Americanization of DBZ
by "Super5"

Originally Posted: 3 April 2000

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I've never written an editorial before, so here goes... For starters, I don't understand why Mr. Fukunaga does not use the original background music in the Dragon Bal Z dubs. I don't believe the argument that they don't have the rights to use the original music. They disproved that theory when they showed the original opening at the end of some "uncut" tapes. Nor do I think they do it to save money; it must be cheaper to leave the original score in, rather than hiring musicians to compose new music. In all likelihood, I believe that FUNimation thinks the younger audience would be repulsed by "uncool" music. The truth is, the original music is far from "uncool". If the younger audience had been listening to the original music from the start, they would love the original as much as (probably more than) the "Rock the Dragon" theme and its accompaniment. It's all a matter of familiarity. Many fans don't want to change the music because they are used to the current score. These are the kinds of problems that you run into when a Japanese anime series is americanized.

Why change the dialogue to include references to American culture and add jokes that were never there (and lame ones at that)? I fear this is all part of the master plan of americanization. What FUNimation has to realize is that these dialogue changes can't be understood by their target audience. Case in point: Freeza says "Whatever turns you on, big boy!". How can a 7-year old, who has yet to reach sexual maturity, understand this reference without parents to explain it? Some jokes are geared towards a younger audience (the one about Goku eating healthy foods, and then one of the Ginyu saying "You'll be eating my fist next!" particularly stands out in my mind), but FUNimation is sending a confusing message. The point I'm trying to make is, it seems that FUNimation writes these jokes to be understood by a teenage audience, yet their target audience is 2 - 11 year olds (stated by Mr. Fukunaga on more than one occasion). Does this make any sense? FUNimation has also admitted that their marketing research has indicated that the older audience is significant. Why then do they continue to change the dialogue, ignoring what the older audience wants?

FUNimation must understand that they are only hurting themselves by Americanizing the series. They must learn that America can embrace a mature anime. For example, Gundam Wing has been broadcast for 2 weeks now on the Cartoon Network, side by side with American DBZ. In one episode, I observed a couple uses of the word "damn", numerous references to killing and death, dialogue faithfully translated, an intriguing and mature plotline, the original background music, the original closing song, and the original cut to commercial break with Japanese lettering intact!! Why can't FUNimation do this?? Cartoon Network has demonstrated that they will air anime series of this nature, and I'm sure they had plenty of research done to support this action. FUNimation should learn by this example that americanization isn't necessary.

I believe the only way to change their opinion is to write personal letters (hard copies, no e-mails) to Mr. Fukunaga and tell him what we, the fans, really want to change about the series. I think e-mails are a bad idea, because first of all, Mr. Fukunaga's personal e-mail address isn't widely known. Second of all, I believe e-mails directed at Mr. Fukunaga sent to FUNimation's feedback address are screened and most are removed, never making it to Mr. Fukunaga. As a complement to this, I also believe a petition is in order. Most of you would say "But Greg Werner started many petitions! None of them ever did anything!!" While this may be true, Mr. Fukunaga later commented that he never even knew about nor received any of the afore-mentioned petitions (more evidence for the whole e-mail screening theory). Since these petitions were sent as e-mails, I believe they were immediately discarded as the workings of a fanatic. I would recommend that many people send personal letters through snail-mail asking for the original score and better dialogue to be returned to the series. I think hard-copy letters are taken more seriously than e-mails, because more effort is required. Now is the time for action! Saban's censoring authority has been removed and FUNimation has a lot more freedom to do what they will with the series. If they are to take an appropriate course of action with the remaining episodes, the fans must let them know what is desirable and what is not. I fear that if the die-hard fans give up on the dub, and the younger crowd goes on to other things, there will be no one left to support dubbed DBZ and it will be lost to the US.

Since Cartoon Network is also not broadcasting new episodes of DBZ, newer fans are beginning to lose interest in the show. And up pops the all new series Gundam Wing... right next to DBZ's timeslot.... you do the math.

Contact: rmr3570@ksu.edu