With just hours to go in the Kickstarter, Funimation’s back with one last cast reveal.
Earlier today, Funimation unveiled six new cast members for their upcoming Vision of Escaflowne dub. The following roles were revealed:
- Emperor Dornkirk:Jeremy Schwartz
- Balgus:Chris Guerrero
- Prince Chid:Bryn Apprill
- Shesta:Chris Cason
- Jajuka:Chuck Hüber
- Gaddess:Ian Sinclair
The new cast members join nine other confirmed roles, including:
- Van Fanel: Aaron Dismuke
- Hitomi Kanzaki: Caitlin Glass
- Merle: Alexis Tipton
- Allen Schezar: Sonny Strait
- Millerna Aston: Colleen Clinkenbeard
- Dilandau Albatou: Joel McDonald
- Folken: Vic Mignogna
- Eriya: Felecia Angelle
- Naria: Michelle Rojas
Funimation’s Kickstarter to re-dub Vision of Escaflowne officially launched on February 27. In an interview with Anime News Network’s Zac Bertschy, Funimation brand manager Jennifer Fu explained the need for a new dub on the series:
So basically there was the original dub that came out and it’s based on SD materials that, as you’re aware, the director’s cut, the HD Japanese version that was released on Bluray more recently, has scenes that were not in the original materials that the original English dub was based on. So because of that it’s not possible for us to put the subtitled HD material which is what we’ve just received from Japan, on the same disc as the original dub, because otherwise it doesn’t line up correctly and there are some points where the dub just won’t have any dialogue or anything in it and it’d just be kind of strange.
Funimation noted that the $150,000 goal wouldn’t cover the full cost of a new English adaptation.
The campaign reached its goal on March 1, and passed its first stretch goal of $200,000 on March 10. The second stretch goal was hit earlier this week.
As of press time, the campaign stands at $308,437 donated across 1,989 backers, with an average contribution of $155.07 per backer.
Three stretch goals are currently in play:
- $200,000: Behind the Scenes featurettes and interviews (Funded)
- $250,000: Upgraded box art, and art book added to Kickstarter Edition copies (Funded)
- $500,000: Backers-only Escaflowne party at a major US anime convention, with director Kazuki Akane in attendance as a guest.
Yesterday, Funimation released packaging shots for the Kickstarter Edition (Standard), as well as both retail editions of the release, which you can check out below:
Source: Kickstarter
