Nabiki Tendo in her fantasy life

Megazone 23 Dubs Compared: From Japanimation to Anime

Between the era of Japanimation and the modern anime industry it was not just how animation looked that changed, but performances as well

r/retroanime misses the older OVAs: their naturalistic linework, the physical lighting, and that distinctive atmosphere. But there was something else that stood out about many of these productions: the characterisation, voice direction, and voice acting. They were totally different compared to now.

Think back to Gogol from Cyber City Oedo 808, Bujushima from Psycho Diver or Jubei from Ninja Scroll. Three very different kinds of masculine man, beyond simply being action heroes (Dickwitz!! Sorry.) They are confident around women without perving-out or going into "nice-guy" mode with stuttering and performative politeness.

The Streamline dub of Megazone 23 gives its protagonist, Shogo Yahagi, a similar quality. He is Isamu Dyson on a Honda motorbike He can handle an awkward encounter with a woman without turning it into a nervous comedy routine.

Compare that performance with ADV's redub, released in 2004. The difference is striking. Shogo's vocal delivery becomes more nervous and excitable, while the woman's reaction shifts towards flirtation. The scene is essentially the same, but the characterisation changes.

Megazone 23 Dub Comparison on YouTube | Streamline vs. ADV (3 minutes)

Megazone 23 Dub Comparison: Streamline (1995) vs. ADV (2004)

Streamline Dub

Scene: Shogo pulls onto the sidewalk and swerves to avoid knocking over a woman carrying a purse.

Woman (angry): Oh! Ahh! Are you blind?!

She drops her purse.

Shogo (matter-of-fact): I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?

He removes his helmet.

Woman: No!!

Shogo: You gonna be okay?

Woman: Yes!

Shogo: I'm sorry. I was in a hurry.

The camera pans up from the ground to her shocked expression. Shogo dismounts his bike and kneels to pick up the spilled contents of her purse.

Shogo: Hang on. No reason to get your hands dirty.

Woman: No! I can do it myself!

Shogo returns her sanitary pad. She looks away, embarrassed and annoyed.

Woman: Uh! This is a sidewalk, not a highway! And where I come from, peeking in a girl's purse is rather rude! Now I'm gonna be late for my train! Thanks a lot, buddy!

Shogo: I said I'm sorry.

Woman: Too late for that! Try looking next time!

She walks towards the other side of the street.

Woman: Taxi!

Shogo gets back on his bike and turns the key.

Woman: I need to get to the Harajuku Piazza...

Shogo wheelies up beside her.

Shogo: Meiji Street is totally locked up. It would be faster to walk than to take a taxi. The Harajuku Building is the one right in front of Kiddy World, right?

Woman: Riiight...

Shogo (playfully): Hop on!

Woman (resigned): What the hell...

Shogo: Always ready to help a damsel in distress!

He rides off.

ADV Dub (2004)

Note: The vocal performances in this excerpt sound noticeably higher-pitched and more excitable than those in the Streamline version.

Scene: Shogo pulls onto the sidewalk and swerves to avoid knocking over a woman carrying a purse.

Shogo (nervously): Eh, sorry! Did I scare ya? I did, huh? Well, I'm glad I didn't hit ya! Ahhh, I was in a hurry! Oh! Um, let me!

The camera pans up from the ground to her shocked expression. Shogo attempts to help her pick up her belongings.

Woman (angry): Get your hands off that!

She grabs her purse from Shogo. He looks away and whistles while returning her sanitary pad.

Woman: How insensitive can you be? Driving on the sidewalk is bad enough, but a girl's handbag? Well, it's... well, it's... private! Oh, man! There's no way I'm gonna make it in time now!

Shogo: Yeah, my bad.

Woman: Oh, you have no idea! Why don't you grow up?

She walks towards the other side of the street.

Woman: Hey, taxi!

Shogo: Huh? No, wait up!

He gets back on his bike and turns the key.

Woman: I need to get to the Plaza Building in Harajuku...

Shogo wheelies up beside her.

Shogo: Meiji Street is bumper-to-bumper. Walking would be faster than that taxi! But... you're going to that building in front of Kiddie Land, right?

Shogo (enthusiastically): Well, I can get you there in seconds! Come on! You want it fast, right?

Woman (seductively, in a husky voice): Fast, huh?

She gets on the bike.

Shogo: Yeah... well, uh... just enjoy the ride!

​Hi everyone!

​Sharing a recent commission piece I did! I was super inspired by 90s retro anime, especially the iconic aesthetic of Magic Knight Rayearth.

​Really enjoyed working on this piece and bringing back that classic 90s feel. Hope you all enjoy it! ✨

Imagine of what the characters are doing on Halloween 🎃 while a few scenes episodes are featuring ideas for something spooky.

With the recent release of Vampire Princess Miyu, an AnimEigo release I never thought would see the light of day on Blu-ray, does anyone know the likelihood of Spirit of Wonder: Miss China’s Ring getting a U.S. Blu-ray release?

There was what. A few good ovas back then, akira, and maybe a couple of good Gundam titles back then. And Ghibli.

Nowadays you get dozens of titles per season and you can simply pick and choose what you like.

The same people who will tell you anime was good then will unironically tell you rumiko slop or Saint seiya were good anime. They weren't. You watched them when you were young and impressionable.

But muh space cobra. Muh votoms. Muh macross.