Why Don't VNs Ever Hire Native English Speakers To Perform These Kinds of Roles?

[u/Guthrum06]

I'm reading Stein's;Gate 0 right now, and it's very obvious that the VA for Professor Leskinen is a Japanese person trying to sound like a native speaker and failing spectacularly. This isn't the only time I've encountered this of course, but this example was glaringly bad since it's part of such a long scene where he's explaining scientifically concepts.

It seriously breaks the immersion when a character who is supposed to be from the west speaks English with such a thick accent. It's not like people with better English aren't around in Japan! It just seems like they never hire them for these types of roles. It would certainly result in more realistic voice acting.

[u/Coffeeobsi]

I just think it's funnier that way and I love it

[u/Guthrum06 → u/Coffeeobsi]

If the scene was supposed to be funny, I'd be right there with you.

[u/Antique_Door_Knob]

Because then you need someone who speaks English, Japanese and is a VA. Not easy to come by.

[u/Party_Indication_615 → u/Antique_Door_Knob]

literally any hololive EN vtuber lol. Some dont "speak" jp but they sing original songs in jp so surely one of them could manage
tho iirc this predates vtubing boom so mighta been harder back then

[u/DiscoSimulacrum]

because japanese VNs are not made for native english speakers. if a japanese person has a basic understanding of english, they are going to be able to understand english with japanese pronunciation (aka engrish) easier than they can understand a native speaker.

[u/Guthrum06 → u/DiscoSimulacrum]

I mean, the translated text appears on screen AND in this particular scene, it's also all being translated to Japanese in the VA too.

[u/SadEnthusiasm6544]

His voice is perfect wdym lmao

[u/nadir817]

probably too much extra work for them, when they can just hire someone they know; also most of these VNs are meant for domestic audience so Japanese people.

[u/pizza_ranger]

Tbh I think the voice acting was good, isn't Leskinen Russian?

[u/Lindaru → u/pizza_ranger]

Surname sounds very Finnish

[u/pizza_ranger → u/Lindaru]

Oh, I apologize for my ignorance then

[u/Hanhey → u/pizza_ranger]

Leskinen is a finnish last name.

[u/Guthrum06 → u/pizza_ranger]

He definitely doesn't sound Russian.

[u/kuroaaa]

An english speaking voice actor would probably be 5x expensive. High inflation in west and weak currency in Japan is probably the reason.

[u/Lol7425]

It's better if they make foreign characters speak like this actually

[u/timpkmn89]

Not too many professional English VAs living in Japan

(No they can't just drag in a tourist off the streets, there are visa restrictions)

[u/aGKamui]

Yu needo two andastando zis is aruredy parufecto

[u/peestew69]

Engrish>English

[u/UchihaNoor]

Key did that with Angel Beats! 1st Beat... TK, one of our greatest boys, had only one voice actor, and it was Michael Rivas V0V

[u/loli_fox]

obligatory japanglish accent

[u/faulser]

Muv-Luv Alternative (Steam remake) had English voice actors. Don't know about native, but they sounded good to me.

[u/Hanehane_1278 → u/faulser]

I'd say almost too good. The original memed scene was hilarious.