Gurren Lagann Dub Review
Well okay I didn't actually watch every episode (staying up to 12 when you work 9-5 is not always easy) and I missed most of the last episode (thought it would air next week). But since Gurren Lagann has ended it's run once again, this time on Sci-fi, I thought I would give my final impression of the dub.
Overall I did enjoy the dub. I can't say I enjoyed it to the point where I feel the need to double dip on the series for the dub (I am very satisfied with my sub-only DVDs) but overall it was a solid performance. I guess if I have one complaint about the dub it's the GAR moments just don't seem as GAR as they do in the original Japanese version.
Anyways some individual character impressions
Kamina: Admittedly at first I was really disappointed in Kamina's dub voice but I do think he got better. By episode 8 (which is obviously the pivotal moment for Kamina) I thought Kyle Herbert really did capture Kamina's character. No he was definitely not as strong as Katsuyuki Konishi but he also wasn't as bad as some fans made out either.
Simon: A solid performance by Yuri Lowenthal. His GAR moments were not as strong as Tetsuya Kakihara but I will say Yuri is moving up the ranks as one of my favorite dub actors
Rossiu: Well I think JYB did better as young Rossiu, with older Rossiu JYB sounded like he pretty much sounds in all dubs. Although I didn't mind this as much in the Gurren Lagann dub as I did in Code Geass because JYB's normal voice was fine for Rossiu.
Kittan His dub voice really fit the character but his final GAR moment was disappointing. Overall though he was good.
Yoko Excellent and perfect casting
Nia She was very good. She was probably stronger with young and normal older Nia then Anti-Spiral Nia but overall she captured Nia's sweetness and strong character very well.
Lord Genome Perfect Casting
Viral I was very impressed this was one of the voices I was most worried about before the dub started and I have to say he was fantastic. Maybe not as good as Nobuyuki Hiyama but well few are (yes I confess I am self proclaimed Nobuyuki Hiyama fangirl)
Anti-Spiral Well after mostly praise this was absolutely horrible. What a disappointment.
Adiane Another performance that I thought was pretty weak. She wasn't as strong/bitchy sounding as the original Adiane. The other beastman generals were good though.
Side Characters It will take me forever to list them all but overall these were all very strong especially: the twins, the Black Sibling Sisters, Gimmy & Darry, Dayakka and Attenborough
Finally Last but not least:
Leeron Absolutely Fabulous XD
When I get home I will probably buy the last episode off I-Tunes. I did see from the point when Simon beats the Anti-Spiral and all the ending but I missed the rest. Well thank goodness for I-Tunes. It will cost me $1.99 but it's not too bad
Oh and I almost forgot I really loved Old Simon's Voice It was brief but this is one case where I might have liked it more than the Japanese voice. Although if this was the same voice for the Narration that I preferred in Japanese.
Overall the dub gets a solid B where the original would get an A.
Overall I did enjoy the dub. I can't say I enjoyed it to the point where I feel the need to double dip on the series for the dub (I am very satisfied with my sub-only DVDs) but overall it was a solid performance. I guess if I have one complaint about the dub it's the GAR moments just don't seem as GAR as they do in the original Japanese version.
Anyways some individual character impressions
Kamina: Admittedly at first I was really disappointed in Kamina's dub voice but I do think he got better. By episode 8 (which is obviously the pivotal moment for Kamina) I thought Kyle Herbert really did capture Kamina's character. No he was definitely not as strong as Katsuyuki Konishi but he also wasn't as bad as some fans made out either.
Simon: A solid performance by Yuri Lowenthal. His GAR moments were not as strong as Tetsuya Kakihara but I will say Yuri is moving up the ranks as one of my favorite dub actors
Rossiu: Well I think JYB did better as young Rossiu, with older Rossiu JYB sounded like he pretty much sounds in all dubs. Although I didn't mind this as much in the Gurren Lagann dub as I did in Code Geass because JYB's normal voice was fine for Rossiu.
Kittan His dub voice really fit the character but his final GAR moment was disappointing. Overall though he was good.
Yoko Excellent and perfect casting
Nia She was very good. She was probably stronger with young and normal older Nia then Anti-Spiral Nia but overall she captured Nia's sweetness and strong character very well.
Lord Genome Perfect Casting
Viral I was very impressed this was one of the voices I was most worried about before the dub started and I have to say he was fantastic. Maybe not as good as Nobuyuki Hiyama but well few are (yes I confess I am self proclaimed Nobuyuki Hiyama fangirl)
Anti-Spiral Well after mostly praise this was absolutely horrible. What a disappointment.
Adiane Another performance that I thought was pretty weak. She wasn't as strong/bitchy sounding as the original Adiane. The other beastman generals were good though.
Side Characters It will take me forever to list them all but overall these were all very strong especially: the twins, the Black Sibling Sisters, Gimmy & Darry, Dayakka and Attenborough
Finally Last but not least:
Leeron Absolutely Fabulous XD
When I get home I will probably buy the last episode off I-Tunes. I did see from the point when Simon beats the Anti-Spiral and all the ending but I missed the rest. Well thank goodness for I-Tunes. It will cost me $1.99 but it's not too bad
Oh and I almost forgot I really loved Old Simon's Voice It was brief but this is one case where I might have liked it more than the Japanese voice. Although if this was the same voice for the Narration that I preferred in Japanese.
Overall the dub gets a solid B where the original would get an A.