TLDR;
This podcast episode celebrates Dub Talk's 10th anniversary with a retrospective on their favorite episodes from the first three years, focusing on the anime "Noragami." The hosts discuss the dub, direction, writing, and characters of both seasons, highlighting career milestones for the voice actors and the series' lasting impact.
- The hosts discuss the direction, writing, and voice acting of the English dub of "Noragami" and "Noragami Aragoto".
- They analyze the characters, their complexities, and the actors who voiced them.
- The hosts share personal anecdotes and opinions about the show's themes, humor, and emotional depth.
Intro [0:00]
The Dub Talk podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary with a retrospective episode revisiting favorite moments from their first three years. Jamal introduces the cast, including Steph, Megan, and Andrew, who shares a personal story about a stuffed cow plushie. The episode will focus on "Noragami," a widely known show they previously covered in early episodes.
Noragami Retrospective [3:03]
The hosts discuss their history with "Noragami," noting that they covered the first season's dub announcement and later season two, but this episode marks the first comprehensive review. Jamal explains how the episode came about, driven by an earworm of the second OP to "Noragami," and Steph explains that the retrospective series is a limited series for the year of 2025. Steph and Jamal discuss the possibility of a new season being made. Jamal then provides a synopsis of "Noragami," describing Yato as a down-on-his-luck minor god who crosses paths with Hiyori, a high school girl with a wandering soul.
Direction and Writing [18:34]
The hosts discuss the ADR direction, noting Mike McFarland directed season one and Caitlyn Glass took over for season two, assisted by Afia Louvo. Script writers included Blair Rowan and Bonnie Clinky Beard. They praise Mike McFarland's initial involvement and Caitlyn Glass's capable continuation, noting her prior experience as an assistant director. The Blu-ray release was a year after the show aired. The hosts praise the directing and writing for capturing the comedic, dramatic, and emotional moments of the show. They also note that the dub is a decade old and still holds up, with career highlights for the lead actors.
Villains [36:54]
The hosts discuss the major villains of "Noragami," including Rabo, Kugaha, Iha, and Nora. Rabo's arc is considered weak and filler-like. Kugaha is described as an obsessive idol fan. Iha's jealousy leads her to become a co-conspirator. Nora is described as a regalia who pimps themselves out to other owners. The voice actors for these characters are highlighted, including Mike McFarland, Phil Parsons, Michelle Rojas, and Lauren Landa.
Villain Performances [47:35]
The hosts discuss the performances of the voice actors for the villains. Mike McFarland's Rabo is seen as lacking substance due to the character's limited role. Michelle Rojas's Iha is considered a greener performance but captures the character's regret. Phil Parsons's Kugaha is seen as fine but not a standout role. Lauren Landa's Nora is highly praised for her creepiness and complexity. The hosts discuss Nora's toxic relationship with Yato and her jealousy of Yukine.
Ebisu Arc [1:17:36]
The hosts discuss the Ebisu arc, focusing on Ebisu, Izanami, and Father. Ebisu is one of the seven gods of fortune, but he is hiding a secret. He is the conjurer of phantoms. The gods summon a soliloquy to kill him. He gets reincarnated to a younger version of himself. Before Ebisu died, he had his last wish granted by Yato, which was to eat at the Olive Tavern. Father is a high school student named Koto Fujisaki. The voice actors for these characters are highlighted, including John Burgmayer, Afia Louvo, Rachel Robinson, and Cliff Chapen.
Ebisu Arc Performances [1:25:11]
The hosts discuss the performances of the voice actors in the Ebisu arc. John Burgmayer's Ebisu is praised for his subtlety and unique perspective. Afia Louvo's young Ebisu is considered a breath of fresh air. Rachel Robinson's Izanami is noted for her terrifying portrayal. Cliff Chapen's Fujisaki is seen as a normal teenager until the end. The hosts discuss the themes of death, reincarnation, and the gods' lack of morals in the arc.
Other Gods [1:55:29]
The hosts discuss other gods and regalias, including Kofuku and Daikoku, and Tenjin and Mayu. Kofuku is the goddess of poverty, and Daikoku is her regalia. Tenjin is the god of education, and Mayu is his regalia. The voice actors for these characters are highlighted, including Alexis Tipton, Ian Sinclair, Sean Hennigan, and Leah Clark.
Kofuku, Daikoku, Tenjin, and Mayu Performances [2:01:14]
The hosts discuss the performances of the voice actors for Kofuku, Daikoku, Tenjin, and Mayu. They praise Alexis Tipton and Ian Sinclair's chemistry as Kofuku and Daikoku. They also praise Sean Hennigan's wise and sassy portrayal of Tenjin and Leah Clark's performance as Mayu.
Main Characters [2:24:55]
The hosts discuss the main characters: Yato, Hiyori, and Yukine. Yato is a nameless god voiced by Jason Liebrecht. Hiyori is a high school girl voiced by Bryn Apprill. Yukine is Yato's regalia, voiced by Micah Solusod.
Main Characters Performances [2:39:34]
The hosts discuss the performances of the main cast. Bryn Apprill's Hiyori is praised for her heart and bluntness. Micah Solusod's Yukine is seen as understandable in his motives and raw in his emotions. Jason Liebrecht's Yato is considered a career highlight, capturing the character's complexity and range.
Final Thoughts [3:31:07]
The hosts share their final thoughts on "Noragami" and its dub. They agree that the show has aged well and the dub is strong. They praise the performances of the cast and the show's themes of communication and mental health. They also note that the show is currently unavailable for streaming and encourage listeners to find a physical copy. The hosts then plug their social media accounts, Ko-fi, and Patreon.