A decent LH dub; choices?

[Yui_Reborn]

Okay, I'll start right off by saying that if you hate dubs unconditionally and have no interest in them, please just politely refrain from posting. I'm not discounting your opinion, but I like both dub and sub and I've had too many experiences where people have called me the spawn of Satan for ever watching a dub.

That said, I think LH will be a really difficult show to dub well since it's so inherently Japanese. It requires some prior knowledge of the Japanese school system, and makes use of a lot of Japanese puns and honorifics that are difficult to explain around. I think, rather than translating 'ronin' as 'drifter' and 'sempai' as 'senior' like they did in the bilingual manga, they should just use the original honorifics and note the meanings in liner notes or something.

So the question I was posing is this; if the dub was going to be the best it could possibly be, what dub actors do you think would be best for which characters? And you don't have to know the name, just which characters they play.

I could only come up with a few who I think fit, so here they are:

Urashima Keitaro-Spike Spencer, best known as Shinji in the Evangelion dub. He can do that stage between a boy and a man pretty well, although you have to keep in mind that he'd probably do Keitaro a bit deeper, since he is supposed to be much older and well, not Shinji!

Kaolla Su-Melissa Charles. This is the only one I'm sure about! As Ed in Cowboy Bebop, Charles blew me away with the zaniness of a very similar character type. She's one of the few American VA's who could come close to Aya Hisakawa's performance at all.

Mutsumi Otohime-Amanda Winn Lee, best known as Rei Ayanami, Rally Vincent in Gunsmith Cats, and Yohko in Devil hunter Yohko. Imagine Rei's quiet voice, except with a ditsy edge that she put to good use in DHY.

Shinobu Mahaera: Ruby Marlowe, Lain in SE Lain and Mima in Perfect Blue. Also Miaka in Fushigi Yuugi I think. Listen to her as Lain for a good example of what Shinobu might sound like in English. I don't like her in bubbly roles (Miaka), but no one beats her when it comes to timidity.

Haruka Urashima: Wendee Lee, Faye in Cowboy Bebop and Rumi in Perfect Blue along with a slew of other roles. After Faye Valentine she could make a career out of Hayabishara-roles:). If she played it a bit more nonchalant than Faye, it would be a very good match.

Seta-san: David Lucas, Spike in Cowboy Bebop, Roger in Big O. It would be nice to hear him in something else besides a leading-man type role. And I just think it would sound right.

Naru Narusegawa (not sure)-Allison Keith? She was Misato in NGE. I know everybody's probably thinking "What! That's totally wrong!", but she always sounded too young to be Misato in my opinion and is more suited to younger roles. I have no idea how old she is, but she has a youthful voice. No one's going to sound anything like Horie Yui's version of Naru, so rather than trying to match it unsuccessfully, they'd be better off picking a good actress who could do her own thing with the character. If you dislike her for Naru, than how about Kitsune? She has experience playing drunken females:).

I hope some of you like this idea, tell me who you think from other shows might fit the LH cast.

[Takahashi]

I have been called several names on AB just cause I watch a few dubs. I am not overly impressed by dubs though and haven't seen many of the dubs myself so I can't really say who can play who. What I would like to know is why they never use fan-boys/girls to do the job like in Japan. Those professional va just make it sound really awkward and uninspired with absolutely no feeling into it. This mainly the reason why I don't watch dubs as often as I could. From what I have heard the seiyuu in Japan don't even get paid for the effort they put into the show, now that is dedication to an artform you love. I would definately work for free if they asked me to be part of an anime dubs, so would most of the otaku's here and believe it or not we would probably do a ten times better job than those professional va ever could, cause we would put our heart and soul into it, because we love the artform and don't want it to be butchered to the point that otaku's starting to get angry when its name is mention like "Cardcaptors".

[Mr_Bug]

Originally posted by Titan21
I have been called several names on AB just cause I watch a few dubs. I am not overly impressed by dubs though and haven't seen many of the dubs myself so I can't really say who can play who. What I would like to know is why they never use fan-boys/girls to do the job like in Japan. Those professional va just make it sound really awkward and uninspired with absolutely no feeling into it. This mainly the reason why I don't watch dubs as often as I could. From what I have heard the seiyuu in Japan don't even get paid for the effort they put into the show, now that is dedication to an artform you love. I would definately work for free if they asked me to be part of an anime dubs, so would most of the otaku's here and believe it or not we would probably do a ten times better job than those professional va ever could, cause we would put our heart and soul into it, because we love the artform and don't want it to be butchered to the point that otaku's starting to get angry when its name is mention like "Cardcaptors".
That would be a great idea! Unfortunatly, they probably can't due to contracts or unions or something like that....

Yui Reborn, As for your idea of leaving words like ronin and sensei, that would be excellent, but they won't do it because they probably want to air it on TV sometime...

and as for the voice actors, sorry can't help you there, I hardly no any names of actors, let alone voice actors!

and just to let you know, I like watching dubs sometimes as well.. it depends if they're well done or not.

