TLDR;
This YouTube video transcript is a discussion about the English dub of the anime series "Kakushigoto," focusing on the performances of the voice actors, the quality of the script adaptation, and the overall themes of the show. The speakers share their thoughts on various characters, the challenges of translating Japanese humor, and the impact of the anime industry on its creators.
- The dub is praised for its competent adaptation of Japanese humor and wordplay.
- Howard Wang and Morgan Larue receive high praise for their roles as Kakushi and Hime, respectively.
- The discussion touches on the anime industry's impact on creators, advocating for better working conditions and support for artists.
Intro [0:00]
The speaker introduces the topic of the podcast: a discussion about the anime "Kakushigoto," specifically focusing on the English dub and its quality. He shares a personal anecdote about discovering his father's involvement in an anime podcast, setting a humorous tone for the discussion.
Meeting [0:59]
Andrew, Amman, and Noah introduce themselves as they prepare to discuss the anime series "Kakushigoto." Andrew emphasizes the importance of the project and the potential for Amman and Noah to debut as true mangakas. The group jokes about emails and old technology before diving into the topic of Father's Day and the anime they will be discussing.
Kakushigoto [3:13]
The speakers introduce "Kakushigoto," an anime series from Spring 2020 based on a manga by Koji Kumeta, known for "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei." The synopsis involves a single father, Kakushigoto, who is a popular erotic manga artist trying to hide his profession from his young daughter, Hime. The show is described as 75-80% absurdist comedy and 20% mystery, with bookends that create intrigue. The dub is praised for being charming, funny, and well-crafted.
Dad Energy [6:49]
The hosts transition into discussing the director and scriptwriters of the dub, Jade Saxton and Kristen McGuire, respectively. They highlight some of their previous collaborations, such as "Helpful Fox Senko-san," "Magical Girl Raising Project," and "High School DxD Hero." The conversation shifts to the challenges of localizing and translating "Kakushigoto" due to its dense Japanese cultural references and wordplay, comparing it to "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei."
Translation [13:16]
The speakers discuss the quality of the "Kakushigoto" dub, praising its competence and humor. They mention instances where the dub added its own wordplay that made sense in context, such as a scene where a character says "predator" and another responds with "editor." The story is easy to follow, with misunderstandings and absurd reactions driving the comedy. The script is flexible as long as it doesn't change the events, with some Japanese references being replaced with more recognizable Western ones, like referencing Scarlett Johansson instead of Satomi Ishihara.
Roku [19:25]
The discussion focuses on the untranslatable aspects of the show, specifically the naming of the dog, Roku. In Japanese, "roku" means six, referencing an old manga. The dub keeps the name Roku, which also works as a device. The speakers praise Kristen's work in making the script comprehensible and funny, and Jade's comedic timing and execution. They ponder how much of the comedic success is due to strict direction versus the seasoned voice actors' freestyle performances.
Team Girl Squad [29:01]
The hosts transition to discussing Hime's friends: Riko, Silvia, Hinata, and Iu, referring to them as "Team Girl Squad." They talk about the voice actors for these characters: Kristen Sutton, Suzy Young, Sarah Wiedenheft, and Kristen McGuire. The group discusses the precociousness of the characters and the distinctiveness of each voice actor's performance.
Krispy Kremes [32:31]
The speakers continue discussing the actresses behind Hime's friends, praising their chemistry and individual performances. They joke about Boston's coffee preferences, contrasting Dunkin' Donuts with Starbucks. The conversation shifts back to the characters, highlighting their nosiness and the dynamic within the group.
Harem [40:45]
The hosts discuss the "lovely ladies of Kakushi Goto," a running gag about the harem he doesn't know he has. They mention Nadila, the housekeeper; Kumijoro, the flower girl; Yo Shikoshi, the cooking teacher; Naru, the high school idol; and Ichiko, Hime's teacher. The voice actresses for these characters are Risa May, Terry Doty, Kate Bristol, Emmy Lou, and Lindsay Seidel, respectively.
Nadila [46:58]
The speakers discuss the voice acting for the various women surrounding Kakushi, starting with Nadila, the Indonesian housekeeper. They note that Nadila has a thicker accent in the dub compared to the original Japanese, which they find an interesting choice. They praise Risa May's performance, particularly her comedic timing and delivery of lines. The conversation touches on the interactions between the women and Kakushi, highlighting the unrequited affections and comedic misunderstandings.
Ichiko [51:45]
The hosts continue discussing the voice actresses for the women surrounding Kakushi, praising Terry, Kate, and Emmy for their performances. They highlight Lindsay Seidel as Ichiko, noting her comedic timing and the fun interactions she has with Kakushi. The conversation veers into a discussion about old manga trivia and references, before returning to praise Lindsay's performance and the overall comedic effect of the characters.
Team Manga [1:02:10]
The hosts transition to discussing Kakushi's manga assistants: Kakuru Keshi, Aogushiji, and Ami Kawai. They talk about the voice actors for these characters: Kevin Tszuet, Chris George, and Caitlyn Barr. The group discusses the dynamic between the assistants and their roles in Kakushi's manga series.
Kevin [1:06:54]
The speakers continue discussing Kakushi's assistants, focusing on Kevin's portrayal of Kakuru. They highlight his sincerity and naivety, noting how he doesn't understand Kakushi's quirks. The conversation touches on the assistants' reactions to not getting a dog and the overall dynamic within the group.
Caitlin [1:13:39]
The hosts continue discussing the voice acting for Kakushi's assistants, praising Chris George and Caitlyn Barr for their performances. They highlight Caitlyn's ability to be both stern and extra when the scene calls for it. The conversation touches on the dramatic moments in the show and the overall chemistry between the characters.
Satsuki [1:21:54]
The hosts transition to discussing Rasana Sumita and Satsuki Tomarun, voiced by Tia Ballard and Aaron Dismuke, respectively. They describe Satsuki as an editor from hell and discuss Aaron's performance, noting how he embodies the character's passive-aggressive incompetence. The conversation touches on Satsuki's flaws and the impact he has on Kakushi's work.
Tia [1:29:33]
The speakers continue discussing Rasana and Satsuki, praising Tia Ballard's performance as Rasana and highlighting her intelligence and competence. They discuss the dynamic between the characters and the role of editors in the manga industry. The conversation touches on the importance of balancing creative freedom with editorial guidance.
Howard Wang [1:42:31]
The hosts transition to discussing the main characters, Kakushi Goto and Hime Goto, voiced by Howard Wang and Morgan Larue, respectively. They emphasize the importance of these characters to the show's success and praise their performances. The conversation touches on the heartwarming father-daughter relationship and the challenges of balancing work and family life.
Morgan Larue [1:54:07]
The speakers continue discussing Howard Wang's performance as Kakushi, praising his ability to capture the character's warmth, struggle, and insecurity. They then transition to discussing Morgan Larue's performance as Hime, noting the initial surprise at the casting choice but ultimately praising her ability to embody the character. The conversation touches on the challenges of portraying a child character and the importance of avoiding certain tropes.
Final Thoughts [2:08:16]
The hosts share their final thoughts on "Kakushigoto," praising the show's humor, heartwarming moments, and the performances of the voice actors. They discuss the show's dichotomous nature and the impact of real-world events on the viewing experience. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting manga creators and advocating for better working conditions in the industry.
Outro [2:13:03]
The hosts conclude the podcast by thanking their patrons and promoting their various social media channels. They discuss the ending theme song of "Kakushigoto" and its significance in Japanese culture. The conversation veers into a discussion about city pop music and its influence on the show.