I'm all for dubbing if it's done right. And theres alot of things in the american releases that aren't in the originals, like better audio, video, and digital quality and clarity. We often make the sound effects themselves better and we don't get credit for it because alot of folks don't read the american credits like sound editor, director, etc.
I remember with Evangelion in one of the later episodes the shots from the gun that were hitting the surface of the enemy (and this is in the original japanese track) made a "boingy sound", something totally screwy and innapropriate for the action that was taking place. The sound, in other words, didn't make the natural sounds it should have, but we added them in and did all sorts of things to make the series visually and audibly better even if the majority may not have noticed or just assumed it was already like hat. Our actors are better also, usually able to capture a character's essence in a way the japanese people simply cannot verbally because of their personal vocal limits. They are obviously used to it but we are not necessarily, which legitimizes a translation and adaptation. That itself is a cultural toss-up however. Purists are just as focused in what they want also.
While this in itself is nitpicking, my point is that you give and take with situations like this. If theres ever a real problem with any series its the translations. And thats not necessarily our fault, because the japanese language, literally interpreted, word for word, doesn't often make sense and even basic sentences can be problematic to forumulate and be as close as they can to whats being attempted. And this can sometimes happens even with the best of translators and editors, even if they themselves are japanese and not japanese american and should know, professionally speaking, how to translate one language to another efficiently.
Theres plenty of good american releases and licenced products/anime and its getting better because our relationship with Japan, even as a culture is better than it ever was, and we've really learned alot of their intentions with anime and we understand where they are coming from and what they want to achieve, especially from a director's point of view, which is arguably the most important role of all. This goes double for making sure a series is as accurate and faithful to the original release as possible.
From what I understand Naruto is not one of them, that is, one of those series that has no problems or ones that are very apparent and are kill joys for the audiance, primarily the fanbase itself. I have not seen the series, so I can't register much of a personal opinion. All I can say is it seems alot of people are disappointed with the direction the series is taking, and its very understandable. I honestly think only real otakus are going to care enough for the process and the minute details of such a thing. Anyone else could care less or think we're over reacting.
If the wheels have not yet been set into motion, then perhaps this petition will do some good and won't just delay things. I hope for your sake it goes over well.
🙂
EDIT: Upon reading additional related information (excluding what the petition presents), its clear to me that this show has been bastardized and raped of it's authenticity, and thats just not right. It seems more a matter of where the show goes so its not editted heavily than it is about the show itself, even the domestic release.
