Linda Ballantyne Talks About New Sailor Moon Dub [Nerd Emperor Interview]

[@adamfreeman9367]

i have met her and to stop all the mean rumors, she is super nice she isn't an attention getter she is just a very enthusiastic person i got to talk to her when no one was around and she really listens to you and even said that finding what sailor moons means to people is why everyone does it. her voice is still a huge part of my childhood so i will always love her.

[@GilbertGTV]

Her voice was NOT a part of your childhood! Terri Hawkes was! Terri was the majority of the voice of Serena but you wouldn’t know it because Linda takes all the credit.

[@LovelyPumpkin4]

​@@GilbertGTV Incase you weren't aware some of us grew up on sailormoon season 3 and 4 of the original English dub then season 1 and 2 so you're wrong

[@LovelyPumpkin4]

​@@GilbertGTV and no that is false Terri hawks was in 69 episodes including the 3 movies while Linda was in 77, so technically Linda was the majority of Serena

[@GilbertGTV]

@@LovelyPumpkin4 Those episodes were not as syndicated, so they weren't seen as much. It was on the absolute decline of the series because she destroyed the excitement and buzz for it. She might have voiced the character for a few more episodes, but rest assured, Terri is the one that built the popularity and developed the following. Thank God not many saw what Linda did. She nearly destroyed the series.

[@sheismymom]

Linda is my favourite Sailor Moon voice

[@briansivley2001]

Mine too she sounded like Curly of the Three Stooges.

[@dennistaylor9495]

She was the worst.

[@crissilovesyouxo]

To be completely honest, I have to say I admired Linda as Usagi/Serena as much as the first two. Sailor Moon will always be something that will stay in my heart forever. God Bless Naoko and everyone else who's made this show an inspiration to many of its fans. There will never be another series quite like Sailor Moon. And btw, seasons 3 and 4 were my absolute favorite, you go Linda! :)

[@ryuhayabusa6776]

Nothing but affection. I really loved her work in the role.

[@KonamiAi]

I think it's so sad that people will sit there and say "This person's voice acting sucked" or "They're just in it for the money" or "This person was so much better." But when it comes to Live Action Sera Myu, or the millionth redub of "Akira" no one bats an eye. I had to get over the voice change, but once I did, I think she did great! I prefer the Japanese over the English, but I think her interpretation of Sailor Moon was as good as anyone's. I remember in an interview with the series creator, Naoko Takeuchi, (back when "R" was dubbed) she stated that the English voice was "Too low sounding". So when DiC lost the rights to the series and it was picked up by Cloverway, they went and looked for someone with the right amount of pitch. That being said, Linda is great in other anime's that are directly translated. So when she's forced into a role when a show's content is cut/heavily edited/name changed it's pretty hard when you have some serious boundaries. Not to mention to follow in the footsteps of someone else who already paved the way! Also, this lady is a true-blue Moonie. She's a lover of Sailor Moon as a whole. She's knowledgeable and she knows her stuff. There's not too many voice actors/actresses that honestly are real "Fans" of their own work. But she is! So give her some credit. I don't see any of you doing any better. There a difference between having an opinion and being an asshole. Some of you should really learn the difference.

[@Princess2Warrior]

*Actually - Naoko Takeuchi's opinion of English dubbing had no bearing on Cloverway's casting decisions - Cloverway actually wanted to pick someone who sounded just like Terri Hawkes as a matter of fact - the only reason they chose Linda Ballantyne was because on her audition day her sinuses was stuffed up and her voice happened to sound similar to Terri Hawkes - so they chose her.* *After her voice went back to the normal Linda Ballantyne voice we are all familiar with, they kept her because she had already signed a contract with them.*

[@SquashMcCain]

I actually watched Sailor Moon S first when I was really young, Linda's voice is the one I was most familiar with, I know a lot of people hate her voice, but I love it!

[@hannamills1985]

Studio Usagi she is just the best

[@MLaker221]

I LOVE this woman, she sure is on a roll this year! I'm so excited this was just last week. Thank you so much for doing these snippets and giving me much joy today! my gosh!!

[@animelover92d25]

I Agree! Also I Love Your Profile Pic! Sailor V Is My Fav

[@nickpellegrinoconnors7888]

Linda Ballantyne is funny as Sailor Moon

[@axlh.1827]

I’ll never understand why people hate on her. She clearly loved her character and put so much effort into it and so many people grew up with her voice as sailor moon. She seems like a great and fun person

[@risingsonseven]

She's one of animes voice acting legends. She's done so much anime shows and movies

[@LazyGamerNyx]

It was nice to meet her in person, so outgoing!

[@AnimeFanNo3]

She was okay, but could never imagine Sailor Moon without Terri Hawkes first or Tracy Moore as her second.

[@ch2010ize]

uhhh Tracey Moore was the voice first

[@user-yr7op2ey1k]

@@ch2010ize true

[@mz2005]

I wish she was returning for the new dub, along with Karen Bernstein, Katie Griffin, Susan Roman, Toby Proctor, Jill Frappier and Ron Rubin.

