Chat Log - Justin Cook 

Thank you so much for joining us once again for the Celebrity Chat. Today we are glad to have Justin Cook as our guest. Justin is the director for Dragon Ball and Yu Yu Hakusho. He is also the voice of Yusuke from Yu Yu Hakusho.

Justin: This is the first time for me to do something like this ...so thanks for showing up. Let the questions roll.

Q: What has been your best moment in directing?
A: Best moments ...huh... well although Dragonball is a lot of fu,n the day I was assigned to Yu Yu Hakusho and was able to start fresh with an anime well I'd say that was the best

Q: What is Yu Yu Hakusho?
A: The show is about a fourteen year old with a bad attitude who is presented with a huge ordeal by becoming a spirit detective from there I'll let you watch the series

Q: When is Yu Yu Hakusho on?
A: Yu Yu Hakusho starts on Feb. 23rd at 11.00 central time on Cartoon Network's new Adult Swim Action.

Q: Do you watch DBZ?
A: All the time by force and out of love

Q: What does it take to be a director?
A: Patience, time, and a true desire to make the best show you can.

Q: As a director when you hire people in anime what do you look for in their resumes?
A: I assume you are asking about voice acting...well I don't care about the resume I let the voice speak for itself...BUT to get to me you have to get past the scheduling person, be professional, polite, and have acting experience.

Q: What exactly do you do when it comes to directing animes?
A: First I get to know the show (for example I've watched the entire series of Yu Yu Hakusho 6 or 7 times). Then, after casting - since the actors come in one at a time - I make sure that the conversations between them make sense in the final cut. There's a lot more but this is too much typing.

Q: Justin, what got you into directing?
A: Well I dabbled in directing in high school and also in my brief stint in college then for anime after being an ADR engineer for about a year they put me on Dragonball and assisting Chris on DBZ I guess I did a good job ...huh

Q: What is your favorite season, bad guy, hero from Yu Yu Hakusho?
A: The 4th season by far, Bad Guy: Riazen(not really a bad guy but he looks bad)

Q: Which do you like best: Yu Yu Hakusho or Dragonball?
A: YU YU HAKUSHO YU YU HAKUSHO YU YU HAKUSHO YU YU HAKUSHO

Q: Do you think the Yu Yu Hakusho series will turn out as good as Dragonball? Is it a pretty exiting series?
A: OK as for as I am concerned Yu Yu Hakusho is the best show ever on TV....Anime or live action.

Q: Do you like coffee?
A: I exist only on coffee.

Q: Can you tell me who the voice of Majin Buu's dog is?
A: Sure My most recent ADR engineer...Chris Bevins. The dog's name is Bee

Q: If Tien and Yusuke were to have an arm wrestle, who would be the victor?
A: I'm not sure but John Burgmeier and I arm wrestle on a regular basis and he wins most of the time (but I let him).

Q: Why Yusuke? Why not do the voice of Hiei or someone else? What made Yusuke so appealing to you?
A: Well I didn't choose, but after watching the show the first time (before casting the show) Yusuke was my favorite hands down. So I'm happy with the decision.

Q: Who is your favorite character from DB?
A: Teenage Dende (I voice him too). Really Future Trunks.

Q: When is Red Ribbon saga coming to Cartoon Network?
A: Soon, Very Soon (sometime in late Jan. early Feb.)

Q: Is Chris Sabat on crack?
A: No...Correction Chris Sabat has a crack.

Q: What's your favorite ending song out of the Yu Yu Hakusho series?
A: Daydream Generation...Dig that dance music.

Q: Do you have curly hair?
A: Used to be before it grew out.

Q: Don't you think having a Reigun (Spirit Gun) would impress the ladies?
A: Oh it does I know but I shouldn't take advantage of the powers that Koenma gave me.

Q: Do you like any other anime or/and cartoon series?
A: A lot. The most recent that I bought is the Cowboy Bebop box set.

Q: Do you eat Dragonball Z fruit snacks?
A: No but I stick them on the wall of the recording studio.

Q: Who is the voice of Future Trunks and Yusuke? Tell me I must know.
A: Future Trunks is Played by Eric Vale....I do Yusuke's voice I think that's why I'm doing this chat.

Q: Do you like Yu Yu Hakusho or coffee better?
A: I like to drink coffee and watch Yu Yu Hakusho....We're working on Yu Yu Hakusho Coffee.

Q: Why does Kuwubara sound so thugish? Couldn't you have done better?
A: Kuwabara IS a thug or he tries to be anyway. I think it was a pretty close match to the Japanese version. I like it.

Q: Why does anime get censored a lot in America yet the Simpsons and South Park get away with "R" rated stuff?
A: I don't know, but I think you'll be pleased with the TV version of Yu Yu Hakusho. Maybe the edits happen because of the time slots that anime usually gets.

Q: Who do you prefer in DBZ, Vegeta or Goku?
A: Hate to join the bandwagon but I like Vegeta. Plus Chris is standing over my shoulder.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: What is "free time"?....does not compute.

Q: Have you ever wanted to travel around the world?
A: Yes, and I still do...can I do it by boat?

Q: You're my hero, you love Yu Yu Hakusho as much as I do. Can I have your autograph?
A: You're my hero too. I'll give you this for now......Justin Ryan Cook

Q: Did you find Chris Sabat's "Cat Loves Food, Ye Yeah Yeah Yeah" line in Season 4 hillarious?
A: I liked Bob Seger's version better, but I laughed.

Q: Did you know that I am the most feared pirate in all the FUNimation chat? Well now you do
A: Do you sail a ship? I don't fear you; I like Pirates.

Q: Who is Bob Seger?
A: Ask your parents...They will be impressed.

Q: I need some advice on girls, you think you could give me some advice?
A: Try your spirit gun. I hear it impresses the ladies.

Q: Do you like Funimation Chat
A: Is that what this is? It's fun so far.

Q: Have you ever been to Idaho?
A: Nope, but I've eaten their potatoes.

Q: Justin why are you so sarcastic?
A: Sorry, but it's a job requirement. It's just in fun.

Q: Do you like video games or Yu Yu Hakusho better? And please don't say you they are working on a Yu Yu Hakusho game unless they really are.
A: I like video games a lot but I think Yu Yu Hakusho still wins the battle.

Q: Are you going to collect the Yu Yu Hakusho action figures?
A: Yes I am proudly.

Q: What's your favorite video game?
A: Grand Theft Auto 3 and Sky Odyssey

Q: Are the Japanese happy that you guys are presenting this stuff to the states?
A: Hope so, they sold it to us. I get to meet them sometime soon, though.

Q: Who plays the voice of Andriod 17?
A: Chuck Huber. He is also the voice of Hiei in Yu Yu Hakusho.

Q: Which do you like best: Nintendo, Sony, Sega or Microsoft?
A: Sony Playstation 2

Q: What did FUNimation do after Sept. 11th?
A: I was recording Episode 6 for Yu Yu Hakusho. It was a very hard day....But the show had to go on.

Q: How old do you have to be to become a voice actor for anything with FUNmation?
A: Age isn't a factor, talent is.

Q: Will the dub have pre-school psuedo-swearing like "Kick Tail" similar to what Krillin in DBZ says?
A: I'll let you see when the show is released...But I think you will be pleased with what you see AND hear.

Q: Are these questions going to be published anywhere?
A: Yes. On www.dragonballz.com in about a day or two.

Thanks so much for your question and I'm sorry for the sarcasm. It's a natural problem of mine. I'd give you my email address but the higher-ups don't like that. But with a little detective work you can find it out. Thanks again and goodbye...Forever Fornever