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Cartoon Network Serves Up More Anime

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the good-stuff-here-people dept.

E-Rock-23 writes "Anime News Network has the scoop on more Anime series Cartoon Network plans to bring to the Adult Swim block next year. Witch Hunter Robin (2) has been confirmed for a February run. On the "Probably" list are Wolf's Rain in April and Ghost in the Shell in July, though they didn't specify if it'd be the Mamoru Oshii film or the Stand Alone Complex TV series. Either way, the latter will most likely have to be rather heavily edited for TV. Looks like I have a few more reasons to stay up past my bedtime..." Or get a tivo. Witch Hunter Robin & Wolf's Rain are both really excellent shows- it's very cool to see them hit mainstream TV.

37 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. I just want to know... by halivar · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...when we're going to get past this dubbing thing and see some subs.

    1. Re:I just want to know... by gabec · · Score: 2, Interesting
      erm.... never? when was the last time you saw anything on mainstream media subtitled? Sure, I've seen a few foreign films (e.g. those up for oscars for best foreign film or something) but they have been at "that" theatre that is specifically known for showing oddities. ;) and on TV? on cartoon network??

      Dunno, Maybe on the Anime Network late at night. who knows. ;)

    2. Re:I just want to know... by minasoko · · Score: 2, Funny
      ...when we're going to get past this dubbing thing and see some subs.

      When the ambient temperature in Hades drops below zero degrees Centigrade.

    3. Re:I just want to know... by p4ul13 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      God I really freakin' can't stand this old complaint. The subtitled text is interpreted into our language just as the dubbed dialog would be, so no matter what, unless you speak the native language of the show, you're getting an interpretation of it in english.

      If your complaint instead has to do with the quality of the voice acting, well I still think it's lame in that you won't fully get to know how good the original voice acting was if you can't understand what words they're actually emphasizing.

      Sit back and enjoy the show. If you're that much of a purist, rent the DvDs when they come and they'll probably have an original language track with subtitles.

      --
      Paul Lenhart writes words!
    4. Re:I just want to know... by AnswerIs42 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I would just be happy if they actually FINISH some of the series... I am STILL waiting for the final episode of "Big O" ..they did a repeat when it should have shown, then nothing for 2 weeks.. now they are playing all the episodes again. Yu Yu has been pulled, moved, restarted so many times I have no idea when or where it's on (I think it's of now). Same with several other shows they have on there. CN does a REALLY good job of irking me when it comes to the anime they show... at least I still have TechTV's Anime Unleashed. Now, to just get Directv to carry the Anime Network..

    5. Re:I just want to know... by tuffy · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I would just be happy if they actually FINISH some of the series... I am STILL waiting for the final episode of "Big O" ..they did a repeat when it should have shown, then nothing for 2 weeks..

      The Cartoon Network played the final episode the week after they mixed up and played a repeat. They pushed their special "Family Guy" episode back just so they could fix their mistake and so fans only had to wait two weeks to see the final Big O episode. Sorry you missed it - it was very trippy.

      --

      Ita erat quando hic adveni.

    6. Re:I just want to know... by gabec · · Score: 5, Insightful
      It's not really the quality of the english voice acting, it's the casting and direction of european voice actors that often doesn't fit. For example, in the series Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X), the Japanese version had a woman doing the voice of Kenshin and it was convincing. In the english version they had a guy sounding like he'd been kicked in the balls and perpetually on happy pills do the voice acting.

      If you're six years old then the latter is probably more interesting (for example who can stand the sound of Barney's voice for more than a minute except a six year old?), but to me I prefer the more natural voice (even though it was from a woman, her voice was rather ambiguous in that way and it did seem to fit Kenshin).

    7. Re:I just want to know... by Chibi · · Score: 4, Interesting
      ...when we're going to get past this dubbing thing and see some subs.


      I'm not sure if they'd made any progress on this, but I believe ADV has at least tossed the idea around a bit for their Anime Channel. It'd have to use a combination of closed captioning and SAP, but it's not impossible. Just have to figure out if the demand is high enough and what the related costs are. I feel that, for the most part, the US anime industry has a much better connection with their fans than a lot of more mainstream entertainment entities (RIAA, MPAA, etc).

      --
      If all you have are silver bullets, everything looks like a werewolf.
    8. Re:I just want to know... by Mononoke · · Score: 2, Informative
      God I really freakin' can't stand this old complaint. The subtitled text is interpreted into our language just as the dubbed dialog would be, so no matter what, unless you speak the native language of the show, you're getting an interpretation of it in english.
      God I really freakin' can't stand this old excuse.

