The Boondocks on Japanese TV: is Japan Ready?

Eyebrow-arching news. Not only is Animax getting an American anime, but it is none other than the infamous, controversial, critically-praised The Boondocks. I imagine it has something to do with The Boondocks being a Sony property. There is no doubt that this is why Soul’d Out is doing the voice dubbing (or maybe just the theme song) to localize it into Japanese.

I just saw the advertisement myself, and the katakana-ized n-word jumped out at me. The word that makes Al Sharpton and others bristle when they talk about the show. I wonder how this will have an effect on the local language. We’ve recently seen the word being used, and rather insensitvely, by the Gaijin Hanzai Ura File, so I imagine this might make matters worse. But maybe it will have the opposite effect and open some eyes over here.

詳しく (details in Japanese).

11 comments - What do you think? Posted by Claytonian - February 13, 2007 at 1:18 am

Categories: General Japan Tags:

wes

ew why dub?
Claytonian

I agree, but it is a kids network, more or less. And Japan is more apt to dub any day.
WujouMao

i dont agree. its only a cartoon, so mouth movements are not really a concern to match with the lips unless it was a live action film

Naz

yeah but it’s not a kiddie show. And I’m not saying that just cuz there’s cussing. The satire requires a basic understanding of politics,social issues, and history. Many adults don’t even get it.

wes

what does mouth movement have to do with it? it’s a show, the audio is a part of it. you wouldn’t change a painting or statue around would you? you wouldn’t keep the audio but create new video to make the characters japanese, right? it may not be pure art but i don’t think things should be so carelessly changed.

also wouldn’t it be better to actually hear english being spoken if japan is making such an effort to teach everyone english?
Claytonian

Indeed, it drives me crazy how much gets dubbed. Movies and TV are excellent learning practice. Ask any anime nerd.

Hard boiled

Japanese dubs are unbearable to hear, every sounds too old or too old. And hearing the “moe” character’s voices make my ears want to bleed.

Tadashi

Sorry, but I didn’t understand 90% of what they say in a clip I watched on Youtube.
Claytonian

Tadashi, maybe you can understand this clip? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CPMQ5R8qJA
doinkies

A lot of Japanese cable channels that show foreign programming will let you switch between the original-language version with subtitles and the Japanese dub using your remote, actually…and R2 DVDs of foreign shows have both the dub and the subbed version on them (like most anime releases in the West). Maybe Animax will use this method to show The Boondocks.
Tadashi

Actually not since my japanese isn’t that good yet, but at least I could distinguish the single words they say.
I even heard our favorite N word ;D

The Boondocks on Japanese TV: is Japan Ready?

Recent Comments

Further Reading

South Korean Government Demands That International Hydrographic Organization Use “East Sea”

Japanese Documentary About Sea Shepherd’s Protest Activities in Taiji (English Subtitles)

Babies Born on March 11th Receive Special Present

Washington Times Freelancer Slams Former Employer, Fails to Ethically Disclose Relationship?

Christopher Johnson Attempts to Silence Criticism of His “Gaijin Gulag” Article (Legal Threats!!!)

Tabloid Reports About Yu Darvish’s Love Life: Kirara Asuka & Miho Koga?

Does K-Pop Group KARA Have Ties to North Korea?

Tokyo Gate Bridge

Sara Errani Admits She Avoided Tennis Tournament in Tokyo: Feared Radiation

Chinese Workers Who Survived March 11th Tsunami Return to Tohoku

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Japan Blogs

Korea Blogs

Linkroll

Other Asia Blogs