The main purpose of this document is to explore in detail what cuts and changes were made to each individule episode in the International English Dub of Tekkaman Blade (Teknoman) and whether or not said changes harmed the story. The comments for each episode are about the English version in comparison to the Japanese version, unless otherwise stated.
General Changes
- Character name changes (whenever I mention a character name, I use the English first then the Japanese, e.g. Blade/D-Boy.)
- New musical score (Saban used their own music for both English Dubs of the series)
- New opening/closing sequence (The International English Dub has the original Japanese opening with the song "It's Destiny" throughout the whole series. The closing credits use the Saban English theme.)
- New title cards (Replacing the Japanese text versions. Each episode also ends with a "To Be Continued..." card.
- Male character becomes female (The homosexual male character Revin in the Japanese version was dubbed with a female voice in both English Dubs and given the name Maggie.)
- Both English Dubs have a narrator who explains what's happening during certain scenes and events.
Episode 1
Japanese Name - Tenkakeru Chojin (The Skywalking Superman)
English Name - Friend or Foe
The opening scenes are in a slightly different order. The Japanese version begins with Blade/D-Boy attacking spidercrabs on the Space Ring, which is inter-cut with scenes of Star/Aki and Ringo/Noel on Earth, whilst the English version begins with all the scenes of Star/Aki and Ringo/Noel on Earth and then all the scenes of Blade/D-Boy on the Space Ring up until he falls to Earth. Some of the clips of Star/Aki and Ringo/Noel collecting spore samples at the beginning are missing, as is a title card that indicates the year.
The English version has an extra scene of Darkon/Omega asking Dagger how the invasion of Earth is going. This scene comes from episode 6 of both versions, and are re-used again in the English version as originally intended in part of a different conversation. This is also inter-cut with scenes of destruction and spidercrabs attacking the military that are used in the prologue for the first few Japanese episodes.
Verdict - Despite the few changes mentioned, there is nothing wrong with the English version.
Episode 2
Japanese Name - Kodoku no Senshi (Lonely Warrior)
English Name - Invasion
The Japanese version has a brief opening prologue narrated by Jaimeson/Freeman containing the scenes of destruction and spidercrabs attacking that were used in the extra scene from episode 1 of the English version, whereas the English version just picks up right where episode 1 left off. Some of the more graphic soldier deaths involving blood in this prologue were not used in the extra scene from the English version.
After the prologue, the Japanese version actually plays the last few minutes of episode 1 again rather than picking up where they left off, perhaps to make up time. This explains the rather large difference in episode length between the two versions.
Verdict - The prologue is basically just a brief reminder of the events from the previous episode(s), therefore their removal from all the English episodes doesn't create any problems.
Episode 3
Japanese Name - Boeigun no Yabo (Treachery of the Defence Force)
English Name - Power of the Space Knights
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 4
Japanese Name - Riyu Naki Tekizen Tobo (A Senseless Desertion in the Face of the Enemy)
English Name - Falling Star
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 5
Japanese Name - Ore o Korose (Kill Me)
English Name - Time's Up
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 6
Japanese Name - Tekkusetto Funo (Tek Set Disabled)
English Name - Shattered Crystal
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 7
Japanese Name - Kedohei Pegasu Hasshin (The Launch of the Mobile Unit Pegas)
English Name - Teknobot
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 8
Japanese Name - Nazo no Jugun Kisha (The Mysterious War Journalist)
English Name - Snapshot
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 9
Japanese Name - Kyushutsu! Mokusei Crew (Rescue! The Jupiter Crew)
English Name - Convoy
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 10
Japanese Name - Senka ni Hibiku Komori Uta (A Lullaby in the Flames of War)
English Name - Bold Soldier Boy
This is the first of the Japanese episodes not to have a prologue at the beginning.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 11
Japanese Name - D-Boy Fairu (D-Boy File)
English Name - N/A
This is a recap episode narrated by Jaimeson/Freeman covering events of the first 10 episodes. There's only one new scene of Jaimeson/Freeman at the end ejecting the disc that he's just recorded this log onto named "D-Boy's File".
Verdict - Since this is mostly recap footage, the fact that it doesn't exist in the English version is no problem.
Episode 12
Japanese Name - Akai Senritsu Ebiru (The Red Terror, Evil)
English Name - Brother Beware
The Japanese version doesn't have a prologue. Some of the more extreme scenes of death caused by Sabre/Evil's casual destruction of the military ships towards the end of the episode have been removed.
Verdict - While it's a shame that scene has been cut down, it has no real affect on the episode beyond showing how extemely cruel and evil Sabre/Evil is.
