FFXIII:Lighning english voice sucks.

[Words Of Wisdom]

Squilliam said:

Words Of Wisdom said:
Japanophiles irrationally hate English voice actors no matter how amazing or talented they are.

Oddly enough, many Japanophiles couldn't tell the difference between a good Japanese VA and a bad one if their lives depended on it.

I think all they care about is that the voices sound cool.

Btw, what does the difference sound like? Can you speak Japanese?

Well I'll give you an example.  Anime is easier so I'll go with that.  Someone growing up in Okinawa is going to sound different from someone growing up in Hokkaido from someone growing up in Tokyo (Kanto).  I don't remember what show I was watching but the Japanese VA spoke with an accent as someone from Okinawa would speak and someone I was watching it with criticized it for sounding odd and different.  It's like going from Wisconsin to Mississippi and expecting the people to speak exactly the same.  The hiring staff actually took the time to get someone with a proper accent and you're criticizing it?  That kind of thing frustrates me.

To your second question, I'm far from fluent but I know enough to get by on a field-trip to Japan and longer if I would be forced to.  Though I would rather not have to stay in Japan for anything longer than a field-trip or mini-vacation.