Last, and most definitely least, I want to mention one voice. In flashback, Lana L. Lesley plays Kain's grandmother. Apparently, it was too difficult to cast an actual elderly actress, so Lesley hams it up in the role with a quivering over-the-top "old lady" voice. What is meant to be a touching moment at the beginning of episode 9 ends up unintentionally hilarious. At least I think it was unintentional. Considering the change made to the script from the Japanese version, changes unnecessary because no one's lips move during the scene, perhaps the dub writer, director Charles Campbell, was going for laughs.

The line, "This ship will be yours when I die, Kain," in the original script became, "This ship will be yours when my time in the sun fades to but a soft shadow - and I croak" (read in overacted quivering old biddy voice for full effect). "Croak??" When little Kain chimes in, "No, Grandma! I don't want you to croak," I dare anyone watching to keep a straight face.

So to conclude, how does the dub stack up against the original Japanese track? It's inferior, of course, but let's think about this. "Lost Universe" is an inferior anime to begin with. A superior voice cast isn't enough to help it. The comical flaws in the dub, however, do a decent job of pushing it over the edge toward camp. That could be why I like it.

Or maybe I just think Canal is cute.

Rating: ** (out of 4)

Released by: ADV

Dubbed by: ADV/Monster Island

Director: Charles Campbell

Kain - Steve Metz

Millie - Larissa Wolcott

Canal - Jessica Schwartz

Rail - Bill Wise

Nina - Camille Chen

Roy Glen - Edwin Neal

Kali - Sarah Richardson

Grandma - Lana L. Lesley

Dark Seeder - David Stokely

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