      Dub scripts are always edited to match the mouth movements of the animation. Dubbed vocal inflection is always ruined by attempts to make the words fit the mouth movements. Subtitles are not subject to these limitations.

      Subtitle scripts are limited only by the talent of the translators. Dubs are limited by the casting directors, voice directors, and actors.

      Another essential difference in the voice acting quality: Japanese voice acting is an honored craft. Those that get hired do so because they are the best among many. In America voice acting is what you do when you can't get hired as a real actor, in most cases.

      --
      NetInfo connection failed for server 127.0.0.1/local
    9. Re:I just want to know... by Kassiopeia · · Score: 2, Informative

      Dubbing does have its sides, if it's done right. If you're from a culture where dubbing is the standard (say, Germany), subtitles would be horrible. Sometimes the dub even gets better than the original Japanese audio, but that's usually if the series doesn't take place in Japan per se (example: Cowboy Bebop).

      If you're from a smaller lingual area of influence, say, Finland, it's far more likely that you've grown up watching foreign TV series subtitled. Therefore it feels much more jarring to see people who are supposed to be Japanese speaking any other language than Japanese. Of course, Finland is still in the stage where animation is considered a medium for pre-teens only, and children films are often dubbed here, so things can get complicated. The local DVD release of Spirited Away has Japanese sound and Finnish subtitles, fortunately.

      As far as I know dubbing outside animation is somewhat popular in the US, plus people's literacy can be weaker, which is completely understandable as English for English-speaking people is more difficult to grok than Finnish for Finnish-speaking people. Then again, it might be because Finns grow up reading a lot even when just watching the telly...

      Anyway, dubbing shouldn't be dismissed off-hand. Anime has been a niche market, so dubbing work has been quite poor, resulting in some prejudice. I'd never watch dubbed anime if I'd a choice though.

    10. Re:I just want to know... by sangfroid · · Score: 2, Insightful

      There actually is a big difference and it's all about timing .

      See, different languages have different words and syntax and thus it can take varying amounts of time to say the same thing in Japanese and in English.

      So, a dubbed film must fit all the voice acting into the same amount of time as the original meaning that you not only have to translate the text but you have to make it fit. So, if it takes 130 seconds to say the equivelant of "I love you" in Japanese, an English Dub will have to fill that space with something really horrible like "My heart is filled with the most [cheesy emotion] a man could feel."

      However, a subtitled version can put the best, most meaningful translation on screen instead and keep it there long enough for you to read and understand. With all the differences in culture, idioms, etc a good dub is a lot harder than a good sub. A perfect dub is nigh impossible.

      So yes, you're getting "an" interpretation of it in english... but it's really hard to fit the timing and stay true to the original meaning. Think back to the old school badly dubbed samurai flicks.

    11. Re:I just want to know... by dr00g911 · · Score: 3, Informative
      Dub scripts are always edited to match the mouth movements of the animation. Dubbed vocal inflection isalways ruined by attempts to make the words fit the mouth movements. Subtitles are not subject to these limitations.


      Always is a pretty harsh term. Sometimes the dubbing house gets stuff right. Like, say, Cowboy Bebop? Big O? (pretty much the same US voice cast).

      I'll have to agree that for the vast majority of anime, I've always preferred subbed vs. dubbed versions. Something about Bebop... I actually preferred the dubbed version over subtitles. The characters' voices seemed better matched to me -- and the acting was good enough to make me cry like a baby during the final episode.

      I have a theory: the more anime becomes mainstream in the US (ever look at the anime aisle in Best Buy?), the more likely we are to have good dubs vs. the Speed Racer / Pokemon dreck. Meaning that the dub houses are going to spend time and energy getting them right.

      But, you have to admit, if it's going to be shown on a network -- you've got your 99% chance of it *needing* to be dubbed. Cartoon Network, especially. You're dealing with a) kids and b) people who rent Crouching Tiger and take it back because they've gotta read and c) people who treat the material a little more seriously.

      We're part of group C, but the minority.

      It is changing, though. Slowly.
  2. Hands across the Tivo by bluethundr · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Looks like I have a few more reasons to stay up past my bedtime..." Or get a tivo.

    *upper lip trembling* you mean there are poor souls out there that actually lack this essential technology? ;P

    Seriously, if it weren't for Tivo I'd never catch my fix of Twilight Zone reruns and Enterprise. I do Tivo Anime Crash on TechTV, but some of the Anime they show is a little esoteric for my tastes. So, a lot of that gets deleted before I have a chance to watch it.

