@SBW If they get one of the original voices back for Mercury, it should definitely be Karen Bernstein (the first one), who's more known in the role anyway. Liza Balkan was only a long-term replacement/sound-alike to Karen. Frankly, I don't think either voice would return, same for Stephanie Morgenstern as Venus, who's gone on to better things, like creating FLASHPOINT (though I personally preferred Emilie Barlow as Venus).

@Carmen What did Nintendo do?

@NCZ Probably referring to their handling of the Pokemon franchise (though that situation is much more complicated than that).

I honestly wouldn't mind some of the old voices returning. I know many wouldn't, but Terri Hawkes, Katie Griffin, Susan Roman, Ron Rubin, Vince Corazza, and Stephanie Beard are all interested in reprising their roles. Toei actually produced the English dub of the 3rd and 4th seasons, and did attempt to get all the original voices back (with little success due to the crazy recording period), so we'll see how it goes. They're also doing the English dub of Digimon Xros Wars with Studiopolis as we speak.

@Carmen buddy you need to get your facts straight.

Nintendo is NOT involved with the English dub of Pokemon in any way, shape, or form. DuArt and PUSA/TPCi are the only ones who have worked on it since 4Kids and TAJ Productions abandoned the series. Nintendo only handles the video games, which are completely separate.

I apologize for going a bit off-topic, but I needed to get that across.

@pokemastanumba1 Pokemon International is a subsidiary of Nintendo. In a way, Nintendo indirectly oversees that production.

But I do agree with his point that Toei could potentially handle this property. I especially think it's likely since they are no strangers to the handling the Sailor Moon English dub.

@PurpleWarrior13 Well yes, Nintendo may have background connections, but they're still not at all responsible for anything to do with the dub whatsoever (such as replacing the original 4Kids cast). I'm just growing weary of people making Nintendo the big scapegoat. :O

Back on-topic, I'm not sure about Toei. It's not quite as active as it used to be, and the story of this upcoming series looks pretty new.

@SailorMoonROCKS4 Agreed!

@SailorMoonROCKS4 I would love for toei to make some dic style music. :) lol, I liked the dic music better for sailor moon.

@Carmen Same... :)

@moonfox Agreed.
I'm hoping it's going to follow the manga.

@moonfox No! I DON'T want Funimation to get it, I DON'T want a new cast, I want Terri Hawkes, Liza Balkin, Katie Griffin, Susan Roman, Stephanie Morgenstern, Vincent Corazza, Ron Rubin, and the rest of the original cast back. All new cast....PLEASE..... I'd rather drink my own vomit!!!

@SBW Toei will probably dub it themselves. ;)

@SLEDGERAID Same here, but we're not so sure what this new Sailor Moon series is going to contain yet... But still, I pray no fanservice in this amazing anime...

@MaryKosmos Fanservice is alright as long as it's occasional, not all over the place.

@dwibs93 I guess so...

@Jackson_H I was just repeating what the article said. ;)

@Jackson_H Alright Jackson you do raise a valid point but while I do realize that you said is quite possibly correct we still don't know for sure what is going to happen just yet.

@Jackson_H In addition, I have also watched the original live stream where this was announced, and the announcement itself was first made by Momoiro Clover Z at JapanExpo in France, and in the basic first announcement, they mentioned that it would be released around the world simultaneously (the second phrase actually). Them announcing it after their performance in France was to likely establish an "international connection" (which likely means much more than just a stream in a foreign language). It helps that a new French publication of the manga was also mentioned there by them. Heck, Momoiro Clover Z also said that they will do their best singing the theme song because "the whole world will be hearing our voices" implying that this is very much going to be an international thing.

I'm pretty sure this anime production is going to be handled much differently than most titles and may likely premiere on US TV only a short while after Japan (that's what many fans are predicting). Sailor Moon is one of the most popular anime titles of all time, and was a huge merchandising sensation all around the world in it's heyday. It's likely in a similar situation as Ninja Turtles, MLP, Care Bears, Transformers, GI Joe, Thundercats, Dragon Ball Z, and several other "nostalgia" properties that are being revived for a new generation. That's the impression most of us are getting (heck, DBZ is done by the same studio. DBZ and SM are most definitely Toei's biggest properties out of production).

@Minty123 I too am excited, but I thought the original voices weren't so bad...

@MaryKosmos I liked the voices too but do they still have the right to use the old dubs?

@Minty123 I don't know, but as long as they're able to use the same voice actors, then it's fine by me... The slightest change would be an immediate disappointment.... Though Japan's gotta pick a new seiyu for Sailor Pluto because her original seiyu is retired...

@PurpleWarrior13 Yeah considering that this show will be released in the US at the same time it is in Japan I do think that TOEi will be behind the English voice work themselves. Though it is possible that they could be using Ocean/Vancouver though like what they are doing for the European English release of DB Kai. Or they could try to get the original English voice cast back as much as possible (or a bit of both since both Ocean and Optimum are in Canada and they can get any returning cast members to Vancouver). Though American based voice talent is still quite a possibility as well.

