Naruto dubbed by 4kids?

[Iyouboushi]

This is still just a rumour, but I picked it up on the Bob & George message board after Scott showed it to me. I figured I'd paste it here as well just to see what everyone else thinks about it.

Hey, i've just heard from an insider in the company that 4Kids has licensed Naruto for localization, and an inside source has leaked some info about how the show will be changed for American audiences.

- The name of the show will be changed to 'Ninja Kids'

- All of the characters' names will be changed to sound les japanese and more western, Ex. Naruto = Nicky, Sasuke = Steven, Sakura = Sally, Rock Lee = Joey Chang

- Along the same lines, the Jounin will be called Coaches, and their names are changed, too. Ex. Iruka = Coach Ian, Kakashi = Coach Kyle, Gai = Coach Greg

- The Third Hokage is now Principal Harry, and Konoha Village is now Leaftown Ninja School

- All references to Chakra are replaced by 'Power'

- A few of the voice actors have been confirmed.
- 'Nicky' will be voiced by Veronica Taylor (Ash Ketcham from Pokemon)
- 'Steven' will be voiced by Richard Cox (Inuyasha)
- 'Sally' will be voiced by Rachael Lillis (Misty from Pokemon)
- 'Coach Kyle' will be voiced by Scott McNeil (Protoman and Dr. Wily from the old Megaman cartoon, Duo Maxwell from Gundam Wing)
- 'Coach Ian' will be voiced by David Lucas (Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop, Roger Smith from Big O)

This is all I know for now, 4Kids plans to announce the acquisition some time in the fall, but like I said, this comes from an inside source from within 4Kids' marketing department. I'll keep everyone posted if I find out any more.

As noted down below, this rumor turned out to be false, but I'm leaving it up because the "changes" are hilarious and so true to 4kids.

[Smz]

Though I am late in saying this, I'll say it anyway.

Don't worry about this, it was just a hoax that some people on the Bob and George forums did for fun (they usually do stuff like this time to time, heh).

[Dead]

DEAR GOD! That would be HORRIBLE!!

Good thing its not true. Honestly, now that 4-kids/Funimation is going to be releasing thier anime in Uncensored formats, Im less worried about them acquiring Naruto. (although I still yearn for someone else to grab it first.) Sadly tho, they have acquired One Piece and are making some questionable changes to it as well. (no violence or greusome death blargh.)

[Smz]

Speaking of, I really wonder how bad 4Kids will mess up the Pharaoh Memeory Arc on Yugioh? I know they already changed the story big time, and there is a ton of violence and the sort in this Arc. I wonder if they will do it at all, or just make something up? Ah well, we'll see when it gets to that point, since basically it's the Doom/Doma (Probably Doma for here), then a few of them in Kaiba Land in America, then it heads to the Pharaoh Memory Arc (Which I showed you a few episodes of).

[RaymundPhule]

I just about pooped in my britches! Thanks for telling me it was a hoax! Though I could really scare my friends with it MUHAHAHAHAHA... ha

[Dead]

Dont know how many people you can scare with it now.. Naruto has been licensed already by Sho Pro Entertainment which is now a subsidiary of Viz. Cartoon Network has picked up the series and the first episode airs on the 10th of September.. I haven't heard anything on the voice actors other than the role of Kakashi is going to be played by the guy who did the voice of Spike in the Cowboy Bebop series, he is also the voice of the main character in Big O and several other voices in other anime as well.

As far as editing goes, there more than likely will be some, but it is slated to air on the Toonami block in the timeslot that is currently airing the uncut Dragon Ball Z episodes, and recently CN has been showing a commercial proclaiming that all shows are not right for all people and to pay attention to the rating etc.. Hopefully these are good signs that Naruto will be largely unedited. Don't hold your breath however..

I guess we will see how it all turns out soon.