Shredder not being voiced by a Japanese actor in all 3 cartoons, thoughts?

[DarkLightDragon]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

I kinda thought Scottie Ray used a vaguely foreign accent. Not necessarily Japanese, but still.

Although, Ch'rell wasn't even Japanese so there's that.

And I just reminded myself how stupid it was that the Demon Shredder had the same VA as Ch'rell. :/

My guess for that would've been probably for the sake of consistency, but yeah, even if they're both technically "Shredder" they're still two different people and giving Demon Shredder a different voice would've been the most subtle approach to that. With Cyber Shredder, it makes sense he'd sound like Ch'rell, but for the original Shredder? Nah, man, you don't need to have Scottie Ray play him to let the audience know he's a new Shredder the Turtles have to face, as good as he was in the role prior.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

I kinda thought Scottie Ray used a vaguely foreign accent. Not necessarily Japanese, but still.

Although, Ch'rell wasn't even Japanese so there's that.

And I just reminded myself how stupid it was that the Demon Shredder had the same VA as Ch'rell. :/

Ye, it might have been subtle but I noticed some Asian accent in 4Kids Shredder.

Indeed Ch'rell was not Japanese, or human for that matter, but he still posed as a Japanese man when he pretended to be human. In fact, he possessed a Japanese man since the Utrom's ship landed in Japan.

[Yabuturtle]

I'm surprised people haven't thought it was racist for non Asian actors to play an Asian character, like some would complain of whites playing Asians in live action movies. Some will think it's racist for Asians to have an accent. Which doesn't even begin to make sense. They will usually say it's stereotypical which sometimes it can but even when they have an accent they'll still think it's racist.

Of course not all Japanese people will have Japanese accents. If you have an Asian character who speaks Japanese, ect. as their first language and English is their second language, of course they are going to have a Japanese accent. That's not being racist, that's being accurate. People are so quick to say something's racist and half of them don't even know what it means.

Granted I don't mind if he isn't played by an Asian character. Acting is about, well, acting. Pretending.

[CyberCubed]

Ch'rell was still in Japan and exposed to Japanese culture, the language, mannerisms and social norms. It was his first exposure to the human race, so naturally Ch'rell adopted Japanese customs because that's where he was.

[jenna]

I see your point, but it's never bothered me.

Of bigger concern to me is how characters from other dimensions / universes / planets all speak flawless English.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by jenna

I see your point, but it's never bothered me.

Of bigger concern to me is how characters from other dimensions / universes / planets all speak flawless English.

That's one of those things you're nto meant to take seriously. The most common excuse that tv pulls in those situations is the said aliens having a device that translates what they say to earthlings in English and what Earthlings say to them in whatever alien language they're native speakers of.

[jenna]

Originally Posted by Prowler

That's one of those things you're nto meant to take seriously. The most common excuse that tv pulls in those situations is the said aliens having a device that translates what they say to earthlings in English and what Earthlings say to them in whatever alien language they're native speakers of.

There's a difference between taking things too seriously and being treated like an idiot. I mean, come on, it's mutant turtles doing martial arts - it can't be taken too seriously, but some incarnations do a good job of making the concept feel credible.

It's like the subject of this thread. None of the cartoon Sakis had authentic Japanese accents, despite the character explicitly being Japanese, but the voice talents have all done a great job of making the character feel credible - Japanese accent or no.

But a device that translates alien language into English...? How very convenient. Especially when the Earthlings are visiting other dimensions / planets / whatevers - the entire place uses a device to change their language so as to accommodate their unusual visitors???? Zero credibility there, just a whole lot of arrogance on the part of the English-speaking inhabitants of Earth.

It's fine if the particular incarnation is already zany and claims to not take itself too seriously like the OT, but 2k3 took itself too seriously to pull it off IMO. Nick so far has balanced the idea ok, what with the Kraang having had the opportunity to learn English and Newtraliser having such a device as suggested above.

If a show takes itself seriously, then the audience should be able to take it seriously too.

[BubblyShell22]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Can you f***in' imagine what "Japanese" Shredder would have sounded like in a 1980s cartoon? Come ON, guy!.

"Aaahhhhhh, soooo... Missa Klang, dishonorable Tuh-tuls have spoired our prans again! We have vewy wittul powuh reft fo ta Technodlome! HAI!"

Yeah, f*ck that no thanks. I mean I'D love it but like not one person shares my sense of humor.

Leo, you totally win this one again! I agree that if they were to do this whole Japanese thing, they would totally have made him sound like that. And I would have thought it was hilarious just like you, Leo. But for what it's worth, James Avery did a fine job as have all of the others who have voiced Shredder in the cartoons.

[Xav]

Originally Posted by DarkLightDragon

My guess for that would've been probably for the sake of consistency, but yeah, even if they're both technically "Shredder" they're still two different people and giving Demon Shredder a different voice would've been the most subtle approach to that. With Cyber Shredder, it makes sense he'd sound like Ch'rell, but for the original Shredder? Nah, man, you don't need to have Scottie Ray play him to let the audience know he's a new Shredder the Turtles have to face, as good as he was in the role prior.

