They've also put up clips on their YouTube account, posted the first 4 episodes on their site, and even showed the first 10 episodes at Otakon. And from what I've seen on the net, there are some that like it, and a good majority that hate it (seriously, it's amazing how many people are pissed off because England's name is changed to Britain. I mean, I prefer the name England over Britain, but I'm not complaining).
I'm one of those who like...no, LOVE it.
Sadly, I couldn't make it to Otakon this year to see the first 10 episodes, but that didn't stop me from seeing the clips and the first 4 episodes.
Here are my thoughts:
The Voices: FUNimation has done a good job picking out the cast for the show (especially Germany's & England's voices). Granted, some of them will need getting used to (like China's & Austria's), but they're not like "OMG MAI EARZEZ DEY R BLEEEEEDINGGGG!!!!!11!" bad. And I think adding accents to the voices was a good idea; it really makes the characters seem...believable. For example: let's say Russia didn't have the accent. Would he still be the country Russia, or would he just be a person named Russia?
The Music: Like in many of FUNimation's anime series, they have kept the original Japanese music in tact. This, of course, includes Hetalia's ever-so-popular ending theme "Marukaite Chikyuu."
The Script: This is probably why almost everyone on the net hates the dub. Some of the lines have either changed or been omitted entirely (like the "I have family in Berlin" line in episode 2 or the reference to Der Kongreß tanzt in episode 1). Now, read the first part of that last sentence; that's right, I said SOME. For example, the famous "England, you're my backup, France, you're my backup, and Russia, you have the most important job of all: being my backup" line was replaced with "Britain goes in suicidal; It's your 'Charge of the Light Brigade' routine. France gives up without a struggle, and for Russia, just keep sending us your cannon fodder. You'll draw the guns away...from me!" True, it's not exactly the same as the original, but you'd have to take into account that "You're my backup, you're my backup, etc." doesn't really match the lip-flap in the scene, while the other line does.
As for Germany's "Another Jew?" line, I'm not that offended. It's not like he's saying he's gonna kill the Jewish person or bring it to his boss if Romano did bring one with him.
And Italy's line about Germany being "whiter than anybody," I figure he meant "whiter" in a "White and Nerdy" or a "non-gangsta" kind of way. (*imagines Germany trying to be hip* XD ) It's not like Italy's being racist, for goodness sake!
Anyway, I'm pleased with the script.
Aside from some line changes, FUNimation has stayed true to the original, hilarious script.
It's not like they totally changed the script like they did for Crayon Shin Chan or SGT. Frog.
Overall: Haters are gonna hate.
But I'm buying both season sets when they come out.
To quote Italy: "Hasta la Pasta!"











