I LOVE the 80's Canadian Astro!!!!

[Fauna]

WOW!! This is all so great and fascinating!! Fauna YOU ROCK!!

You can be the "Todd Ferson" of the Canadian Astro Boy series -- you know, start your own business and call it "The Right Up North Stuf!" It's interesting that they (TRS) haven't put this together, but maybe it's the amount of work, and they don't have enough Canadian connections to take a stab at it. Maybe they'd be willing to even help you make it happen?!

I THOUGHT the "Girl from Andor" was "different" from the one I had seen before -- and sure enough - it's the censors. It's amazing how much they pull from these programs.

In the end, I'm guessing the best way to watch all three series is Japanese with subtitles. I got a kick out of all the different names -- they didn't make them comical as Fred Ladd did (actually I prefer the "real sounding" names).

Here's a question: does anyone know if the MOVIE released in Japan was different in content from the one we saw here?

Thank you! I saw this dub when it was last broadcast in 1995, which is part of my earliest memory, so it's very dear to me. Someone suggested I ask Global Edmonton if they still have their copies. I wrote them today...while I got the suggestion in March. (Oh well...as evidenced by today's finding of Astro Fight Aliens*, people with it on tape know how important it is.)

I'm afraid that the Canadian dub may never get released on DVD...many of the actors are uncredited, and the only ones I know are Steven Bednarski, Aneck Faris and Walter Massey. Steven told me last year that none of the actors were credited because back then, Canadian dubbing studios didn't have to, so getting the releases for everyone involved would be tremendously hard.

But wait, which movie do you mean?


*The preview at the end made me so happy. "Slippery and his gang"! I hope that uploader has that episode on tape somewhere, because I know it would be so much fun to watch.

[Bender the Sniper]

Astro SOUNDS as adorable as he looks -- then I saw why: he was voiced by a little boy. The whole "vibe" is different -- not as "droopy" or "whiny" as the US version. [/I]

I agree, the US version sounds very amateurish and unprofessional.

[jayrath]

[QUOTE=AprilSeven;104272]Astro SOUNDS as adorable as he looks -- then I saw why: he was voiced by a little boy. The whole "vibe" is different -- not as "droopy" or "whiny" as the US version. [/I]

I agree, the US version sounds very amateurish and unprofessional.[/QUOTE]

Gee. Thanks.

[Bender the Sniper]

[QUOTE=Bender the Sniper;104343][QUOTE=AprilSeven;104272]Astro SOUNDS as adorable as he looks -- then I saw why: he was voiced by a little boy. The whole "vibe" is different -- not as "droopy" or "whiny" as the US version. [/I]

I agree, the US version sounds very amateurish and unprofessional.[/QUOTE]

Gee. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

No offense intended, Jay, you're one of the few exceptions.

[Alittleacorn]

[QUOTE=jayrath;104345]
Gee. Thanks.

No offense intended, Jay, you're one of the few exceptions.[/QUOTE]

@Bender Bendy (hugs)
This is why you have to be careful with what you say on the internet, because you never know WHO is gonna drop in.

Astro Boy was made by a lot of people, so it's highly likely one or two of the voice actors, Jayrath included, have at some point check out this website.

However I don't think it's right to lie neither, because nobody wants to hear a pack of lies. Just be honest to yourself and others and speak truthfully. But try not to be harsh because people have feelings.

So that said, I'm gonna be honest right now to set an example! O.O

With what I said before about Astro had being voiced by a boy in the Canadian version, the reason I like it is because to me hearing a child's voice makes his character sound like a child. This is why I prefer it.

However this is just my personal view, you have to remember in both English & Japanese dubs of the many anime adaptations, Astro is often voiced by woman. Even the Japanese version of the 2009 movie, a lady in her 20's does Astro.

Despite all that I say, I believe Patty's (is that her name?) performance of Astro in the 1980's anime was very well done. Infact she and the rest of the cast should have medals considering they worked so hard it made their throats raw and they had to drink cough medicine from the bottle. Cut them some slack.

[Fauna]

Indeed! After my experience with NOW! Comics, knowing that a team of people put so much love, effort and time into Astro Boy that they were exhausted and physically-worn is humbling. If someone loves what they're creating and puts their best into it, I will always respect it.

For that matter, whenever I look at some of Tezuka's characters, all I can hear are the American voices, because they were played so well. My hunt for the Canadian dub is more of a hobby; it's a bizarre and magical alternate universe. Nobody dies on screen, and people are named after adjectives.

And Bender, you're always welcome to your opinion! I do know from experience that you need to be careful how you say things, though.

[jayrath]

I welcome all honest responses, and I'm very sad if we disappointed anyone. All I can say is that I was 18 when we did the show. I was the youngest cast member; Dave came next. If anyone was inexperienced, it was me. I still cringe at how Skunk's voice changes over the series, but I was made to do so by the director. My "late" voice is, to me, the real voice of Skunk.

I'd already done stage work and radio drama when we did the series. I'd corresponded with famous radio performers of the 1940s to learn all their tricks. I had a gift for different voices, which was why I was cast as a utility player. Our director spotted me in a stage revue, playing multiple parts. I was one of very few tapped to record the pilot.

Since then I've done radio drama for America's National Public Radio, Dr. Demento and other outlets. I've worked for Disney and MTV, and in indie film. My peers went on to work on Broadway and in Hollywood. Our work may not be up to expectations, but we were all professional.

I have not seen or heard the Canadian series, so perhaps it is indeed better. But I'll say this: Tezuka was very involved with us. He sent his staff to meet with us. Whatever we did, it was how he wanted it. We did what his staff desired.

We all had profound respect for Tezuka and the project; a Comics Journal piece came out about Astro while we were recording, spelling out the series' significance. I cannot tell you how seriously we took it, and how professionally we approached it. Often, during casting, we'd swap parts because we thought another cast member would do a better job. There was never any ego. We wanted the best show possible.

Unprofessional and amateur how? We would often go through 12 takes to match impossible lip movements in a single 10-second scene.

[diehard67]

I think you did a great job voicing skunk, the tone certinly fits the bad guy role.

[Strange Wings]

Don't get irritated too much by negative opinions, Jay. To me, you and your voice cast fellows did a terrific job, you conveyed the series' vibe and emotions so well. I'll always treasure your wonderful dubbing work (alongside with the french-canadian version, which I grew up with). I rediscovered the 80's series back in 2002; all the Siren tapes I acquired back then featured your dubbing; after watching 2 episodes the english dub immediately turned me into an Astroholic .
So I'm definitely not biased by my childhood when it comes to acknowledge your work, but I will always remember how the 80's series was able to provide me shelter & distraction from the cancer illness of a close family member.

To me personally, the 80's Astro's voice belongs to both Patty Kugler-Withley & Flora Balzano.

[jayrath]

[QUOTE=Strange Wings;104409]I will always remember how the 80's series was able to provide me shelter & distraction from the cancer illness of a close family member.
QUOTE]

I am honestly speechless. If I never accomplish anything else in my life, I'm proud that all of us were able to help you in such a small way. You and your family have my sincere love.