Wednesday, September 13, 2006

   The picking of Dagger's brains, minus sharp beaks

TBH, I think that even Bale's somewhat problematic performance is pure genius in comparison to Takuya Kimura (what were they thinking??). As a real-life bishounen, Kimutaku may suit Howl's image, but his performance felt weak and hollow to me. I could hear the acting (or, at times, the lack thereof), and that's not really something I want to pick up on from any seiyuu.

But other than Howl, I think the dub and sub are about on par. Anyway, thank god that Bale didn't use his Batman voice, haha. That would've been awful.

~ Dagger

XD They should've included Bale doing Howl as Batman, for laughs!

*clears throat and composes self*

In my own very humble and not so educated opinion, Takuya Kimura totally nailed the character of Howl (as portrayed in the movie, I've not read the book). Still a child, weak despite incredible talent, flimsy. That’s what I’d imagine one would act like if devoid of a heart and being stuck.

The scene where he looks at Sophie when she’s asleep shows him with the appearance of a much younger man. Just like Sophie has shifts in her appearance - locked to her self-confidence and honesty towards her true feelings - Howl seems to morph back into a boy more and more - mostly when trying to spark Sophie's .... memory? ability to help? - . Their grown-up appareance is a physical demonstration of how they're both running away while trying to find the way back to each other.

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And I lost my train of thought completely while writing that paragraph, so excuse my scattered-ness *dies blushing* It always happens when my passion for a dialogue where I can convey my thoughts and ideas override my capacity to think streamlined/at all. Back on track! *cracks keyboard*

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I'm curious about something that you might've talked about before but I can't remember. Are you really at home with Japanese, as in being able to pick up dialects and nuances (is he upset or seething with happiness?! lol)? Because I'm wondering if that helps to determine the quality of a voice actor more accurately.

Before my grasp on German got good enough I couldn’t understand what the characters said yet still felt the voice actors were very suitable. So my perception of them, at first, was solely based on the performance and feel/timing they put in. Even after getting a grip on the language they were dubbed in, my opinion didn’t change.

It should be said that a lot of people on a German message board thought they were horrible choices. The group were divided into two groups: one who based their objections on the over-use of certain voice actors and the others were die-hard fans who loved the original seiyuus.

Ideally I’d like to tape a show with a Swedish dub and give to someone abroad to really get a good idea of what factors in the math of voice performing. There are only a handful of dubbers in Sweden and, even though some have proper theatrical experience, they make it unbearable to watch what could otherwise be a good anime. But maybe someone from another country would see it and have the same reaction as I had with the German dubs.

That’s highly unlikely though, hrm. But yes, I would value your input regarding language barriers and its effects on perception of anime
*bows deeply and polishes your shoes*



*looks at her post* ..... Well, isn't this a mighty fine example of why you don't see me engaging in discussions, regardless of the topic. Good form on my part. Good form ¬¬

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