Funimation Acquires One Piece

[bell02+]

Funimation Acquires One Piece
An interview at animeOnline with Funimation brand manager Lance Heiskell reveals that Funimation has acquired the broadcast and DVD rights to One Piece; an uncut, subtitled version of the show will be available, as well as a newly dubbed version for television broadcast. Funimation's version of the show will begin with episode 144. Further details are available in the interview.
1.7 days ago - 2007-04-13 01:04 EDT

It may be a little late but...


*does the one piece dance*

I just hope Funimation cleans up 4Kids mess by switching the characters names back, recasting voices (by that I mean not necessarily finding sound-a-likes) and eventually re-doing old episodes like with Dragonball Z. Can One Piece's reputation be recovered by the dastardly 4Kids?*steps on name* Stay tuned to find out next time!...

 

[Dogasu]

Everything about this sounds awesome except for CN's odd editing choices. I mean, replacing punches with flashes? That's some 1997 Saban-type stuff there.

 

[Trainer-c]

Christmas comes early!

I have been pleased ever since first hearing this news, I am hoping the CN edit's will be light, but regardless, the English dub of One Piece is headed for great things.

 

[paperfairy]

In memory of Dogasu's old sig....


AND THERE WAS MUCH REJOICING!

 

[Dogasu]

This is the biggest anime acquisition of the year, yet we can only manage three replies in two days?

 

[bell02+]

This topic probably needs more 4Kids trashing (that's why ), but to be honest, I can't blame people for not liking one piece because of how it was presented..

Though, without something like pre-view clips or sound samples there is nothing to talk/complain about. (other than celebrating its return)

One thing I should probably add is that I hope they keep the original music, doesn't have to be the intro and outro stuff, but the background music at least.

----Edit----
I guess that's okay, I'm not sure who the voice options are for Funimation, but hopefully they will find someone to do Luffy's voice. I think it's a tough sound to get in English.

 

[Dogasu]

Personally, I'd rather see people celebrate what FUNimation's doing instead of talking about how much the 4Kids dub sucks for the billionth time.

Anyway, here's a video that convinced me that Justin Cook would be a great Sanji.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

I'll put money on Zoro still being Zolo. Weren't they threatened with a lawsuit from the Zorro people over that name?

Also, what will Toei do if Funi can't make it a hit? Will they revoke the licence *again*? (but then I have a thing against Toei since I heard not only this but also their whole thing with Battle Royale)

 

[Trainer-c]

Well, among some of the details that the One Piece fandom has learned:

It appears that "Zolo" will be staying as is for the forseeable future. However, "Ward Newgate" and "Wyler" will be restored.

It seems all the attack names will be restored (except Chopper's "Points", which will remain "Boosts")

The intent for the soundtrack as of now, is to keep it 100% intact.

They are also working on English traslations of the openings, al la Yu Yu Hakusho.

 

[bell02+]

Well, that sounds really good so far, the op/ed sounds interesting though. I don't recall them ever doing it with male vocals before. I kind-of expected Zolo to stay the same, the ones I was really hoping to be switched back are Smoker and Ace.

 

[Habunake]

The intent for the soundtrack as of now, is to keep it 100% intact.

Heck yeah.

They are also working on English traslations of the openings, al la Yu Yu Hakusho.

Cool...but, maybe going the Naruto route and used subbed-japanese openings? Well, atleast it's not One Piece Rap...

 

[Tahnee]

-sparklyeyes-

There Is A God.
:'D

 

[Trainer-c]

Well, that sounds really good so far, the op/ed sounds interesting though. I don't recall them ever doing it with male vocals before. I kind-of expected Zolo to stay the same, the ones I was really hoping to be switched back are Smoker and Ace.

I believe FUNi did use male vocals for the English version of one of YYH's endings.

From the looks of things Smoker and Ace get switched back.

 

[Dogasu]

I'll put money on Zoro still being Zolo. Weren't they threatened with a lawsuit from the Zorro people over that name?

No. The notion that the Zorro people would cause trouble for them legally was merely a case of 4Kids playing it über-safe. No lawsuit or even a threat of a lawsuit was ever made.

Also, what will Toei do if Funi can't make it a hit? Will they revoke the licence *again*?

It's doubtful that the show will be a dud with FUNimation because it'll actually be watchable this time around. I know that a lot of people will see that as being a fanboy-ish statement, but those who have seen the Japanese version and then watched 4Kids' "reimagining" of the series will tell you that calling the 4Kids' version "unwatchable" is actually being really nice.

The reason the license from 4Kids was pulled in the first place is because the show was such a colassal failure, in their eyes. In Japan, One Piece (and not Naruto, as many would have you believe) is the successor of Dragon Ball Z. Yet in the US, Naruto's killing One Piece in the ratings. Toei got upset and pulled the license because 4Kids couldn't even manage to make a guaranteed hit like One Piece a success.