Found at [link]
To tell you the truth, part of the reason why dubbing is so bad is because they're trying to make it too cartoony or are trying to copy the Japanese vocal expressions. The problem is the extreme differences between Japanese and English. There are quite a few dubs that I like, such as Cowboy Beebob and Fullmetal Alchemist, but many great anime series are ruined because the voices that the actors are trying to match just dont work with that particular actors skills.
For example, the naive female character, in the Japanese version, generally has a high pitched over-bubbly voice. It works really well (and is pretty darn cute) in the Japanese version. The problem is that the English voice actors cant pull off that kind of voice. Either it comes out sounding strained or forced, which ruins the eperience, or the pitch they do it in doesnt convey the same sense of naievety or innocence.
Now, the problem with all the voices sounding the same is that, compared to Japan, we have a very small amount of voice actors. While those who do the English voices arent necessarily unskilled, its just that with the large number of series that get dubbed, there arent enough unique voice actors to fill the parts. The few that can do a large variety of different voices dont get the large parts, but rather a large amount of small parts. So many of the background characters all start to sound the same.
What it comes down to is that there is not enough talent in the dubbing community. Those who actually do get parts arent numerous enough to fill all the roles without constantly recyling voices. And, to make matters worse and from what I understand, it is incredibly difficult to actually get a job in the voice acting business. It doesnt help that people dont exacly hold open auditions. Maybe that would make an interesting niche reality show. I can see it now! Americas Next Top Voice Actor!. *rolls eyes*
More or less the problem rests not with the anime themselves, or even with the voice actors (though sometimes it is their fault as well). The larges problem why dubbing is so horrible is because the people behind the shows do not no how to appropriately cast for the parts.
Now, if youve made it this far through my rant, I applaud you. Unfortunately, Im only half way done.
Now, what could the directors do to change these problems? I have a few ideas that might help.
First: Listen to the Japanese voice actors. If the director truly wants to capture the emotion and the character being portrayed by the anime, listen to how it was directed by the Japanese. Generally they work closer to the author as well, so the characters stay in character throughout the recording process. By analyzing the original voice overs, it could be possible to more closely immitate that character, despite being in English. You want proof that this works? Go watch any episode of Fullmetal Alchemist, once in Japanese and once in English. Its uncanny how well the dubbing captured the emotion of the original Japanese speach, even during the few moments that the characters were supposed to be silly.
Next, after analyzing the characters, hold open auditions. Leave posts on sights and allow people to come and try out for the positions. It shouldnt matter what a person looks like, theyre voice actors after all. So, even if theyre 30 something and living in their moms basement spending their entire lives bittorrenting each new anime that they get interested in, as long as they can do a voice well, let them do it. (and no, I was not referring to myself. Im a happy college student even though thats not much better.) It would be especially effective if you get hardcore anime fans into the dubbing process. Since its likely that theyve watched (and most likely obsessed) over the anime they may be dubbing, theyll have an idea as to how the character is supposed to feel and, if theyre chosen because of superior voice acting capabilities, theyll be able to express that character on an equal level to the Japanese actors and actresses. And hey, if they do good, the manybe once the whole series has been dubbed, they can work on something new. It would introduce new talent into the field so that fewer voices are recycled.
And Finally: Hire some translators and bring the original author to the whole auditioning/dubbing process. He (or she, i suppose sorry for being chauvenistic about it this whole time. Im ranting
Now, I know that by this point no one is reading anymore, so I wont bother putting in the rest of the rant that I can still feel building. I would be more than happy if someone actually read through the whole thing, and extatic if someone in the dubbing industry actually tried out this method. But, like anime, thats fiction, not reality.
Now, if youve skipped this whole thing, the whole point of this post was that its not the actors faults. Its the people who cast them with the wrong parts.
This is the clubs I'm in.
I hope, ah never mind..... you should read this, yeah? It's rather important.
[link]
Sorry i'm no good with typing. I'm not in a bad mood or nothin. Just not the hyper type i guess.
aren't dicyionaries fun? URBAN DICTIONARY ->[link]











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Canon pairings FTW! \o/
"You know, we're quite a team. Like Jake and the Fatman. Needless to say, I'm Jake. " - Arthur Spooner from The King of Queens.
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1. having an inflated idea of one's own importance
2. obsessed with ones own self image and ego.
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if u still woud like to see my pics ...
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1. having an inflated idea of one's own importance
2. obsessed with ones own self image and ego.
?
If hungry for burger, click here[link]
--
I reject your reality and subsitute my own! // Adam Savage
Imagination is more important than knowledge // Albert Einstein
I am Jolteon in deviantART's Pokémon Community!
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1. having an inflated idea of one's own importance
2. obsessed with ones own self image and ego.
?
If hungry for burger, click here[link]
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-- Dattebayo
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1. having an inflated idea of one's own importance
2. obsessed with ones own self image and ego.
?
If hungry for burger, click here[link]
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