Okay, real talk. We need to discuss something important. Something that's been weighing on my soul. It's about Evangelion 1.0, specifically, the English dub.
I know, I know. Dubs vs. subs, the age-old anime battle. But hear me out!
The OG vs. The Reboot
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a masterpiece. A confusing, existential, robot-fighting masterpiece. We all agree, right?
Then along comes Rebuild of Evangelion. Shiny new animation! Slightly different plot! And... a new dub cast.
Look, I love the original actors. Spike Spencer as Shinji? Iconic! Tiffany Grant as Asuka? Perfection!
But...And This Is Where It Gets Spicy
The Rebuild dub isn't bad. Not even close. But it just... feels different.
Maybe it's nostalgia goggles clouding my judgement. Maybe I'm just resistant to change. But something about the original voices feels more…right.
Think about it: Spike Spencer’s Shinji sounded genuinely awkward. Endearingly so. Like a real, troubled teenager.
The new Shinji...he's fine. But he sounds a bit too... confident? Is that the word?
And Asuka! Tiffany Grant nailed the arrogant, yet vulnerable Tsundere. Her delivery was just *chef's kiss*.
The new Asuka is good, don't get me wrong. But that sharp, biting edge feels slightly softened. Maybe that's because Asuka herself is a bit different in the Rebuild movies.
Unpopular Opinion Incoming
Okay, here it is. Brace yourselves.
I think the original dub of Neon Genesis Evangelion aged like fine wine. The Rebuild dub is… a perfectly acceptable Chardonnay.
Don't @ me! It's just my opinion! And I'm sticking to it!
Maybe it's because I watched the original first. Maybe it's because those voices are ingrained in my brain. But the original dub just hits different.
A Plea For Understanding
I'm not saying the new dub is terrible. It's professional, well-acted, and fits the animation.
But I'm just saying...the original had something special. A certain magic. An indescribable je ne sais quoi.
It's like comparing your favorite pizza place from childhood to a fancy new restaurant. The new place might have better ingredients, but the old place has memories.
So, the next time you're watching Evangelion 1.0 You Are Not Alone, give the original dub a listen. Just for fun. Maybe you'll see what I mean. Or maybe you'll think I'm crazy. Either way, let's agree to disagree… respectfully.
Ultimately, Evangelion is amazing regardless of the voices. It's a story that sticks with you. That makes you think. That makes you question the meaning of existence (and whether giant robots are cool, obviously they are).
And that, my friends, is something we can all agree on.