[@TheDrmcvey]

Seeing how Viz brought back the original cast for Berserk, she might.

[@TakashiMadigan]

TheDrmcvey Shes not, CrunchyRoll just posted an article revealing the new English cast earlier today

[@Ultrabalor]

There's a chance their voices are different today than their were back then, and getting Canadian actors is difficult when it comes to anime dubbing in America.

[@kumada84]

I think it's such a shame that linda ballantyne wasn't able to voice serena with something closer to her own voice. I think she would have been perfect if she hadn't had to contend with what terri hawkes had already done. I also think it's awesome that she goes to conventions and is able to enjoy them despite the horrible, nasty things some people choose to say about her on the internet (something she's clearly aware of - she all but came right out and said it in this interview). I believe if most of the people who disliked her work on the show actually knew anything about how voice over recording works, they wouldn't be laying all the blame on her.

[@Princess2Warrior]

*Yeah it's not her fault - she did a decent job with what she had.*

[@jammer0856]

Tracy was my favorite Serena but Linda was okay too!! She is still part of my childhood!! Thank you Linda for being part of my childhood!! :)

[@kaylasanderson5185]

Linda Ballantyne you are the one and only Sailor Moon and you were also my childhood I love you you are awesome 😃💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 I know ever since when I was little I'm obsessed with Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon will always be a part of my life and I will never forget that thanks to you

[@4EverCanela]

Did she say... CARTOON?!?!

[@zachsifuentes5022]

Well it is a cartoon... An Anime is just a Japanese cartoon....

[@kumada84]

"Did she say... CARTOON?!?!" I call it a "cartoon" too. partly because that's what it is (I don't call dijon mustard "moutarde dijon" just because it's a French food, so I don't call a Japanese cartoon an "anime" just because it's Japanese - "anime" means all animation, no matter where it was made), partly because people using japanese words makes them sound douchebags (like someone saying "moutarde dijon" instead of "dijon mustard") - but mostly because it annoys people like you, which I find to be really hilarious.

[@Evergreen_77]

Give me Terri Hawkes anyday

[@antoniaandmello]

I love sailor moon when I was little. Now i am 33 year old. watch more of sailor moon but in English for season 4 I get a nice now she love sailor moon she is 12 year old she love it

[@VisualBoyAdvanceVBA]

***** It's hard to like someone that sounded like they had a permanent case of laryngitis. Nearly every line that Linda did, you could easily notice how bad she was struggling to deliver them. There is a REASON why Terri is universally considered to be the best She made the Sailor Moon character sound three-dimensional. Terri portrayed all of her personality quirks like it was natural.

[@StarwindAmada1]

Sorry I was listening the MMPR theme in the background.

[@Lyokowarrior16]

Power ranger music in the back ground lol

[@craigreeves5465]

0:11 - 0:13 -- THAT was my childhood!

[@MegaMr46]

Hands down Linda Ballantyne is the best Sailor Moon/Serena. Now she's in the Revival Run of GOTJ as Magnolia (thought she's playing the wild girl but instead that name became Ursula Scott's Design while Her name's been switched to Magnolia's design)

[@anonymousguy572]

*Usagi

[@MegaMr46]

Usagi in English Dub is Serena, like Satoshi from Pokemon in the English Dub is Ash.

[@godsdaughter3738]

And my favorite part was when you were in the boats with Tuxedo Mask I wish I could see a video of you and Tuxedo Mask doing that role

[@moonbunnycakes]

Yeah, I know she's a voice actress and I respect that -- but I just don't like Linda. She's not a good Usagi, at all. Stephanie Sheh is not perfect, but she definitely sounds like a better candidate. Tracey Moore and Terri Hawkes is more Sailor Moon to me, cuz Linda makes me cringe.

[@estelasanchez.]

It's so true. Linda's voice physically made me cringe. I only watched because i loved the story! I tuned in just because of the story!!!

[@KyloRen4238]

🎵Happy Birthday To U WHOO Happy Birthday Two U WHOO Happy Birthday Dear Serena Happy Birthday ✌️ U🎵 WHOO Happy Birthday Linda Ballantyne. Your beautiful. I love Sailor Moon. U were pretty, Serena is beautiful, I love blonde hair chicks. I seen Sailor Moon when i was little. Sailor Moon is my favorite, Sailor guardian. Love u Serena. May the Peace be with u Serena/Sailor. From Harlingen Texas. October 24, 1964 October 24, 2022 through October 24, 3022

[@tanequawoodson7609]

serena and beautiful

[@TatsuraJ]

Aaaaargh...I'm sorry but she was the worst English-voice Sailor Moon ever. Terri Hawkes all the way for me. Agree or disagree, that's fine by me.

