The Energon Pub

[El Duque]

The cast of voice actors for the upcoming Japanese version Transformers Prime (Super Robot Life Forms Transformers Prime) has been revealed as well as the opening and ending themes. Transformers Prime (Super Robot Life Forms Transformers Prime) debuts in Japan on April 7th. See the voice talent below:

• Optimus Prime - Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Megatron - Keiji Fujiwara
• Rachet - Tatsuo Tobita
• Bulkhead - Takashi Nagasako
• Arcee - Shizuka Itou
• Starscream - Satoshi Tsuruoka
• Cliffjumper - Noriaki Sugiyama
• Jack Darby - Jun Fukuyama
• Raf Esquivel - Motoko Kumai
• Miko Nakadai- Nozomi Furuki
• William Fowler - Kenji Nomura
• June Darby - Hitomi Nabatame

• Opening Theme - "Feeling" by BigBang
• Ending Theme - "I Believe in All" by Clutcho

Source: http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/TF-prime/index.html

[BeastProwl]

Well, the themes themselves aren't on youtube from what I can tell

[cannonfodder4000]

Wait, no Tessho Genda? I guess it's cool that Tekkaman Blade's doing Optimus, but why not?
I do like that they picked the original Ganondorf VA to do Bulkhead though, he's basically guaranteed to not be as wimpy sounding as he was in Animated.

[Sabrblade]

Optimus Prime - Toshiyuki Morikawa: Beast Wars Metals Jaguar (Ravage)

Megatron - Keiji Fujiwara: Beast Wars Dinobot, Micron Densetsu Devastor (Armada Scavenger), Animated Grimlock

Ratchet - Tatsuo Tobita: No TF roles

Bulkhead - Takashi Nagasako: Isaac Sumdac, Animated Snarl, Animated Brawn

Arcee - Shizuka Itō: No TF roles

Starscream - Satoshi Tsuruoka: Beast Wars Neo Strada

Cliffjumper - Noriaki Sugiyama: No TF roles

Jack Darby - Jun Fukuyama: No TF roles

Raf Esquivel - Motoko Kumai: No TF roles

Miko Nakadai- Nozomi Furuki: No TF roles

William Fowler - Kenji Nomura: No TF roles

June Darby - Hitomi Nabatame: No TF roles


So, we got some who have experience with the Transformers, and some who have been part of mostly non-TF anime.

But, yeah, it's too bad there's no Tesshō Genda for Optimus (they even got him for Omega Supreme and G1 Convoy in the Japanese dub of Animated. Yes, that's right, G1 Convoy/Optimus Prime made an appearance in the Japanese dub of Animated ).

Or even Seizō Katō for Megatron. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he isn't really doing much voice work these days, right?

[cannonfodder4000]

Or even Seizō Katō for Megatron. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he isn't really doing much voice work these days, right?

Yeah he hasn't done much as of late, certainly not as much as he used to do, weirdly enough his only time "reprising" the Megatron role was when he did Mesutron from that awesome Panty and Stocking parody.

On the subject of Tessho Genda though, he did voice Primus in Super Link and Galaxy Force, so if Primus ever shows up in Prime Genda might be a likely candidate to voice him.

[Sabrblade]

On the subject of Tessho Genda though, he did voice Primus in Super Link and Galaxy Force, so if Primus ever shows up in Prime Genda might be a likely candidate to voice him.

I sure hope so! The fact that he voiced Primus in both shows make me want him to be the official and definitive Japanese voice of Primus in all his animated appearances.

[TulioDude]

Does anybody if they voiced any other famous roles?

But, yeah, it's too bad there's no Tesshō Genda for Optimus (they even got him for Omega Supreme and G1 Convoy in the Japanese dub of Animated. Yes, that's right, G1 Convoy/Optimus Prime made an appearance in the Japanese dub of Animated ).

Or even Seizō Katō for Megatron. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he isn't really doing much voice work these days, right?

Pics or didnt happen

[Sabrblade]

Does anybody if they voiced any other famous roles?

But, yeah, it's too bad there's no Tesshō Genda for Optimus (they even got him for Omega Supreme and G1 Convoy in the Japanese dub of Animated. Yes, that's right, G1 Convoy/Optimus Prime made an appearance in the Japanese dub of Animated ).

Or even Seizō Katō for Megatron. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he isn't really doing much voice work these days, right?

Pics or didnt happen

Audio only. His was a voiceover appearance at the beginning of the Japanese dub of "TransWarped, Part 1" in which he had a brief conversation with Animated Optimus Prime.

Though, I can't locate the exact video, but I did find one close to it. It's a preview for the episode I'm referring to, with Tesshō Genda and Hiroki Takahashi as G1 and Animated Optimus Prime, respectively, promoting the episode together.

The deeper voice with the red text is G1 Optimus Prime, and the younger voice with the blue text is Animated Optimus Prime.

http://nicoviewer.net/sm12221102

[Chaoslock]

???

