It’s amusing to realize that Emperor Pilaf is actually the first in a lineage of DRAGON BALL big bads which will eventually include the likes of Cell and Broly, et al. I see him in his little frock, and I can’t help but feel like I’m watching a SOUTH PARK episode…
(Though, it sounds like the exact same voice that’ll eventually be used for Babidi. Am I right?)
FUNimation hit on some special magic with the crew of voice actors they assembled in the mid 90’s. I only have to listen to a few choice exchanges of banter between Bulma and Goku to feel a special tingling. And that part of my brain really hasn’t gotten tickled like that since I was watching Saturday Morning cartoons. The actors seem like they’re just having so much fun, and - - as was the case with YU YU HAKUSHO and DBZ itself - - there’s an added level of entertainment in how they’re goofing on the material at the same time they’re staying on message.
== TEASER ==
Honestly, that’s become one of my bigger pet diatribes; after writing up however many hundred episodes of this stuff. I don’t think ‘localization’ is a bad word, and I think it’s unfortunate that lot of these translation teams gradually started listening to purists to the point that you don't see this kind of creative license being taken any more. Say what you will about original intent, but there are cultural idioms that unavoidably need to be finessed, especially when you’re dealing with humor...
Of course, that subject also raises the question again of why DRAGON BALL failed to catch on, while DBZ ended up doing so swimmingly. I think it really came down to cultural differences on what’s acceptable for kids entertainment. Master Roshi giggling about catching Bulma’s panties might be seen as harmless fun in Japan but, even in this dub, it’s still… pretty weird. And there really is not way to cut around that.
Watch "The Nimbus Cloud of Roshi" and decide for yourself, then read my comments on the previous episode.
from Anime Vice Site Mashup http://ift.tt/1qjyedD
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