England's Voice Actor and 2 Seconds of America

[americanheroal.livejournal.com]

So Scott Freeman landed the role of Arthur Kirkland. This is Scott's first major roll and has been working as a background voice actor for a while with Funimation.

Youtube and FB is buzzing with comments and opinions and so it's our turn. What do you think of the English voice for England? (Or "Bri'en" as America seems to call him)

By the way, if you enjoy watching Hetalia online then I suggest you get the DVDs. It chalk full of extras including interviews with the Japanese voice actors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR6gyYMUESE

Comments

[kuromitsu.livejournal.com]

I also do not like the 'Britain' thing. Sure, I know that what's written in the Japanese manga but strips very clearly suggest that it's about England. I mean - it was England who defeated the Armada, got conquered by the Normans and such.

But it wasn't only England who participated in the world wars, the Austrian War of Succession, or even the American Revolution... I think Himaruya just called him "Igirisu" back in the times when he was only England or Great Britain for simplicity's sake. Himaruya himself confirmed in one of the now-deleted blog entries that he's Britain except when he's dealing with his siblings - then he's England. It's just fandom that started to call him England, and it became so widespread that people react badly to the change.

[helisse.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm very well aware of that. I guess it kind of is like with their parliament - the one in London is representative for the whole country but Wales,Scotland and Northern Iraleand have their own local ones. But still, Britain is not the best term - it refers to the island, not the country (which is UK).
I know that I'm being picky about it, but one of the biggest arguments against Hetalia is that it oversimplifies history and is full of inaccuraces. So I'd prefer that such little tidbits should actually be correct.

Plus, as I said, I'm trying to side with Welsh and Scottish people here.

[kuromitsu.livejournal.com]

The island is Great Britain. Britain is a term that's synonymous with "UK" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/b). And it's not particularly rare or anything, I hear it used all the time in the British media that I watch for work.

And I don't know, I'm neither Welsh nor Scottish (not even English :D), and I can understand if they don't feel represented by the character, but personally, if I was Welsh or Scottish I think I would be more offended by implying that only England and English people participated in wars/etc. that my own countrymen also took part in. I understand that this is a tricky issue, and I really don't envy the translator, but I think that following the original was overall the best decision.

[smart-chan.livejournal.com]

I must say I agree with helisse.
It's not because I think that Scotland, Norther Ireland and Wales didn't have their input in the war or anything but, for instance, how do you justify the fact he has brothers whom he fought with...? That's ridiculous.

Also... I'm torn about whether or not I like his voice but he sure as hell sounds... gay. Is it really just the fact that people believe we sound gay or what? And while I think that a regional accent would be cool (like some people here said) I think that the queen's english was the best choice but really...this didn't sound real enough if you ask me.

Alriight well, rant over. Still,I don't think I'll be watching the american dub of hetalia. It would amke me go mental every time I hear 'Britain!' >.<

[ekazoo.livejournal.com]

... I just got the image of Arthur having a major split personality problem O__O;; Haha, yeah you're right he can't be the anthropomorphism of the UK for this reason.

Yes, it's because people think we sound gay! The whole "I'm not gay, I'm just British!" thing? Oh yes. Personally, I think that England is gay in canon, so I was over the moon when they made him sound like that XD

I'll be watching, but yeah the Britain thing will annoy me a lot. He'll always be England to me ;-;

[smart-chan.livejournal.com]

Yeaah that's why I said I'm not sure because.... England /is/ gay xD and I totally think England is gay in canon (why ON EARTH would I be here otherwise? xDDD)

Oh well, I also can't wait to hear him in a more serious/sinister situation xDD

/cross out/ hetalia does serious? /crossed out/