Episode 13
Japanese Name - Shukumei no Kyodai (The Destined Siblings)
English Name - Sibling Rivalry
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 14
Japanese Name - Chi o Waketa Akuma (A Devil Divides the Ties of Blood)
English Name - Family Feud
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 15
Japanese Name - Mashin Yomigaeru (Demon God Reborn)
English Name - Saber Strike
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No Problems
Episode 16
Japanese Name - Uragiri no Shozo (Portrait of Treachery)
English Name - Spy Game
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 17
Japanese Name - Kotetsu no Kyuseishu (The Steel Savior)
English Name - Sword and Steel
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No Problems
Episode 18
Japanese Name - Eiko e no Diash (The Price of Glory)
English Name - The Visitor
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No Problems
Episode 19
Japanese Name - Tokoro Tojita Senshi (Warrior with a Caged Heart)
English Name - Battleground
The prologue is missing as usual, but there's also an extra scene. The first few clips of the next Japanese episode are here near the end in the English version of an injured Balzac crawling along the floor. There's a message that pops up from Tina/Milly reading "Save D-Boy -Milly-". Obviously because of the name changes in the English version, this makes little sense, but I guess there was nothing they could do about that.
Verdict - No problems besides the brief visual gaff
Episode 20
Japanese Name - Fukushu! Ikari no Henshin (Resurrected, the Transformation)
English Name - Resurrection
The prologue is missing, plus that Balzac scene that appeared in the previous episode.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 21
Japanese Name - Ai to Shi no Yokan (A Feeling of Love and Death)
English Name - Mind Game
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 22
Japanese Name - Miyuki's no Ketsui (Miyuki's Decision)
English Name - Decision
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 23
Japanese Name - Kizudarake no Saikai (Bloody Reunion)
English Name - Reunion
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 24
Japanese Name - Hikisakareta Kako (Ripped Open Past)
English Name - In the Beginning
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 25
Japanese Name - Aratanaru Akuma (New Demons)
English Name - Shara's Secret
The prologue is missing, plus there's an error in the English dubbing. Teknoman Sword is incorrectly referred to as Rapier (Shara/Miyuki's Teknoman name) when first introduced here, plus she seems to have a male voice. This is corrected in all other appearances.
Verdict - Apart from the naming/gender error for Sword, there are no problems
Episode 26
Japanese Name - Shi o Kaketa Tatakai (Life Threatening Battle)
English Name - Forget Me Not
There is no prologue as usual, plus some of the more brutal attacks on Shara/Miyuki by the other Teknomen have been removed. It's also implied that Shara/Miyuki self destructed rather than simply be destroyed by the torture of the other Teknomen.
Although the ending is unchanged, it isn't made clear that the Space Knights Command Center has been destroyed. The Japanese version has Jaimeson/Freeman actually saying it's been destroyed, but the English version just has Tina/Milly trying to contact Ringo/Noel in the downed Blue Earth from the command center (even though it seems to have been destroyed).
Verdict - Like "Brother Beware", it's a shame that some of the extreme violence has been taken out, but ultimately it doesn't damage the episode. The confusion as to whether or not the command center has been destroyed in the English version hurts the continuity in the next couple of episodes unless you watch the final scene of the recap episode next.
Episode 27
Japanese Name - Nokorishimo e no Isan (The Legacy)
English Name - Chronicle
The Japanese version recaps events from episodes 12 - 26 (basically from the last recap episode "D-Boy File", which was skipped in the English version). It begins at the ruins of the Space Knights Command Center. We see a recording device in the sand with the voice of Jaimeson/Freeman, who narrates the entire episode. The only other new clip is at the end, where we see a mysterious figure pick up the device. Jaimeson/Freeman concludes that the Space Knights and the military have been destroyed, but the fight must go on.
The English version is quite inferior in comparison. The clip of the recording device at the start is gone, and instead, the recap begins right at the very start of the series (since the English version skipped the first recap episode) without any narration. Since half the episode is devoted to events that were recapped in the first Japanese recap episode, less time is devoted to more recent events. The last scene of the mysterious figure is included, and we are informed by Jaimeson/Freeman that a new Space Knights Command Center is being constructed and that all Space Knight personel must rendez-vous at those co-ordinates in 3 months.
Verdict - Since this is merely a recap episode, the fact that the English version is seemingly botched in comparison to the Japanese version doesn't really matter, since the only relevant information comes from the last scene. As a recap episode though, it's acceptable as a very quick catch-up, but doesn't do the series justice. It probably would have made more sense for the English version to simply add the last scene of this episode to the start of the next and skip this recap, since it hasn't really been done very well.
