Dub or Sub?

[Maka]

I prefer dubbed!

 

[Maka]

Well now I'm watching SAO subbed and I think I prefer it now. Lol

 

[Bobby64]

It depends on the show and the quality of the dub. With Pokemon and Lucky Star, I prefer the dubs because they do a good job. But with most shows, I prefer the cuteness of the original Japanese voices, especially since most direct-to-DVD releases have poor dubs.

 

[KitKatMatt]

I find myself preferring subs most of the time, simply because english dubs tend to be awful.

They always like to do little tweaks that bother me- they change names, change dialogue, and most importantly, the voice quality seems to suck most of the time

An example is FFVII: Advent Children. I was really excited for the movie, and watched it in Japanese with subs. I thought the voices were excellent, they hit the characters square on the head (besides Cloud being so mopey, but that's the writers fault). I watched the english dub later with family, and was very disappointed. The voices fell so flat, especially Cloud's and Sephiroth's. They had no dynamic in them at all to me compared to the Japanese voices

A non-Japanese example is Let The Right One In, a swedish vampire movie (there's an American remake called Let Me In). The subbed version was amazing, but the english dub changed the vampire's voice from small and girlish to heavy and growly, like a monster talking. That kind of went against the whole flow of the movie.

Good dub example would Felidae, a German animated film. The voices fit very well with the characters, and I frequently watch it both dubbed and subbed. Pretty much all of Studio Ghibli's films are examples of excellent dubbing, too- I'll single out Pom Poko because of it's replacement of words, though.

 

[Qyöt27]

Pretty much all of Studio Ghibli's films are examples of excellent dubbing, too- I'll single out Pom Poko because of it's replacement of words, though.

While it doesn't really need pointing out, I'm sure the reason behind that is the budget issues. In matters of financial resources and clout within the industry, companies like Funimation or Sentai are ants compared to Disney. It's also why those dubs actually have A-list Hollywood actors in them.

 

[sunnynevada77]

Always subs for me. Dubbing, especially with my experiences with anime, always sound very unnatural to me.

 

[KitKatMatt]

While it doesn't really need pointing out, I'm sure the reason behind that is the budget issues. In matters of financial resources and clout within the industry, companies like Funimation or Sentai are ants compared to Disney. It's also why those dubs actually have A-list Hollywood actors in them.

That is very true.

 

[Bristecom]

While it doesn't really need pointing out, I'm sure the reason behind that is the budget issues. In matters of financial resources and clout within the industry, companies like Funimation or Sentai are ants compared to Disney. It's also why those dubs actually have A-list Hollywood actors in them.

I hate to be that guy but Funimation's dubbing usually sucks in my opinion.

I actually like a lot of the older dubs when they casted people more specifically for roles. Now it's like the same few voice actors/actresses over and over again. And they aren't even that good to begin with.

 

[Qyöt27]

I hate to be that guy but Funimation's dubbing usually sucks in my opinion.

Fully agreed. I used them as the example because in the group of companies that have the largest share of licenses for domestic anime, they're the most visible (along with Sentai; if this was 10 years ago, I'd have said ADV since it was just as true then).

I actually like a lot of the older dubs when they casted people more specifically for roles. Now it's like the same few voice actors/actresses over and over again. And they aren't even that good to begin with.

This too. Then again, a good portion of that is nostalgia on my part, since the older dubs are usually paired with clearly older anime, mainly because that's what was new at the time. The feeling of picking it up at the local Blockbuster on VHS (or Sci-Fi Channel) and watching it at home back when there was simply no other option.

 

[Azureknight 773]

While indeed it is true that I love the Japanese voices and have some nifty fun reading the subs, I sometimes get lost in the process even if I use my sub-to-action and vice versa skill to its fullest (though it is not that I myself am not proficient, I am profecient in doing so). I however do find dubs better especially whenever I hear the English voices of those done by the people in either the Vancouver (Blue Waters or The Ocean Group) or the guys from California (Bang Zoom Entertainment) (though it takes a little while to get adjusted to the voices in the Texas area). It is a lot easier for me to watch the show in that fashion like what I did with so many episodes in so many anime titles out there like the Gundam Metaseries as a whole (especially G Gundam, ERRRUPTING! BURNING! FINGER!!! all the way despite the cheesiness but covered in thick unadulterated ham while the rule of cool is running all over the show), Bacanno! Durarara!, Nura: Rise of the Youkai Clan and some more others out there. I honestly don't seem to get any logical thesis as to how and why do people hate the dubs too much to the point of making themselves look so bad in all in all. Dubs are awesome and without it, anime would be harder and harder to be broadcast in a way that would ease the viewer's interest in doing so.

 

[Azureknight 773]

I hate to be that guy but Funimation's dubbing usually sucks in my opinion.

I actually like a lot of the older dubs when they casted people more specifically for roles. Now it's like the same few voice actors/actresses over and over again. And they aren't even that good to begin with.

While indeed I love dubs I have to agree on this part but not at 100%. They are mostly overused and have been around since time in memorial. Though some of their VAs really need some polishing like how they did with the To Aru Series but then the director must have missed some if not many of the things that are highlighted in the Japanese version.

But then it is time for me to defend that company. Though they do have good voice actors to boot. Say for example, the folks who did Bacanno just instantaneously kicked out the subs (Japanese dubbed) of the window since their performance is just awesome. I love how they put the accents there and it is just perfect! I love how Mr. Michael Tatum and Caitlin Glass just hammed up every scene there is when being a Ham is already required in those particular scenes. I think their dub with Full Metal Alchemist just need some attention to be uplifted as a wonderfully dubbed anime since those guys especially the ones who did Ed, Al and Roy and some others out there are just superb! The cast who did Trinity Blood is also awesome in so many ways like when those people were in high and low points of that show just makes it good.

 

[Haloman800]

Double post

 

[Haloman800]

Dubbed all the way. I do enjoy subtitles, but it's too hard to watch the show when you have to rely on them

 

[RaisinOatmeal]

I vastly prefer subs since I can pick up Japanese along the way. I also find that English-speaking dub actors tend to sound weird and out-of-character when portraying the breathy, ditzy Japanese school girl types or some of the...softer...guy characters. Great dubs exist but they are very rare.

 

[Azureknight 773]

^Except that with most of today's Bang Zoom Entertainment's dubs are genuinely great and can par if not surpass the Japanese versions.

 

[RaisinOatmeal]

Ah, it's too bad I haven't watched any of their productions yet. Perhaps eventually - gotta find time for it

 

[Rubiks]

i prefer dub if its actually well made

 

[Florenzian Parameter]

It doesnt matter to me I like dubs cuz its quite easy to understand (tagalog/Filipino) subs are okay too....


i'll never choose the other one or vice versa cuz i like em both, and i just dont get it why some people are dissing dubs....which is very immature and mean

 

[Azureknight 773]

^May I ask? Are you a Filipino?

Ah, it's too bad I haven't watched any of their productions yet. Perhaps eventually - gotta find time for it

Try The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya English Dubbed.

Also, I recommend others like the Canadian dubbed anime shows like Gundam and Zoids. They make quality dubs.

 

[RDKirk]

So much depends on voice actor quality, but given quality, I prefer dubs.

Has anyone noted with American animation how much good actors bring to the table? I can't explain it, but people who are good stage and/or screen actors also seem to be the most effective voice actors.

Now, if you're not going to do the dubs with good actors, then stick to subs. It's not good enough just to grab someone who can read a line.