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

Hey I think those are great picks Yui :D ... yeah people made fun of me ONE time for watching dubs on occasion... needless to say it didn't happen again (hehe little bit of a temper on me irl) um *cough* anyway... about the chick who played Misato though.. .Hrm.... think maybe it would be better for Kitsune? ( you know having past resume experience as a heavy drinker lol) I don't think anyone can do Naru like Horie Yui... she's just p-e-r-f-e-c-t

And would Spike Spencer approach it like he does his role in Nadesico? :confused2 Hmmm....

I'll have to think more on the perfect Naru though... if someone exists who speaks english... :heh:

[cloakactive]

While I am known for being one of those "dub haters", even i have to admit that the choices you made yui were actually ok. If that were the list of people who were to actually going to do the voice overs..... i don't think i'd mind that much. After all, when you introduce anime to people they aren't going to be watching it in subtitles that much is for sure, so you may as well let them listen to something that is somewhat good.

I hope this was a polite enough post. Sorry if it wasn't but i really really really wanted to put my opinion in on this subject. :heh:

[Yui_Reborn]

That's okay, I have no problem with people preferring subs-I've just had a few experiences with dub-haters who tried really hard to stomp on my feelings (really, over anime dubbing of all things!) It does tend to breed caution.

I don't know about your idea of fanpeople doing the dubs, Titan21. I understand what you're saying, that enthusiasm and love for the artform is a must. But I think most of the VA's become anime fans almost as an occupational hazard anyway. Besides, isn't it better to have people with acting experience most of the time??? I for one would suck as a voice actor, as much as I love the artform.

Honestly I'd never heard of fans doing anime voices before! I had always thought it was mostly industry professionals and singers like Hayabishara and Aya Hisakawa in Japanese dubs, who could incorporate character songs into their albumns. I guess there must be some basis to it though, especially for smaller parts it makes sense.

And about LH being on television, I think that's kind of unlikely unless it was on HBO or something....there's way too much PG-13 humor in LH. Parts of the plot wouldn't even make sense, I mean how can they show the scenes where Keitaro inadvertantly gropes Naru? And if they cut those scenes, how will they explain why she's so mad at him afterwards?? I guess there is a slight possibility of it happening on cable or something.

I just had a few more ideas? Anyone remember the dub of Oh My Goddess. A little cheezy at times, but I liked a lot of the actors. I think the one who played Keichii is Scott Simpson (another double S name!) He might actually be better than Keitaro. Whoever did Skuld would sound about right for Sarah Mcdougal, and the guy who played Aoshima could play Sakata Kentaro...wow, there's a lot of common character types between those two anime.

Oh, and DEFINITELY Tiffany Grant for Motoko's insane feminist friend who's always accusing her of surrendering her heart to Keitaro. She can do annoying real well....

I'm still at a loss for the perfect Naru voice though, Allison Keith is definitely better as Kitsune ^_^. How about Myriam Syrios, the English voice of Akane? It is a very similar character, and she has a sweet voice.

In case anyone was confused though, I have no knowledge of who's playing anyone in the actual dub; they don't know themselves yet, it's too early. And the chances of all these different actors coming together would be iffy at best since they all work for different studios, but I think they're contracts are pretty loose so it's not impossible. Last I heard (and rest in peace because this was from an EXTREMELY UNREPUTABLE source), the only dub voice currently being considered is one of the Cardcaptors VA's to provide the voice of Naru in the dub. What are they on, crack? Ready your short swords for Seppuku should this actually happen.

[Takahashi]

I was actually considering buying a whole set of samurai sword(replica's, I can't possibly afford the real thing yet) from the naga age(I think, something like that), blade are straight instead of a bit curve like most common Katanna's. But there is three swords in that set, a long katanna, a short one and a seppuku sword. Right now, I better refrain myself from buying it or I might go do something really horrible to myself and regret it.

[Sheex, The Dark Stalker]

Pardon me for resurrecting the old topic :D

Well, with Animaze doing the dubbing we can narrow down most of the possibilities :( Animaze is the best dubbing company out there though, so I'm pretty confident they'll do a good job. My choices?