Episode 28
Japanese Name - Shirow Majin (The White Majin)
English Name - Red Savior
There is no prologue, plus towards the end of the episode, during Blade/D-Boy's and Ringo/Noel's conversation at sunset, a brief clip of Blade/D-Boy saying he found the Space Knights Command Center destroyed has been removed. I'm a little unsure as to why the English version has a problem about saying the command center was destroyed, the dub has shown a lot worse things.
Verdict - The continuity between this episode and the previous two is a bit iffy, even in the Japanese version. It isn't entriely clear what happened to Ringo/Noel after the Blue Earth crashed, yet we see him here having already met up with Star/Aki and the others, plus he still has his Tekno Suit. The English version's refusual to aknowledge that the base was destroyed is a little annoying.
Episode 29
Japanese Name - Tatakai no Ya a ni Hanatabo O (Flowers in the Battlefield)
English Name - Running on Empty
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 30
Japanese Name - Chichi no Omokage (A Father's Memory)
English Name - Tekno Trap
Only the prologue is missing. There's a slight visual gaff, similar to "battleground". Ringo/Noel's Tekno Suit visual display identifies the spidercrabs as Rahdam. Obviously, there's nothing that could be done about this.
While all the footage of the equivalent Japanese episode 30 is present, the English version has quite a bit of the next episode added onto the end. See the next episode for more information.
Verdict - The first merged episode of the English dub is unusually long obviously, but the main story arc in generally in tact.
Episode 31
Japanese Name - Fukushu no Machi (The Town of Vengeance)
English Name - N/A (merged with "Tekno Trap")
Much of this episode was cut down and merged with the previous English episode. The reason being because it has a sub plot involving homosexual character Revin (Maggie in the English version) falling in love with another character, the commander of the local military force. This commander isn't seen at all in the English version, therefore some of the combat is also missing.
Verdict - Ultimately, I guess there was no choice but to remove this sub-plot in the episode since Revin was dubbed as a woman in the English version, so keeping it in would have been very strange indeed!
Episode 32
Japanese Name - Machiwabita Shojo (A Girl, Forever Waiting)
English Name - Lady in Waiting
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 33
Japanese Name - Arano No Saikai (Wilderness Reunion)
English Name - Reformation
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 34
Japanese Name - Ko To Kage No Kyodai (Siblings of Dark and Light)
English Name - N/A
This episode has been removed completely from the English version. It goes into detail about Blade/D-Boy and Sabre/Evil's past as children and their early adult years, detailing their constant sibling rivalry. Other minor plot points include Maggie/Revin repairing Balzac's Tekno Suit and Blade/D-Boy mentioning a piece of Shara/Miyuki's crystal that he kept after her death.
Verdict - The removal of this episode really hurts the series because of it's character building elements. While nothing major of the immediate story is advanced, the 'down time' aspect of this episode made it really special.
Episode 35
Japanese Name - Kiri No Naka No Teki (Enemy in the Midst)
English Name - Axe Trap
The Japanese version doesn't have a prologue.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 36
Japanese Name - Kessen! Axesu (Bloody Battle! Axe!)
English Name - Axe Attack
Only the prologue is missing, plus a very brief shot of Axe's anguished face as Blade/D-Boy deals the final blow.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 37
Japanese Name - Shokuma Wa Ta Nikutai (Wearing Down, Mind and Body)
English Name - On Ice
The prologue and a scene of Maggie/Revin in the shower has been removed. A brief scene of Darkon welcoming Blade/D-Boy's deterioration has been added to the end of this episode. This is used again in the next episode as part of a different conversation.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 38
Japanese Name - Shihe No Meikyu (Labyrinth of Death)
English Name - Fifty-Fifty
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 39
Japanese Name - Chosenshi Balasutora (Extreme Warrior Blastor)
English Name - Evolution
Only the prologue is missing, plus a brief clip of O'Rourke/Bernard taking a swig from his whisky bottle and dropping it as he dies. If this was censored because of concerns of alcohol promotion, I'd like to know why the censor still felt it was ok to leave in clips of soldiers literally getting sliced in half by Lance. It just makes me laugh.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 40
Japanese Name - Ai To Seni Ninin (The Fight and Love of Two)
English Name - Reflection
This is the third of four Japanese recap episodes. It opens with Star/Aki pondering over Blade/D-Boy's ill health. Unlike the previous recap episode, this one starts from the beginning of the series and goes right up to the present. It closes with Star/Aki telling us that all she can do is pray for Blade/D-Boy.