[@natevasquez5671]

I really like the original english dub because with each of the voice actresses Sailor Moon matured. Tracey Moore's version was the crybaby version then Terri Hawkes' version was when she gets a little bit more focused and then the Linda Ballentyne version is still a goofball but she has matured over the course of the show. The Stephanie Sheh version for VIZ is still a crybaby by the time the Shadow Galactica arrive .Having Sailor Moon remain a crybaby is an insult to her legacy and to all Super Heroines. The original english dub showed her mature and be a Heroine while the VIZ version keeps her a wimp.

[@AzulOceanParadise]

Right on! You know, it's rare to hear character's voices deepen/mature in animes as they age. I'm in the minority but I love how Sailor Moon's voices changed throughout the series. It seemed a little more realistic in my opinion. Who cares if it wasn't cutesy? I just ignore the flaws and watch the show

[@MegaMr46]

Linda Linda Linda, it's actually a second Season of GOTJ, scientist's name was Ursula but it's good choice for you. Good luck playing Magnolia, who was called Ursula on the original run.

[@tanequawoodson7609]

I love Sailor moon

[@godsdaughter3738]

I meet you in the Comic-Con one day

[@johnnycoreas5506]

Shut Up! I''m Busy

[@someguy3583]

Props for having a positive attitude despite the fans being brutal when it comes to her. She's obviously a good voice actress and so many factors went into making her CWI-era "Serena" a fail. The bad scripts, the directive for her to imitate Terri Hawkes, the too rushed production to meet the Toonami deadline, etc.

[@stephenvalentinemusi]

Linda was my favorite Sailor Moon voice for sure. I actually really liked it! I watched the four seasons....and don't care for Tracey Moore and Terri Hawkes that much.

[@Catgirl2021]

I like her voice when she's speaking regular but when she played Sailor Moon it was way overdone. I prefer Terri Hawkes. But I think if Linda uses her regular voice as Sailor Moon it would have been perfect.

[@kumada84]

"I like her voice when she's speaking regular but when she played Sailor Moon it was way overdone. I prefer Terri Hawkes. But I think if Linda uses her regular voice as Sailor Moon it would have been perfect." i agree. unfortunately, she was basically hired to impersonate Terri Hawkes, which was a mistake. she should have been allowed to do it the way she wanted to. despite what people (including her) might say, I don't think she was really given that option.

[@janicehayashibara5271]

Now that’s my second favourite Sailor Moon voice actress 🥰🥰🥰 not that other girl what’s her name, who cares 😂

[@andycarver297]

She looks like she could be Jim Breuer's sister.

[@babe201]

I hear POWER RANGERS!!!! 😍😍😍😅

[@shakirs.1853]

Yeah, the "Mighty Morphin" version of the show's theme that was played throughout while she explained it!

[@jeffiemassey5604]

WTB Terri Hawkes :(

[@Arz2003]

Are they playing shitty ass Power Raingers music?

[@ZeldasFinalFantasy]

Ugh I hated her voice. She's the big reason why I couldn't watch The S and supers seasons.

[@shakirs.1853]

Yeah, it was used as Cloverway's English dub since then, found on Toonami during its programming while her role started. I love that!

[@devine1005]

Sailor moon's voice just got worse and worse, and Linda Ballantyne was the worst. She's old too, how did they get her to play the voice of a teenage girl. Its like they just picked a name out of a hat.

[@kumada84]

"Sailor moon's voice just got worse and worse, and Linda Ballantyne was the worst. She's old too, how did they get her to play the voice of a teenage girl. Its like they just picked a name out of a hat. " you honestly have to be joking, right? did you actually think voice actors are cast based on their ages? you do know that Susan Roman was almost 40 when she was cast to play Sailor Jupiter?

[@estelasanchez.]

I really didn't like her voice as sailormoon. They butchered a great heroine by using her as the voice actress. It really wasn't pleasant to have Linda as a voice for Sailor Moon. :(. I preferred the other two voice actresses: especially Terri Hawks! She was awesome!!!

[@jalyssacooper6254]

She's an attention hog. Terri Hawks was a better sailor moon and actually showed enthusiasm for the ANIME

[@br8y693]

She had the worst voice of all of them

[@jalyssacooper6254]

She's an attention hog. Terri Hawks was a better sailor moon and actually showed enthusiasm for the ANIME

[@0mega29]

Terri Hawkes was my favorite Sailor Moon voice as well I felt she captured her emotions very well and her voice suited the character better, would have been awesome if she and the rest of the original cast were chosen to do the redub

[@jalyssacooper6254]

She really does!! That would really cool but I thunk they already have an english dub cast.

[@kumada84]

"She's an attention hog." I don't see anything about her that would make me call her an "attention hog". can you explain to me what you mean?

[@jalyssacooper6254]

She just wants the recognition, she didn't really show any real interest. Just in it for the money.

[@kumada84]

Jalyssa Cooper "She just wants the recognition, she didn't really show any real interest. Just in it for the money." again, I don't see anything that indicates anything you're saying is true. where are you getting that impression from?