Why change the opening sequences?

Post by **Rekka Alexiel** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:31 pm

This was just a thought that crossed my mind today while coming across a taping of the dubbed version of Konjiki no Gash Bell! from CN (the Folgore episode! Yay!) and it hit me. Why do so many dubbed anime titles completely change the opening sequences when the original is so good? Does it have something to do with copyrighted songs that are used in the original...? You'd think that if that's the case, they'd still use the animation and simply use a different song or something.... Any ideas?

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:36 pm

I've noticed that too. I always guessed they just wanted to change things up. Maybe they thought the change was for the better?

EDIT: On seccnd thought the Patlabor series seccond opening was better than the first.

In_Gabriel_We_Trust · Post by **In_Gabriel_We_Trust** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:46 pm

I think it has probably to do with censorship.

Wendy · Post by **Wendy** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:46 pm

Censorship?

Wendy · Post by **Wendy** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:47 pm

^ lol ....posted at the same time

In_Gabriel_We_Trust · Post by **In_Gabriel_We_Trust** » Tue May 31, 2005 1:47 pm

Yes thank you Cloud, censorship.

Ashura · Post by **Ashura** » Tue May 31, 2005 2:06 pm

Well, from what I have learned from some instances, when they change the original japanese one to an USA op song, it is due to merchandising. Should an anime get popular enough, the USA song version can be made into a cd and sold. Meaning more money for the USA company that licensed the anime in the states. (remember, the USA companies don't make anything if we buy the japanese cds, only the USA cd versions)

CLAMP is a very strict company that hates anything of theirs being changed, but have given leniency to MKR ( I thought they did a great job on the USA song version sounding like the japanese version).

Other times, specially in the beginning, the USA companies were afraid that people in the States wouldn't accept the songs in Japanese...that's why they opted to make a English OP songs.

Ashura

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:06 pm

Oh, I got the question all wrong. I thought it was geared twards when the opening sequence is changed like usually half way through the series.

DOIURRRRRRRR

Post by **Rekka Alexiel** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:38 pm

In_Gabriel_We_Trust wrote:I think it has probably to do with censorship.

Cannot like censorship.

Ashura wrote:Well, from what I have learned from some instances, when they change the original japanese one to an USA op song, it is due to merchandising.

Ahhh, I never thought of that, but it totally makes sense. It's a shame how corny some of the new American songs are, though. heh You'd think they could do better.

I'm a freak for original everything, so whenever something's changed, even the slightest bit, it usually bothers me. lol I won't say that's one of my motives to learn Japanese... heehee

Not Sir Phobos wrote:Oh, I got the question all wrong. I thought it was geared twards when the opening sequence is changed like usually half way through the series.

DOIURRRRRRRR

heehee No problem, hun!! *pat*pat*

jcaliff · Post by **jcaliff** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:54 pm

I think it's also because they often need to shorten or eliminate the credits sequence. US version on tv has more commercials than in Japan, so they have to choose what to cut for time. Credits are the easiest to cut since they don't affect the story at all.

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:43 pm

Interesting.... I always guessed (plain and simple guess based on absolutely nothing) that maybe it also had to do with merchandising in Japan.

Think about it... New opening, new theme song (to sell CDs with), perhaps new teasers with which to regenerate interest in the show and maybe figures/plushies/what have you of new characters...

As an aside... I really wish the US networks wouldn't change songs just because they're in Japanese. Groove Master Rave was a great example. Awesome, catchy theme song that probably would have worked just as well in English, and they replaced it with something that made me vow never to watch another dubbed episode... Too sad!

vapalla · Post by **vapalla** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:54 pm

I have also heard that sometimes the reason is the song rights do not necessarilly come with the anime and they might cost too much or the song is not available. Some companies just think to make an anime acceptable to kids (and "Zatch" Bell is on Toonami, not Adult Swim) they have to Americanize it. ( One Piece, Tokyo Mew Mew, Rave Master).

duotrouble · Post by **duotrouble** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:06 pm

And don't forget that by shortening the OPs and EDs they can sell more advertising time.

Zag · Post by **Zag** » Tue May 31, 2005 11:28 pm

And here I thought it was just because the companies thought Americans were stupid, and needed the songs re-done in English because .. "Duhh.. I can't understand what them little critters is sayin' "

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:16 am

Zag wrote:And here I thought it was just because the companies thought Americans were stupid, and needed the songs re-done in English because .. "Duhh.. I can't understand what them little critters is sayin' "

Probly that too!!