The English version uses a very different selection of clips. While the Japanese version focuses on Blade/D-Boy and the Venomoid/Rahdam invasion, the English version focuses on Blade/D-Boy's and Star/Aki's relationship. In the final shot of Star/Aki, she expresses her love for him.
Verdict - While I still believe recaps episodes aren't all that important, it's interesting how both versions differ in what they show. There's nothing particularly wrong with either, and you can easily skip them without missing anything, but it's clear what aspects of the series both versions want you to notice, whether it be Blade/D-Boy's ongoing struggle with the Venomoids/Rahdam, or his love interest with Star/Aki.
Episode 41
Japanese Name - Eviru - Yomigaeru Akuma (Evil, Devil that Rises)
English Name - Amnesia
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 42
Japanese Name - Gekitotsu! Akai Shukuteki (Collision! The Red Foe)
English Name - Metamorphosis
Only the prologue is missing. There is an extra scene at the end where Sword taunts Sabre/Evil after Darkon/Omega imprisons him. This comes from Japanese episode 45, which is skipped in the English version.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 43
Japanese Name - Kettsubertusu No Judan (The Bullet of Seperation)
English Name - Sword Strike
Only the prologue is missing.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 44
Japanese Name - Hakuri Kuru Yami (The Approaching Darkness)
English Name - Battle of the Space Ring
Only the prologue is missing. There's an extra scene at the end where Darkon/Omega tells Sword to release Sabre/Evil. This additional scene essentially prevents the next episode from taking place in continuity for the English version.
Verdict - No problems
Episode 45
Japanese Name - Shinjitsu No Shinryakusha (The True Colours of the Invaders)
English Name - N/A
Aside from a brief clip that was used in English episode "Metamorphosis", this whole episode has been removed. However, the majority of the episode is the fourth and final recap told from Sabre/Evil's point of view as he remains imprisioned by Darkon/Omega. It basically covers the brother's rivalry and their major encounters as Teknomen so far in the series.
Verdict - Again, as a recap episode, I don't see it's removal as a big problem.
Episode 46
Japanese Name - Toki No Tamaatsuta le (The House Where Time Stood Still)
English Name - Beginning of the End
Massive amounts of this episode have been cut. Star/Aki's discussion with the civilian leaders about the dangers of the spore plants is gone, and practically all the scenes in Blade/D-Boy's home are gone. The only parts that remain are about a fifth of the scenes at Blade/D-Boy's home and Sword questioning Sabre/Evil's decision to become a Teknoman Plus. Parts of the next episode have been added onto the end. See below for more details.
Verdict - It's quite bad, most of the cut footage gives us some great character building moments for Blade/D-Boy and Star/Aki, plus the information on the spore plants gives us some foreshadowing of their endgame.
Episode 47
Japanese Name - Yami To Shi No Ummei (Fate of Darkness and Death)
English Name - N/A (merged with "Beginning of the End")
The majority of this episode is actually in tact, but simply merged with the previous episode.
Verdict - Pretty good, there's no problems here besides it being merged.
Episode 48
Japanese Name - Soretsuna! Eviru Shishu (Valiant! Evil Dies)
English Name - Final Battle
Much of the battle between Blade/D-Boy and Sabre/Evil has been cut down. Parts of the final episode have been merged with this one. See below for more details.
Verdict - The longer battle would have been good to see, more for the wow factor than anything else. What remains of the episode, however, is pretty much in tact.
Episode 49
Japanese Name - Moetsukiru Myo (The Burning Life)
English Name - N/A (merged with "Final Battle")
Jaimeson/Freeman's speech has been removed, and Maggie/Revin's attack on the active spore plants is gone. There are one or two other minor clips removed, but other than that, what's been merged of the actual battle is pretty much in tact.
Verdict - Obviously, it would have been better to have the final two episodes uncut, but as a single merged episode, they aren't as bad as you may think. I'd say all the essential footage is here.
Conclusion:
The International English Dub is pretty good for the most part. It's biggest weakness is the removal of Japanese episode 34 "Siblings of Dark and Light" and the merging of the final 4 episodes, which I believe was unneccessary. The removal of some extreme scenes of violence was also a shame, considering most of the gore and destruction was left in. The voice cast was brilliant, with everybody providing a spirited performance for their charatcer, and the new musical score I believe is actually superior to the original. The Japanese version doesn't really use very much incidental music to cover long periods of silence, which I feel is a weakness. Also, the English narrator is often well used to add something extra to a scene.
1 Jan 2010 - 11:39
