(L) Dragon Ball Super

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Gan_HOPE326

And don't forget, the Japanese public usually favours cute over exceedingly manly

This is the main point imo. Japan in general (male and females of all ages) have a bit of an obsession with cuteness and youth. Therefore, for a character that has such a mainstream appeal as Goku, a childish voice fits just fine.

[Gan_HOPE326]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Then how come Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, and Broly (which came from the same race as Goku) have the luxury of “proper man-voices?” but not adult-Goku? They have the similar "weird" hair (maybe not, Nappa coz he's bald) and body-type and are all Saiyans.

Because neither of them is childish and likeable as Goku? It's not about race, it's about what the character should 'feel' like. These characters you mentioned all started like ruthless, violent villains. They had to be scary. The only concession in their design to less than that is Vegeta's short stature - and that was because of Toriyama's ever present design rule of making the bad guys big and strong, and the even worse guys small and apparently innocuous.

For comparison, Frieza had a rather suave voice. Again, however, that was part of his gimmick of not looking very intimidating at first but being eerie and hinting at a hidden danger.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by Gan_HOPE326

Because neither of them is childish and likeable as Goku? It's not about race, it's about what the character should 'feel' like. These characters you mentioned all started like ruthless, violent villains. They had to be scary. The only concession in their design to less than that is Vegeta's short stature - and that was because of Toriyama's ever present design rule of making the bad guys big and strong, and the even worse guys small and apparently innocuous.

For comparison, Frieza had a rather suave voice. Again, however, that was part of his gimmick of not looking very intimidating at first but being eerie and hinting at a hidden danger.

Hah, your argument is crumbling down when Bardock, one of the most hardened, violent, and ruthless Saiyan warrior out there, also has the “cute” voice of Nozawa. Like my comment before, the actual reasons are meta and those are “no risk-taking” and “lazy (re)casting”.

[Kazu-kun]

Thing is, if the Japanese audience like it (and they do), why would they change it?

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Thing is, if the Japanese audience like it (and they do), why would they change it?

Hey, I never said it was a bad business choice. I’m just regretting their decision (or lack of guts and creativity) to find a seiyuu that can still bring Goku’s inner-child-ness but still actually sounds like a man to replace Nozawa who had done excellent work as child-Goku. He/she doesn’t even have to sound macho or anything, just try to sound like a grown man (like Kenshin did) instead of an elderly-woman.

[LuckyCat]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

But when the story reached the point where Goku has become an adult, Toriyama just go with the flow with the studio’s decision to maintain Nozawa coz they were afraid that they might lose the audience if they recast Nozawa.

Since Nozawa is still extremely popular in Japan (she even does commercials during the 1 hour DBSuper and One Piece block) I would say this was a wise decision. Also, Nozawa can sound like a serious adult male when she wants. She's no Nappa, sure, but Goku's not supposed to be like that.

[Endscape]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Hah, your argument is crumbling down when Bardock, one of the most hardened, violent, and ruthless Saiyan warrior out there, also has the “cute” voice of Nozawa. Like my comment before, the actual reasons are meta and those are “no risk-taking” and “lazy (re)casting”.

I thought that was to highlight Bardock's connection to Goku though?

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by LuckyCat

Since Nozawa is still extremely popular in Japan (she even does commercials during the 1 hour DBSuper and One Piece block) I would say this was a wise decision.

Like I said in my comment right above yours, I never said it was a bad business choice.

Originally Posted by LuckyCat

Also, Nozawa can sound like a serious adult male when she wants.

And when is that? I watched the entirety of DBZ, yet her granny voice for adult-Goku remains the same for the entirety of the show. And if I may add, her voices for adult-Gohan and adult-Goten and Bardock is also the same.

Originally Posted by LuckyCat

She's no Nappa, sure, but Goku's not supposed to be like that.

And Bardock is supposed to be all around just like Goku, right?