Well he was trying to impersonate the Demon Shredder, so it makes sense he would try to copy his voice. Now how did he know what he sounded like at all is another story.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by jenna

There's a difference between taking things too seriously and being treated like an idiot. I mean, come on, it's mutant turtles doing martial arts - it can't be taken too seriously, but some incarnations do a good job of making the concept feel credible.

It's like the subject of this thread. None of the cartoon Sakis had authentic Japanese accents, despite the character explicitly being Japanese, but the voice talents have all done a great job of making the character feel credible - Japanese accent or no.

But a device that translates alien language into English...? How very convenient. Especially when the Earthlings are visiting other dimensions / planets / whatevers - the entire place uses a device to change their language so as to accommodate their unusual visitors???? Zero credibility there, just a whole lot of arrogance on the part of the English-speaking inhabitants of Earth.

That argument isn't valid for aliens since they're not real. We know damn well that, if there are aliens, they don't speak English or any other Earth language. Seriously, what would be the point in wasting time finding a method for aliens to understand English? Or an episode involving aliens where no one understands each other? Don't give me that "English speakers arrogance" mumbo jumbo, since in Japanese shows, aliens speak Japanese too. And I'm sure the same happens in cartoons in every language out there.

[Leo656]

The reason all aliens speak perfect "English", is that it's NOT "English", it's called "Galactic Basic". Or did you all f*cking forget? NERDS!

[jenna]

Originally Posted by Prowler

That argument isn't valid for aliens since they're not real. We know damn well that, if there are aliens, they don't speak English or any other Earth language. Seriously, what would be the point in wasting time finding a method for aliens to understand English? Or an episode involving aliens where no one understands each other? Don't give me that "English speakers arrogance" mumbo jumbo, since in Japanese shows, aliens speak Japanese too. And I'm sure the same happens in cartoons in every language out there.

Oh dear. Clearly I took what was initially a joke too far.

Note to self: use emoticons.

[ssjup81]

Originally Posted by jenna

I see your point, but it's never bothered me.

Of bigger concern to me is how characters from other dimensions / universes / planets all speak flawless English.

Yeah this has always bugged me, but like the fact that even the OT pointed out the ridiculousness of it. "We can't afford subtitles."

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Originally Posted by Prowler

That argument isn't valid for aliens since they're not real. We know damn well that, if there are aliens, they don't speak English or any other Earth language. Seriously, what would be the point in wasting time finding a method for aliens to understand English? Or an episode involving aliens where no one understands each other? Don't give me that "English speakers arrogance" mumbo jumbo, since in Japanese shows, aliens speak Japanese too. And I'm sure the same happens in cartoons in every language out there.

That's because alien translator devices work no matter WHAT language you're using. It could be English, German, Japanese, or heck, even Klingon. Hasn't Star Trek taught us ANYTHING??!! Universal translators are just that- UNIVERSAL!!

Originally Posted by Leo656

The reason all aliens speak perfect "English", is that it's NOT "English", it's called "Galactic Basic". Or did you all f*cking forget? NERDS!

I know, right?

[oceanfr]

Doesn't bother me, but I guess either way is fine.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by jenna

Oh dear. Clearly I took what was initially a joke too far.

Note to self: use emoticons.

Didn't really seem like you were joking, though.

But hey, we all have used the "I was joking/trolling" cop out on the internet at least once in our lives.

[Drose18]

My thoughts are scottie ray had a badass voice. And I think OT started this trend making it more important to make shredder's voice intimidating rather than what it actually should be.

[jenna]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Didn't really seem like you were joking, though.

But hey, we all have used the "I was joking/trolling" cop out on the internet at least once in our lives.

Clearly I've offended you and for that I am genuinely sorry.

My first comment bringing up the subject of other lifeforms speaking English was a joke.

The second comment was not a joke. I was just expressing my frustration that too many shows/films/books these days rely on lazy, convenient plot devices to justify poor writing. It was not aimed at you, but to "the room", prompted by your comment.

I will be more careful in the future.

Anyway. I hope that clears things up and that you can accept my apology. But either way, this is not what this thread is about so perhaps we should move on.

Originally Posted by Joshdonnie

My thoughts are scottie ray had a badass voice. And I think OT started this trend making it more important to make shredder's voice intimidating rather than what it actually should be.

Absolutely. Each actor has made the character credible, so their accent doesn't feel important.

[Yabuturtle]

I don't know if it's just me but it almost sounded like James Avery was sort of going for a japanese accent especially in the 1st season, which the way he forms his sentences, words, grunts, yells, ect. I actually thought the voice actor was asian. I mean I know he didn't have a thick Jaanese accent, but it surprised me to find out the voice actor wasn't asian.