Review of The Outcast Season 1

Ok. The first you must know is that the original Chinese version is a lot better. The main reason is its uncut and uncensored. There is also the small aspects like accent that comes into play that help people understand the region they are in. But most importantly there are keys scenes that the Japanese miss out. The story starts and develops in an abrupt manner, with a grave robbing which introduces us to our two main characters Zhang Chouran and Fang Baobao who have a weird chemistry and relationship. Both of each work quite well as individual characters. The story is convoluted in the sense theplot and the story slowly unravels itself from grave robbing to the world of Chinese martial arts and secret societies and its many secrets and unexplained mysteries.

Both dubs do a good job in bringing the characters alive, but as I mentioned there are nuances that the Japanese could not translate or adapt to. The story also is lacking in the Japanese version, I assume because they had to air it they had to remove the blood and gore, there are also some key fight scenes that are noticeably missing from the Japanese version that are relevant to the last few episodes of this season, but also some other key scenes in the final episode.

Art is anime but with distinct Chinese art style that you won't find in anime or manga, noticeably its the facial animations and features that appear. The fights are also well done, not great, but to par. The cut scenes I mentioned are worth seeing mainly cause they show as side of Baobao that you would never see otherwise, and it will bring you to understand her character more.

Sound, now this is were there is a noticeable difference, one is that the Chinese voices sometimes can be drowned out by the background sound or music. Where as the Japanese dub comes out clear at every turn.
The background noises you will notice in the Chinese dub are lacking consistency and quality. for example the sound for pouring a drink or a syringe falling to the floor don't match expectations.
The one noticeable difference is that the final episode in the Chinese version is based in Guangzhou, where the dialect is predominantly Cantonese. Which is different from the Mandarin that is present in every episode. The Cantonese dub was well done and gave the characters present their uniqueness. For those who grew up in Hong Kong, there are probably a few familiar voices in the dub, and also there are some local culture references like a canto pop singers name and song, giving us a timeline.
To be honest just this alone is worth a watch but the fact its a Baobao key scene makes it a must watch if you love Baobao's character.

The opening music and ending music for both is different. Chinese is more folk song before rock enters. and Japanese is usual Japanese opening style.

I personally have held back from watching this, due to the fact no one bothered to sub the Chinese version. I eventually gave in, and just watched the Chinese version one episode at a time and than watched the Japanese episode after to see if I understood the context of it. This is one of the reasons I noticed the differences right away. But I reckon this is a way to enjoy both versions. The new and unfamiliar Chinese voice acting. And than the familiar voices of Japanese voice actors.

I also appreciate the fact the Japanese dubbed one of the folk songs that appears in the anime. I would recommend you to give it a try.
Chinese animation still has its rawness to it, but its interesting to see it improve over time.

Also at the end of the last episode for the original Chinese dub was an advert for a new Chinese anime similar to dead man wonderland but different. Now if only someone can tell me what it is.