Which anime are you currently watching?

[Slacker Magician]

Not sure. I only watched that one scene on Youtube to see how they translated that part. I don't really watch dubbed anime so I have nothing to compare it to in order to tell whether or not it's well-done.

It's fine, and on-par with the rest of the dubs Funimation has done.

[Colamisu]

Not sure. I only watched that one scene on Youtube to see how they translated that part. I don't really watch dubbed anime so I have nothing to compare it to in order to tell whether or not it's well-done.

The other day I recalled Shardnax saying he only watched dubs, so I switched the audio track on the Familiar of Zero S1 I have here to see what it sounded like. It was terrible. Sounded like one of the dub jobs they do on the hentai OVAs.

EDIT: And this page led me to skim the TVTropes discussion for the trope "Superlative Dubbing." Quite a bit of stuff I agreed with there.

[Slacker Magician]

The other day I recalled Shardnax saying he only watched dubs, so I switched the audio track on the Familiar of Zero S1 I have here to see what it sounded like. It was terrible. Sounded like one of the dub jobs they do on the hentai OVAs.

EDIT: And this page led me to skim the TVTropes discussion for the trope "Superlative Dubbing." Quite a bit of stuff I agreed with there.

Go ahead and describe what makes Japanese dubs superior.

Keep in mind that I'm talking about a general sense, not for a specific show. Most Japanese voices irritate me; and I much prefer hearing things in my native language, or at least a language I know. I don't find the Japanese VAs somehow less talented the Americans.

[Colamisu]

Go ahead and describe what makes Japanese dubs superior.

Keep in mind that I'm talking about a general sense, not for a specific show. Most Japanese voices irritate me; and I much prefer hearing things in my native language, or at least a language I know. I don't find the Japanese VAs somehow less talented the Americans.

It's not that Japanese dubs are superior. It's that some of the English dubs suck so bad that I'd rather hear moonspeak and read the dialogue. When the studio dubbing it just reuses the same people they use on every show without even trying to match the voice to the character, it's terrible regardless of the language. I watch plenty of shows dubbed. Black Lagoon, Gundam 00, Code Geass, and Desert Punk all had excellent English dubs.

Generally, I'll start a show on the English dub if it's available, then switch to the JP one if either the voice acting is terrible or the voices themselves grate on my ears too much (or if there are several seasons and not all are dubbed, I'll stick to the JP the entire time so I don't have to get used to different voices for characters, but that's something else entirely). In fact, aside from the Macross stuff (which suffers from all kinds of issues even without the bastardization into Robotech), I can't think of anything that I chose the JP when an English was available.

[Gare]

It really comes down to personal taste, among other things. For me, the English voices can sound irritating, and I understand enough Japanese for it not to sound like moonspeak when I listen to it. And English isn't my native language, anyway. I never understood people who condemned me for preferring Japanese voices. Sorry for having a different opinion, I guess?

[Slacker Magician]

It's not that Japanese dubs are superior. It's that some of the English dubs suck so bad that I'd rather hear moonspeak and read the dialogue. When the studio dubbing it just reuses the same people they use on every show without even trying to match the voice to the character, it's terrible regardless of the language. I watch plenty of shows dubbed. Black Lagoon, Gundam 00, Code Geass, and Desert Punk all had excellent English dubs.

Generally, I'll start a show on the English dub if it's available, then switch to the JP one if either the voice acting is terrible or the voices themselves grate on my ears too much (or if there are several seasons and not all are dubbed, I'll stick to the JP the entire time so I don't have to get used to different voices for characters, but that's something else entirely). In fact, aside from the Macross stuff (which suffers from all kinds of issues even without the bastardization into Robotech), I can't think of anything that I chose the JP when an English was available.

The number of companies dubbing anime is considerably lower than the number of animation studios. Until ADV restructured, the majority of the VAs resided there, and the cast available for Funimation or Geneon was limited. ADV and 4Kids had the VAs do characterization more often than the others. I don't know why Funimation doesn't have the Vas do it, to be honest. Animax dubs used to be pretty bland, the dub for Tears to Tiara is much better than Shakugan no Shana S2. There isn't much to be done about matching a voice beyond trying to sound accurate to the age, or general attitude of the character. Expectations for the way someone might sound aren't universal .

It really comes down to personal taste, among other things. For me, the English voices can sound irritating, and I understand enough Japanese for it not to sound like moonspeak when I listen to it. And English isn't my native language, anyway. I never understood people who condemned me for preferring Japanese voices. Sorry for having a different opinion, I guess?

If English isn't your first language it's a different situation .

[Colamisu]

The number of companies dubbing anime is considerably lower than the number of animation studios. Until ADV restructured, the majority of the VAs resided there, and the cast available for Funimation or Geneon was limited. ADV and 4Kids had the VAs do characterization more often than the others. I don't know why Funimation doesn't have the Vas do it, to be honest. Animax dubs used to be pretty bland, the dub for Tears to Tiara is much better than Shakugan no Shana S2. There isn't much to be done about matching a voice beyond trying to sound accurate to the age, or general attitude of the character. Expectations for the way someone might sound aren't universal .

