Brief Summary
In this episode of Dub Talk, Tamar (Tuxedo Mask) and GG (Princess Serenity) review the Viz Media dub of "Sailor Moon R: The Movie - Promise of the Rose." They discuss the ADR director and scriptwriter, the performances of the voice actors for Artemis, Luna, Chibiusa, Fiore, and the main Sailor Guardians, and provide their overall thoughts on the movie.
- The ADR direction and script were faithful to the original Japanese version.
- Sandy Fox's portrayal of Chibiusa was a highlight, making the character more likable.
- Stephanie Sheh's performance as Sailor Moon was divisive, with GG finding it too squeaky and lacking emotional depth.
Intro
The hosts introduce the episode, mentioning that they will be discussing the Viz Media dub of the Sailor Moon R movie, "The Promise of the Rose." They provide a brief synopsis of the movie's plot, which involves Mamoru's childhood friend, Fiore, seeking a flower worthy of Mamoru's kindness and becoming possessed by an evil plant that threatens Earth. The hosts also mention that they will be discussing the business aspects, casting choices, and overall performance of the dub.
ADR Director and Scriptwriter
The ADR director for the dub is Suzanne Goldish, and the scriptwriter is Seth Walther. Suzanne Goldish has directed numerous episodes of anime series such as Bleach, KNK Missing Kings, Tiger and Bunny, and the majority of the Sailor Moon franchise. Seth Walther has worked on series such as Forrest Gump season two, Digimon from season two of Adventure 2, Day 2 Squad, KNK Missing Kings, Naruto, and Sailor Moon Sailor Moon R. The hosts, who are big Sailor Moon fans, note that the directing and writing are very true to the original Japanese version. One host mentions that they can practically recite the movie in Japanese and will be making comparisons between the new dub and the Japanese version.
Artemis and Luna
Artemis is voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch, and Luna is voiced by Michelle Ruff. Johnny Yong Bosch is known for his roles as Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach, Lelouch from Code Geass, and Adam Park from Power Rangers. Michelle Ruff has voiced Rukia Kuchiki in Bleach, Yoko Littner in Gurren Lagann, and Crimson Viper in Street Fighter IV. The hosts feel that Artemis and Luna didn't have much to do in the movie besides providing exposition. One host expresses nostalgia for the original dub's portrayal of Luna as a "drunk Mary Poppins" and Artemis as an "old nerdy dude." The other host appreciates the new dub but wishes the characters had more distinct personalities.
Chibiusa, Fiore, and Xenian Flower
Chibiusa is voiced by Sandy Fox, Fiore is voiced by Ben Diskin, and the Xenian Flower is voiced by Carrie Keranen. Sandy Fox is known for her roles as Flo and Yes to Risk War and Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex. Ben Diskin has voiced Joseph Joestar from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Ban from The Seven Deadly Sins, and Goby Umino from the Sailor Moon franchise. Carrie Keranen has voiced Casca in Berserk, Mahiru Koizumi from Danganronpa, and Mami Tomoe from Madoka Magica. One host praises Sandy Fox's portrayal of Chibiusa, saying that she made the character sound like an actual small child. The hosts agree that Ben Diskin's performance as the alien Fiore was better than his performance as the human Fiore. They also enjoyed Carrie Keranen's performance as the Xenian Flower, finding her sexy and evil.
Inner Senshi: Sailor Venus
Sailor Venus is voiced by Cherami Leigh. Cherami Leigh's other works include Aiz Wallenstein from Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Takeshi from Baka and Test, Elizabeth Midford from the Black Butler franchise, Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail, Liechtenstein from Hetalia, and Patty Thompson from Soul Eater. One host says that Sailor Venus is her favorite inner Senshi and that Cherami Leigh did a great job transforming into Sailor Venus. The hosts agree that Cherami Leigh captured the spirit of Sailor Venus and that her performance was better than the nostalgia dub.
Inner Senshi: Sailor Jupiter
Sailor Jupiter is voiced by Amanda C. Miller. Amanda Miller is also known for voicing Boruto from Boruto: Naruto the Movie, Sully and Cherokee from Fire Emblem, Junko and Toko from Danganronpa, and Konoe A. Mercury from Blazblue Chrono Phantasma. One host liked Amanda Moon in this role right off the bat. The hosts agree that Amanda C. Miller captured the spirit of the original Sailor Jupiter while putting her own touch on it.
Inner Senshi: Sailor Mars
Sailor Mars is voiced by Christina Vee. Christina Vee's other works include Louise from the Familiar of Zero, Noir, Familiar from Plays Blue, Kurapika Zoldak from Hunter x Hunter 2011, Kotori Minami from Love Live, Velvet Crowe from Tales of Zestiria the X, and Koharu Seto from Your Lie in April. One host found the little beads game during the transformation scene a little off-putting. The hosts agree that Christina Vee sounded very close to the original Sailor Mars.
Inner Senshi: Sailor Mercury
Sailor Mercury is voiced by Kate Higgins. Kate Higgins' other works include C.C. from Code Geass, Saber from Fate/stay night, and Sakura from the Naruto franchise. One host says that she doesn't like Sailor Mercury and that she wasn't nerdy enough. The other host found Kate Higgins' performance to be equal to the original.
Tuxedo Mask
Tuxedo Mask is voiced by Robbie Daymond. Robbie Daymond's other roles include Joe Kido from Digimon Adventure tri, Chrom from Fire Emblem, Smokey Brown from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Mikleo from Tales of Zestiria. One host thinks Robbie Daymond is fantastic when he's Mamoru but sounds pretentious when he's Tuxedo Mask. The other host appreciates Robbie Daymond's performance and thinks he did a great job.
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon is voiced by Stephanie Sheh. Stephanie Sheh's other works include Orihime from Bleach, Hinata Hyuga from the Naruto franchise, Eureka from Eureka Seven, Nui Harime from Kill la Kill, and Kagami Hiiragi from Lucky Star. One host thinks Stephanie Sheh's portrayal of Usagi is squeaky and that it hurts her to listen to it. The other host doesn't think she sounded one-note and that she's a step ahead of the original dub.
Final Thoughts
One host says that the movie is a huge nostalgia trip for her and that she's seen it so many times. She thinks the dub tried their best to be faithful to the original and that it's a solid seven out of ten. The other host says that this was the first time she's ever seen the movie and that she was amazed and slightly disappointed. She thinks that a movie like this can age well if given the right treatment.
