English dubbing styles and techniques

angelx03 · Post by **angelx03** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:31 pm

Ok, is there a way or style of how you like your anime dubbed? I mean different studios dub in different ways in order to present the anime to the audience. For example, VAs from Animaze and Bang Zoom! Entertainment tend to have their voice actors to "sound" like the actual Japanese VAs. Also Ocean Group and to an extent VAs from FUNimation and ADV tends to not "exacty match" the Japanese voices, but make their own intepretation of the characters and the overall interaction of the entire plot and setting.

Just to note, don't post here just to say dubbing sucks.

someperson · Post by **someperson** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:37 pm

Not to my knowledge, but interesting observations. It probably depends on the voice director and the script writer.

angelx03 · Post by **angelx03** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 8:40 pm

someperson wrote:Not to my knowledge, but interesting observations. It probably depends on the voice director and the script writer.

Oh, good point. I forgot to include that one.

bubblehead · Post by **bubblehead** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 9:48 pm

I like it when it sounds like the original, but if they manage to do a good job on their own interpretation, then that's cool too.

Oftentimes though, they don't do a very good job on their own interpretation, and someone sounds nasal, monotonous, or just weird (in general, or for the character's appearance, like Pazu in Laputa).

someperson · Post by **someperson** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:44 pm

It's interesting. With some dubbing companies, they like to portray the characters from the Kyoto area of Japan with a southern accent.

Juicy J · Post by **Juicy J** » Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:57 pm

I've noticed most dubbing companies take the

HEY LETS RUIN THIS SHOW AND MAKE THE CRAPPIEST DUB WE POSSIBLY CAN FOR IT

technique.....(ADV)

Trident · Post by **Trident** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:38 am

Dubbing sucks!

...

Seriously, though... I just want the dubs to sound natural and the names to be pronounced properly. A lot of dubs have been ruined imho because the names have been mispronounced. Take Inu Yasha for example. How hard is it to say the name "Kagome"? Three simple syllables, emphasis on the first, and they can't get it right...

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:40 am

I think the main consideration for me is whether the voices fit with the characters' personalities and sound good. Usually the Japanese are pretty good about that. I think FLCL is a perfect example of this... Naota, Haruko, Kamon, Amarao -- they're all pretty much spot on (in both the English and Japanese versions, I mean).

I also appreciated the fact that all the characters got appropriate accents in the dub version of Hellsing.

Haven't really seen too many other dubs.

*inverse* · Post by ***inverse*** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:51 pm

I really love it when dubs can make you laugh more than the original - such as Slayers, Orphen, Soul Hunter (Houshin Engi), Ranma 1/2, etc - Emotion is definetly a key factor as well.

someperson · Post by **someperson** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 12:33 am

[quote="Scintilla"]I think the main consideration for me is whether the voices fit with the characters' personalities and sound good. Usually the Japanese are pretty good about that. I think FLCL is a perfect example of this... Naota, Haruko, Kamon, Amarao -- they're all pretty much spot on (in both the English and Japanese versions, I mean).
quote]

Very true. FLCL is a good example. A bad example is Project Arms (don't buy it, don't rent it, it sucks). I'm not sure how many people have heard of it but I'm going to rant anyway. The main character is a high school boy named Ryo. From the looks of him, you would expect a deeper voice to come out of him. I made the mistake of buying the dub and I have to say it's one of the worst I've ever watched (worse than the Funimation dub of DBZ). Viz chose Kirby Morrow (Miroku from Inuyasha and Von from Escaflowne) for the voice of Ryo. They couldn't have picked a worse voice for the main character. Not only did the acting stink but the voice didn't fit the character at all. Even my little sister (who is easily entertained) agreed with me. Then Viz chose the chick who voices Shippo (Inuyasha, I can't remember her name) to voice act for an evil kid genius

.
The subtitled version was much better. Japanese voices were right on (but overall still a crappy anime).
[/rant]