I'm aware of that, but I'm not going to listen to an English dub that annoys me just because of that.

A lot of voice actors don't even somewhat match the age or attitude of the character. To use the example of Zero no Tsukaima again, Wardes is pretty clearly supposed to be some kind of playboy. But he sounds like a random gruff dude in the English. Clearly should have been played by Illich Guardiola. Of course, I've got a heterosexual mancrush on him.

[Slacker Magician]

I'm aware of that, but I'm not going to listen to an English dub that annoys me just because of that.

A lot of voice actors don't even somewhat match the age or attitude of the character. To use the example of Zero no Tsukaima again, Wardes is pretty clearly supposed to be some kind of playboy. But he sounds like a random gruff dude in the English. Clearly should have been played by Illich Guardiola. Of course, I've got a heterosexual mancrush on him.

Wasn't saying you should. Can you really tell the age of Japanese speakers? I certainly can't.
(Serious question, I'm not being sarcastic.)

[Colamisu]

Wasn't saying you should. Can you really tell the age of Japanese speakers? I certainly can't.
(Serious question, I'm not being sarcastic.)

Generally, but not anywhere near as accurately as with English speakers. It's pretty easy to differentiate between child, teen, young adult, middle age, and old. More specifically than that, not so much. And then there are outliers like the woman who does the voice of Pikachu, who scares the crap out of me by the way. She sounds like a bloody 3 year old when she speaks.

[Slacker Magician]

Generally, but not anywhere near as accurately as with English speakers. It's pretty easy to differentiate between child, teen, young adult, middle age, and old. More specifically than that, not so much. And then there are outliers like the woman who does the voice of Pikachu, who scares the crap out of me by the way. She sounds like a bloody 3 year old when she speaks.

Pikachu wants your soul .

Back on topic, I want to watch Rosario+Vampire, no DVD release for the dub yet .

[Dr Mario]

Generally, but not anywhere near as accurately as with English speakers. It's pretty easy to differentiate between child, teen, young adult, middle age, and old. More specifically than that, not so much. And then there are outliers like the woman who does the voice of Pikachu, who scares the crap out of me by the way. She sounds like a bloody 3 year old when she speaks.

Some people have ridiculous voice ranges - she actually can speak with a decent midrange.

And then some of us are almost one dimensional.

[Tassadar]

I just watched Haibane Renmei after a recomendation I got from Elin for it over two years ago, it was slow to start but I enjoyed it.

[Colamisu]

So it's been a while since I actually posted about what I was watching here.

Finished Gosick, ending did not disappoint.

Started Astarotte's Toy. Made it about halfway through before I gave up.

Watched Deadman Wonderland. It was pretty good, although the censoring was a bit silly. LOL THERE'S A BIG ROUND HOLE THROUGH THIS DUDE'S BODY, BUT WE'LL JUST SHOW THE BLOOD DRIPPING DOWN AND MAKE A BIG BLACK SPOT WHERE HIS ENTRAILS ARE. Until I saw that, I thought maybe the words that were bleeped out were bleeped in the source rather than being a TV edit (i.e. PSG in D City Rock on the OST).

Watched Heroman. Typical shounen show. Lots of cameos and obscure-ish references to keep it interesting. And Stan Lee.

EDIT: Oh, I also watched one episode of Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou (Comprehensible Modern Magic or something along those lines?). Then I recalled that I have it on my other hard drive (if I ever bother to turn the computer containing it on) and decided to stop.

I think I'll start a long series next. I recall Gare saying "Gin-fucking-tama" a few weeks ago, so I may give that a peek.

[Gare]

I think I'll start a long series next. I recall Gare saying "Gin-fucking-tama" a few weeks ago, so I may give that a peek.

I said no such thing. I've never even heard of that show. Pretty sure you're confusing me with someone else.

Anyway, I watched Birdy the Mighty Decode, two seasons and an OVA episode to link said seasons. Pretty decent sci-fi/action show with some romance. Although I've no idea what the fuck was going on with the animation/art style in like two of the episodes of the second season. It's like they suddenly decided to make the episode on a budget of five bucks. It looked godawful. As in, a 5-year-old could draw better shit.

[Slacker Magician]

I said no such thing. I've never even heard of that show. Pretty sure you're confusing me with someone else.

Anyway, I watched Birdy the Mighty Decode, two seasons and an OVA episode to link said seasons. Pretty decent sci-fi/action show with some romance. Although I've no idea what the fuck was going on with the animation/art style in like two of the episodes of the second season. It's like they suddenly decided to make the episode on a budget of five bucks. It looked godawful. As in, a 5-year-old could draw better shit.

See: Random parts of Samurai Seven episodes.