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Do you think dub voices are getting repetitive?


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Aqua_Dakemura



Joined: 08 Jul 2009
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:35 pm Reply with quote
Has anyone been noticing that many of the popular anime series have been english dubbed by the same people over and over again? They should try to get new voice actors or something.

[EDIT: Fixed up your title to imply your question more directly. -TK]
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Youkai Warrior



Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Posts: 505
Location: Sarayashiki
PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:40 pm Reply with quote
I think the reason we get the same English voice actors is because they're the only ones who will voice anime characters.
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Key
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Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 18527
Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:55 pm Reply with quote
Youkai Warrior wrote:
I think the reason we get the same English voice actors is because they're the only ones who will voice anime characters.


That has little or nothing to do with it. Instead, it has a lot more to do with the pool of actors available in the various locations where anime is dubbed. (Which doesn't includeHollywood, BTW.) The vast majority of English VAs who work regularly in anime dubbing live in or near the major dubbing studios, especially in Texas. Although some studios have been making efforts to expand their rosters over the past couple of years, just like with Hollywood, ADR directors prefer to rely on proven commodities. Besides, hiring a casting studio to help out is an additional expense.

When it comes to anime shown on TV, union requirements also figure into matters, and far from every VA involved (or every dub job) in anime dubbing is union.
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Youkai Warrior



Joined: 07 Aug 2008
Posts: 505
Location: Sarayashiki
PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:01 pm Reply with quote
Key wrote:
Youkai Warrior wrote:
I think the reason we get the same English voice actors is because they're the only ones who will voice anime characters.


That has little or nothing to do with it. Instead, it has a lot more to do with the pool of actors available in the various locations where anime is dubbed. (Which doesn't includeHollywood, BTW.) The vast majority of English VAs who work regularly in anime dubbing live in or near the major dubbing studios, especially in Texas. Although some studios have been making efforts to expand their rosters over the past couple of years, just like with Hollywood, ADR directors prefer to rely on proven commodities. Besides, hiring a casting studio to help out is an additional expense.

When it comes to anime shown on TV, union requirements also figure into matters, and far from every VA involved (or every dub job) in anime dubbing is union.


I was not aware of that. I guess that makes sense. It just seemed like they could hire more VAs, I know of others that do live in Texas, but they haven't voiced a single anime character. I'm thinking more along the lines of auditions, where people who are interested will come and try out. I guess it's not the same.
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penguintruth



Joined: 08 Dec 2004
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Location: Penguinopolis
PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:32 pm Reply with quote
Aqua_Dakemura wrote:
Has anyone been noticing that many of the popular anime series have been english dubbed by the same people over and over again? They should try to get new voice actors or something.


It's largely the same with Japanese voice actors and always has been. It's just more difficult for non-Japanese speakers to tell.
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LydiaDianne



Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 5634
Location: Southern California
PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:57 pm Reply with quote
It's my understand that these studios do hold open auditions. I seem to remember a behind the scenes with one of the ADV honchos talking about it.

But another reason why some of the same VAs are used over and over again is because they:

1. Show up when they are supposed to.

2. Prepared and ready to do their job.

3. We, the fans, hear that Vic Mignogna and Monica Rial are voicing Lead Character A and Lead Character B...**OMG! SERIOUSLY *squeeeee!!* They're PERFECT for the part! I'm so going to get that series!**
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DerekTheRed



Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 3544
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:30 pm Reply with quote
Key wrote:
Youkai Warrior wrote:
I think the reason we get the same English voice actors is because they're the only ones who will voice anime characters.


That has little or nothing to do with it. Instead, it has a lot more to do with the pool of actors available in the various locations where anime is dubbed. (Which doesn't includeHollywood, BTW.) The vast majority of English VAs who work regularly in anime dubbing live in or near the major dubbing studios, especially in Texas. Although some studios have been making efforts to expand their rosters over the past couple of years, just like with Hollywood, ADR directors prefer to rely on proven commodities. Besides, hiring a casting studio to help out is an additional expense.

