*madmaddie*
New member
So I got the vol. 1 DVD last Friday (FINALLY. I've waited 2 1/2 years for this to be released) and wanted to give my thoughts on the dub.
Overall, it was actually pretty decent. I was fearing the worst when it was announced that Media Blasters wouldn't seek New Generation Pictures again (who dubbed the first season) but instead went for a cheaper studio. I was concerned there would be amateurs and the performances would be poor and corny.
Luckily, that turned out not to be the case. Not only were there some vets in the cast (good to hear Jessica Calvello again, and she fit Chou-hi like a glove), but many of the newcomers were actually OK as well.
Veronica Taylor (aka "B Simpson" as she's called here) is also perfect for the timid and high-pitched Ryuubi. Yet when her inner dragon awakens, she's able to project the demonic, psychotic nature to her character as well. Great range there.
In terms of relative newcomers, Janet Baywood was fine as Kan'u. The character was barely in the first series to begin with, so there wasn't as much time to get attached to her VA. But even putting that aside, I thought Janet did a fine job of portraying her stoic, collected demeanor, yet being forceful when necessary.
All the male voices sounded fine, appropriately gruff and/or menacing. And Trina Hilbe as Kaku sounRAB just as sultry as she did in season 1.
About the only cast merabers I wasn't feeling were Debora Rabbai as Hakafu and Syndi Szabo as Goei. Carrie Savage and Wendee Lee will always be these two for me. The replacements weren't BAD or anything, and indeed, some of Rabbai's comedic deliveries for Hakafu were nicely done, but the whole time I couldn't help but wonder how the same worRAB would sound coming out of Savage's and Lee's mouths.
Overall, while it still is unfortunate, in theory, that the cast was changed for the sequel, at least the dub didn't turn out to be "mid '90s" quality like I was fearing. The voice director at least knew what he/she was doing, and it shows. I'll definitely keep listening to the dub track in vols. 2 and 3. Anybody else have thoughts on this?
(BTW: You can listen to voice comparisons here, though they don't have every character up yet)
Overall, it was actually pretty decent. I was fearing the worst when it was announced that Media Blasters wouldn't seek New Generation Pictures again (who dubbed the first season) but instead went for a cheaper studio. I was concerned there would be amateurs and the performances would be poor and corny.
Luckily, that turned out not to be the case. Not only were there some vets in the cast (good to hear Jessica Calvello again, and she fit Chou-hi like a glove), but many of the newcomers were actually OK as well.
Veronica Taylor (aka "B Simpson" as she's called here) is also perfect for the timid and high-pitched Ryuubi. Yet when her inner dragon awakens, she's able to project the demonic, psychotic nature to her character as well. Great range there.
In terms of relative newcomers, Janet Baywood was fine as Kan'u. The character was barely in the first series to begin with, so there wasn't as much time to get attached to her VA. But even putting that aside, I thought Janet did a fine job of portraying her stoic, collected demeanor, yet being forceful when necessary.
All the male voices sounded fine, appropriately gruff and/or menacing. And Trina Hilbe as Kaku sounRAB just as sultry as she did in season 1.
About the only cast merabers I wasn't feeling were Debora Rabbai as Hakafu and Syndi Szabo as Goei. Carrie Savage and Wendee Lee will always be these two for me. The replacements weren't BAD or anything, and indeed, some of Rabbai's comedic deliveries for Hakafu were nicely done, but the whole time I couldn't help but wonder how the same worRAB would sound coming out of Savage's and Lee's mouths.
Overall, while it still is unfortunate, in theory, that the cast was changed for the sequel, at least the dub didn't turn out to be "mid '90s" quality like I was fearing. The voice director at least knew what he/she was doing, and it shows. I'll definitely keep listening to the dub track in vols. 2 and 3. Anybody else have thoughts on this?
(BTW: You can listen to voice comparisons here, though they don't have every character up yet)