    My friend Mike got slashdotted recently pointing out that Time Warner cable is rolling out Tivo to their users for something on the order of less than $10 a month...and at no cost to the subscriber for the box!Pretty sweet deal considering that I paid slightly over $400 for the Sony DirctTV/Tivo combo box. That particular combination is a pretty sweet deal. I guess I could regret having shelled out that much money in light of Mike's cable deal. But...naaahhh. How can you regret shelling out for such a life-affirming technology?

    I just checked with my registrar and it looks like tivoaid.com is still open. I think I may buy that domain to start a worthy cause....

    --
    Quod scripsi, scripsi.
    1. Re:Hands across the Tivo by Issue9mm · · Score: 3, Informative

      I'm blowing my mod points by replying to this, but I just wanted to point out that Time Warner is not rolling out Tivo to their subscribers, but a DVR solution crafted by Scientific Atlanta. I sold my Tivo and switched, and it was the worst mistake of my life (only slight exaggeration).

      The Tivo is nice, solid, and bug-free, whereas the TW DVR crashes frequently, forgets recordings, and has a host of bugs that nobody at TW seems to care to correct.

      -9mm-

  3. not for awhile by tuffy · · Score: 5, Insightful
    ...when we're going to get past this dubbing thing and see some subs.

    The market for subbed-only anime is still very small, that's why studios work hard to ensure all the DVD releases have a dub track (preferably a good one). Trying to put subbed-only anime, even on late night, isn't going to keep enough people watching to pay the advertising dollars.

    --

    Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  4. Ranma 1/2 by TheBrownShow · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's such a shame that they refuse to play Ranma 1/2... though I don't know how the censors would react to a half-guy, half-girl character who somehow always has his, er, her chest exposed.

  5. Little bit o' the inside scoop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well, I happen to know the guy who does/did the Japanese-English translation for GITS:TV (yes, it will be the tv). He also did it for Big-O, Tenchi in Tokyo and a few others, he works freelance, including a VERY sweet looking 'dieselpunk' fantasy series called Last Exile.

    From all impressions I get, editing won't be too bad. But the creepiest thing is that the series has 3 experimental spider-tank characters, who supposedly start out as a 'hive mind', but begin to develop individuality over the course of several episodes. So you have all these heavily armed, near-sentient battle robots, and THEY ALL HAVE SQEAKY JAPANESE TEENAGE GIRL VOICES! *SHUDDER* They even wave their hands around like children, very bizarre, and probably fits in well with the "feel" of the series.

    b10hazrd

    1. Re:Little bit o' the inside scoop by truenoir · · Score: 2, Informative

      The Tachikomas are like that in the original, which is similar in turn to the original manga. There's even a series of shorts that were made with just the Tachikomas sitting around postulating about various things.

  6. Don't forget by yoshi_mon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I know Taco loves his Anime but I'd also just like to send a big shout out to Cartoon Network for the great stuff they have been doing with the other part of Adult Swim.

    The new SpaceGoasts CTC have been great as well as all of the other ones. (Sealab2021, ATHF, Brak Show)

    Even after the death of Harry Goz (1932 - 2003),voice of Captin Murphy on Sealab 2021, the show has bounced back imo and did a good new ep.

    Thanks Cartoon Network. I'm not a big fan of Anime (Cowboy Beebob as one of the BIG exceptions.) but you still have given me a reason to stay up late every night.

    --

    Really, I know what I'm doing...Ohhhh, look at the shiny buttons!
    1. Re:Don't forget by yoshi_mon · · Score: 2

      Yes. They have done a good job of replaying a lot of shows that have fallen off (Sometimes for very inexplicable reasons.) other networks.

      Family Guy, Futurama, Mission Hill, and even that weird one the Oblongs. All good stuff. (And I would argue that the 1st 3 should still be in production today!)

      Oh, and I do know that it is Cowboy Beebop. Heh, and I even previewed.

      --

      Really, I know what I'm doing...Ohhhh, look at the shiny buttons!
    2. Re:Don't forget by Cutriss · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Even after the death of Harry Goz (1932 - 2003),voice of Captin Murphy on Sealab 2021, the show has bounced back imo and did a good new ep.

      While it is true that Harry Goz did pass away, rumors of new episodes without his voicework are exaggerated.

      Williams Street had just completed work on a new season of Sealab before Harry Goz died, and so all the episodes running in this season are his final work. They aren't put together weekly.

      --
      "Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
  7. Standalone Complex by Tim+Fraser · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I don't think the Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex TV series would have to be edited too much for US TV. I have all but the last DVD (imported from Taiwan), and I think most of the episodes are free of anything that might cause US TVs to melt down in a fit of self-righteous indignation.

