Created by NCZ on May 12 2011
EDITOR'S OPINION
John Paul Shepard was maybe a little too old-sounding, but was acceptable aside from that. KMR, though epic-sounding as always, was a little too deep. Jamieson Price has to be my clear favourite. Strikes a great balance; not too old-sounding and has a very cool deep voice, a lot like the late Daisuke Gori.NCZ
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said at 8:17 AM on Sun Dec 24 2017
All of these guys do a good job, but I'll give to Jamieson Price, since he has the most depth.
KMR sounds so similar to Daisuke Gori.
ReplyKMR sounds so similar to Daisuke Gori.
said at 10:31 AM on Fri Sep 8 2017
Not gonna lie, I really like all these voices. But of course, my vote goes to Jamieson Price for having the best performance out of all of them.
I loved Kevin Michael Richardson's take just for the surprise itself, seeing as how he was under an alias for years. Honestly, I think Kevin's voice would be a perfect match for young Heihachi in TTT2.
I don't know what it is about John Paul Shephard's take that I like, but there's some nostalgic quality to it that I find really cool.
ReplyI loved Kevin Michael Richardson's take just for the surprise itself, seeing as how he was under an alias for years. Honestly, I think Kevin's voice would be a perfect match for young Heihachi in TTT2.
I don't know what it is about John Paul Shephard's take that I like, but there's some nostalgic quality to it that I find really cool.
said at 2:57 PM on Sun Jul 2 2017
I don't know if they used the Japanese performance as a reference in the case for Kevin Michael Richardson, but it is interesting how Kevin sounds a lot like Daisuke Gori, albeit not as gruff as Gori but similar nonetheless. If anyone has any insight on this, feel free to share.
A similar case can be made for Jamieson Price & Unsho Ishizuka. Though that's just me making comparisons to roles they share & how similar their voices are.
ReplyA similar case can be made for Jamieson Price & Unsho Ishizuka. Though that's just me making comparisons to roles they share & how similar their voices are.
said at 3:28 AM on Fri Mar 31 2017
1. Jamieson Price - The best one here. Giving Heihachi the right of amount of depth and gruffness to his voice.
2. Kevin Micheal Richardson- Sounds a tad too deep for my liking, but he's a decent fit as well though.
3. John Paul Shepard - He sounds a tad too light as Heihachi, funnily enough haha. But his performance is still pretty good IMO. Have to give him that.
Reply2. Kevin Micheal Richardson- Sounds a tad too deep for my liking, but he's a decent fit as well though.
3. John Paul Shepard - He sounds a tad too light as Heihachi, funnily enough haha. But his performance is still pretty good IMO. Have to give him that.
said at 5:40 PM on Sat Apr 22 2017
@HylianBelmont I think, while I want to avoid going down that path again, my issue with people saying "Kevin's too deep" is the (& call me crazy, but) the stereotype of "high Asian voices". Japanese Heihachi is similarly deep as KMR, you can tell from the clips on this site. It's especially evident in The Motion Picture, where there's more dialogue.
I still agree Jamieson Price is the best here, yeah, but it's moreso the attitude & delivery.
Also I have to say I thought John Paul Shepard, while definitely a lighter voice, carried a lot of Heihachi's attributes well. Not my favorite or anything, but as much I espoused the merits of KMR (casting-wise), I thought JPS was quite fitting despite being pretty atypical.
(On another note, I think Michael Ironside or especially Clancy Brown would be awesome as Heihachi.)
ReplyI still agree Jamieson Price is the best here, yeah, but it's moreso the attitude & delivery.
Also I have to say I thought John Paul Shepard, while definitely a lighter voice, carried a lot of Heihachi's attributes well. Not my favorite or anything, but as much I espoused the merits of KMR (casting-wise), I thought JPS was quite fitting despite being pretty atypical.
(On another note, I think Michael Ironside or especially Clancy Brown would be awesome as Heihachi.)
said at 3:12 AM on Sun Apr 23 2017
@huzaifa_ahmed Clancy Brown would probably be just as solid yeah.
