TLDR;
The Dub Talk team reviews the English dub of "Appare-Ranman!", a 2020 original anime series about an eccentric inventor and a samurai who end up in America and enter the Trans-America Wild Race. The hosts praise the show's fun and adventurous spirit, the tight-knit and diverse cast, the snappy writing, and the excellent voice acting and direction. They highlight specific performances and discuss the characters' arcs, making it clear that this is a must-watch dub for both seasoned anime fans and newcomers.
- The dub is praised for its adventurous casting choices, tight-knit ensemble, and snappy writing.
- The hosts highlight the performances of Lee George (Appare), Yvonne Hassell (Kosame), Susie Young (Jing), and Ace Anderson (TJ).
- The show's themes of overcoming adversity, embracing diversity, and the importance of human connection are discussed.
Intro [0:06]
The hosts introduce the episode as a review of the English dub of "Appare-Ranman!", setting the stage with a lighthearted car derby theme. They introduce the "racers" who will be discussing the anime, including Adult Language, Spoiler Alert, and Personal Opinions.
Introductions [1:44]
The hosts Megan, Hardy, and Roots of Justice, introduce themselves and the episode's topic: the English dub of "Appare-Ranman!". They joke about the show's setting in the old-timey West and its colorful nature, comparing it to a blend of "Cannonball Run" and anime.
Summary of Appare-Ranman! [5:08]
The hosts provide a summary of "Appare-Ranman!", which is set in the Meiji era in Japan. The story follows Appare Sorano, an eccentric inventor, and Kosame Isshiki, a samurai, who accidentally find themselves in Los Angeles with no money. To return home, they decide to enter the Trans-America Wild Race, facing rival racers, bandits, and other challenges along the way.
Initial Thoughts on the Dub [9:35]
Hardy expresses his appreciation for the show and the dub, praising the writing, banter, and casting. He introduces a gimmick where he will compare the characters to actors from "Cannonball Run". He also notes the show has a tight-knit and diverse cast of characters and voice actors. Roots of Justice highlights the fast-paced script and the advantage of recording from home, which allowed for a diverse cast. Megan compliments the script writing for maintaining the historical setting while still being wacky and fun.
The Bad Brothers: Chase and Tristan [20:54]
The hosts discuss the Bad Brothers, Chase and Tristan, who initially pose as outlaws to enter the race but are later revealed to be good-hearted. Chris George voices Chase, and Tyson Reinhardt voices Tristan. Hardy describes them as the Laurel and Hardy of the West, with Chase being the big mouth and Tristan being the softy. Roots of Justice appreciates the fact that they start out as villains but eventually become good guys. Megan notes that Tristan is a "himbo Disney princess" who respects women and is loved by animals.
The Antagonists: Dylan, TJ, and Gil [39:50]
The hosts discuss the antagonists: Dylan G. Oldin, Crazy TJ, and Gil T. Cigar. Dylan is described as a drunk uncle, TJ as the best character with beautiful eyes, and Gil as an edge lord. Robert McCollum voices Dylan, Ace Anderson voices TJ, and Brandon Potter voices Gil. Roots of Justice praises Brandon Potter's hammy performance as Gil and Ace Anderson's swagger as TJ. Hardy describes TJ as a time traveler from the 1970s and praises Ace Anderson's flamboyant performance.
Team BMW: Al Lyon, Sophia Taylor, and Seth Rich Cutter [1:03:25]
The hosts discuss Team BMW, consisting of Al Lyon, Sophia Taylor, and Seth Rich Cutter. Brandon McInnis voices Al, Xanthe Huynh voices Sophia, and Blake McNamara voices Seth. Megan notes that both Brandon and Xanthe do French accents throughout the show. Hardy appreciates Brandon's ability to pull off the French accent and Xanthe's cute performance. Megan also praises Blake McNamara's portrayal of Seth as an uppity businessman turned butt monkey.
Jing Jaleen and Hototo [1:21:58]
The hosts discuss Jing Jaleen and Hototo, who become Appare and Kosame's friends. Susie Young voices Jing, and Emilo Hirsh voices Hototo. Patrick praises Emilo's performance as Hototo, comparing it to a combination of Luffy from "One Piece" and the original Japanese voice actor. Megan appreciates the fact that Jing is a strong female character who is never sexualized.
Appare Sorano and Kosame Isshiki [1:46:20]
The hosts discuss the main characters, Appare Sorano and Kosame Isshiki. Lee George voices Appare, and Yvonne Hassell voices Kosame. Megan praises Lee George's ability to portray Appare's character arc, from a lonely and isolated inventor to someone who genuinely cares about others. Hardy initially found Yvonne Hassell's Latin accent on a traditional Japanese character off-putting, but eventually appreciated the evolution of the performance.
Final Thoughts [2:15:43]
The hosts give their final thoughts on "Appare-Ranman!" and its English dub. They all highly recommend the show, praising its fun and adventurous spirit, well-developed characters, and excellent voice acting. They encourage listeners to watch it on Funimation and to support the Dub Talk podcast on Patreon.