Originally Posted by Endscape

I thought that was to highlight Bardock's connection to Goku though?

Of course it is, and Toei gladly kept Nozawa for Bardock's role. Anyway, it's still go against Gan_HOPE's argument, which is the main point of that comment of mine.

[LuckyCat]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

And when is that?

When Goku goes Super saiyan or gets angry in general. Also in those commercials I mentioned she plays adult males. It may not sound male enough for you, but for the intended Japanese audience it seems to be doing fine.

[RDNexus]

Have you checked other roles of hers? Like Dukemon, for example? Search outside the scope of DB...

[Kanon]

Honestly, I'm more bothered by Trunks' voice than Goku's. He sounds so fucking weird. It's like hearing a clown talking.

[ChainLegacy]

In regards to Goku's voice, if they wanted Goku to have a more masculine voice, they should have done it during the tournament that Goku and Piccolo Jr. fought in. That was the perfect time to have his voice mature, if they wanted to. At this point, it really wouldn't make any sense to replace Goku's voice, which I'm sure is iconic to the Japanese fan base.

With all of that said, I do take issue with the concept that Goku should have this childish, girly voice to fit with his personality. On the one hand, of course there are badass guys out there with higher pitched or non traditional masculine voices, so I don't necessarily have any issue with Goku having the voice he does. I just don't think it's true that his voice is necessary to convey childishness. If anything, it would be a much more interesting, stereotype-breaking contrast for Goku to have a masculine and intimidating voice, while still being childish.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

Hey, I never said it was a bad business choice. I’m just regretting their decision (or lack of guts and creativity) to find a seiyuu that can still bring Goku’s inner-child-ness but still actually sounds like a man to replace Nozawa who had done excellent work as child-Goku. He/she doesn’t even have to sound macho or anything, just try to sound like a grown man (like Kenshin did) instead of an elderly-woman.

You're stuck on this idea that Goku has to sound like a grown man. But the one to decide how his voice should sound like is the staff. I understand if you don't like it, but it doesn't mean it's a bad or uncreative choice. In fact, I would say it's pretty creative because it's something pretty unique.

[Kyero Fox]

Originally Posted by Vegard Aune

Funny, considering how I'd say dub Kaio is one of the worst things about the dub, and it's one of the few things about it that hasn't even slightly improved over time. (Super Hero Goku? All but gone now. Freeza? Was recast and is far better for it. The grossly inaccurate script in general? No longer an issue with Kai and the new movies. The replacement music? No longer an issue.)
...But yeah, he sounds really bad here. Not sure if Yanami was sick or if it's just age (the man's 83, for goodness' sake!) but his performance has been REALLY weak in this show so far. It's honestly to the point where I wonder if it would have been better if they just recast him.

No it wasn't his performance, it was the animation. Hearing Kaio talking only slightly louder while his mouth was freaking wide as a whale was disturbing.

The voice does NOT match him. While English Kaio's voice matches great with the character.


As for Goku's JP vs ENG voice I will always go for ENG for adult Goku. Don't give me that "He's a childish man" bull, when he's childish the English voice actor we all know does a very good job of portraying a grown man who is pretty childish when relaxed or silly.



Anyway, I thought the 2nd episode was pretty good. Could have done more torturing Vegeta and put in a little feels in there. He didn't blush at all when Bulma cuddled on him. But that might happen if the show follows the movie at all. I can't wait for some Krillian and 18 scenes.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by LuckyCat

When Goku goes Super saiyan or gets angry in general. Also in those commercials I mentioned she plays adult males. It may not sound male enough for you, but for the intended Japanese audience it seems to be doing fine.

And that’s why I don’t like it. So we’re clear now, right?

Originally Posted by xrick

Have you checked other roles of hers? Like Dukemon, for example? Search outside the scope of DB...