I suppose it's another case where I just think they overdid it on the deepness just a little bit for this particular character is all. I feel the same way about JP Xander's voice as well, as much as I like that performance regardless.
ReplyI suppose it's another case where I just think they overdid it on the deepness just a little bit for this particular character is all. I feel the same way about JP Xander's voice as well, as much as I like that performance regardless.
said at 9:48 PM on Mon Mar 20 2017
Jamieson is awesome as always, Kevin would be second and John was a little too light
Replysaid at 6:22 AM on Wed Oct 19 2016
I would say Jamieson Price has the most fitting voice for the character and his acting sounds good too but I kinda wish his voice was a bit deeper. Oh well.
Replysaid at 10:41 PM on Wed Nov 23 2016
@NitroEX I know it's been said below, but man oh man, would Clancy Brown or Paul st. Peter be such great VAs for this character. Was also maybe thinking JK Simmons or Lance Henriksen.
For future Japanese casts, probably Shozo Iizuka (Nappa), Ryuzaburo Otomo (Dabra), or Masaharu Sato (Roshi) would be very good as Heihachi.
ReplyFor future Japanese casts, probably Shozo Iizuka (Nappa), Ryuzaburo Otomo (Dabra), or Masaharu Sato (Roshi) would be very good as Heihachi.
said at 8:43 PM on Wed May 4 2016
1. Kevin Michael Richardson
2. Jamieson Price
3. John Paul Shepard
Reply2. Jamieson Price
3. John Paul Shepard
said at 4:13 PM on Sun Jun 19 2016
@GreenGoblin75 Yeah, I agree. A lot of folks find that KMR is too deep, but Daisuke Gori was actually a bass, just like KMR is. Japanese is spoken much lighter than English, which is why it often sounds lighter.
But I'm gonna say that Jamieson sounds fairly close to Ishizuka, & KMR sounds like Gori.
That being said, I'm not sure exactly why Ishizuka replaced so many of Gori's roles after his death.
I figure Tessho Genda, Ryuzaburo Otomo, or other basses would be a better fit.
Maybe Banjo Ginga?
ReplyBut I'm gonna say that Jamieson sounds fairly close to Ishizuka, & KMR sounds like Gori.
That being said, I'm not sure exactly why Ishizuka replaced so many of Gori's roles after his death.
I figure Tessho Genda, Ryuzaburo Otomo, or other basses would be a better fit.
Maybe Banjo Ginga?
said at 4:15 PM on Sun Jun 19 2016
@huzaifa_ahmed
Yeah, I thought KMR's deepness was fitting.
ReplyYeah, I thought KMR's deepness was fitting.
said at 4:17 PM on Sun Jun 19 2016
@GreenGoblin75 I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm not really sure why they lightened his voice lighter on.
Replysaid at 9:26 PM on Sun Jun 19 2016
@huzaifa_ahmed
I think you're getting too hung up on the whole vocal timbre thing. Daisuke Gori's voice for Heihachi has a very gruff and aged sound to it. Because of how accustomed I am to his voice, it's what I think of when I hear Heihachi. KMR's voice is fine by its own merits, but I just prefer the gruffer approach that Jamieson Price takes, as it means he better captures the spirit of what I expect from Heihachi.
ReplyI think you're getting too hung up on the whole vocal timbre thing. Daisuke Gori's voice for Heihachi has a very gruff and aged sound to it. Because of how accustomed I am to his voice, it's what I think of when I hear Heihachi. KMR's voice is fine by its own merits, but I just prefer the gruffer approach that Jamieson Price takes, as it means he better captures the spirit of what I expect from Heihachi.
said at 5:36 AM on Mon Jun 20 2016
@NCZ Oh, that's a good point. Yeah, I agree that Jamieson's performance is better, though it's probably in part due to the material in the movie versus KMR's guest appearance in a game.
BUT, I was moreso thinking of the switch to the notably lighter Unsho Ishizuka after Gori died, & similarly in the dub to Jamieson Price.
There are various other Japanese basses I can think of, Ryuzaburo Otomo, Tessho Genda, Banjo Ginga (who's even deeper), Kenta Miyake.
