Netflix Genesis Evangelion

Netflix has been on a hot streak lately. Whether it’s their library getting better, or their decision to break into ambitious, original content, the streaming service has increasingly been one to compete with TV and the theatre-going experience. And now they’re trying to tap into the anime market, with their Netflix-originals and rescuing of classics like Cowboy Bebop and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Before I delve further, two disclaimers: first and foremost, I don’t mean any of this as a direct attack on the aforementioned people. I don’t know Spike Spencer, Allison Keith, Amanda Winn Lee and the likes, but I’m sure they’re chill individuals and fun to be around. I’ve heard many of their voices in other anime, and I can say for certain that they’re incredibly talented. They also seem to have put hours of work into dubbing shows in the 90’s/early-2000’s, hours they’re never getting back. So if I come across as a little harsh, know that it’s nothing personal.

And secondly, I know nothing about the new dub. I don’t know who’s directing it, or when it’s coming out officially. I don’t even know who’ll be in it. It could end up being amazing, and it could end up being awful. We won’t end up knowing until its release. So please don’t take what I’m about to say as objective truth, as my thoughts could change in a year’s time.

Now then, time to address the elephant in the room:

So Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting re-dubbed for Netflix’s re-release. On one hand, this makes perfect sense: the original dub is pretty old, hailing from pre-Cowboy Bebop days. As such, it feels, especially in early episodes, crusty and hammy, as if the VAs and ADR director weren’t sure how the characters were supposed to sound. Considering it’s now 2018, and dubbing knowledge is more refined, it makes sense to try again. Especially when a fresher dub would help to reach Netflix’s targeted audience.

Unfortunately, not everyone feels this way. Many of the original dub’s VAs, particularly Spike Spencer, have petitioned to be recast for the new dub, even venting on Twitter about it. And many long-time fans have rallied to their cause, stating that “the show wouldn’t be the same without them”. I’m not one to call these fans out in their entirety, since I have my own dub biases too, but I do feel like the backlash is unfounded and unfair.

Let me explain.

Anime, like any collaborative medium, isn’t the voice of a singular individual, but a collective. You have writers, storyboard artists, animators, directors, head directors, voice talents and composers, to name a few. This isn’t counting translating duties overseas, in which you have to localize the original script while translating it, send it to an ADR director and find a new pool of actors, sound mixers and script doctors to make sure flexibility is present while still maintaining intent. This doesn’t account for on-the-spot ad-libbing and script changes, none of which are planned. At the end of the day, a finished anime has gone through hundreds of eyes.

I say this because it’s important to understand that Neon Genesis Evangelion, while culturally-significant, isn’t the property of one person. Even ignoring the aforementioned, the show means something different to each and every fan: for some people, it might’ve helped them cope during a rough spot in their lives, while others like the way that it’s written. That one show can mean so much to so many on different levels speaks volumes about its impact, reemphasizing that it’s not about one particular group of people at one particular point in time. Neon Genesis Evangelion’s success might’ve been helped by its English dub, but it’s not solely because of it.

And this is where I think the original cast got it wrong: yes, Spike Spencer might’ve been a good Shinji Ikari. He might’ve, as evidenced by the Rebuild movies, been a great Shinji Ikari. But he isn’t the only Shinji Ikari, as that’d directly insult Megumi Ogata, the dozens of VAs who took on the role in other languages, and the future VA who’ll do his voice in the Netflix rescue. Besides, Shinji’s a fictional character, he doesn’t belong to one person. Assuming so is a form of gatekeeping.

We don’t need that right now. Anime’s a growing and evolving market, and markets adapt all the time. It’s why capitalism has existed for so long, flaws and all, and why it’ll continue to exist for a while longer. That Neon Genesis Evangelion’s being rescued and revisited for a newer audience is smart, no doubt, but with that comes the need to adapt. And if that means re-dubbing it for a newer, younger audience, then is that so bad?

It’s not like dubs don’t get recommissioned all the time anyway. When Disney had the Studio Ghibli license in North America, they routinely re-dubbed the movies’ older dubs, even the ones that were “decent”. The Dragon Ball franchise has had plenty of re-dubs over the years, including a more-recent remastering by FUNimation to match the show’s repackaging in Japan. Sailor Moon has also been undergoing an extensive re-dub from VIZ Media, this time uncensored and uncut. If those re-dubs can be praised, then why can’t Neon Genesis Evangelion be the same?

I wouldn’t even be surprised if Cowboy Bebop received a re-dub. Would it be heresy? Possibly, since that’s largely considered one of the best dubs ever recorded. But would it be unfathomable? No. The dub’s not exactly flawless, it even has a single bad performance in “Boogie Woogie Feng Shui”, so it’s not like re-dubbing it would be out of the question.

Additionally, the original dub cast needs to realize they don’t own the show. They might’ve cared and improved over time, but they’re not exclusively Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley, Misato Katsuragi and the likes. They’ve had varied careers over the years, and they need to understand/appreciate that their takes on these beloved characters are exactly that: takes. If someone else wants to step up to bat and try their hand, assuming they do care, they should be allowed. It might suck that the original cast will fade into the annals of history, but that’s what archives are for.

So yeah, Spike Spencer and co. need to let go of Neon Genesis Evangelion, as do their fans. They’ve had a good run, it’s time to give someone else a chance in the spotlight.