English Dubs

[Borror0]

You're completely mistaken Furoshiki. Saying that English voice actors don't put any heart into their work is ridiculous.

I think that the reasoning behind it has some merit though. Being a voice actor in Japan and in America is not equally glamorous. In one case, you're most likely an idol. In the other, you're most likely an actor that is not successful enough to feature in bigger shows.

You're not going to see the same caliber of talent or passion as a result.

[Aneroph]

You're completely mistaken Furoshiki. Saying that English voice actors don't put any heart into their work is ridiculous.

I think that the reasoning behind it has some merit though. Being a voice actor in Japan and in America is not equally glamorous. In one case, you're most likely an idol. In the other, you're most likely an actor that is not successful enough to feature in bigger shows.

You're not going to see the same caliber of talent or passion as a result.

You're misunderstanding the meaning of words here. Heart + passion != good work, just as good work != heart + passion. Have you ever seen the movie "Rudy"? That little Irish kid had basically 0 talent for football, but dammit if he didn't give 120%. You can say that English voice actors don't have talent (or at least not as much as other more prominent actors), you can say they just aren't as good as Japanese, you can even say they don't have the same training, but to say they're not even trying is just a blatant attack on people who do a lot of hard work so that people can enjoy anime on television without reading subs.

[shabutie]

I wonder if the Japanese feel the same way about JDubs on English shows as we feel about EDubs on Japanese shows...

[Borror0]

You're misunderstanding the meaning of words here. Heart + passion != good work, just as good work != heart + passion. Have you ever seen the movie "Rudy"? That little Irish kid had basically 0 talent for football, but dammit if he didn't give 120%. You can say that English voice actors don't have talent (or at least not as much as other more prominent actors), you can say they just aren't as good as Japanese, you can even say they don't have the same training, but to say they're not even trying is just a blatant attack on people who do a lot of hard work so that people can enjoy anime on television without reading subs.

I don't see why you think it's such an insulting or ridiculous statement.

Take note that Havoc did acknowledge that American VAs did put efforts in their work; the difference is the passion.

In America, being a voice actor is often a job of transition to acquire experience whereas, in Japan, it is a vocation and something many people aspire to (and, in Soviet Russia, something aspires people). The end result is American voice actor are generally less passionate about their work than their Japanese counterparts. It's just a cultural thing. If being a janitor was glamorous in America but not in Canada, American janitors would be far more passionate about their work than Canadian ones.

I wonder if the Japanese feel the same way about JDubs on English shows as we feel about EDubs on Japanese shows...

Semi-related to what you said: http://is.gd/4DHSK

[shabutie]

Saying that English VA don't give passion is bull shit...  (Notable English VA:  Dan Castellaneta, Billy West, John Dimaggio, Brendon Small, Mark Hamill)




Now saying English Dubbers don't give passion isn't.   


(Just wanna get that out there XD)

[Aneroph]

You're misunderstanding the meaning of words here. Heart + passion != good work, just as good work != heart + passion. Have you ever seen the movie "Rudy"? That little Irish kid had basically 0 talent for football, but dammit if he didn't give 120%. You can say that English voice actors don't have talent (or at least not as much as other more prominent actors), you can say they just aren't as good as Japanese, you can even say they don't have the same training, but to say they're not even trying is just a blatant attack on people who do a lot of hard work so that people can enjoy anime on television without reading subs.

I don't see why you think it's such an insulting or ridiculous statement.

Take note that Havoc did acknowledge that American VAs did put efforts in their work; the difference is the passion.

In America, being a voice actor is often a job of transition to acquire experience whereas, in Japan, it is a vocation and something many people aspire to (and, in Soviet Russia, something aspires people). The end result is American voice actor are generally less passionate about their work than their Japanese counterparts. It's just a cultural thing. If being a janitor was glamorous in America but not in Canada, American janitors would be far more passionate about their work than Canadian ones.

I wonder if the Japanese feel the same way about JDubs on English shows as we feel about EDubs on Japanese shows...

Semi-related to what you said: http://is.gd/4DHSK

Until you can show me proof that all American voice actors are disappointed with their jobs and all Japanese voice actors overly enjoy their jobs then what you say is all disrespectful. To say someone isn't passionate about a job because it's not the most desirable job out there is just stupid. I've known janitors and garbage men that give more in their work than high ranking businessmen. Bottom line is, passion != good work and good work != passion.

Those American dubbers not only have to translate from the original Japanese, they then have to Americanize the script so it makes sense, then they have to fit everything that is said with the mouth movements without making things sound too ridiculous and without losing too much in translation. If you're going to blame anything, then blame this excruciating process that has to be done every time an anime is dubbed and stop saying the actors don't have passion for their work. 

[Rebs]

Until you can show me proof that all American voice actors are disappointed with their jobs and all Japanese voice actors overly enjoy their jobs then what you say is all disrespectful. To say someone isn't passionate about a job because it's not the most desirable job out there is just stupid. I've known janitors and garbage men that give more in their work than high ranking businessmen. Bottom line is, passion != good work and good work != passion.

