IT was an entirely different but enjoyable experience for Doug Kramer.
The Phoenix big man took time out from his playing schedule to become part of ‘Barangay 143,’ the first ever sports-themed anime to be produced locally.
Kramer is among the celebrity cast of the series being aired every Sunday over GMA-7. The veteran center lends his voice to the anime show as the young commissioner ‘Jumpin’ Jack Rivera.
“Minor lang yung role ko. I’m the young version of Edu Manzano in the series,” said Kramer.
Doing an anime is certainly a challenge for the veteran big man out of Ateneo.
For one, the voice dubbing should be synchronized with what the anime character is saying on screen.
“It’s different from the commercials that I have done because you want to convey your emotions thru words and thru your lines,” Kramer disclosed.
“And then you have to be watching the animatics on screen while dubbing your lines.”
Produced by ASI Animation Studios and TV Asahi, the series is a collaboration between the Philippines’ Synergy88 and Singapore’s August Media Holdings.
The anime program follows the story of Bren Park (Migo Adecer), a rising basketball star in Korea, who turns his back on everything after a major event changed his life. The search for answers leads Bren to Manila, where he goes to live with his former nanny Tita Baby (Lorna Tolentino) in the gritty neighbordhood of Barangay 143.
The show is somewhat a family affair for the Kramers as it also features Doug’s wife, actress Cheska Garcia and children Kendra and Scarlet.
Kramer said the anime was offered to the family and the kids fell in love with it.
“I’m actually proud of my daughters because they are really doing very well, especially si Kendra, who has a bigger role in the anime,” he said.
The Kramers are now done with their recordings and shoots as the anime series is now on its third episode on Nov. 4.
Kramer said he still has to see and think it over if another opportunity to do anime dubbing comes his way.
But he’ll certainly cherish the work he and his family had done for ‘Barangay 143.’
“I love it,” said Kramer. “It’s an honor to become part of something very special like this first (sports-themed) Philippine anime.”
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