Brief Summary
This episode of Dub Talk celebrates the fifth anniversary of the podcast by discussing the English dub of "Gurren Lagann." The hosts share their personal histories with the anime, discuss the ADR direction and scriptwriting, and highlight the voice acting performances of various characters. They praise the dub for its natural feel, faithfulness to the source material, and the way it captures the over-the-top spirit of the show.
- The hosts discuss the ADR direction and scriptwriting, highlighting Tony Oliver's work.
- They discuss the voice acting performances of various characters, including the beastmen generals, the Kiyal siblings, and members of Team Dai-Gurren.
- The hosts praise Yuri Lowenthal's performance as Simon, considering it a career highlight.
Intro
The Dub Talk podcast starts with a disclaimer about foul language and spoilers for Gurren Lagann. The host emphasizes the importance of respecting different opinions and introduces the team: Zenith, Spaceman Hardy, and Jet. The episode is dedicated to discussing Gurren Lagann, a show that the host holds dear.
Synopsis of Gurren Lagann
The host provides a brief synopsis of Gurren Lagann, describing Simon's life in an underground village, his discovery of a robot, and the battle against beastmen and other enemies on the surface. The story begins with Simon, Kamina, and Yoko escaping their underground village and escalates into a war for the survival of the human race. The series is known for its extreme escalation in scale and stakes.
ADR Direction and Script Writers
The team discusses the people behind the English dub of Gurren Lagann, which includes Tony Oliver as the ADR director and scriptwriter, along with Alex Vaughn David and Barden Bishop as writers. Tony Oliver has directed anime such as Fate/Zero and Hunter x Hunter 2011. Alex Vaughn David has written for series like Sword Art Online and Madoka Magica. Barden Bishop has written for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's and Shaman King.
Direction and Writing
Zenith expresses her love for Gurren Lagann, calling it a life-changing anime. She praises the dub for sounding natural and staying true to the original Japanese, considering it one of the best dubs in recent decades. Hardy shares his experience of watching the series in English on cable television, noting that the first few episodes were rough but improved as the show progressed. He appreciates Tony Oliver's direction and Alex's writing, though he finds the language a bit excessive. Jet first watched Gurren Lagann in college and praises Tony Oliver's direction, noting that the dub script strikes a good balance between faithfulness and adaptation.
Beastmen Generals
The team discusses the four beastmen generals of Lordgenome: Thymilph, Adiane, Cytomander, and Guame. They are voiced by Paul St. Peter, Megan Hollinshead, Steve Staley, and Doug Stone, respectively. Zenith is familiar with many of these voice actors from Bleach and appreciates their performances. Hardy finds Doug Stone's portrayal of Guame particularly sleazy and Megan Hollinshead's Adiane enjoyable due to her psycho meltdown. Jet praises Doug Stone's Guame for being memorable and Megan Hollinshead for her haughty portrayal of Adiane. Andrew notes that Thymilph is the least memorable despite his significant role, while Megan Hollinshead stands out as Adiane.
Kiyal Siblings
The hosts discuss the Kiyal siblings: Kiyoh, Kinon, and Kiyal, voiced by Karen Strassman, Stephanie Sheh, and Gina Bowes, respectively. Zenith recognizes the voice actors immediately and appreciates their distinctive voices. Hardy notes that Stephanie Sheh's character has the most significant arc, while the others fade into the background. Jet finds Gina Bowes' Kiyal spunky and Stephanie Sheh's Kinon compelling, especially after the time skip. Andrew finds Gina as Kiyal adorable and Stephanie Sheh as Kinon very compelling.
Team Dai-Gurren
The team discusses members of Team Dai-Gurren: Arty Burrow, Daigun, Buta, Gimmy, Darrly, and Leeron. They are voiced by Derek Stephen Prince, Doug Stone, Julie Ann Taylor, Melissa Fahn, Brianne Siddall, and Steven Jay Blum, respectively. Zenith doesn't have much to say about most of the characters but praises Steven Blum's Leeron. Hardy agrees with Zenith and considers Leeron one of the four main characters. Jet praises Steven Blum's unique performance as Leeron. Andrew appreciates Julie Ann Taylor's animal noises as Buta, Derek Stephen Prince's loud Arty, and Steven Blum's Leeron.
Lordgenome and Anti-Spiral
The hosts discuss the central antagonists: Lordgenome and the Anti-Spiral, voiced by Jamieson Price and Dave Mallow, respectively. Zenith thinks Lordgenome steals the show with his menacing presence. Hardy agrees that Jamieson Price is at his best as Lordgenome and Dave Mallow's robotic voice is perfect for the Anti-Spiral. Jet notes Jamieson Price's regal and sinister portrayal of Lordgenome and Dave Mallow's frightening tone as the Anti-Spiral. Andrew praises Jamieson Price's commanding strength as Lordgenome and Dave Mallow's cold, calculating tone as the Anti-Spiral.
Viral and Rossiu
The team discusses Viral and Rossiu, voiced by Sam Riegel and Johnny Yong Bosch, respectively. Zenith finds Johnny Yong Bosch surprising as Rossiu and Sam Riegel one of her favorite voice actors in the show. Hardy appreciates Viral's emotional range and Johnny's portrayal of Rossiu's emotional turmoil. Jet notes Sam Riegel's loud and cocky Viral and Johnny Yong Bosch's quiet and weary Rossiu. Andrew praises Sam Riegel's growly Viral and Johnny Yong Bosch's portrayal of Rossiu's difficult decisions.
Kamina and Kittan
The hosts discuss Kamina and Kittan, voiced by Kyle Hebert and Christopher Corey Smith, respectively. Zenith appreciates Kyle Hebert's humanity as Kamina. Hardy thinks Kittan is underrated and Kyle Hebert's Kamina is energetic. Jet notes Christopher Smith's cocky Kittan and Kyle Hebert's larger-than-life Kamina. Andrew praises Christopher Smith's Kittan and Kyle Hebert's iconic Kamina.
Yoko and Nia
The team discusses Yoko and Nia, voiced by Michelle Ruff, Hynden Walch, and Bridget Hoffman, respectively. Zenith recognizes the voice actresses and appreciates Nia's line delivery. Hardy finds Michelle Ruff's Yoko flat but appreciates Hynden Walch and Bridget Hoffman's Nia. Jet appreciates Hynden Walch's bubbly Nia and Michelle Ruff's cool Yoko. Andrew praises Hynden Walch's adorable Nia and Michelle Ruff's spunk and personality as Yoko.
Simon
The hosts discuss Simon, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. Zenith considers Yuri Lowenthal's performance as Simon her favorite in the show, highlighting his growth. Hardy notes Yuri's grating tone at the beginning and phenomenal performance by the end. Jet appreciates Yuri Lowenthal's portrayal of Simon's unassuming nature and growth. Andrew praises Yuri Lowenthal's performance as the best he's ever heard from him, highlighting Simon's journey and complexity.
Final Thoughts
The Dub Talk team shares their final thoughts on Gurren Lagann. Zenith calls it a good dub that helped her through a poor emotional state. Hardy says it's his number three favorite anime of all time. Jet says it's a really fun show with a strong dub. Andrew says it's a very important show to him and the dub is a lot better than people give it credit for. They encourage listeners to watch Gurren Lagann on Netflix or Funimation.
