entertainment

Schwarzenegger to appear in TV ad to promote California in Japan

27 Comments

California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, 60, will appear in a TV ad campaign in Japan to promote California. Schwarzenegger will introduce Hollywood and Disneyland as well as Californian industries and nature in the ads, which will be aired from Friday. His voice will be dubbed by Tessho Genda, 60, who has dubbed him in his films in Japan.

Schwarzenegger, who was popularly known as "Schwa-chan" during his movie days, last appeared in TV ads in Japan in 1993.

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27 Comments
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Not sure why, but i'm pretty sure lots of Japanese know about California

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"His voice will be dubbed"

Oh, for cryin' out loud, that's going to ruin the ad.

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Not sure why, but i'm pretty sure lots of Japanese know about California

:) My exact thought!

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Maybe it could go something like' 'velkom to Kalifonia, vere even non-English speakers wiz no klu about politiks can become Koverner'.

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'You'll be ba-a-a-a-ack'

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Good one Himajin. xD California is the other place besides New York that a majority of Japanese tourist etc seem to go first

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They are already showing the ad in Britain. It is cringeworthy, apart from the surreal appearance of Arnold Schwarzenneger at the end, which somehow manages to rescue it.

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An Austrian promoting the US?

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"his voice will be dubbed"..perfect, it'll probably be some squeaky anime voice

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Arnie is an American now Densha. Hes a citizen. Schwa-chan? is that for real? Has anybody ever honestly heard him referred to as that before?

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Schwa-chan? is that for real? Has anybody ever honestly heard him referred to as that before?

In Japan? Pretty much anytime the man is mentioned in casual conversation. Many people in Japan don't actually know or know how to pronounce his real name.

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Many people in Japan don't actually know or know how to pronounce his real name.

Yes they do. The Shuwa-chan thing came from a commercial he did a while back with Rie Whatsername selling wotsit. The commercial was selling something totally forgettable, but the image of big tuff Arnie reaching out and calling 'Rie-chaaan', and her calling him 'Shuuuwaaa-chaan' stuck.

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Maybe in your casual conversations.

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"Hi, I am Schwa-chan. Please come and visit our beautiful state where cities are bankrupt, water is in short supply, and gas is at an all time high, not to mention outrageous airfare. California; our tomatoes are not contaminated, we think!"

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"It ( the ad ) is cringeworthy"

Cringeworthy! Ha ha ha! I like that word! I have seen many cringeworthy ads, TV shows, movies...

namabiru - You've never actually been to the beautiful state of California, have you?

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The governator is promoting California, seems like a natural as he already has recognition in Japan.

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They shouldnt dub over Arnie`s voice, hes accent is part of his appeal. Just an excuse to give some loser hasbeen voice actor some crumbs.

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Why not actually try showing people in Japan his picture and asking what his name is? The commercial was for 'arinaminn V' an energy drink. Yes, that is where the nickname came from and it has stuck.

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He's Austria? I always thought that accent was ... Australian oh doh!! No wonder they need to dub it.

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There are no fayaaas in state of Kaliforniaa!!! GET DAAAAOONN!!!!!

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Pretty poor form to pick up on the Gov's accent. He is both an American citizen and a credit to the US policy of allowing people from all over the world to become citizens of the country. Color, creed or accent should not be an issue.

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Arnold used to flog a genki drink with Rie Miyazawa. They were known as the Rie-chan, Schwa-chan combination.

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can`t be anything worse than this... http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=skBlEbsM0jM

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Terminator arnie to promote california terminations like in terminator movies, or creations. California should have got,other sunshine people to promote california, may be of the likes,of Jim carrey,and many others. They should get more good guy, positive role models for california tourism. This is bad choice, from california state, for its association with terminator movies/arnie.

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Why is it that anything foreign, the Japanese feel the need to dub? Can they not read? Is it too far over their heads? Every time it seems when I see a show on about any foreign country, they dub over all the voices AND subtitle it. Come on, is it really that hard to read subs in your native tongue?

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They also sub-title a LOT of japanese talents.

Dubbing/subbing is the norm in NON-english speaking countries.

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rtrhead1- You are right on,agree with you.

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