When it comes to anime shown on TV, union requirements also figure into matters, and far from every VA involved (or every dub job) in anime dubbing is union.


As a matter of fact, on some of the commentaries I've listened to, the voice actors talk about they all know each other from doing radio commercials and theatre as well, because the acting pool is so small. It must be strange to drive down the highway in Houston and all of a sudden you hear Asuka or Shinji trying to sell you a car. (Actually, I think Tiffany Grant shares an anecdote in the Eva commentary about how she and Spike Spencer had recorded a teenage pregnancy/get tested for HIV PSA, but she didn't know that they played the pregnant/at risk couple until she heard the commercial while they were recording Eva.)
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DarkClue



Joined: 16 Jul 2009
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:19 am Reply with quote
In my opinion I don't think so, I mean if us the viewers are happy with the dubbing voices why not have them continue their fine work?
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LuckySeven



Joined: 02 Sep 2008
Posts: 587
Location: Georgia, USA
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 12:04 pm Reply with quote
I really don't mind if a lot of the same actors get cast over and over again. With the exception of some of ADV Films really early dub work, that is. Before they really hit their stride, it seemed like these were absolute certain casting choices.

Lead female = Amanda Winn-Lee
Sidekick (or prominent character in glasses) = Tiffany Grant
Incredibly cute girl = Kimberly Yates
Female villain = Marcy Rae

Now of course back then it was still the VHS era and again they were just starting out so everything wasn't getting dubbed, but it came up enough in their dubs to be very noticeable to me. But still its nothing I'd view as unforgivable, just a minor annoyance.
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Kruszer



Joined: 19 Nov 2004
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Location: Minnesota, USA
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:21 pm Reply with quote
A voice is a voice, I don't care if I hear the same actors. I'd rather have people who are experienced and have done lots of dubs before as they can do it right, rather than a cast of untested newbies.

Plus there's less than ten currently functioning anime distributors in R1 here and even less actual studios with pools of talent so lots those without their own dubbing studio share. It shouldn't be surprising to hear the same voices considering how small the industry is.
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LydiaDianne



Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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Location: Southern California
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:33 pm Reply with quote
Kruszer wrote:
A voice is a voice, I don't care if I hear the same actors. I'd rather have people who are experienced and have done lots of dubs before as they can do it right, rather than a cast of untested newbies.


I'm with you. If you are new to voice acting, you shouldn't be playing a lead character. Work your up to that. So what if you play 3 or 4 different characters in a series. As long as they aren't in the same episode, so what. It's good practice and you can try different voices.

But for a new VA to be playing the lead...no. Spend the money and get an experienced VA.
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Xanas



Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 2058
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:59 pm Reply with quote
Meh, seniority be damned. I'll take anyone as long as they do a good job.

But the problem is that I can't see voice-acting being very attractive these days with many companies abandoning dubs on half or more of their new licenses.
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Thunderbird-



Joined: 06 Mar 2009
Posts: 60
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:35 pm Reply with quote
Back when I used to watch English Dubbed anime I always thought it was cool when they would use a voice actor from another series. Like when I heard Johnny Yong Bosch the voice of Ichigo from Bleach as some minor characters on Naruto.
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Aqua_Dakemura



Joined: 08 Jul 2009
Posts: 6
PostPosted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:19 pm Reply with quote
I guess it is true that I'd rather hear experience actors, rather than newbies who sound like they're reading. I don't mean to offend anyone, but it doesn't feel right when I hear the same actor/actresses in almost every anime that I'm interested. I don't know how to express it! Let's just say it gets annoying.
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Kruszer



Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 7994
Location: Minnesota, USA
PostPosted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:13 pm Reply with quote
The same shallow pool exists for the Japanese voiceovers too. It's an inescapable reality either way.
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