GIT’s original voice cast return to dub the US live-action adaptation for Japanese audiences.
[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap]ccording to Kotaku (via The Verge), the cast of the original 1995 animated Ghost in the Shell film are set to dub the upcoming live-action adaptation in Japanese for the film’s release in Japan.
The news surfaced on the Japanese entertainment website Natalie, where it was reported that Atsuko Tanaka will be reprising her 1995 role as Motoko Kusanagi (known as “The Major” in the live-action adaptation), along with Akio Otsuka who will once again be playing Batou, and Koichi Yamadera who will reprise his role as the voice of Togusa.
From left to right: Akio Otsuka (Batou), Atsuko Tanaka (Motoko Kusanagi) and Koichi Yamadera (Togusa).
Mamoru Oshii – who directed the 1995 animated film – offered his assurance that the talented voice cast will deliver another great performance for the live-action adaptation:
“They’re all pros, so there’s nothing to worry about, and I can only say that this is something to look forward to.”
Tanaka described her time voicing Motoko Kusanagi in both the movies and the Stand Alone Complex series as “magical”, and the cast expressed their hopes that fans will enjoy the Japanese version.
In certain respects, bringing the original voice cast back to dub the US version is surely a good thing for Japanese audiences who have a choice between a dubbed or subtitled version of the film, but on the flip side, it once again draws attention to the whitewashing controversy surrounding the film’s casting choices.
It’ll be interesting to see if having the US live-action adaptation dubbed in the intended language of GIT’s setting will work in practise.
The live-action Ghost in the Shell will hit theatres March 31.
