Discussion Forums > Anime Discussions
English Dubs
Tatsujin:
--- Quote from: Borror0 on August 18, 2009, 03:12:57 AM ---
--- Quote from: zrdb on August 17, 2009, 11:46:51 PM ---
--- Quote from: Borror0 on August 15, 2009, 09:25:00 PM ---
--- Quote from: zrdb on August 15, 2009, 08:45:26 PM ---"Good English dubs are the exception rather than the rule." On really now?
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Ya, really.
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Not really-if all you listen to is japanese tracks then I'd say you're pretty narrow minded. I've heard pretty shitty japanese dubs-just because it's the originial language doesn't mean it's superior toan english dub. "If it's not in the originial language then it's crap"-that's total bullshit.
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Which part of "Good English dubs are the exception rather than the rule." made you believe that I thought that all English dubs were bad or that I listened to none of them? Really, I'd like to know. Quite obviously, if I make such a statement it means that 1) I don't think that all English dubs are and 2) have listened to them to judge of their quality.
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............. I'm gonna go learn Russian. Screw English.
furuoshiki:
--- Quote from: aznZephyr on August 16, 2009, 02:52:46 AM ---
--- Quote from: Zalis116 on August 16, 2009, 12:01:12 AM ---And what about shows not set in Japan, like shows that take place in the USA/UK or otherwise international settings? For shows like Chrono Crusade, Baccano, Yugo the Negotiator, Area 88, Noir, Hellsing, Sherlock Hound, and Beck, English can feel more appropriate for the show's characters and atmosphere. And then there's all the sci-fi/fantasy settings like Last Exile, Berserk, Lodoss War, Trigun, etc.
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What bout them? You think Samurai Jack would be better off in Japanese?
No matter how "international" or "US/UK" they seem, its still Japanese. The one writing the story has a Japanese-ethnocentric-point-of-view that is trying to please a majority Japanese audience. No matter how you look at it, its not truly international and it will not be as good in any other language besides its original (in this case, Japanese).
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Not at all true bro.
For example the manga Tokyo Tribes could very well be set in the Bronx, NYC since most of it's characters have a Black/Hispanic appearance to them anyways. And when reading the manga (if you are from an urban city) it really seems like it is a story that was written in America and imported to Japan.
Don't underestimate the Japanese ability to mimic the nuances and atmosphere of foreign ideas and media. The manga Pluto also seems very foreign (European/German in particular in regards to the characters disposition and personalities) and non-Japanese in comparison to say Astro Boy, of which Pluto is called a spin-off of.
Michiko to Hatchin was supposedly written/drawn by a Japanese Brazilian, therefore in Japanese the story line seems sort of "odd" compared to if the language spoken was (Brazilian) Portuguese. Many of the characters names were Brazilian as well as locations and street names...so despite the fact it was a Japanese person developing the plot, characters, story line and script, the flavor of the series is clearly Brazilian, not Japanese.
What I'm NOT arguing here is that all Japanese Manga/Anime writers find a translator for fictional productions that are supposed to take place outside of Japan.
What I AM arguing is that English or another language OTHER than Japanese CAN and SHOULD be more appropriate for a certain artistic creation based off of a story that takes place in that given country where the language OTHER than Japanese is spoken.
This means that if an Anime or Manga takes place in America...why NOT dub it in English? It will be more appropriate. Wouldn't it make sense hearing an American voice over cowboy say "DALLAS" instead of a Japanese voice actor saying " DARRAS"??? (That's like preferring a Hispanic saying "NEW JORK" instead of " NEW YORK" in a fictional production which is supposedly taking place in the USA with characters BORN in the USA...Now if the fictional character IS in fact Hispanic then that pronunciation by the voice actor would be justified).
Come on now, let's practice some common sense people. So unless the character of the series is JAPANESE in another country...why would a local dub sound any worse than the Japanese voice actor?
