Pokémon in Canada: Difference between revisions

The original Quebec dub of Pokémon is actually a modified version of the dub from {{pmin|France}}. While the Canadian dub used most of the same dialogue as the European French version, all of the character names in the show were changed to match the names used in the English version (for example, "{{an|Misty}}" is used instead of "Ondine" and "{{p|Charmander}}" instead of "Salamèche"); it is unknown whether the names were simply dubbed over the European French version, or whether the Quebec dub is completely new. Despite the changes to character names, other proper names such as the names of cities remained the same as in the European French version (for example, "Carmin sur Mer" is used instead of "[[Vermilion City]]" or a translated equivalent such as "Ville de Vermilion"). All dubbing and other modifications required for the Canadian French version of the anime were conducted by Covitec in the province of {{wp|Quebec}}.

The Quebec dub aired on {{wp|Télétoon (Canadian TV channel)|Télétoon}}, a French-language children's network based in {{wp|Montreal}}. Télétoon stopped airing Pokémon after the completion of ''[[S04|Pokémon: Johto League Champions]]''. Following this, ''[[S05|Pokémon: Master Quest]]'' was partly aired on a different network, {{wp|V (TV network)|TQS}}. The Canadian French version of Pokémon was cancelled in 2004 for unknown reasons.

The Quebec dub was released on VHS and DVD by Imavision Distribution Inc., but their license to distribute the series has expired and their Pokémon titles have gone out of print. The movies were distributed on VHS and bilingual DVD (with both French and English audio tracks) by {{wp|Warner Brothers}}, although no movies have been released to Canadians in French since [[VIZ Media]] took over the distribution of the films.

Unlike the fandom in France, a significant portion of the French-speaking adult ''Pokémon'' fandom in Quebec grew up with English names and terms thanks to this dub (and the English-language games, to a lesser extent). As a result, [[List of French Pokémon names|France's localized names]] tend to become a point of debate, particularly regarding early-generation nostalgia; English-language ''Pokémon'' games and merchandise are sold alongside their French-language counterparts and remain successful with older fans, and some Francophone Canadians continue to use the English names in conversation<ref>[http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/11/08/de-retour-en-enfance-avec-pokemon ''Le Journal de Montréal'' French-language review of X and Y]</ref>, with casual use of the French names not being as widespread or universal as in other French-speaking parts of the world.

=====Cast and Crew=====

Many voice actors and actresses contributed to the Quebec version of the [[Pokémon anime]]. Although much of the dialogue from the {{DL|Pokémon in France|Dubbing|European French}} version was reused for the Canadian dub, many proper names in the show were redubbed to match the proper names used in the English version of the anime airing elsewhere in Canada.

While it is unknown whether the dub of the series was modified from the European French version or redubbed entirely, the movies were dubbed from scratch in Quebec. Notable voice actors included '''Sébastien Reding''', who provided the voice of [[Ash Ketchum]], '''Kim Jalabert''', who provided {{an|Misty}}'s voice, '''Martin Watier''', who provided {{an|Brock}}'s voice, and '''Joël Legendre''', who provided {{Tracey}}'s voice. Ash's mother, [[Delia Ketchum]], was voiced by '''Nathalie Coupal'''.