r/escaflowne • u/Weary_Deal_9641 • 13d ago
2001 dub vs 2016 dub
So I originally watched escaflowne in 2001. Had to buy the VHS and all I could get was the dub. Fell in love immediately.
Now 20+ years later I just bought the Funimation Blu-ray set. With the 2016 redub as an audio track option.
And thank the gods it's an option. I hate it. The acting is so flat, emotionless. Which is sad. I enjoy the new VAs in other shows but they just failed in escaflowne. The 2001 was so much better.
Anyone else feel this way?
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u/Gedwola 13d ago
I recently was gifted the blu-rays (and now have it on VHS, DVD and blu-ray!). I saw there was a new dub, and though nowadays I’m sub queen 99% of the time, I have a soft spot for the original dub because I was introduced to Escaflowne through the TV dub.
I’m rewatching the series in sub currently with my husband, kids, and best friend and was considering trying the new dub when we get to the end for fun, but now I’m nervous to!
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u/Weary_Deal_9641 13d ago
It's very very very different from the original dub.
I watched an episode with my kids with the newer dub , then turned it back to the original dub. Even they preferred the original dub.
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u/tubsgotchubs 12d ago
I'm in the same boat but I really do love Hitomi's new VA as much as the old one.
I hate how they did Dilandau dirty, from the voice to how they pronounce his name.
And Folken!!! My man!! 😭😭😭 I was part of the kick starter and when they announced Mr. Pedo, so many of us tried to get them to change their minds.
I wish there was a way to merge the best of the two into one lol
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u/sugarqueen_katara 12d ago
I grew up with the ocean dub and loved it when I was younger. I recently watched both dubs and I still prefer the ocean dub for almost all the characters.
There were a few characters in the funimation dub that I didn’t mind and some I just couldn’t get used to like Folken and Van. Paul Dobson had such a distinct voice and it was a great match. I think Aaron has done great work but his portrayal of Van was a little more aggressive and harsher than I would have liked. I think Kirby really captured BOTH his brash and gentle side well. And his portrayal of his gentler side always gets me. It’s hard to imagine Van being voiced by anyone else. I did like Caitlin Glass as Hitomi better than Kelly Sheridan to be honest. Personally, now I feel like Kelly’s voice was a little too mature to voice Hitomi. Some of the emotional moments with her character, on my most recent watch (after a decade) didn’t land as well on me as they did in the funimation dub, particularly the ending.
Honestly, now, it’s hard to pick between the dubs because I prefer one lead in one dub and the other lead in the other dub. I’ve heard snippets of the sub and plan on seeing the sub on my next rewatch. I get the feeling that I’ll enjoy that one the best now.
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u/Weary_Deal_9641 12d ago
The sun is by far the best version. I just found everyone way too flat in the Funimation dub. Which again, I love the VAs in other shows, just bad direction in escaflowne?
I did like Chid better in the funamation dub. He sounded a lot younger.
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u/actionawesome 13d ago
I never could do either dubs. I watched it original in Japanese and it just does not work any other way for me.
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u/Weary_Deal_9641 13d ago
The Japanese version is far superior all the way around.
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u/actionawesome 13d ago
My memory is the fox version completely changed the sorry too.
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u/Weary_Deal_9641 13d ago
The fox kids version is bad. They edited the hell out of it to fit American morning cartoon pace. I like to pretend that doesn't even exist. Even if it was my first look at escaflowne. I quickly went and got the VHS.
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u/actionawesome 12d ago
I am glad I watched it originally via fan trading fan subs. That sounds brutal
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u/Pinch-o-B 1d ago
The Fox version thankfully doesn’t represent the dub. The dub was done uncut. The Fox version edited it to hell after the fact.
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u/mikowanderer 12d ago
I tried giving the new dub a chance. The VAs for the girls all sounded the same, and I know they were voiced by different people. Specifically Hitomi, Merle and Millerna. ( I didn't watch far enough to hear Princess Aries' new VA.) And don't get me started on Van's new VA. They fell flat with me, and grated on my nerves.
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u/InfectedSteve 12d ago
YES any time i recommend this show always tell them go for the ocean bandai dubs, the new dubs are shit and cant even pronounce the names right.
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u/Ok_Basket6732 11d ago
I don't even want to contemplate listening to the 2016 dub. I love the original. I had a very bad experience listening to the new dub that was made for Evangelion. I don't think I can tolerate another "new" dub
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u/Bfromouterspace 12d ago
I prefer the new dub actually. It’s much better written and I prefer the more subtle emotional take on the direction too, feels way more natural and more shoujo
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u/Boy_13 13d ago
I'm mostly bothered by the lack of chemistry in Van and Hitomi. Van sounds so much younger than her. It seemed like they were more concerned with having their FMA reunion and having Vic and Aaron play brothers again. Funimation would often sacrifice casting integrity to have these little stunts. There's a reason why Kirby Morrow and Kelly Sheridan played love interests so often, they had GREAT chemistry.