DmonHiro:
--- Quote from: furuoshiki on October 21, 2009, 06:38:38 PM ---Come on now, let's practice some common sense people. So unless the character of the series is JAPANESE in another country...why would a local dub sound any worse than the Japanese voice actor?
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While I do see your points, there is just too much of a difference between Japanese dubs and English dubs. The quality is usually much better on the Japanese front. I mean, come on, they have schools for this. There just aren't that many talented English dub actors. I can tell my favorite Japanese actor from a single line, that's how identifiable those voices are (Hayashibara Megumi, Rie Tanaka, Ishida Akira). Also they have a very wide range of voices, that sometimes you can't believe it's the same voice (Chii from Chobits and Suigin Tou from Rozen Maiden have the same voice, Rie Tanaka). On the other hand, most English dub actors only have one voice, and that one's not always good. I mean, I love JYB, but all his roles sound the same. (although, to be fair...all his characters ARE the same). Now, I'm not saying that all English dubs are bad. There are good English dubs, some even better then the original Japanese. But, really, the character's origin had no real impact on weather the English dub would sound good. It's all up to the actor, and quite frankly, most are lacking.
PS: If you ever try and listen to a dub of a character who's original voice was Rie Tanaka or Nakahara Mai...brace yourselves, it won't be pretty. Also, check out Higurashi in Japanese to hear Nakahara Mai's REALLY CREEPY laugh as Rena.
Havoc10K:
simple as that :
1 - Japaneese Voice Actor puts feelings into the role he/she plays.
2 - English Voice Actor puts effort into the work he/she is doing.
1 does not equal 2
even if you put the effort of a galaxy, you can't replace feelings with effort, no matter how good the VA is if there are no feelings the effort is wasted, that is why English dubs are so horrible, there is no feelings in them, only effort because they are paid, Japaneese on the otehr hand, love this kind of job, it allows them to experience different personalities, they can behave differently, it gives them another piece of their beloved freedom, take Saikano for instance, the lead female VA is timid and incredibly polite, but in the show she plays the role of a girl that is not herself, a quite different character to experience, this is what makes Japaneese original dubbing so unique and pleasant to listen, same goes for Higurashi, the VA of english dubs is not bad, but l always say ENG DUBS ARE HORRIBLE, because l don't feel anything from listening to them, in the most touching scenes in Chobits l didn't feel anything when l was listening to Eng dubbs, while l cried a bit when l listened and read the subs form jap dubb.
to me this matters the most, it doesn't matter if the voice is similar, and sounds good, if there are no feelings, the effort is wasted, and that is why it's a horrible english dubb.
furuoshiki:
--- Quote from: Havoc10K on October 22, 2009, 06:41:32 AM ---simple as that :
1 - Japaneese Voice Actor puts feelings into the role he/she plays.
2 - English Voice Actor puts effort into the work he/she is doing.
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Good point, but this is more of a cultural issue than economic issue I'm betting because I am sure they are paid the same salaries (something along the lines of what public school teachers are paid?) in either America or Japan right?
Overall the apex of this argument comes to one simple issue then. A Japanese voice over is not always the most appropriate for certain series based in certain countries or foreign cultures. HOWEVER, when examining the quality of Japanese voice actors versus English voice actors and the difference in feeling, effort, experience and ability to captivate an audience...The result is clearly in favor of the Japanese.
Perhaps Viz and others need to step up their game and recruit better voice actors or simply pay their current line-up more than usual to give incentives for better theatrical performances. Another option is to simply foster the growth of more domestic Manga and Anime writers and artists, which would then foster the growth and demand for more American voice actors.
There are a variety of people majoring in the fine arts schools that have the capability to be voice actors in this country. I don't know why the talent pool has been so restricted in comparison to that of our Japanese counterparts in that industry. Is it the abysmal pay? Or the fact that the position isn't respected enough in the Media Arts and Entertainment community?
My opinion is that it is because little to no Manga or Anime is produced domestically within the United States with the exception of regional doujunshi clubs and some examples featured in the "Rising Stars of Manga" (which is all I am aware of as of this moment).
What is it exactly?
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