You’re Under Arrest! File 1 & 13: “And So They Met” & “Big Trouble at the Little Onsen” (1995 & 2002, Coastal Studios)
You know you must be doing something right when your English dub is considered by many (Including the Japanese director of the TV series) to be even better than the original Japanese dialogue as was the case for the original You’re Under Arrest! OVA series.
“And So They Met”
With a wonderful cast that includes Tamara Burnham Mercer (Natsumi), Jo Ann Lozzato (Miyuki), Dave Underwood (The Chief), Mark Matney (Ken), Pamela Weidner (Yoriko) & Michael Way (Oshou), IMO this was one of the better efforts by Coastal & a nice lead-in for their later work on the TV series. The VAs all had input in the writing of the scripts…and it shows in their performances.
One thing that I’d like to highlight in this dub is Jo Ann Lozzato’s portrayal of Miyuki-She was unable to continue the role [for] the TV series & IIRC she suggested Juliet Cesario…since their voices were so similar. I found Jo Ann’s portrayal of Miyuki to be nicely done (“If they run, I chase ’em-It’s my job & I’m VERY good at it!”) but I must admit a slight preference to Juliet Cesario’s work. Tamara Mercer also nails her role as Natsumi, especially when she’s giving the Chief the first of many excuses for being late.
[bctaris, in response: Lozzato certainly had her finger right on Miyuki’s personality. Especially, again, when Miyuki is revved up and yelling. Her high volume description to Natsumi of her car’s engine modifications (with a very loud close up of said engine) during the chase is just the example of “action dubbing” I was looking for. It’s at such a volume and pitch that it’s hard to convey emotion or exhibit control over the line read, but she sells it so well because she’s so sold on Miyuki–and Miyuki’s love of her car.]
shsway, in response: What else? I’m greatly amused whenever Natsumi calls Miyuki “Speed Racer” or tosses random Spanish words into the conversation, with oddly Californian pronunciations. In most other dubs, stuff like this just wouldn’t cut, but it works to great effect here.
“Big Trouble at the Little Onsen”
The TV series is now in full swing with this episode that has the Bokuto traffic cops on a New Year’s trip to a “rustic” hot springs resort in the mountains (again, don’t let Nakajima pick the resort). The trip nearly becomes a complete disaster though when their trip money is stolen from their room safe so it’s up to Miyuki & Natsumi (with help from a couple of local guys that tried to make time with the girls & Aoi earlier) to catch the thief & recover the money before the Chief discovers what happened.
A few highlights:
Pamela Weidner as Yoriko: Her voice has gained some edge since the OVA series & it really shows up when she lets Nakajima have it over his picking this “rustic” resort (“I’m gonna get you, Nakajima!”). … Tamara Mercer (Natsumi) & Dave Underwood’s (The Chief) karaoke duet while some of the other cops have fun with Nakajima (Marc Matney). … Chasing the perp: Like with the chase in “And So They Met”, Tamara, Juliet, Bryan & Ed all keep up good energy here, first with talking over the snow tractor’s engine & then with the Motocompo & the snowboards after the perp on the snowmobile.
– Jimmie M
Chris Beveridge
Chris has been writing about anime, manga, movies and comics for well on twenty years now. He began AnimeOnDVD.com back in 1998 and has covered nearly every anime release that’s come out in the US ever since.
He likes to write a lot, as you can see.