Pokemon.com has posted a feedback article on the Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon and the new VA. This is biggest bunch of *&$% ever written and is completely false. Almost all fans disliked the new voice actors and would like the original ones brought back.
Personally, I liked the story of The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, but the new voice actors were highly distracting. Brock sounded like a chainsmoker, Ash's voice was just wrong, May's voice sounded like at 50 year old, and James sounded terrible. What makes people mad about this change is they are basically replacing the main characters and pretending nothing happened to them.
Now to discuss why Pokemon.com editoral is completely wrong.
This just shows how far companies these day's will go to save a buck or two, Sacrificing quality.
Recommendations for people that do not like the new dub. Stop watching it if you dont like the new voice actors. The japanese version is available to watch online and isnt too difficult to follow. I was always one to state, don't compare the dub to the japanese version as they both have their own unique qualities, but since the VA change, my stance has changed. http://www.bulbagarden.net/pokemoncreations/sova/ is also a great cause to help bring back the voice actors.
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Pokemon.com said:We have also heard you were concerned with the new voice actors, and many of you have voiced your concern (pun intended) though your e-mails and letters. Believe us - we are fans of the TV show, too, and we care just as much about something like voice changes as you do, We changed the voice actors for the main characters because we were told that the actors who used to provide voices to our characters had conflicting contractual commitments. So, we hope you will help us welcome the new voice actors into the Pokemon family - we think they're great, and they did a great job on The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon during the shortened transition period between production studioes... Nothing else was changed, and it is still the same awesome show you're used to seeing every week, with great storylines straight from Japan, original music, and a well-thought out plot (which is the most important thing when producing a TV show)!
Pokemon has always been about fair play and teamwork, and we expect the same from our fans. In other words, if you have comments, complaints or praise, let us know directly at [email protected]. We always welcome constructiuve criticism!
Personally, I liked the story of The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, but the new voice actors were highly distracting. Brock sounded like a chainsmoker, Ash's voice was just wrong, May's voice sounded like at 50 year old, and James sounded terrible. What makes people mad about this change is they are basically replacing the main characters and pretending nothing happened to them.
Now to discuss why Pokemon.com editoral is completely wrong.
If they really cared they would have found a way to remedy these supposed 'contractual commitments' just like any sports company would to keep their stars on the team. They didn't even care about them because according to Reggie Fils-Aime at last years E3, "Pokemon is serious business." The decision to change the voice actors was a business decision. After 8 seasons of voice acting for the anime, the actors salary increases, so replacing them with basic salary actors allows Pokemon USA to save money.Pokemon.com said:we care just as much about something like voice changes as you do
Veronica Taylor said:Pokemon USA has made no effort to negotiate with 4kids, simply feeling that getting a cheaper rate to dub the show is enough. They care nothing for the quality. They will be using new script writers, voices, music, etc. We (the voice actors and those at 4kids who work so hard on the show) are all extremely upset as we care very much for Pokemon and what we've worked to create.
Eric Stuart said:Pokemon USA has decided that it's too expensive to use 4Kids and the actors that have made Pokemon the TV show such a success for the last 10 years. They have 'behind our backs' re-cast the show with 'sound-a-likes' to try to save money. They acutally believe the fans don't care. They are starting with the 10 year anniversary special-starring all new voices. The main cast, me included, has taken a lot of pride in the characters we have helped to create. To change now, on the last season, based on greed is a sad example of what big buisness kids marketing really is.
This just shows how far companies these day's will go to save a buck or two, Sacrificing quality.
For years, the background music has been changed from the originally broadcast raw in Japan. Myself and others believe that the japanese background music is leaps and bounds beyond the english dubbed version. The storylines would be great if they sticked to the original one in the japanese release. There are too many paint edits, clip cuts and dialogue changes in the english version and they are still doing it in the latest episodes of the show. Most recently, airing May's final contest out of order. This changes the flow of the storyline arc, so I do not see how they can justify by saying they are 'straight from Japan'. The final point here is the 'well-though out plot'. Pokemon plot: Ash and group travel to the nearest gym to challenge the leader to get the badge to enter the local league. Team Rocket arrives on the scene to capture Pikachu but fails miserably and blast out into the sky. You'de think the Japanese and english dub would finally come up with a new plot after 10 years. This isn't the dubs fault, but they could at least influence the Japanese script writers to change the plot.Pokemon.com said:Nothing else was changed, and it is still the same awesome show you're used to seeing every week, with great storylines straight from Japan, original music, and a well-thought out plot
Team Rocket plays fair? Guess Giovanni must now run Pokemon USA. Fair would be actually listening to your fans concerns instead of laughing all the way to the bank. A recent magazine article stated the Pokemon USA is worth about 1.3billion dollars. I think they can afford to keep the original voice actors. The current rumour is that KidsWB also didn't like the change in the Voice Actors and decided they wouldn't broadcast the show anymore. (http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cartoon_Network_reportedly_in_negotiations_with_Pokémon_USA)Pokemon.com said:Pokemon has always been about fair play and teamwork, and we expect the same from our fans.
If this is true, then I congratulate them for doing so. Pokemon was KidsWB's highest rated show, so it must have been a difficult decision for them. Keeping the quality of the shows high should be the mark of any television channel. The voice actors are still willing to continue protraying their characters, so they should not have been changed.Ratings said:Pokemon at 10:00 a.m. ET captured the sweep as the #1 broadcast program among the Saturday morning competition in Kids 6-11 (2.5/10, tied with Xiaolin Showdown), Boys 2-11 (2.8/11) and Boys 6-11 (3.6/15, tied with Xiaolin Showdown). The program also took the #2 Saturday morning broadcast program spot among Kids 2-11 (2.1/8), Tweens 9-14 (2.4/12) and Males Tweens 9-14 (3.4/16)"
Recommendations for people that do not like the new dub. Stop watching it if you dont like the new voice actors. The japanese version is available to watch online and isnt too difficult to follow. I was always one to state, don't compare the dub to the japanese version as they both have their own unique qualities, but since the VA change, my stance has changed. http://www.bulbagarden.net/pokemoncreations/sova/ is also a great cause to help bring back the voice actors.
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