TLDR;
This episode of Dub Talk reviews the English dub of "Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai," a 90s anime series. The hosts discuss the history of the dub, the Canadian voice acting talent involved, and the overall quality of the performances. They highlight the show's 90s feel, its kid-friendly nature, and the strong voice acting for both heroes and villains.
- The dub has a distinct 90s feel, reminiscent of shows on Kids WB and Toonami.
- The voice acting is strong, with both heroes and villains having memorable performances.
- The show is kid-friendly, suitable for ages 7 and up.
Intro [0:00]
The hosts introduce the topic of the episode: the English dub of "Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai." They mention the bizarre history behind the dub's production, including a work policy dispute with SAG-AFTRA that stalled its release for years. The dub was produced in Canada by Ocean Studios and Blue Water Studios.
Synopsis [3:04]
After the defeat of the dark lord Hadlar, the world was at peace. Dai, a young boy raised by monsters, dreams of becoming a hero. When Hadlar is resurrected by the even more powerful dark king Vern, Dai's mentor Avan sacrifices himself to protect his students. Dai then discovers his hidden powers and embarks on a journey with his friends to defeat Vern and bring peace to the world.
Production and Direction [5:49]
The dub was produced by Ocean Studios and Blue Water Studios in Canada. Carl Williams and Jack Cox directed the voice acting, with Daniel Yagher credited for the adaptation. Carl Williams has worked on various dubs, including "Cardfight Vanguard," "Death Note," and the Ocean dub of "Dragon Ball Z." Jack Cox has worked on "Beyblade Burst" and "World Trigger." Blue Water Studios is a subsidiary of Ocean Studios. The dub has a distinct 90s feel and contains some creative liberties in the script.
The Bad Guys [15:44]
The hosts discuss the voice acting for the main villains: Dark King Vern, Hadlar, Crocodile, Zaboera, Hym, Flazzard, and Baran. Alex Zahara voices Dark King Vern, Brian Drummond voices Hadlar and Hym, Jason Simpson voices Crocodile, Lee Tockar voices Zaboera, and Dean Redman voices Baran. The voice actors have extensive experience in various anime and cartoons.
Villain Performances [21:57]
The hosts praise the voice acting for the villains, particularly Jason Simpson's portrayal of Crocodile. They note that Simpson brings both a menacing presence and surprising pathos to the character. They also discuss Lee Tockar's performance as Zaboera, describing him as a slimy and weaselly character. Brian Drummond's work as Hadlar is also highlighted, noting his ability to convey both menace and a hint of annoyance at being second-in-command.
Hyunckel [26:51]
The hosts discuss Hyunckel, a former disciple of Avan who resents Dai. Vincent Tong voices Hyunckel, and the hosts praise his ability to convey the character's anger and resentment. They note that Hyunckel serves as a foil to Dai, representing a similar background that led to a different path.
Dark King Vern and Hadlar [30:43]
The hosts discuss the performances of Alex Zahara as Dark King Vern and Brian Drummond as Hadlar. Zahara's voice work gives Vern an intimidating presence, despite the character's lack of physical appearances in the initial episodes. Drummond's portrayal of Hadlar captures the character's hammy and menacing nature, as well as his annoyance at no longer being the top villain.
The Heroes [39:17]
The hosts introduce the main heroes: Dai, Popp, Leona, Maam, Avan, and Brass. Dai is voiced by Sabrina Pitre, Popp by Cole Howard, Leona by Kelly Sheridan, Maam by Diana Kaarina, Avan by Vincent Tong, and Brass by Alec Willows. The voice actors have worked on various anime and cartoons.
Hero Performances [46:13]
The hosts discuss the voice acting for the heroes, praising Sabrina Pitre's energetic portrayal of Dai and Cole Howard's ability to capture Popp's cowardice and eventual growth. They also highlight Kelly Sheridan's performance as Leona, noting her regal but not snobbish demeanor. Alec Willows' portrayal of Brass is also praised for capturing the character's grumpy but caring nature.
Popp and Avan [1:02:19]
The hosts discuss the performances of Cole Howard as Popp and Vincent Tong as Avan. Howard effectively portrays Popp's cowardice and anxiety, while also showing his potential for growth. Tong balances Avan's comedic and serious sides, making him a believable mentor.
Dai and Final Thoughts [1:07:56]
The hosts discuss Sabrina Pitre's performance as Dai, praising her ability to capture the character's energy and enthusiasm. They conclude by sharing their final thoughts on the dub, praising its 90s feel, strong voice acting, and kid-friendly nature. They express hope that the show will be picked up by a more widely seen streaming service.