Funimation

[kingoleer]

Where is Funimation located exactly? I know it's in Fort Worth, but I was wondering if anyone familiar with the Fort Worth area knew exactly where it would be?

I heard a rumor from a friend that it's office was inside a bank building off of 820 right behind Richland High School. Don't know if any of you guys know what I'm talking about.

Plus, what would be the requirements for voice acting? Would you have to be able to read Japanese and translate?

One last question, what do you guys think of the company itself? Is it a questionable company as far as moral standards go? Just wondering, thanks for your help.

[Ashley]

Sorry, wrong part of Texas lad...

[inkhana]

Right part of Texas, and I still don't know...

[Karrit]

I have never been to FUNimation, but I am friends with one of the voice actors who works there. His name is Kyle Hebert (pronounced AY-Bear), who voices Teen Gohan, The Narrator, Pikkon, etc.

Anyway I do know FUNimation is indeed in Fort Worth and does share the same building as a bank.

As far as moral content goes, I would say FUNi is more mroal int he swearing department than Pioneer or ADV.

For example, The subtitles Dragon Ball Z contains swears, but FUNI translates them as bast***, he**, da**, a**. Even the word kuso (which literally means feces in Japanese) they translate as crap instead of sh**. It should also be mentioned that there is little or no swearing in uneditted dub of DBZ. But there is some swearing int heir other dubbed titles, mostly isn't as graphic as other companies.

My friend Kyle put together a cd-rom to celebrate the first anniversary of his website. It includes some audio files containing tips on vioce acting in general. I'll ask him for permission to email the files to you if that'll help you out.

[Psycho Ann]

Probably my only complaint of FUNi is the horrible script adaptation, inappropriate voices to match the characters (at least if you're a subbie purist) and in some cases just plain bad voice acting (I personally find U.S. VA not as good as seiyuu in the "screaming in pain/powerup/anger/sadness" department. Also VAs are just too "cartoony" sometimes when they read a script as opposed to the more serious acting in anime).

But then again, if you heard the dubbers we got back in Indo (refrains from whimpering), you'll realizing I shouldn't be complaining too much about the VAs here. ^^;; (they are HORRIBLE. Oh, you guys should have heard how they butchered Trigun... on second thought, no, you shouldn't. Fushigi Yuugi was the WORST... oh man, I'm getting goosebumps....)

[Karrit]

Some of FUNi's vocie actors leave somethign to be desired, but I think some are quite good.

For example, I love Stephanie Nadolny's Chibi Goku. He suite her more than Chibi Gohan. In the Dragonball: Path to Power, I think Steph pulled off some of her finest work. Especially the emotion and pain she put into Goku when Ha-Chan (Android 8) died to save his life.

Chris Sabat is an okay Yamucha, but I think most of his voices sound a little generic. I prefer Scot McNeil as 'Mr. Piccolo'.

The voices in YuYU Hakusho, Lupin and Fruits Basket are also nice.

[shooraijin]

> Scot McNeil

Scott McNeil, heh heh. If it's the same dude, he did the Hawai'ian Headmaster Principal Kuno in Ranma 1/2. "Bad keiki! BAAAAD!"

[Ashley]

Isn't Scott McNeil also the voice for Duo on Gundam Wing?

[Gypsy]

Probably my only complaint of FUNi is the horrible script adaptation, inappropriate voices to match the characters (at least if you're a subbie purist) and in some cases just plain bad voice acting

I thought they did very good with Fruits Basket. At least they used a guy's voice for Yuki, unlike the original version where they used a low-voiced female. I also found Tohru's voice a little on the grating side in Japanese.

However, I am far from being a purist in most cases. I prefer dubbed anime in general. Yet, if I get hooked on a series while watching the subbed version, trying to watch the dubbed version is horrible. I learned this lesson with St Tail. Not only were the English voices dull and lifeless, it changed the entire feel of the anime itself. However, that has nothing to do with FUNimation . . . whoops.

[Tsukuyomi]

Hey there evety one. I just joined today, so I may need some help gettin around and evey thing (hehehe). I was reading what was being said and every thing, and was wondering if n-e one could help me find tha way to becomming an anime voice actress. It's been my dream fo like foever. Please help!!!!

[Tsukuyomi]

Hey there, sup? U know Kyle Hebert. That must be so cool. I was wondering if u could hook me up wit him some how. Not that way (hehehe). Just to help me wit becomming a voice actress that's all. Please help me!!!!

[Heart of Sword]

I'd love to be a voice actor, but I refuse to swear.

[Vyse]

I'd love to be a voice actor, but I refuse to swear.

You should get a job at 4Kids

[Tsukuyomi]

It's been my number one dream to be a voicec actress. I don't have a problem cursing if really needed. Have n-e pointers where to go get an upstart?

[Fireproof]

I'd love to be a voice actor, but I refuse to swear.

I can see it now...
Producer: Alright. now, let's do tis again. Just read your script.
HoS: Are you sure that I have to say eighteen curse words in a sentence that could be three words long? o_O
Producer: Yes! It adds to the drama!
HoS: No, it doesn't! the person is asking for ice cream!
Producer: Maybe she's really stressed out at the time.
HoS: Did the Japanese VAs say all that filth?
Producer: Not exactly; We did take a tiny bit of poetic license with the dialogue, but it's not that big of a deal...
*HoS Hits Producer over the head hit a wooden sword*

[noeleon]

lol fireproof.

