Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora (partially found English dub of anime OVA; 1985): Difference between revisions

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(I cleaned up several instances of repetition and re-organized the article to improve its flow. I added the new information that we got from the credits after the first OVA resurfaced. I also added video links to the first known complete upload of the first OVA, as well as the later upload with better video quality. Finally, I added scanned images of the case art and tape label, since the proper tape has resurfaced.)
 
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{{InfoboxLost
{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center> Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora</center>
|title=<center> Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora</center>
|image=Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora.jpeg
|image=Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora.jpeg
|imagecaption=VHS Cover of the OVA.
|imagecaption=VHS Cover of the OVA.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
}}
}}
'''''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora''''', Mujigen Hunter Fandora 夢次元ハンター ファンドラ)  is an original video animation (OVA) created by manga artist Go Nagai. The three OVAs, all produced by short-lived Kaname Production and released in Japan by Nippon Columbia, were “Lem Fight Chapter”, 35 minutes, released on September 21, 1985; “Deddlandar Chapter”, 43 minutes on March 10, 1986; and “Fantos Chapter”, 46 minutes on November 21, 1986.  <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujigen_Hunter_Fandora Wikipedia Article] Retrieved April 21, 2020.</ref> Having gained relative success in Japan, series producer Hiromasa Shibazaki wanted to sell the anime to an English speaking market and went as far as to dub ''Dream Dimensions Hunter Fandora'' into English. Due to the high cost of the English dub, not many copies of ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'' sold in the West. The English dub of ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'' never aired on television and due to the fact that the series never gained popularity outside of Japan and eventually faded into obscurity, the English dub has yet to be found.  
''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'', Mujigen Hunter Fandora 夢次元ハンター ファンドラ)  is an original video animation (OVA) created by manga artist Go Nagai. The three OVAs, all produced by short-lived Kaname Production and released in Japan by Nippon Columbia, were “Lem Fight Chapter”, 35 minutes, released on September 21st, 1985; “Deddlandar Chapter”, 43 minutes on March 10th, 1986; and “Fantos Chapter”, 46 minutes on November 21st, 1986.  <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mujigen_Hunter_Fandora Wikipedia Article] Retrieved 21 Apr '20</ref> ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'' follows bounty hunter Fandora and her sidekick, Que, as they are bounty hunters in a time where warp travel has become a reality. Fandora and Que must fight Yogu-Sogos as he tries to take the Jewel of Lupia from Princess Fandora. <ref>[https://myanimelist.net/anime/5907/Mujigen_Hunter_Fandora Plot for ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora''] Retrieved 5 May '20</ref> While the anime was relatively successful in Japan, the '''''English dub of Dream Dimensions Hunter Fandora''''' created for Western audiences fell into obscurity for many years.


==Plot==
==The English Dub==
''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'' follows Space Princess Fandora and her sidekick, Que, as they are bounty hunters in a time where warp travel has become a reality. Fandora and Que must fight Red Eye Geran as he tries to take the Jewel of Lupia from Princess Fandora. <ref>[https://myanimelist.net/anime/5907/Mujigen_Hunter_Fandora Plot for ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'']Retrieved 5 May '20</ref>
After the anime's success in Japan, series producer Hiromasa Shibazaki wanted to sell it to an English-speaking market. The company Hiro Media Associates, Inc. produced the English dub of the first OVA and placed it on VHS under their Hiro Media Video label. This is evidenced by their logo appearing at the beginning of the surviving footage, as well as the logo on the tape that eventually surfaced. <ref name="low quality">[https://archive.org/details/fandora-part-1-english-dub An Internet Archive upload of the first episode, which shows the Hiro Media Video label at the start] Retrieved 6 Feb '24</ref><ref name="overseas">[https://ia601802.us.archive.org/1/items/FANDORA/IMG_0208.jpg An image of the VHS tape label, showing the Hiro Media Associates, Inc. name, the 1985 copyright, and the (overseas) marker.] Retrieved 6 Feb '24</ref>
 
==Notable Deviations from the Source Material==
The English dub seems to have generally removed most mentions of religion.
In the first surfaced clip, there are some deviations from the Japanese subtitled version.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0rohl9TYHY&t=42s The clip of the English dub, used to compare against the subtitles from the original Japanese version]Retrieved 21 Apr '20</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/_CN-WnEllNs?t=541 The clip of the Japanese version with subtitles, used to compare against the English dub]Retrieved 21 Apr '20</ref>. The most notable is that the evil Gilsburg is no longer called "The Pope of the Kadath Church." <ref>[https://youtu.be/_CN-WnEllNs?t=609 Another area in the original Japanese version that differs from the English dub]Retrieved 21 Apr '20</ref> Lines referring explicitly to religion and the church are apparently absent. Later, Que describes what would happen if the "two jewels" were to "fall into the wrong hands." The original line "The Era of God would be over" <ref>[https://youtu.be/_CN-WnEllNs?t=804 One last example in the original Japanese version that differs from the English dub]Retrieved 21 Apr '20</ref> was changed to "It will be the end of good." Many viewers have also noted the dub's lower-quality voice acting. Finally, the name of Fandora's partner, Que, has also been changed to "Quest."
 