In SoCal dubbing circles, we have...perhaps Paul st Peter & Richard Epcar? Damn, even that's stretching it, goes to show how limited dubbing circles are, sadly.
My point, anyhow, is...I know that Namco Bandai isn't exactly Disney Character Voices...but I think there's something to be said for consistency.
ReplyBUT, I was moreso thinking of the switch to the notably lighter Unsho Ishizuka after Gori died, & similarly in the dub to Jamieson Price.
There are various other Japanese basses I can think of, Ryuzaburo Otomo, Tessho Genda, Banjo Ginga (who's even deeper), Kenta Miyake.
In SoCal dubbing circles, we have...perhaps Paul st Peter & Richard Epcar? Damn, even that's stretching it, goes to show how limited dubbing circles are, sadly.
My point, anyhow, is...I know that Namco Bandai isn't exactly Disney Character Voices...but I think there's something to be said for consistency.
said at 12:19 PM on Mon Jun 20 2016
@huzaifa_ahmed
Heihachi was actually made younger in Tag 2, when Ishizuka took over (due to a potion, and you're still WAY too hung up on this whole timbre thing. It shouldn't make or break a performance that a VA is one octave lower than some other VA because every person sounds different from one another. It's an unhealthy and unrealistic mentality to have.
ReplyHeihachi was actually made younger in Tag 2, when Ishizuka took over (due to a potion, and you're still WAY too hung up on this whole timbre thing. It shouldn't make or break a performance that a VA is one octave lower than some other VA because every person sounds different from one another. It's an unhealthy and unrealistic mentality to have.
said at 2:53 PM on Mon Jun 20 2016
@NCZ There is in no way any sort of blame on the VA's for sounding different. It's just a rather notable pitch difference, that IMO should be taken into account when casting a replacement actor.
Remember when Travis Willingham in Persona 3's dub was replaced by Bryce Papenbrook?
* Cool stylistic change, which fit the chibi nature, but the original (I mean the primary, Japanese production) wasn't like that, & * I'm pretty sure there's a reason for it. *
* & as I said, Bryce did an *awesome* job with the performance, & it was quite the awesome out-of-box casting for him.
BUT IMO, at least when dubbing a character (which, to be clear, isn't what you're defending), you've got to keep the sort of voice the original production staff found befitting of the character.
Your point about the story of Tekken reminds me that I spend far more time on voice compares than actual entertainment.
But, when criticizing Ishizuka's replacement of Heihachi, I was ALSO considering Mr. Satan.
Gori-san unfortunately stuck himself in the middle of the show's airing.
* Thus, the replacement with Ishizuka's voice causes a noticeable pitch difference DURING the run of the show, & THAT was my main issue.
On the other extreme, though, how would you feel if we cast more male/female shared characters?
That's to say, Todd Haberkorn/Spike Spencer play female roles, & the likes of Deborah Strang & Mary McGlynn play male roles?
Is timbre really not an issue?
ReplyRemember when Travis Willingham in Persona 3's dub was replaced by Bryce Papenbrook?
* Cool stylistic change, which fit the chibi nature, but the original (I mean the primary, Japanese production) wasn't like that, & * I'm pretty sure there's a reason for it. *
* & as I said, Bryce did an *awesome* job with the performance, & it was quite the awesome out-of-box casting for him.
BUT IMO, at least when dubbing a character (which, to be clear, isn't what you're defending), you've got to keep the sort of voice the original production staff found befitting of the character.
Your point about the story of Tekken reminds me that I spend far more time on voice compares than actual entertainment.
But, when criticizing Ishizuka's replacement of Heihachi, I was ALSO considering Mr. Satan.
Gori-san unfortunately stuck himself in the middle of the show's airing.
* Thus, the replacement with Ishizuka's voice causes a noticeable pitch difference DURING the run of the show, & THAT was my main issue.
On the other extreme, though, how would you feel if we cast more male/female shared characters?
That's to say, Todd Haberkorn/Spike Spencer play female roles, & the likes of Deborah Strang & Mary McGlynn play male roles?
Is timbre really not an issue?
said at 3:04 PM on Mon Jun 20 2016
@huzaifa_ahmed "that IMO should be taken into account when casting a replacement actor."
