Brief Summary
The Dub Talk podcast reviews "The Dragon Dentist," a 90-minute OVA about death, Purgatory, and the unlikely profession of cleaning a dragon's teeth. The hosts discuss the dub's direction, the voice acting performances, and the story's themes. They praise the grounded feel of the dub despite its fantastical elements, highlight the strong performances of the lead actors, and explore the philosophical questions raised by the narrative.
- The dub is praised for its grounded feel and strong performances.
- The hosts explore the philosophical themes of death, fate, and acceptance.
- The characters, particularly the leads, are analyzed for their motivations and development.
Intro
The podcast episode begins with a humorous disclaimer, warning listeners about strong language and potential spoilers for "The Dragon Dentist." The hosts then introduce themselves and set the stage for their discussion of the OVA.
Background and Production
The hosts explain how the episode came about due to a need for content. They provide background on the Japan Animator Expo, which produced the "me me me" music video and the "Dragon Dentist" short. The dub was commissioned by NHK World for global broadcast and was produced by Salami Studios, known for "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners." The dub was directed by Renee Veiler and Nico Gulo, with script adaptation by Donald Roman Lopez and Julianne Taylor.
Directing and Overall Impressions
The hosts praise the dub's direction for its grounded feel, avoiding over-the-top anime tropes. The writing is highlighted as strong, and the lead actors are commended for their performances. One minor complaint is the use of inconsistent Irish accents for some of the military characters. Despite this, the dub is considered enjoyable, with the main characters' performances standing out.
Character Analysis: Minor Dentists and Dragon Lore
The hosts discuss the supporting characters, including the peanut gallery of dragon dentists. They explain the lore behind the dragon dentists, who are chosen after facing their own death in the Dragon's Teeth. The Dragon's Teeth serve as a purgatory, and becoming a dentist requires accepting one's fate. The dragon has a contract with humans, and the dentists maintain this contract by caring for the dragon, whose weakness is the accumulation of human emotion.
Character Analysis: Bronco and Master Godo
The hosts analyze Bronco, the unkillable antagonist who seeks to destroy the dragon. Kirk Thornton's performance is praised for its dry, matter-of-fact portrayal of malice. They also discuss Master Godo, voiced by Taylor Henry, who is portrayed as a laid-back, cosmic hippie figure who accepts fate.
Character Analysis: Shiana
The hosts discuss Laura Post's character, Shiana, who contrasts with Godo in her anger and desire to bring someone back to life. Her backstory involves a tragedy 12 years prior, leading her to a different conclusion about fate. The hosts discuss her motivations and her transformation into a half-bug monster.
Character Analysis: Bell and Nonoko
The hosts praise the performances of Xander Mobus as Bell and Zany Win as Nonoko, considering them the best in the movie. They discuss Nonoko's simple motivation of wanting to eat good food and her non-judgmental view of conflict. Bell's emotional journey and acceptance of fate are also highlighted.
Bell's Monologue and Final Thoughts
The hosts focus on Xander Mobus's dying speech, describing it as a thing of beauty. They interpret the symbolism of the horse in Bell's near-death experience and discuss whether Bell was reborn to save Nonoko. The episode concludes with final thoughts, noting the OVA's exploration of deep questions and its overall recommendation, if viewers can find a copy.