    Of course, perhaps the good/bad stuff is in the last few episodes I don't have. I can't seem to get the last DVD. One of my local Anime dealers told me that this is intentional - He said that the producers of these (non-US) releases don't release the last DVD until they release the whole series as a boxed set. Their plan is to force all the fools (like myself) who bought the single DVDs to buy them all again in the boxed set in order to get the last episodes.

    Can anyone confirm or debunk this theory?

    - Tim

    1. Re:Standalone Complex by DavidBrown · · Score: 2, Informative

      - He said that the producers of these (non-US) releases don't release the last DVD until they release the whole series as a boxed set. Their plan is to force all the fools (like myself) who bought the single DVDs to buy them all again in the boxed set in order to get the last episodes.

      Can anyone confirm or debunk this theory?

      I've seen where the producer will release either the first DVD (too many titles to name) or the last DVD (FLCL) in a box designed to hold all of the DVD's in the series.

      --
      144l. ph34r my 133t l3g4l 5k1lz!
    2. Re:Standalone Complex by tuffy · · Score: 3, Informative
      I think they aren't bootlegs, but I suppose I can't really be sure. Here's the info:
      Region-free DVDs with chinese subtitles are bootlegs. Legitimate import DVDs are rarely region free, never have chinese subtitles and are always quite expensive.
      --

      Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  8. Rurouni Kenshin by X-Nc · · Score: 2

    I just wish they hadn't pulled Rurouni Kenshin from the afternoon block.

    --
    --
    If I actually could spell I'd have spelled it right in the first place.
  9. Most anime on US TV is censored.... by escallywag · · Score: 2, Informative
    Even in slots deceptively called "Adult Swim"....

    Who wants to watch raped versions anyway ? Just stick to the original DVD's for the true anime experience.

  10. How about an Adult Swim channel? by Orne · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I, for one, welcome our new Unedited Cartoon Network... err...

    Seriously, suppose Cartoon Network spun off a sister-station, and cable networks made it an optional channel to standard packages, who's purpose was to show anime in its raw form? Parents have the option for nudity and cursing on HBO & Cinemax, and they also have the control whether they want that stuff in their home or not. If you don't want it, the cable company can block it.

    I'm not saying that we need a cartoon Spice channel (not that there's any shortage of hentai), just that there should be some medium for your average movie where you can catch the whole thing. The Cartoon Network has an image to keep as a channel for kids (the alternative to Nickelodeon), and they can't risk someones child staying up late and catching some unedited Vampire Hunter D.

    Adult Swim has this nostalgic aura about it now (GiJoe, He-Man) ... like 80s Strike Back on VH1. And mix in a bit of "here's something cool you didn't know existed"... sort of like catching Most Extreme Elimination Challenge on TNT/SpikeTV. That's what anime is to American audiences... years of shows about robots and vampires, lasers and rockets and giant aliens, fast action and a "new" visual style.

    There's something that bugs me about watching a show or movie when I know that it has been edited by some middleman... The director of the project had an artistic vision and those scenes & language capture the intent. You can't express the story of the rough mafia men in the Sopranos without the occasional trip to the strip club... this is what tells the story of men making bad choices and dealing with the consequences.

  11. Adult Swim has not been editing some shows by cyranoVR · · Score: 3, Informative

    They have been showing Blue Gender with minimal editing and FLCL with virtually none (just one word in episode 6).

    And let's not forget the latest season of Inuyasha is uncut...gory demon deaths abound...

    It is called ADULT Swim after all.

    1. Re:Adult Swim has not been editing some shows by Yosho · · Score: 2, Informative

      I would hardly call the editing of Blue Gender "minimal"... The cutting room floor is practically a bloodbath. They've also taken huge chunks out of Rurouni Kenshin, although I think they really could've shown it virtually unedited on Adult Swim.

      --
      Karma: Terrifying (mostly affected by atrocities you've committed)
    2. Re:Adult Swim has not been editing some shows by Maul · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The only editing Blue Gender needs is editing it out of existance. Bleah.

      Now, Furikuri is something I'm surprised to see on Cartoon Network. I find it hard to believe that edits were light, at least. What time are they showing that?

      I don't know what the editing in Inuyasha is like. I don't see too much that needs editing, though, since the action is so unrealistic. Maybe Jakotsu will be edited to be "not as gay" when they reach the Shichinintai story arc (after episode 100).

      --

      "You spoony bard!" -Tellah

  12. Short Answer is: No by EXTomar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Not for a cable channel that wants to target the 18-24 segement anyway. Adult Swim shows are some of the highest rated stuff floating around cable even though they are dubbed. Going sub is a giant risk since the ratings indicate that there are more now more than just Anime fans watching the block of programming.