==Contributors==
The resurfaced first OVA contains a brief credits sequence. The executive producer was Hiromasa Shibazaki. The Producer was Toshihiro Nagao. Both Koichi Mizuide and Takashi Yamada are credited as script writers. The music was performed by Nozumo Aoki. Finally, it was directed by Kazuyuki Okaseko. <ref name="low quality" /> No English voice actors or actresses are given a place in the credits. Likewise, no English voice actors or actresses have come forward after the fact claiming to have been involved.


==Availability==
==Availability==
The English dub of ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'' has yet to surface. Due to the high prices of the VHS for the dub and the obscurity of anime in the West at the time, no known copies were shipped to retailers or individuals in the U.S. <ref>[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3401&page=22 Article]Retrieved April 21, 2020.</ref> It was marketed as a VHS to be sold overseas. The price was 100$ + International shipping. <ref>[https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/forgotten-anime-41-dream-dimension-hunter-fandora-1985/ Article] Retrieved April 21, 2020.</ref> While not proven, it is possible that the Laserdisc release may contain the English dub. <ref>[https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2013-11-17 Article]Retrieved April 21, 2020.</ref>
The VHS tape for the English dub of the first OVA was marked to be sold overseas<ref name="overseas" />. The price was 100$ + International shipping. <ref>[https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/forgotten-anime-41-dream-dimension-hunter-fandora-1985/ The Cartoon Research article that discussed the pricing] Retrieved 21 Apr '20</ref>. It is also rumored that the Japanese Laserdisc release contained the English dub, but this has not been proven. <ref>[https://animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2013-11-17 Anime News Network Article containing the rumor about the Laserdisc content] Retrieved 21 April '20</ref> No known copies of the VHS were shipped to retailers or individuals in the U.S. It is suspected that this was due to a combination of the high cost of the VHS tape and anime not being very popular in the U.S. during the distribution period. The English dub is not known to have aired on television either. Because the series never gained popularity outside of Japan, Hiro Media's English dub remained obscure for many years. The only widely-available content during that time was a two-minute clip with low-quality video and audio. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0rohl9TYHY The original low-quality clip that surfaced.] Retrieved 6 Feb '24</ref>
It is unknown if any of the other OVAs were dubbed, no photos of the Japanese tape have appeared, only one clip has been found online. On top of the lack of proof for the existence of the English dub, No English voice actors have ever been credited for working on the English dub. On top of that, no English voice actors or actresses have come forward claiming to have worked on the anime. As of the writing of this article, the English dub for ''Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora'' has yet to surface.
 
On June 5th, 2023, the first OVA was uploaded onto YouTube by user Neil Nadelman. The user explained that it was captured from a 4th generation VHS copy. This is believed to have been the first complete copy of this OVA made available on the Internet. On October 24th, 2023, Internet Archive user vunderscorei uploaded a version with higher-quality video. The same user uploaded scans of the case art and VHS tape labels, showing that they obtained a first-generation VHS tape. It is unknown whether the other two OVAs received an English dub from Hiro Media Associates, Inc. The resurfaced copy of the first OVA ends on "to be continued...", so it appears that they planned to produce the second OVA. However, neither footage, nor audio, nor images of a second or third tape from this dub have surfaced.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="background-color:green" | Original OVA Title
! style="background-color:green" | Title from Hiro Media Associates, Inc. Dub
! style="background-color:green" | Status
|-
|Lem Fight Chapter||Fandora Part 1||[https://archive.org/details/VideosmartsNumbers120Comparisons<span style="color:green;">'''Found''']
|-
|Deddlandar Chapter||Unknown||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''
|-
|Fantos Chapter||Unknown||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''
|}


==Gallery==
== Gallery ==
{{Video|perrow  =1
{{Video|perrow  =3
   |service1    =youtube
   |service1    =youtube
   |id1          =UHUaYDw9yhw
   |id1          =b0rohl9TYHY
   |description1 =Clip of the English Dub''.
   |description1 =A clip from part one, which was the only available footage from the English dub for awhile (courtesy of YouTube user Kenny's Discount VHS World)
  |service2    =youtube
  |id2          =gBF1ljW7F7Q
  |description2 =Part one of the OVA, earliest known complete upload of the English dub (courtesy of YouTube user Neil Nadelman)
  |service3    =archiveorg
  |id3          =FANDORA
  |description3 =Internet Archive upload of English dub with better quality video (courtesy of Internet Archive user vunderscorei)
}}
}}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="350">
File:Fandora_English_dub_tape_case.jpg | The case art for the VHS release of the English Dub for the first OVA
File:Fandora_English_dub_tape_front.jpg | The tape label for the VHS release of the English Dub for the first OVA
</gallery>


==Notes==
==Notes==
*The Second OVA is missing from the internet.
*All 3 OVAs may have been dubbed or at least released in Italy on DVD.
*All 3 OVAs may have been dubbed or at least re-leased in Italy on DVD.