I'm sorry, replacement actor?
ReplyI'm sorry, replacement actor?
said at 3:44 PM on Mon Jun 20 2016
@huzaifa_ahmed
There is a big difference between "actor 1 has a deep voice and smooth delivery and typically plays characters that require such a portrayal, and is replaced by actor 2 who has a noticeably higher and raspier voice and is now playing a character where he sounds totally out of his comfort zone" and "actor 1 who is well-known for his gruff performances has a deep voice and actor 2 who is also known for his gruff performances has a marginally less deep voice". It comes off as unnecessarily pedantic and while obviously timbre is a factor in any performance, boiling it down to just that as the sole make-or-break factor is missing the forest for the trees.
ReplyThere is a big difference between "actor 1 has a deep voice and smooth delivery and typically plays characters that require such a portrayal, and is replaced by actor 2 who has a noticeably higher and raspier voice and is now playing a character where he sounds totally out of his comfort zone" and "actor 1 who is well-known for his gruff performances has a deep voice and actor 2 who is also known for his gruff performances has a marginally less deep voice". It comes off as unnecessarily pedantic and while obviously timbre is a factor in any performance, boiling it down to just that as the sole make-or-break factor is missing the forest for the trees.
said at 1:55 PM on Sat Jun 25 2016
@NCZ You know what, I re-listened to Gori & then the SCII dub, & I do see your point. KMR's voice, while close to Gori, lacks a lot of the aggression that Gori (& Price) put into it. I voted for Jamieson.
That being said...I suppose I just wanted to play Devil's Advocate in this case, to point out that KMR isn't actually TOO deep, it's his Performance# that #matters.
Although, I DO think that vocal consistency matters in Japanese media, just because it doesn't refresh as often as the way Marvel/DC refreshes.
& I'll take this to the MGS compares when I get done playing them/watching them in Japanese.
ReplyThat being said...I suppose I just wanted to play Devil's Advocate in this case, to point out that KMR isn't actually TOO deep, it's his Performance# that #matters.
Although, I DO think that vocal consistency matters in Japanese media, just because it doesn't refresh as often as the way Marvel/DC refreshes.
& I'll take this to the MGS compares when I get done playing them/watching them in Japanese.
said at 3:21 PM on Sun Oct 9 2016
@Zillah Just clearing out my old messages, but in no way was I dissing Ishizuka or Price as actors. By replacement actors, I just meant "actor who replaced other actor in a character". Yeah we have people like Matt Mercer replacing Troy Baker regularly, but there's nothing inherently wrong with those actors who do that.
For the record, I think both the dub & the Japanese track's post-Gori replacements are fine. Having only casually played Tekken a few times.
ReplyFor the record, I think both the dub & the Japanese track's post-Gori replacements are fine. Having only casually played Tekken a few times.
said at 11:07 AM on Fri Sep 8 2017
@NCZ By the looks of it, this conversation went a bit all over the place.
Replysaid at 6:21 AM on Sun Sep 6 2015
I can't decide between Price and Richardson. Both are epic.
Replysaid at 4:03 PM on Mon Jul 27 2015
1) Jamieson Price
2) Kevin Michael Richardson
3) John Paul Shepard
Reply2) Kevin Michael Richardson
3) John Paul Shepard
said at 9:06 AM on Thu Jan 15 2015
I think Chris Rager should play Heihachi since the guys who played him in the Japanese version also played Mr. Satan. Anyone else think so?
Replysaid at 2:09 PM on Mon Jul 27 2015
@OmeedMirVA He was one of my first ideal choices to playing Heihachi at one point.
Replysaid at 6:28 AM on Wed Oct 19 2016
@OmeedMirVA Chris Rager has too much of a southern drawl. It's in no way fitting for a character like Heihachi.
Replysaid at 12:15 PM on Thu Dec 1 2016
@NitroEX I did notice you said something similar on Kazuya's accent. On that note, Jamieson Price's voice, while the casting is surreally good, but the performance overall could be a lot gruffer.