[Yojimbo]

Lol people say I do voices pretty good. My favorite "character" to do is the corporate fatcat "Clifford Winetrop." He enjoys smoking cigars, burning down the rain forest, taking food out of children's mouths, and dumping toxic waste in rivers.

[randomclassic]

I thought they did very good with Fruits Basket. At least they used a guy's voice for Yuki, unlike the original version where they used a low-voiced female. I also found Tohru's voice a little on the grating side in Japanese.

However, I am far from being a purist in most cases. I prefer dubbed anime in general.

I agree. I thought they did a wonderful job with Fruits Basket, and like you, I much prefer the dub anyway. Hehe.

Although I would have to say my all time favorite dub would have to be Trigun. Mostly because I love Johnny Young Boch (and yes I know I spelt his name wong, lol, give me a break, I've been drugged up for the past two days because of a cold. Dang cough medicin).

And well, because I just love the dub. But I do like Triguns sub as well.

Errr so that was way off topic.. like I said. it's the meds. *falls asleep on keyboard*

[awsam007]

As far as becoming a VA goes, I've seen many interviews with VA's and that question always comes up. They always say it's not as easy as people think. Almost always you have to be trained as an actor first and have a resume with some acting gigs on it. Then you have to pass an audition. You also have to be good at changing voices (obviously) and projecting dramatics using only your voice (not as easy as it sounds). Basically it's no different than any acting job with the exception of it not mattering what you look like.

[Keely]

Isn't Scott McNeil also the voice for Duo on Gundam Wing?

Yes, he also voiced Logan (Wolverine) on X-men Evolution AND will be a guest at Oni-Con Oct 22-24 in Houston, TX!

I also noticed ya'll talk about Kyle Hebert and Stephanie Nadoly, they'll be guests too!

http://www.oni-con.com

[Splintered]

Scott McNeil is a great VA.

Compared to some dub studios, Funimation is good. I rather have them dub an aime, then say, 4Kids. Though they do change a bit, the other dub stations that try to stay pure often get really cruddy VA's.

[Nate]

Viz has pretty good dubs. I can't watch Ranma subtitled, it's just not as funny.

Pioneer is pretty good too, with the exception of Fushigi Yugi. BARRRF!

But you want butchered character voices? Play video games. When Working Designs brought over the Arc the Lad collection, they kept the Japanese voices. Hooray! But has anyone played Twilight of the Spirits for PS2? Ugh! The voice actress for Choko was one of the Rugrats! AND she pronounces Choko's name wrong! ARRGH! And then there's Star Ocean's voice casting. Precis's voice is excruciatingly irritating! Oh, yeah, and let's not forget Legaia 2: Duel Saga. Why couldn't they have kept the original Japanese like the original Legend of Legaia?!

If they screw up Wild ARMs: Alter Code F I swear I will shoot somebody.

[AngelSakura]

Pioneer rocks. Their dub of Lupin III (the one on Adult Swim now) is the best dub I have ever seen in my life.

[plutogrl03]

As far as becoming a VA goes, I've seen many interviews with VA's and that question always comes up. They always say it's not as easy as people think. Almost always you have to be trained as an actor first and have a resume with some acting gigs on it. Then you have to pass an audition. You also have to be good at changing voices (obviously) and projecting dramatics using only your voice (not as easy as it sounds). Basically it's no different than any acting job with the exception of it not mattering what you look like.

Well, so much for my aspirations of doing any voice acting. It's cool though. I'm majoring in video production and tech theater, so at least I can be part of the entertainment scene from behind the scenes. Plus, I might audition someday just so I can say that I have.

[mitsuki lover]

[mitsuki lover]

Sorry,pushed the wrong button there.
Hmmm...as I was going to say,Scott McNeil also voices Koga on Inuyasha.

[MorwenLaicoriel]

Actually, while most VAing in video games are bad, not ALL of them are. I know I'm a big Tales of Symphonia fan...XD But actually, they got some good quality voice actors for it, including Scott Menville and Tara Strong (who both work on Teen Titans--believe it or not, Tara Strong is also on Rugrats...and a Power Puff Girl. And someone on Final Fantasy...no...not making it up...)
...Okay, that's kinda off topic...XD

[TroutNinja]

Funimation does the DVDs for 4Kids... which is why I'm hoping they do some uncut One Piece. <_< >_>

Yes, I too am a One Piece freak and need my (uncut subbed) DVDs... yesterday! But as long as they actually do them, I shall be a happy One Piece Otaku. Please give me Roronoa Zoro not Zolo. ._. I guess it could have been worse tho... they could have changed names completely like they did for Shaman King. Poor Manta becoming whatever he became. Go Funimation for doing uncut DVDs though. (please let Naruto be licensed by... Pioneer-Geneon.. Pleeeeeaaaassseeeee..)

[MorwenLaicoriel]

Today at Barns and Noble I read an article saying that Toei approved of all the voices and that they always checked the changes with the creators of the show, too. Appearently a lot of the changes they did to keep within legal boundries.