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]

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/