise an excellent dub, yes, but they certainly don't ruin it for me.
And stop claiming that Chiaotzu is wrong.