LogFAQs > #976968574

WhiteLens posted...

I've learned that more often than not, the English voice actors themselves know what's the proper pronunciation (because c'mon a lot of them are weebs as well) but they're forced to comply with the request of their client and thus "mispronounce" words. I recall Persona 5 was a big case of this.

And some voice actors have alluded that if they try to contest it, they get marked as someone who can't follow directions. So it's a lost cause if they're trying to get paid.

I'm pretty sure Mortal Kombat is another example of this, since I highly doubt most of the VAs think that Shirai Ryu should be said as "shuh-rye rye-yu" but they have obey Ed Boon and say it that way in-game.

You bring up a great point. I do wish the directors listen to the talents if they are open to inclusion and diversity. It's hypocritical to "Americanize" pronunciations and pretend to be respectful of other cultures.

Maniac64 posted...

Why would I not? What would be the point in watching the Japanese dub?

I watch Chinese and Korean shows and watch both in the original language with subtitles.

In the case of Genshin Impact and Star Rail I think the company behind those games are big enough weebs that they consider the Japanese dub to be the main voice track. Otherwise they wouldn't spend so much money getting all those famous VAs.

As for dramas I'm glad you're openminded enough to watch in original voices. It's often not a matter of snobbery, but the willingness to embrace other cultures. I think the phenomenon of refusing to read subs and wanting everything in dubs is purely an American/North American issue. We often forget that the rest of the world consume most of our media with subs. In the case of Chinese and Korean dramas that deal with costumes and period pieces often have very difficult to translate terms that would sound hilariously bad in English lol.