But me and LuckyCat is talking in the context of DB. And yes, I am a Digimon fan and I know she voiced Dukemon, but I forgive her in that role since Dukemon is a monster, so he can have whatever voice, as long as the VA’s acting is good (which Nozawa is). In short, I never have problems with her roles in other shows aside from voicing a grown man which, for my ears, she just can’t pull off.

Originally Posted by Kanon

Honestly, I'm more bothered by Trunks' voice than Goku's. He sounds so fucking weird. It's like hearing a clown talking.

Just one out of a number of questionable voices for the characters in this series.

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

At this point, it really wouldn't make any sense to replace Goku's voice, which I'm sure is iconic to the Japanese fan base.

I'm wondering, what if this Super series (or maybe even the sequel series) continues after Nozawa's death? Or maybe she fell ill when the voicing isn't complete yet? (she's old after all). The sudden change of seiyuu will be even more awkward compared to when Battle of Gods or Super debuted.

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

With all of that said, I do take issue with the concept that Goku should have this childish, girly voice to fit with his personality. On the one hand, of course there are badass guys out there with higher pitched or non traditional masculine voices, so I don't necessarily have any issue with Goku having the voice he does. I just don't think it's true that his voice is necessary to convey childishness. If anything, it would be a much more interesting, stereotype-breaking contrast for Goku to have a masculine and intimidating voice, while still being childish.

Agreed on the bolded parts.

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

You're stuck on this idea that Goku has to sound like a grown man. But the one to decide how his voice should sound like is the staff. I understand if you don't like it, but it doesn't mean it's a bad or uncreative choice. In fact, I would say it's pretty creative because it's something pretty unique.

And the Japanese public (as well as Toei) are stuck on this idea tha Goku cannot be voiced by anyone else other than Nozawa. So we're even. And sticking with the same seiyuu and staying on their risk-free comfort zone as long as this because they're afraid to lose audience isn't what I call creative. It's just business. If you think the opposite is true then we might have to agree to disagree. Also, art and entertainment is out there to be judged, if some of the audience think it's bad, they're free to say that it's bad, just like me.

[Gan_HOPE326]

I actually think Nozawa's voice does sound significantly weirder in Bardock's mouth than Goku's... but then again, I assume the logic there was just that it runs in the family.

Either way... it's part of the character design, really, and is pretty iconic by now. Free not to like it, especially if you've grown on some dub so that's the one you're used to (personally I always found the Italian dub to be pretty lackluster and have basically forgot that voice by now), but there's just no reason why they could have ever possibly considered recasting it. Nothing short of Nozawa-sensei either dying or being otherwise really incapacitated by health/age to do her work would prompt such a move at this point IMHO. It'd be just like giving Goku a different haircut - it would destroy part of the character altogether.

By the way if there's any voice I'd consider a good alternative at this point it's MasakoX's Abridged!Goku voice .

[LuckyCat]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

And that’s why I don’t like it. So we’re clear now, right?

Not really, but the Indonesia dub will come to you soon? In the meantime, you may have to endure what other audiences enjoy.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by LuckyCat

Not really, but the Indonesia dub will come to you soon? In the meantime, you may have to endure what other audiences enjoy.

Oh, I can easily and singlehandedly endure bad VAs if I’m interested with the story. How do you think I survived many bad Indonesian & English dubs since the 90s? Else, I wouldn’t be the anime-fan I am today.

[Ryuga]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Honestly, I'm more bothered by Trunks' voice than Goku's. He sounds so fucking weird. It's like hearing a clown talking.

Lol, it's because they got Kusao (who's almost 50) trying to put on a prepubescent boy's voice. I admire the attempt, but it makes me wish for Future Trunks.

[Gintokifan22]

This new series is freakin hilarious, I'm surprised Vegeta hasn't killed himself yet with all this piece and family bonding. Guess that's how much he's changed, mean while Goku continues to be a crap like father / husband. Are Goku and Chichi even still married? They are acting like they got divorced. Chichi only wants money to take care of her family while Goku just wants to take off to train and doesn't say a single word good bye?