However I could be wrong but I do think this will be a bit more than just "the original series but with new animation" since DBZ Kai didn't do so well despite TOEi's efforts. But at this point who knows...

@Pokejedservo Well, Toei USA (as "Cloverway") produced the English dub for Sailor Moon seasons 3-4 with Optimum Productions reprising their duties from their work from seasons 1-2 with DiC (though they unfortunately were unable to get many key cast members back). So they might possibly get them back to do this (Terri Hawkes has mentioned that she is interested in reprising her role of Sailor Moon). They also used LA talent (Phuuz) for Bobobo... They did also use Vancouver talent for PPGZ (I believe that was Toei). But from what I've seen, Calgary is their town...
I'm not sure what's going on with the Ocean dub of DBZ Kai...

I also agree that it's doubtful that this'll be anything like DBZ Kai as far as re-editing goes since Sailor Moon was VERY different from the manga in many ways, more than just "adding in stuff". DBZ Kai's cancelation was more due to the merch. That very well could also happen for this, as Sailor Moon has five major story arcs to cover (assuming this is a reboot).

Though Jackson did bring up a point: we really don't know exactly what they plan on doing with this internationally. It's possible it might launch on American TV around the same time as Japan, since they are ALREADY advertising new toys and merchandise in Italy, I wouldn't completely jump the gun. Though I'd prefer somebody OTHER than FUNi dub this. Sailor Moon is a Canadian thing as far as voice acting goes, always has been, and I'd prefer it to stay that way for it to keep it's identity. However, I wouldn't mind New York or California talent to take it on as well. I'm mostly just sick of hearing the same 15 Dallas or Houston actors in pretty much everything (that includes you Monica Rial!).

@IAMTHEVASTUNIVERSE Considering the monopoly they have on the dubbing industry, they're the only ones that can do it, anyway :/

@IAMTHEVASTUNIVERSE Actually, it's VERY likely that this series will be released in the US, likely by FUNimation, but we can't be too certain. This is supposed to be launched "worldwide simultaneously" in the Summer 2013.

As for the original series, it's been relicensed internationally, and it still might get a re-release in the US, but the chances of a redub aren't as likely.

@CatsTuxedo They don't have a monopoly. Sentai has also been dubbing a whole lot (almost as much as FUNimation actually), and have been releasing fewer and fewer titles sub-only. Viz continues to release anime (ALWAYS with an English dub), Aniplex and Bandai Visual also have most of their titles dubbed (Aniplex with Bang! Zoom and Bandai Visual with NYAV Post).

@PurpleWarrior13 Well derp, shows what I know -_-; Guess it must be the fact that Funimation gets so much more publicity that threw me to that conclusion.

@PurpleWarrior13 Well FUNimation is not the only living dub company but they are certainly the most active one. At least Sentai is being more active while companies such as Viz and Bandai are still around but not as much. (At least Viz still has Bleach and to a lesser extent Naruto to rely on. Granted Inuyasha Final Act is suppose to be finally coming soon but that is a different story).

@Pokejedservo I dunno. Sentai's catalog of dubbed titles is quite large. FUNimation gets most of the well-known stuff, and Sentai gets most of the rest. FUNimation really doesn't dub more than a dozen series a year, and Sentai is roughly the same. :)

@Pokejedservo

Actually VIZ is showing potential now that they have their upcoming "Neon Alley"; a subscription dubbed anime streaming initiative.

Guess they're finally improving their anime division after years of complaints that they only focus on manga.


They plan to dub:

*Zetman
*Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan
*Lagrange – The Flower of Rin-ne-
*Tiger & Bunny
*Berserk Movies
*Naruto: Shippuden
(new episodes still released on itunes every few months but there's been no other legal outlet since Disney XD cancelled it)

And although it's an Aniplex USA title Blue Exorcist is being dubbed too and will be shown on Neon Alley.

@PurpleWarrior13

Actually if you want precise numbers FUNimation releases about 30 new dubbed titles each year. :)

So far this year Sentai has released around 20 new dubbed titles and they still have more expected dubbed titles to be released in the remaining unsolicited months for this year.

Sentai is quickly closing the gap though they still release a lot of sub-only stuff to keep costs down that wouldn't benefit from including a dub if they're very niche stuff and wouldn't even break even to cover dub production costs.

@Jackson_H The potential that Neon Alley has is quite good so hopefully it meets Viz's expectations in its first year run its just great that Viz is finally dubbing more anime again after a four year dry spell where it was nothing but Bleach and Naruto!(granted Kekkaishi and Monster were dubbed in the last two years)This means more voice work for the LA voice actors which is always excellent news.

@Jackson_H This "Neon Alley" is rather interesting news, though VAST as much as I do like Californian VA talent I do hope that Ocean will be used at all. What can I say? I have always been a fan of Vancouver based VA talent and shows like Death Note are fine proof that Viz can still use Ocean well. But if not well at least there is still Inuyasha Final Act.