The Dub Voices Options

[Shiidou Hikaru]

The english dubs of MKR come up short in a lot of ways. The translation isn't really that bad, although I'll never know how they came up with "Rune God", but the casting of the voice actors really did it in, for me anyways. Of the three Magic Knights the only voice they got right was Fuu's. Umi's while not right, I can get used to her sounding like Kiyone from Tenchi Muyo (same VA). However, poor Hikaru. Her voice was cast way, way off. Not that I have anything against Julie Maddelina, I loved her as Mayuka in Daughter of Darkness, her voice simply does not fit Hikaru's character.



Mayuka was a cute, playful character and Julie's child voice reflects those properties very well. Hikaru however, aside from a few scene in episode 1, isn't a cute, playful character at all. For most of the first season, Hikaru is a rather determined and serious young lady on a quest. Her desire to have the Magic Knights succeed on their mission is very strong. The second season goes even further, presenting Hikaru as an emotionally traumatized and grief-stricken young lady. I call her a young lady, because these are mature themes being presented, not children's games. And that essentially is the crux of the issue - Hikaru's character required a more mature presentation, not that of a child.



Unfortunately, that was one casting mistake that should have not been made, Hikaru is a central character, even more so in the second season. Not getting her right ruins the whole show, sad to say. Even though they did quite a few things right with the dubs, one big wrong was all it took.

Hikaru-chan's Magic Knight Rayearth Message Board