Update: Audition time is up! Good luck to everybody!
Hello, everyone! 😀
As the title suggests, this will be an English dub of the first episode of the PaRappa the Rapper anime series! The finished work will be appropriate for all ages. This is an unpaid project done entirely for fun, and anyone is welcome to join the fun! I plan to dub the entire series, and there are many more characters that show up as the anime continues, so if you don't get a role here, there will be more open in a future episode!
The PaRappa anime was based off a video game series developed by Rodney A. Greenblat and Masaya Matsuura, starring an anthropomorphic dog named PaRappa who raps his way through several different stages to win the flower of his dreams, Sunny Funny. Although the anime itself contains very little rapping-- the only featured song is in the last episode-- it stays true to the wacky and fun world of the PaRappa games.
This casting call is majorly for each of the principal characters, who I would like to stay on for the entire series if possible. (I'm flexible with recasting major characters if the need comes up, but a level of commitment would be appreciated from the leads.) I would also like the lead characters to sound like their video game counterparts, rather than their anime voice actors-- this is what I believe is the factor that will separate this dub from other fandubs of the anime, and create a more familiar environment for fans of the PaRappa franchise. However, some of the characters here are exclusive to the anime, and for these, I am open to any vocal interpretation.
🧅Kick, punch, it's all in the rules!🧅
🐶 Characters up for grabs 🌸
LEADS:
PaRappa, Katy Kat, Paula Fox, Matt Major, PJ Berri, Gaster
MINOR:
Pinto Rappa (recurring), Papa Rappa (recurring), Sister Gon (appears again in ep 17)
Voice Reference: Dred Foxx https://youtu.be/hKmC_4ZRW1o?t=31 (Although this is the original voice actor, his voice here is a little deeper than in the games-- the original was pitch-shifted, and you can pick whether to do that or not)
PaRappa Rappa is a teenage anthropomorphic dog who is eternally upbeat and optimistic. Ever the problem solver, he always attempts to correct his mistakes and is an active mediator whenever his friends get into arguments. This cheerful friend always has your back!
PaRappa's family includes his father, Papa Rappa, and his younger sister, Pinto Rappa.
(upbeat) Let's play basketball tomorrow-- say, 8 AM? I'll be there!
(flustered) But how am I gonna do that? (epiphany; confident) Hey, I know! I gotta believe!
(bold, mediating) Hold the phone, girls, this is just overkill! Cut each other some slack, will ya?
Voice Reference: Michele Burks (RIP) https://youtu.be/rWwn51_5ePo?t=981 OR Shannon White https://youtu.be/nhe_-TQ616Q?t=1879 (I personally prefer Michele Burk's voice for Katy, but you can go with either one!)
Katy Kat is an active, can-do anthropomorphic cat who likes to take the lead and get things done. Always the fashionable one, she sees the world through a very visual lens. Confident and bold, Katy's ready to take on the world!
(showing clothes to Sunny; confident) What about this checkered skirt from the 60s? It has a nice retro feel to it, and I think it’d look good on you.
(excited) Jet Baby was pretty cool! He could probably beat Superman!
(assertive; frustrated) You'd better watch it, Paula.
Voice Reference: Armstead Christian https://youtu.be/kkYLNXYgB_0
PJ Berri is your typical lazy, somewhat apathetic anthropomorphic teddy bear. He loves anything involving culinary creations or mid-day snoozes, and is usually the quiet one of the group. Despite this, however, PJ is always aware of what's going on around him and has a keen eye for adventure.
(introducing PaRappa to his friend) This is Matt. We know each other from the club.
(ordering at a restaurant) And I'll take a giant spicy fries, giant vanilla frosty, and a cherry pie.
(upset) PaRappa, where do you think you're going?
Voice Reference: Kenya Hathaway https://youtu.be/IqxH9Pq_9ZU?t=61 https://youtu.be/IqxH9Pq_9ZU?t=444 OR Lea Alomar https://youtu.be/xJMYW-gvgSU?t=620 (I don't have a preference towards one voice or the other, so surprise me!)
Sunny Funny is a gentle and kind humanoid flower who is also PaRappa's love interest. She's very much a girly girl and has her sensitive moments, but she can also be very bold when the time comes. Blossoming with joy and happiness, Sunny brings positivity to any group!
(to PaRappa; subtle flirt) Aren't gonna let me down, are you?
(cheerful) It's a great day today. So what do you guys want to do?
(worried) Katy's getting all mad about that new girl!
Exclusive to anime-- go wild with the voice!
Paula Fox is a cool and confident girl who tends to be blunt about her opinions. Level-headed, she is not often bothered by chaos and is ever a problem solver. Perky and particular, Paula may come off as a bit rude, but deep down, she's a true-blue friend!
(cool) The name is Paula, and you’d better remember it. Just call me P!
(cheerful) I'm just going to mosey my way on over there, okay?
(defending Katy after a false accusation) But we’re here to figure out if Katy was stealing the safe from the garage sale, and if you ask me-- she doesn’t really have any reason to do that!
Exclusive to anime-- go wild with the voice!
Matt Major is an anthropomorphic dog who is mature and friendly. He is always willing to lend a hand and often sees the rational side of an issue. Courteous and studious, Matt is a loyal companion!
(introducing himself to PaRappa) Me and PJ here like the same music and hobbies-- I guess that’s how we clicked. PaRappa, what’s your favorite hobby?
(frank) I knew Paula was annoying, but I didn’t think she’d cause this much of a fuss.
(frustrated) Why’d they have to do construction now, of all times?
Exclusive to anime-- go wild with the voice!
Gaster is the no-good rascal in PaRappa Town. Dreaming of fame and fortune, he will go to any lengths to pull off his mischievous schemes. However, he provides a lot of humor, so don't play him *too* scary!
(mischievous) I'm going to scare the heck out of this town. (laughs manically)
(escaping the scene of the crime) Hasta la vista, baby!
(high and mighty) Well, well! Since I just happen to be here, there’s no fathomable way you can run away now. You’re all stuck like flies in a mousetrap!
Exclusive to anime-- go wild with the voice!
Appears again in Episode 17.
Sister Gon is an older lady who is running the garage sale at the local church. She is generally friendly, but can get worrisome when things go awry. Sister Gon is also very handy with vehicles, controlling a tank, airplane, and submarine with ease!
(confused) That's odd, the jellybean machine should be working by now.
(offended) Katy was trying to steal the money from my garage sale!
(pondering what she should do with the sale's earnings) I wonder what I could do with all this cash. Maybe I should buy a boat with it!
Exclusive to anime-- go wild with the voice!
Will be featured in future episodes.
Pinto Rappa is PaRappa's little sister. Sweet and kind, she is always eager to hang out with her friends and loves to lend a hand. Pinto is a precious member of her family!
(waking up her big brother) PaRappa! Hey, PaRappa, Sunny's on the phone!
(introducing her pet) This is my friend Uee! He's kind of shy, but really nice once you get to know him.
(excited) How do I look in my new bow?
Voice Reference: Armstead Christian (yes, he was PaRappa's dad too!) https://youtu.be/IqxH9Pq_9ZU?t=394 https://youtu.be/xJMYW-gvgSU?t=1155
Will be featured in future episodes.
Papa PaRappa is PaRappa's father. He's a quirky inventor who is as passionate about his family as he is about his work. Hardworking and loyal, Papa sets an example for his son!
(content) My wife always makes the best sandwiches.
(realization) So this is what's turning everything into noodles...
(panicked about his son driving) Hey, where are you going with my car?! You've only had that license ten minutes!!
