Yeah the Pokeshipping bias was all 4kids. Granted that Misty was the only female main character at the time but they took it up to eleven by changing the dialogue, and giving her a song dedicated to her "feelings for Ash."
Though I've never seen the japanese version of D and P so I can't really compare the two but I will say that a lot of potential shipping moments that were set up well were ruined by either an Ash or Dawn reaction which felt out of place. Case in point, one of my favorite moments in Tanks for the Memories where Ash finds Dawn crying and asks why. Dawn answers that she had something in her eye [despite several tears] a
nd suggests they get Ice Cream. Cue the obligatory Captain Oblivious moment where Ash decides to think with his stomach instead of his head. I mean she had just lost a contest which he watched. Too be honest as good as Ash is, I don't really see him as that great of a hero anymore. I think that the series should have matured a little a long time ago. When it deals with things like abandonment [Charmander episode in season 1 as well as Chimchar], Right vs. Might [Ash's methods vs. Paul's methods] to name a few, it is really entertaining. When it steps back however and takes the everyone is friends and your happy and I'm happy and even the guys who steal the pokemon are happy approach it just makes me cringe in boredom.
The only time I heard the Japanese voice actor was in high touch and by your side and I thought she was fine. As for Dawn's VA in the english, I actually really liked her. Her voice to me anyway sounded quirky and mischievous, just like how Dawn actually is. Though, maybe it was because her voice sounded a little deep for a 10 year old girl? I guess I just like mature women