Keitaro - No idea. I can't really picture any of the animaze guys as him :P
Naru - Georgette Rose (Kiki in 8th MS Team)
Mitsune - Whoever did Hamushi in Outlaw Star, no idea what her name is @_@
Shinobu - Rebecca Forstadt (Hanmeo in Outlaw Star)
Motoko - PJ Lee (Lain's sister in Lain)
Su - Melissa Charles (Ed in CB)
Sara - Whoever did Lain's voice
Haruka - Whoever did Miller on 8th MS Team
Seta san - David Lucas (I don't think I need to say what he's been in :P)

Can't wait to hear the dub :D

[cloakactive]

Originally posted by Sheex, The Dark Stalker

Motoko - PJ Lee (Lain's sister in Lain)
Su - Melissa Charles (Ed in CB)
Sara - Whoever did Lain's voice


Even thought I am known as a "dub hater", I'll have to say thse 3 voices i happened to have liked. At least theres 3 names in that list you supplied that I like and actually somewhat approve. :heh:

[Darklightz]

I don't necessarily hate dubs,I just prefer subs (especially with lots of cheese and beef) :)

Those are mostly fine names,there's only one I don't like

Keitaro as the one who made Shinji - Because personally,I hate Shinji's character,and not only that,he's the complete opposite of Keitaro.For them the share the same voice would sound too freaky...

But the rest are great choices.I'm kind of eager to see how the dub will come.I hope they will make an effort not to pronounce the name in an american slang,it's the only thing I really don't like in dubs,how they americanize names,like in Ranma 1/2

[Bradster]

Who did the voice for young Faye Valentine in Bebop dub? She might make a good Shinobu.

Dare I suggest Willow Johnson (Kasumi Tendo) for Mutsumi? :lol:

Kitsune and Nabiki are similar, but Kitsune's too lively for either of the Costain sisters to do.

I like a lot of Y_R's picks.


Y_R:
Haruka Urashima: Wendee Lee, Faye in Cowboy Bebop and Rumi in Perfect Blue along with a slew of other roles. After Faye Valentine she could make a career out of Hayabishara-roles

The serious ones, at least. No Nuku-Nuku for Wendee.:nono:

[Sheex, The Dark Stalker]

Originally posted by Bradster
Dare I suggest Willow Johnson (Kasumi Tendo) for Mutsumi? :lol:
She works for Ocean unfortunately, so don't expect it :P


Y_R:
Haruka Urashima: Wendee Lee, Faye in Cowboy Bebop and Rumi in Perfect Blue along with a slew of other roles. After Faye Valentine she could make a career out of Hayabishara-roles[/b]



Bwaah! I wouldn't mind seeing atleast one show by Animaze that doesn't have Wendee Lee in a starring role -_- She's the Bryan Drummond of Animaze.

[Yui_Reborn]

Actually there was a rumour floating around that Wendee Lee was going to play Kaolla Su. I know no basis behind it, but this would be really wrong. I like Wendee Lee's voice, but unless she's got a really great little-kid voice in there that we haven't heard as of yet......

As much as I want voice acting pros to be behind this one, I'm beginning to get annoyed with hearing the same three people in every animaze dub. I was really annoyed by this in the Oh MY Goddess! Movie, not that it was bad, just that all of the main character voices were so familiar. That's why I think David Lucas and Wendee Lee would be okay for Haruka and Seta-san, because they could use their experience to help bring out the subtlety of these characters without being in your face constantly as the leads. Let's hope we get fresh voices for some of the leads in this one.

A lot of people have liked Georgette Rose in different dubs (Hand Maid May?) but my only exposure to her has been in the Kenshin dub where she's straining to play both Tae and Tsubame. Ah well, she has a good reputation and all so maybe I'll finally get to see her in something good.

Finally, I rescind my earlier pick of Spike Spencer for Keitaro-not only because he works for ADV, but because it wouldn't sound right. I think whoever did Keichi in the Oh My Goddess! movie might be okay though. Most of the male actors from Animaze's studio (that I'm familair with anway) sound way too old for Keitaro. I could see Richard Hayworth as one of Keitaro's loser friends though:o

[KamuiX]

Oi ...yeah, Wendee has a very good voice, and she's flexible in her acting, but I don't really see her doing Kaolla's part. :heh: Sure, she probably could do it, but Melissa Charles is perfect. I mean if you look at Ed (from Bebop) or Alielle (from El Hazard) she just has the perfect voice for silly/zany young characters. Best part is, unlike Wendee, her voice isn't on every anime that comes out ...:rolleyes: :lol:

Other than Kaolla's part, I'd like to see some new actors get a chance. It's time some new talent gets out, I think a lot of the current good actors are getting way over used, and that's making some of the dubbing bland. I wouldn't mind David Hayter picking up Seta's part though . . .

[Yui_Reborn]

Wait, do you mean David Lucas or David Hayter???? David Hayter is the voice of Snake in Metal Gear Solid (and Metal Gear Solid 2), but I'm pretty sure they're two different people......

[Sheex, The Dark Stalker]

David Hayter's the guy who did Bernie in Gundam 0080. I could picture him as Seta... It'd also be nice to have someone other than David Lucas/Robert Wicks to do his role although like I said I think Lucas's voice would fit him.

As much as I want voice acting pros to be behind this one, I'm beginning to get annoyed with hearing the same three people in every animaze dub
Totally agree. Which is why most of my picks are the ones they rarely use :p