Brief Summary
This episode of Dub Talk discusses the English dub of the anime series "Akudama Drive." The hosts praise the direction, scriptwriting, and casting choices, highlighting standout performances and the overall cohesiveness of the dub. They also discuss the characters, their voice actors, and the political themes explored in the show.
- The dub is praised for its experimental approach and cohesive experience.
- Standout performances include Veronica Taylor as the Boss Executioner and Macy Anne Johnson as Swindler.
- The show explores themes of class warfare, authoritarianism, and the value of human connection.
Intro
The Dub Talk podcast episode begins with a humorous skit involving Andrew wielding a knife and making strange comments. Stephanie introduces the episode, mentioning that they will be discussing the English dub of "Akudama Drive." She introduces the other hosts, assigning them akudama titles: Brawler (Hardy), Courier (Jamal), and Doctor (Megan).
Akudama Drive Summary and Episode Context
The hosts provide a quick summary of "Akudama Drive," a cyberpunk thriller about criminals (akudama) in a divided world. The series follows an ordinary girl who gets caught up in their world of crime. The hosts mention that they have been trying to record this episode for about a year, facing various delays due to personal issues, technical problems, and the release of the director's cut on home video. They clarify that this episode is not cursed, unlike some of their previous attempts.
ADR Staff and General Thoughts
The hosts discuss the ADR staff for "Akudama Drive," including ADR director Brittany Lauda, assistant ADR director Matt Shipman, and scriptwriter Clayton Browning. They praise the direction and writing of the show, noting its stylized nature and incorporation of tropes from well-known movies. The hosts appreciate the banter between the characters and the impactful individual speeches. They also note that this was the first show Funimation outsourced to Kocha Sound.
Bunny and Shark
The hosts discuss Bunny and Shark, the cartoonish mascots who serve as exposition dumps in the series. Michael Kovac voices Bunny, and SungWon Cho voices Shark. While primarily used for exposition, Bunny has moments where the propaganda mask slips, revealing a darker side. The hosts praise the voice actors' performances, noting the fun, cartoony voices and the subtle nuances in their delivery.
Executioners
The hosts discuss the Executioners, the law enforcement in "Akudama Drive." They focus on four characters: Master (DC Douglas), Pupil (Jenny Yokobori), Boss (Veronica Taylor), and Junior (Eddie Lee). Veronica Taylor's performance as the corrupt and power-hungry Boss is particularly praised. The hosts discuss the political themes of the show, noting how the Executioners represent a corrupt and authoritarian system. They also highlight Jenny Yokobori's portrayal of Pupil's transformation and DC Douglas's performance as Master.
Brother and Sister
The hosts discuss Brother (Daisy Guevara) and Sister (Laura Stahl), the two children who are central to the plot. They are the only characters who survive the entire ordeal, but they go through a lot in the process. The hosts discuss the actors' performances, noting Daisy Guevara's husky voice and Laura Stahl's ability to portray the awkwardness and naivety of Sister.
Doctor, Cutthroat, Hacker, Brawler and Hoodlum
The hosts discuss the remaining akudama: Doctor (Brittany Lauda), Cutthroat (Matt Shipman), Hacker (YongYea), Brawler (Zeno Robinson), and Hoodlum (Kellen Goff). They praise Brittany Lauda's sultry and manipulative portrayal of Doctor, Matt Shipman's unsettling performance as Cutthroat, and the bromance between Brawler and Hoodlum. They also discuss the characters' motivations and their roles in the story.
Swindler and Courier
The hosts discuss Swindler (Macy Anne Johnson) and Courier (Jonah Scott), the two main protagonists of "Akudama Drive." They praise Macy Anne Johnson's ability to portray Swindler's transformation from an ordinary person to a determined akudama. They also highlight Jonah Scott's understated performance as Courier, noting his film noir vibes and his chemistry with Macy Anne Johnson.
Final Thoughts
The hosts share their final thoughts on the English dub of "Akudama Drive." They praise the ensemble cast, the well-written script, and the overall cohesiveness of the dub. They recommend the show to viewers, noting its timeless quality and its ability to resonate with audiences. They also provide information on where to watch the show and how to support the Dub Talk podcast.
