Brief Summary
This YouTube video is a review of the English dub of the anime film "Summer Wars." The hosts, Noah and Zenith, discuss the film's plot, characters, and the quality of the English dub, highlighting the voice acting, script adaptation, and overall production. They praise the film's ability to capture the essence of family dynamics and the seamless integration of the digital world with real-life emotions.
- The dub is directed by Mike McFarland and written by Patrick Seitz, a team praised for their work on other anime dubs.
- The hosts discuss the main characters and their voice actors, praising the performances and how well they fit the characters.
- They recommend watching "Summer Wars" and supporting the official release.
Intro
The video is a review of the English dub of the anime film "Summer Wars," not the full film. The hosts encourage viewers to support the official release by purchasing the film on home video or streaming it online. The podcast may contain language unsuitable for younger audiences and spoilers for "Summer Wars" and other anime. The opinions expressed are those of the individual participants and do not represent the dubbed hawk corporation as a whole.
Welcome to Dub Talk
The hosts, Noah and Zenith, introduce the "Dub Talk" podcast and their annual "Summer at the Movies" series, where they discuss anime films and their English dubs. Zenith returns after recovering from chest surgery and vocal training for her transition. They will be discussing Mamoru Hosoda's "Summer Wars," often considered a spiritual sequel to "Digimon Our War Game." The film blends the digital world with family dynamics, inspired by Hosoda's marriage and boasts a cast of over 60 characters.
Summer Wars Plot
Kenji, a meek high school student, is invited by Natsuki to her family's home for her great-grandmother's 90th birthday. Natsuki tells her family that Kenji is her fiancé. The internet collapses due to an AI virus called Love Machine, threatening the world. Kenji and the Jinnouchi family must unite to defeat the AI and save the world. The hosts will focus on the English dub of the film.
Director and Writer
The English dub of "Summer Wars" was directed by Mike McFarland and written by Patrick Seitz. The Japanese staff was so impressed with the dub that they requested the same team for future projects. Seitz is praised for balancing jokes with faithfulness to the original material. The team's work creates a fantastic atmosphere, capturing the essence of a large family gathering with background conversations and jokes.
Family Dynamic
The dub captures the essence of a large family gathering, with characters talking over each other, making jokes, and showing love. The quiet scenes also convey depth of emotion through single lines of dialogue. The grandmother's line, "Have you eaten yet?" to her exiled son, conveys both condescension and concern. The writing and directing capture the chemistry of the characters, making the family dynamic feel authentic and heartwarming.
Granny's Kids
The hosts discuss the three children of Granny Sakai: Manasuke, the doctor; Mariko; and Monta, the gruff, bearded boat owner. Manasuke is voiced by Barry Yandell, Mariko by Shelley Calene Black, and Monta by John Swasey. John Swasey's performance as Monta stands out due to the heart he brings to the character, balancing humor with understanding.
Mariko's Family
Mariko has two children, Rika and Richie. Rika is voiced by Cynthia Cranz, and Richie is voiced by Chuck Huber. The hosts also discuss Yumi, the mother of Natsuki, who is voiced by Anastasia Munoz. While these characters are not as prominent, they contribute to the overall family dynamic. Chuck Huber's role as Richie is noted for providing insight into the Love Machine situation.
Monta's Family
Monta has three children, Kiyomi, Naomi, and Tosca. Kiyomi is voiced by Jennifer Seman, Naomi by Lydia Mackay, and Tosca by John Burgmeier. Tosca has a son named Shota, voiced by Mike McFarland, who is a police officer. The hosts praise the distinct voices and personalities of these characters, especially Mike McFarland's comedic portrayal of Shota.
Monasuke's Family
Monasuke has three sons, each with their own families. Katsuhiko is a policeman, voiced by Christopher Sabat, and his wife, Yumi, is voiced by Monica Rial. Kin'ya is a firefighter, voiced by Patrick Seitz, and his wife, Nana, is voiced by Caitlin Glass. Uihiko is an EMT, voiced by Robert McCollum, and his wife, Noriko, is voiced by Colleen Clinkenbeard. The wives are more developed in the movie, helping with party preparations. Monica Rial's performance as Yumi, the enthusiastic soccer mom, stands out.
Grandkids
The hosts discuss the grandchildren of Monasuke. Yumi's children are Ryohei, a baseball player voiced by Jason Liebrecht, and Yuhei, voiced by Brittney Karbowski. Nana's daughter, Kanna, is voiced by Tia Ballard. Noriko's children are Shingo, voiced by Alison Viktorin, and Mao, voiced by Cherami Leigh. The child actors help flesh out the large family dynamic.
Co-Stars
The hosts discuss the co-stars of the film, who are not directly related by blood. Takeshi Sakuma, Kenji's best friend, is voiced by Todd Haberkorn. Wabisuke Jinnouchi, the black sheep of the family, is voiced by J. Michael Tatum. Sakae Jinnouchi, the matriarch, is voiced by Pam Dougherty. The hosts praise the performances of these actors, especially Pam Dougherty's portrayal of Sakae.
Main Trio
The hosts discuss the main trio: Kazuma, voiced by Maxey Whitehead; Natsuki, voiced by Brina Palencia; and Kenji, voiced by Michael Sinterniklaas. Maxey Whitehead's performance as Kazuma is a standout, capturing the character's humanity and vulnerability. Brina Palencia's voice may sound more like a college student, but her acting is excellent. Michael Sinterniklaas brings a unique energy to Kenji, making him a relatable and engaging character.
Final Thoughts
The hosts give their final thoughts on "Summer Wars." They praise the film's acting, directing, and overall quality. They recommend watching the film and supporting the official release. They also promote their own work, including their YouTube channel, Twitter, Twitch stream, Tumblr, and Instagram.
