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August 16, 2006"Tales of Phantasia" dub (and "Kamichu!" love)
So, I got the greenlight to talk about my latest directing project--the four-episode "Tales of Phantasia" OVA. It's based on the 1995 Super Famicom game of the same name (which has since been revamped for sundry consoles, including the March 2006 Game Boy Advance release), itself just one entry in the much larger "Tales" series of games.
The series assumes at least a passing familiarity with the characters and events of the game, and will be a richer viewing experience for those who are so versed, but it stands up as compelling fantasy fare for even the uninitiated. Also, at the risk of making it sound didactic, I think the show raises some thoughtful questions about the nature of man, and the nature of conflict.
This was my first time directing a fantasy piece, which was certainly a different experience than the fan-service-tastic "Girls Bravo" and the sweet slice-o'-lifer "Kamichu!". My cast was a nice mix of folks I've worked with before, folks whom I've never worked with but whose awesome reputations preceeded them, and folks who were just plain new to me.
In addition to adapting/directing the "Tales of Phantasia" dub, I was given the opportunity to voice Dhaos, the show's main antagonist (who's floating to the left). Interestingly enough, the seiyu for Dhaos was Toshiyuki Morikawa--the same man who is voicing Isshin Kurosaki in the original Japanese release of "Bleach". I know this phenomenon of landing multiple roles by the same Japanese VA has happened to some of my friends, but to my knowledge it's a first for me.
In totally unrelatd news, "Kamichu!" volume 2 has hit the stores (so go shopping, yo'). In his review, Chris Beveridge of AnimeOnDVD.com had some kind things to say about the English dub:
"...it's also why I'm simply wowed by the performances in the English adaptation as well. I generally enjoy New Generation Pictures' dubs more than most others but I think this is one of their strongest ones since the release of Koi Kaze and that I consider a sort of pinnacle in their library of works because of how difficult the content was to work with. Similar to that, the adaptation, writing and performances here are all very enjoyable and really match well to my perceptions of what the characters voices should be in English."
Posted by patrick at August 16, 2006 02:51 PM
CommentsI look forward to seeing Tales of Phantasia Mr. Seitz!! This is so exciting! Acutally to start this comment off I just wanted to say that I've wanted to say hi to you for the longest time ever and ever since "Koi Kaze" released out on DVD I'm shy to admit it but I've fallen for you! I love your voice and I love you! Bleach is actually coming on tv in Septemeber and I'm also so looking forward to seeing it and hearing your voice!. A funny thing actuall happened to me, my friends and I were thinking about some anime shows that your voice is featured in when we got the idea to try to get a petition signed so maybe we could have an Anime Convention here in Greensboro because I feel North Carolina has the lease population that's into anime and if I could get it to come here I'm not sure whether I would want to go as Nanoka from Koi Kaze or Ai from "Crayon Shin Chan" but aside from that I just wanted to let you know Mr.Seitz (also you are so hot!!) So I guess that's all I wanted to say, bye! =) *kisses & hugs*
Posted by: SanRosezena Matthews at August 25, 2006 02:07 PM
Wow, now I'm really looking forward to seeing the Tales of Phantasia OVA in English. Sounds like it's really turning out good!
Posted by: Kevin M. at September 5, 2006 08:09 PM
Hi Im one of the Uninitiated you speak of, but I think I am excited as everyone else to see that such a materpiece like Tales of Phantasia is finally getting the oppertunity to translate and for it to be in your capable hands is an extra bonus, thankyou
Posted by: Matthew Murray at September 21, 2006 12:53 PM
YAYS! I am sooooo excited! Tales of Phantasia is an AWESOME game and I can't wait to see the anime in English.
Posted by: Reggie V at October 1, 2006 03:51 PM
At last it's getting an English dub. I've watched the Japanese one, and I expect the English one to live up to the dubbing^^. I hope you'll also work on an English dub for Tales of Symphonia The Animation once it's out^^.
Posted by: a745 at November 2, 2006 01:12 AM
Thanks for making ToP in English! I can't wait for it to come out and i hope it just as good as the Japanese version. ^___^ The game is awesome and i looks forward to the English OVAs!
one last thing...Go Klarth! ^__^
Posted by: Danielle at November 4, 2006 08:41 AM
i can't wait!!
Posted by: lord dhaos at November 6, 2006 12:54 AM
Not to be a bother, but could you let us know how certain names have been translated? Written romanisations in Japan have used character names "Cless" and "Klarth" but English adaptors have typically used "Cress" and "Claus". It'd be interesting to know if this OVA localisation has had any connections with Nintendo/Namco of America and if not, which set of names (if any) it has gone with.
Posted by: Mike at November 30, 2006 03:21 AM
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