Many fans of the Japanese version, appreciate that in the dub, Mr. Satan's voice is quite similar & personally, it's a memorable voice that is a perfect fit to who that character is. Itd be erroneous to entirely presume that they're copying the FUNi dub, because Jamieson is a natural fit for Satan, but to casual fans of DB, as well as fans of anime with attachment to the dub, this may not occur to them & they'll presume it's an impression of the FUNi dub - when it's quite possibly just a "good voice for Satan".
ReplyMany fans of the Japanese version, appreciate that in the dub, Mr. Satan's voice is quite similar & personally, it's a memorable voice that is a perfect fit to who that character is. Itd be erroneous to entirely presume that they're copying the FUNi dub, because Jamieson is a natural fit for Satan, but to casual fans of DB, as well as fans of anime with attachment to the dub, this may not occur to them & they'll presume it's an impression of the FUNi dub - when it's quite possibly just a "good voice for Satan".
said at 9:21 AM on Wed Oct 8 2014
Jamieson Price is the best one here. It's the closest match to Gori & Ishizuka's voices for Heihachi.
Replysaid at 12:31 AM on Mon May 2 2016
@Shaun Ince 1.5 years old, but I find that in terms of depth:
JPS
Jamieson/Unsho
Daisuke Gori
KMR (though he is a larger guy with much more resonance due to his size)
ReplyJPS
Jamieson/Unsho
Daisuke Gori
KMR (though he is a larger guy with much more resonance due to his size)
said at 11:43 AM on Sat May 24 2014
Jamieson Price's take on it sounds like the way he does Lu Bu.
Replysaid at 10:43 AM on Mon Sep 16 2013
I have something that I like about all of them, but I'm voting for Jamieson Price.
Replysaid at 8:36 PM on Sun Jul 28 2013
KMR needs an updated clip... I'll see if I can find one.
Replysaid at 3:41 AM on Mon Mar 26 2012
Is Vitor Stone an alias of Kevin Michael Richardson?
Replysaid at 6:30 PM on Sun Apr 28 2013
@pete This has actually been disputed for quite some time now, and I do believe Victor Stone could very well be a KMR alias. However, there's absolutely nothing anyone could find that can confirm this.
Replysaid at 1:12 AM on Tue May 28 2013
@pokemastanumba1
A couple of days ago, TheVengeanceKnight found something that proved it is indeed KMR and that he used "Victor Stone" as a pseudonym.
ReplyA couple of days ago, TheVengeanceKnight found something that proved it is indeed KMR and that he used "Victor Stone" as a pseudonym.
said at 6:48 PM on Tue May 3 2016
@Anicomicgeek I'd like to see that evidence trail.
Replysaid at 11:04 PM on Tue May 3 2016
@ninjinister
I did read the interview where he said it was him doing the vocie once, but I can't seem to find it now.
ReplyI did read the interview where he said it was him doing the vocie once, but I can't seem to find it now.
said at 12:18 PM on Thu May 19 2016
@ninjinister The comments have since been removed, but it was on a podcast where KMR spoke about the name.
Replysaid at 12:35 AM on Thu Mar 22 2012
I really like Victor's voice here, but Jamieson just fits better.
@Dark Kuja
Come to think of it, I think Clancy would make for an interesting Heihachi.
@Aussieroth
Same. Guess we can call KMR if we ever need a Spawn back-up.
Reply@Dark Kuja
Come to think of it, I think Clancy would make for an interesting Heihachi.
@Aussieroth
Same. Guess we can call KMR if we ever need a Spawn back-up.
said at 11:10 PM on Tue Mar 13 2012
Jamieson Price is a little bit like the current Japanese Heihachi. Victor Stone is a little more like Daisuke Gouri...and Kevin Michael Richardson apparently. o_O Both are my favorites here.
Replysaid at 3:31 PM on Thu Mar 8 2012
As much as I love Jamieson Price's voice, I think Clancy Brown would make an awesome Heihachi.
Replysaid at 6:05 AM on Sun Dec 4 2011
Is it me, or does Victor sound like Kevin Michael Richardson?
Reply
said at 2:57 AM on Wed Feb 21 2018