Those American dubbers not only have to translate from the original Japanese, they then have to Americanize the script so it makes sense, then they have to fit everything that is said with the mouth movements without making things sound too ridiculous and without losing too much in translation. If you're going to blame anything, then blame this excruciating process that has to be done every time an anime is dubbed and stop saying the actors don't have passion for their work. 

I respect this last post. I feel you on this one.
For subs one only needs to translate. For more understandable subs for those of us outside the Japanese culture one must also "Westernize" the translation. And then for the dub it must also synchronize with the animation. It's tricky stuff.
It's cool if you don't like dubs, however let's not direspect the people that do them just because of that.

[Borror0]

Until you can show me proof that all American voice actors are disappointed with their jobs and all Japanese voice actors overly enjoy their jobs then what you say is all disrespectful.

Fine. I'll give it a try.

Being a voice actor in Japan for an anime is a high profile job. So much so that often idols are voice actors. The amount of work and practice required to get important roles is crushing. It's the kind of job where, if you are not 110% there, you're simply not going to make it as there are more aspirants than there is jobs for.

On the other hand, being a voice actor for an anime is America is more of a beginner's job that is just a way to gain experience or put bread on the table while waiting for something better. As a result, the average American dubber is less passionate than the Japanese equivalent.

There is a natural selection in the entertainment business: the more prestigious the job you apply for is; the more passionate and dedicated to your work you have to be to land. Of course, there are exceptions but it's a good rule when generalizing.

[kurandoinu]

Borror0, that is assuming however that every VA in Japan wants to be a VA, and every one in the  US aspires to be something else. People don;t fit so snuggly into those little cubby holes

[Borror0]

Borror0, that is assuming however that every VA in Japan wants to be a VA, and every one in the  US aspires to be something else.

My logic does not rely on such assumptions. I clearly stated that this is a generalization.

[Havoc10K]

you can have all the passion and put all your heart into voice acting, but if this sends chills down my spine in a drama anime, you still failed as a voice actor, period.

[furuoshiki]

Look...you can see for example AFRO SAMURAI and the difference between Samuel L. Jackson and if it were another Voice Actor that was purely just a Voice Actor.

Mr. Jackson does an incredible job compared to most English Dub Voice Actors.

The issue at hand could be that Anime is just not taken seriously enough in this country in regards to quality and thoroughness of production due to the assumption that only kids in America watch Anime.

Voice Actors for American Animation productions are often of superior quality compared to that of those who do English dubs for Japanese imports. It's all about priorities. I do think that English voice actors that do films like Finding Nemo or Disney productions do put SOME passion or FEELING into their work.

However, it is still nothing compared to their Japanese counterparts because as someone said before...The nature of the industry is given a greater amount of respect and reverence in Japan in comparison to America. It may have something to do with the assumed audience of Disney films, who would not be old enough to give a shit about WHO exactly is doing the Voice Acting for their favorite character.

In any case, in regards to pay, working conditions and benefits...I believe that the passion of Japanese Voice Actors not only comes from these better elements but ingrained cultural duty as well. Do everything to the maximum...Americans say do everything just well enough to get by...Myself included sometimes.

[Havoc10K]

Quality Anime = Jap Dub Anime
thats for me, you go dig what you want, english dubs are ever lasting crap for me, games aren't anime, therefore l don't count them in this.

[SupraGuy]

I've seen some English dubs which really blow chunks.  I've also seen some which are pretty decent.

It's definitely true that the Japanese Seiyu are held in higher esteem.  They're treated the same as any other actor, which makes a big difference in the range of talent that it appeals to.

The corps of English voice actors who do dub work is probably more limited, and you're likely to see a smaller list of names which show up a LOT on the English cast credits.

However, part of this is the revenue potential for anime in North America.  Not as much money means not as much draw for actors.  However, when someone like Disney takes an interest and takes on projects like the Studio Ghibli / Miazaki films, they gather some big names, and get a very good job done.

I don't think that money=quality, but it certainly doesn't hurt.

[Monkemon]

Yeah I only watch dubs if it is the only language available, though I know dubs have gotten better I will still watch sub because of the reasons pointed out in the posts before mine (More passion, overall better work, etc), I remember the terrible dubs Streamline/Orion used to do and although their original dub of Akira has a huge nostalgia factor for me. Funny to hear Tetsuo's name overused by Leonardo of the Ninja turtles. 

[UrbanScythe]

Only anime i liked in english dub was Afro Samurai, but guess who was voice actors in this movie: Samuel. L. Jackson,Lucy Liu etc. So i think the problem is that most of english dubbers are amateurs .
I really cant feel any emotions in english dubs its boring and lame voice acting so thats why i hate.
But its just my opinion i dont blame anyone for loving english dubs   

[Scudworth]

I feel the same way but cowboy bebop and samurai champloo have really good dubs.

[suhaib]

I feel the same way but cowboy bebop and samurai champloo have really good dubs.

+1

also,
i think dubbers have done an excelant job in Hellsing ...

[Neco]

I don't have a problem with dubs.

Fuck the world if they don't like it