==See also==  
==See also==  
Line 30: Line 60:
*[[Galactic Patrol Lensman (partially found anime series; 1984-85)]]
*[[Galactic Patrol Lensman (partially found anime series; 1984-85)]]
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references />
 
[[Category:Lost audio]]
[[Category:Lost animation]]
[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Lost animation]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]

Latest revision as of 06:32, 7 February 2024

Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora.jpeg

VHS Cover of the OVA.

Status: Partially Found

Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora, Mujigen Hunter Fandora 夢次元ハンター ファンドラ) is an original video animation (OVA) created by manga artist Go Nagai. The three OVAs, all produced by short-lived Kaname Production and released in Japan by Nippon Columbia, were “Lem Fight Chapter”, 35 minutes, released on September 21st, 1985; “Deddlandar Chapter”, 43 minutes on March 10th, 1986; and “Fantos Chapter”, 46 minutes on November 21st, 1986. [1] Dream Dimension Hunter Fandora follows bounty hunter Fandora and her sidekick, Que, as they are bounty hunters in a time where warp travel has become a reality. Fandora and Que must fight Yogu-Sogos as he tries to take the Jewel of Lupia from Princess Fandora. [2] While the anime was relatively successful in Japan, the English dub of Dream Dimensions Hunter Fandora created for Western audiences fell into obscurity for many years.

The English Dub

After the anime's success in Japan, series producer Hiromasa Shibazaki wanted to sell it to an English-speaking market. The company Hiro Media Associates, Inc. produced the English dub of the first OVA and placed it on VHS under their Hiro Media Video label. This is evidenced by their logo appearing at the beginning of the surviving footage, as well as the logo on the tape that eventually surfaced. [3][4]

Notable Deviations from the Source Material

The English dub seems to have generally removed most mentions of religion. In the first surfaced clip, there are some deviations from the Japanese subtitled version.[5][6]. The most notable is that the evil Gilsburg is no longer called "The Pope of the Kadath Church." [7] Lines referring explicitly to religion and the church are apparently absent. Later, Que describes what would happen if the "two jewels" were to "fall into the wrong hands." The original line "The Era of God would be over" [8] was changed to "It will be the end of good." Many viewers have also noted the dub's lower-quality voice acting. Finally, the name of Fandora's partner, Que, has also been changed to "Quest."

Contributors

The resurfaced first OVA contains a brief credits sequence. The executive producer was Hiromasa Shibazaki. The Producer was Toshihiro Nagao. Both Koichi Mizuide and Takashi Yamada are credited as script writers. The music was performed by Nozumo Aoki. Finally, it was directed by Kazuyuki Okaseko. [3] No English voice actors or actresses are given a place in the credits. Likewise, no English voice actors or actresses have come forward after the fact claiming to have been involved.

Availability

The VHS tape for the English dub of the first OVA was marked to be sold overseas[4]. The price was 100$ + International shipping. [9]. It is also rumored that the Japanese Laserdisc release contained the English dub, but this has not been proven. [10] No known copies of the VHS were shipped to retailers or individuals in the U.S. It is suspected that this was due to a combination of the high cost of the VHS tape and anime not being very popular in the U.S. during the distribution period. The English dub is not known to have aired on television either. Because the series never gained popularity outside of Japan, Hiro Media's English dub remained obscure for many years. The only widely-available content during that time was a two-minute clip with low-quality video and audio. [11]

On June 5th, 2023, the first OVA was uploaded onto YouTube by user Neil Nadelman. The user explained that it was captured from a 4th generation VHS copy. This is believed to have been the first complete copy of this OVA made available on the Internet. On October 24th, 2023, Internet Archive user vunderscorei uploaded a version with higher-quality video. The same user uploaded scans of the case art and VHS tape labels, showing that they obtained a first-generation VHS tape. It is unknown whether the other two OVAs received an English dub from Hiro Media Associates, Inc. The resurfaced copy of the first OVA ends on "to be continued...", so it appears that they planned to produce the second OVA. However, neither footage, nor audio, nor images of a second or third tape from this dub have surfaced.

Original OVA Title Title from Hiro Media Associates, Inc. Dub Status
Lem Fight Chapter Fandora Part 1 Found
Deddlandar Chapter Unknown Existence Unconfirmed
Fantos Chapter Unknown Existence Unconfirmed

Gallery

A clip from part one, which was the only available footage from the English dub for awhile (courtesy of YouTube user Kenny's Discount VHS World)

Part one of the OVA, earliest known complete upload of the English dub (courtesy of YouTube user Neil Nadelman)

Internet Archive upload of English dub with better quality video (courtesy of Internet Archive user vunderscorei)

Notes

  • All 3 OVAs may have been dubbed or at least released in Italy on DVD.

See also

References