One thing I'm learning as I continue to get the hang of this reviewing game: reviewing bad dubs is easier than reviewing good dubs. After all, if a dub stinks, I can tell you why, and my column is complete. Similarly, for those truly exceptional dubs, I can tell you what makes such a dub stand out from the pack. But the biggest challenge is those dubs that are good, but not exceptional, which have little wrong with them, but little notably right as well. It's actually good as a fan to have such a problem ? it's a sign that the production of well-done dubs has gotten routine. Nevertheless, it's difficult for me as a reviewer when I like a dub, and the most I can say as to why is "they didn't mess up anything".

Arc the Lad is one such dub. Well-directed, but lacking much in the way of memorable voices; it's good, but not memorably so. The cast, filled with talented, experienced anime dub actors, many of whom are instantly recognizable, never sounds particularly challenged by the roles they play.

The lead character, Elk, a young bounty hunter searching for the title character, is played by Jeremiah Freedman. His voice sounds very familiar (Digimon?), but due to the magic of pseudonyms, I can find no reference to what else he's played. Freedman plays Elk with a voice curiously both cute and tough at the same, sort of a Saturday-morning cartoon kid who's seen hell. It fits the character's age, but I had a little trouble taking him seriously.

Dorothy Melendrez (Meryl, Trigun) plays the female lead, Lieza, a young girl rescued by Elk. I'm used to her playing characters with attitude, so it was interesting to hear her play a character so utterly sweet and innocent. She acquits herself admirably, but again, the role doesn't appear all that challenging.

David Lucas (Spike Spiegel, Cowboy Bebop; Yuusuke, I'm Gonna Be an Angel!) once again proves his versatility by playing Pandit, a lion-monster creature who protects Lieza. It's a non-speaking role, just well-voiced growling and snarling. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to review it, but he growls well.

Elk is accompanied by an older bounty hunter named Shu, played by Dave Mallow. Shu is both a mentor and surrogate older brother to Elk, and Mallow brings this out in his portrayal, both gentle and mature. He's also quite a handsome fellow, which dictates a certain type of voice.

If this dub has a weakness, it's in the supplemental characters. When a character has too little screen time to be truly developed, the common approach is to use a character voice to quickly communicate the character's basic traits: nice guy, bad guy, mysterious guy. There's a lot of bounty hunters and other grizzled types in this anime, at least in the early episodes, so the cast is full of growly voices. A little variety would have been nice.

The dub of Arc the Lad is good, but not exceptional. But considering that the anime itself is good, but not exceptional, that's about all that can be expected. I'd watch the dub. It's easy on the ears and enjoyable. Just don't expect to remember much about it in a few months.

Rating: *** (out of 4)

(review based on episodes 1 - 8)

Released by: ADV

Dub by: Bang Zoom!

Director: Eric P. Sherman

Elk - Jeremiah Freedman

Lieza - Dorothy Melendrez

Pandit - David Lucas

Shu - Dave Mallow

Notes: There are a few more notable actors who appear in this dub. The talented and prolific Wendee Lee is Kukuru, who introduces each episode. Melissa Charles, well-known as Alielle in El-Hazard and Ed in Cowboy Bebop, surprises by playing the most definitely not-a-kid Shante. And Zan (Aisha, Outlaw Star; Caldina, Magic Knight Rayearth) lends her voice as a group of children.

Agree? Disagree? Have a comment about a dub, or just about dubbing in general? Let me know!