    In Japan they have plenty of US movies and TV shows but are they subtitled? The Japanese like hearing things in their native language which is why its in Japanese in the first place. On this side of the Pacific, the US Anime Industry has advanced pretty far. The quality of scripts have gone up since translators have access to even more material than they used to (including the production staff!!!). The quality of actors has gone up since it has been shown you can make money acting. There really is no reason to ask for a sub unless you really really really want to her you favorite actress. The casual and non-fan viewers are definately not interested in that.

    I like raw shows as much as any hardcore fan but people have to realize there are many more people out there than the hardcore otaku fandom. Getting causual and non-fans to sit down and watch subtitled material is hard. Having people watch Robin and SAC is great! Its better than having these shows sit only in Anime fandom obscurity.

  13. Anime Network? by failedlogic · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Cartoons are becoming more popular by making them interested to wide audiences case in point: King of the Hill, The Simpsons and Futureama among others.

    Anime has the same appeal. So, whats holding the networks from making an Anime Network? Certainly, there should be enough variety and enough material to make one.

    (I'm hopeing some of it has to do with the voice dubbing. Please get better English voices, or just leave the Japanese voices in with subtitles.)

  14. On a related note... GTO on Showtime! by May+Kasahara · · Score: 2, Informative

    The anime show Great Teacher Onizuka (better known as GTO has been picked up to air on SHO Next. If you've never seen GTO, it's a hilarious show about a former street punk who takes on a job teaching high school.

  15. Re:Witch Hunter Robin by Maul · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The end. It was very very boring. They make a point of Robin not being sexy in any way; thus, whenever she shows any skin whatsoever, we would drink. I think we might have actually taken three shots to this rule in about five episodes.

    OBVIOUSLY Robin isn't attractive whatsoever because she doesn't run around like a bimbo in a skimpy outfit or have extensive shower/hotspring/near-nude sequences.

    Not every anime is made to fuel the sexual fantasies of teenage boys. Go watch Love Hina if you want that.

    --

    "You spoony bard!" -Tellah

  16. Full Metal Panic 2 by chendo · · Score: 3, Informative
    I've finished watching the subbed versions, and I have to say this is one of the most hillarious anime I've ever watched.

    It's just the original Full Metal Panic, without most of the serious stuff. For those who doesn't know, the original Full Metal Panic had Sagara Souske, a professional solider/teenager (with absolutely -zero- common sense and social skills) assigned to protect Chidori Kaname from the Russians because she is one of the 'Whispered', people who are born with 'Black' technology. Sagara is part of Mithril, a self-appointed military division.
    Sosuke Sagara is an elite soldier who belongs to an independent special force named "Mithril". Mithril is a self appointed military force that fights terrorism across the globe. With technology that is far superior to that of normal nations, Mithril intercedes on behalf of justice. Sagara, a Second Lieutenant under Mithril's command, is assigned to the duty of protecting a girl named Kaname Chidori, who attends high school in Japan. To accomplish this task, he pretends to be a transfer student attending at Kaname's school. As Sagara settles into his new role as classmate, a massive plot unfolds beginning with the kidnapping of Chidori. What is Chidori's role in the conspiracy? Why does she seem to be born with knowledge of technology that has only been recently invented?
    (Taken from animenfo.com)

    Full Metal Panic 2 (Also known as Full Metal Panic : Fumoffu) is more about Sagara and Chidori than about the whole Mithril thing. I mean, he blows up his shoebox with plastic explosives because he found a hair in front of his shoebox and thought that someone sent him a mailbomb, when in fact it was a love letter.

    One of my favourite episodes was the Rugby one (ep 10), and it was aired just before the World Cup started. Turning a team of pansies into killers... bwahahahahahhaa

    Anyhow, FMP2 is a great series and I suggest you check it out while it's still unlicensed. Also, FMP3 is rumored to be in the planning and will focus more of the military-side of things. Which I find very interesting as well. And if I didn't mention it eariler, FMP contains mecha called Arm Slaves (AS), and Souske is a good pilot of it. FMP2 contains a mechanized teddy bear costume named 'Bonta-kun', that Sousuke made himself after he stole the costume from a theme park, and he absolutely kicks ASS!
    --
    Founder of Mirror Moon - Tsukihime Game Trans
  17. UROSUKIDOJI!!!! by A55M0NKEY · · Score: 2, Funny
    My first anime viewing experience since Voltron.

    hhehehehe

    --

    Eat at Joe's.

  18. BTW - Parent Editorial about FLCL on CN by cyranoVR · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Yeah, I could hardly believe the "bare-assed antics" either (especially when you realize the result is that Naota pops wood).

    Neither could this woman (she obviously doesn't understand the concept of "Adult" Swim).