[Sabrblade]

???

WHY?!!!! Why another rap theme song?!!!

It barely worked for Beast Wars (though, most would say that it *didn't* work at all), so why would they ever try it again with this?!!!

Transformers and rap do NOT mix! In ANY form.

[LadyBug]

Coming from an anime background, the opening and ending theme songs have been disappointing within the last several years. It sets the whole show up, yet why did they even have to change the opening song in the first place? I'm kind of excited for the voice cast list, so I may end up watching it in Japanese if I can find it when it comes out.

[Sabrblade]

Coming from an anime background, the opening and ending theme songs have been disappointing within the last several years. It sets the whole show up, yet why did they even have to change the opening song in the first place? I'm kind of excited for the voice cast list, so I may end up watching it in Japanese if I can find it when it comes out.

Both Animated and all three of the Micron Trilogy series had great Japanese openings and endings (though, some of the endings were just okay). This is the first lukewarm-sounding opening theme since Beast Wars Neo's "Love For Ever —Kimi wo Mamoru Tame ni—" (I'm not counting Beast Wars Returns's "Phat Planet" opening since it didn't change the song and so isn't a Japanese-original song).

[SlyTF1]

Why the hell can't Japan just keep the damn theme song for once? Why do they feel the need to change the theme song, every TF series. Why don't they just dub the freaking song in Japanese? It doesn't make sense!!! The TFP song doesn't even have words, it would have been much easier!!!

[Sabrblade]

Why the hell can't Japan just keep the damn theme song for once? Why do they feel the need to change the theme song, every TF series. Why don't they just dub the freaking song in Japanese? It doesn't make sense!!! The TFP song doesn't even have words, it would have been much easier!!!

Becuase 9 times out of 10 the Japanese theme songs are million times better than the English theme song (though, this looks to be one of those rare 1 out of 10 times that the song isn't better).

Face it, aside from the Beast Era theme songs and the Prime opening, the English Transformers theme songs are mere rehashes of the same darn song over and over and over and over and over again! We get it! They're "more than meets the eye", they're "robots in disguise", the "Autobots wage their battles to yadda yadda yadda"! We've heard it a million times and it's barely gotten any original changes made to it! There's a distinct lack of originality that just makes it all repetitive and restrained from innovation.

The Japanese themes, however, have never waned in their ability to get a firm grasp on diversity and uniqueness, being very original and creative each time. Some/most of which tend to hot-blooded, hardcore, rockin' good tunes just bursting at the seems with blood-pumping energy and excitement ready to explode into sheer awesomeness and catchiness!

Animated, Micron Densetsu, Beast Wars Metals, Car Robots, Galaxy Force, Beast Wars II, and even Super Link all had especially good theme songs that simply wipe the floor with their American counterpart songs. Why, the Japanese Animated theme song was even performed in a live symphony orchestra, and that's sure saying something!

[cannonfodder4000]

Why the hell can't Japan just keep the damn theme song for once?

If you're talking about the one we get, they never had that theme song.

Why, the Japanese Animated theme song was even performed in a live symphony orchestra, and that's sure saying something!

I must see this, show me the way!

[Sabrblade]

Why, the Japanese Animated theme song was even performed in a live symphony orchestra, and that's sure saying something!

I must see this, show me the way!

[El Duque]

Last week the voice actors and opening/closing themes for the Japanese version of Transformers Prime ("Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Prime") were revealed. Now we have sort audio clip of "Feeling" by BigBang, the song that will serve as the show's opening theme. Keep in mind this clip was not specifically released as a teaser for the show's theme, but it is the song they will using and this should give us a good idea of what it will sound like. Check it out in the YouTube clip embedded below.

[Fires_Of_Inferno]

Ew.

Never watch Japanese versions of shows or anime anyway I suppose. Though I'm guessing someone will like it.

[Mkall]

Meh.

Now Jam Project's Animated Intro - that was a theme song.

[mattwhite924]

That song doesn't really feel like Transformers to me. I think the US theme is kind of generic, but at least it fits in with the tone of the show.

Transformers Animated still has my favorite opening theme. I love how they modernized the G1 theme for it.

[Autobot032]

Is that...English I'm hearing??

[Mykltron]

That's so lame. Sounds more like the theme for a show aimed at very young girls. Or very young gays.

[Shadowstream]

Y'know, after Transformers EVO I knew there was absolutely no way they could live up to that for any TF series to follow... and now they're not even trying.

[guarayakha]

God I duckin' hate K-pop so much. How does that even fit in with what Transformers Prime is all about?

[KnightStrike]

Okay so TF Prime has a fantastic score with a film quality feel to it and the Japanese are using this?? Not knocking the song or group, but it just doesn't feel like it fits to me. I have now been reminded of why I gave up anime years ago and have no interest in most Japanese pop culture anymore, it has become far too goofy/weird/bubblegum pop for my taste. I just hope this thing never makes it way into the US release in any way shape or form.