Subs or Dubs?

[SqueakyGerbil]

Another question I always love to ask on the subject.
Subs or Dubs? Which do you prefer (if you have ever been lucky enough to choose?)

Personally, when given a choice I always would choose the subbed version of an anime. The Japanese voice actors just give something more than the amercian counterparts.

 

[Kelly]

I am in the minority that prefers dubs (when done well). American voice actors are getting better, the translations are sticking more closely to the original scripts and lastly they often show a range of emotion that I just cannot detect in the Japanese language.

Finally, when I am watching beautiful animation, it's no fun to have to focus my eyes away from it to read what is being said.

 

[Arthur Dietrich]

It depends, really. There are some very well done dubs, but I do like to watch subs. One thing I don't like about subs is having to stare at the TV/Screen and having to stop and rewind if I don't finish reading.

Though they seem to be hard to find, I like watching the japanese versions without subs. I'm not fluent in japanese-YET-but I usually know what's going on.

 

[nuclear]

Finally, when I am watching beautiful animation, it's no fun to have to focus my eyes away from it to read what is being said.

That's one downfall of subs for me as well. DVDs are life-savers in this case. I usually choose the dubs first to see if they are any good. If not, then it can be easily switched to subs. If there's no such choice available, then I go for subs. I just watch the film twice: first concentrating more on the subtitles and the second time, on animation

And there are very good dubs out there. It's just they are not found often as one would like.

 

[ThePhoenix]

Maybe it's the fact that my reading speed is like 700 words per minute, but I've never been distracted from the art by the sub before. While I'll watch good dubs (Cowboy Bebop) mostly they're utter trash. UTTER trash.

 

[SqueakyGerbil]

I took enough Japanese in high school to be roughtly aware of what is being said (plus I read fast) so for me there is no comparison. I just find that I have yet to see an english dub that can shine a light on the japanese myself.

So that leaves the question, what are the good english dubs then?

-changed because I didn't pay enough attention to what I was typing-

 

[Arthur Dietrich]

Good English dubs....follow the original script (at least as best as possible), the voice acting is a big thing to. And the voices. A lot of dubby voices are down right annoying XP

 

[ThePhoenix]

I took enough Japanese in high school to be roughtly aware of what is being said (plus I read fast) so for me there is no comparison. I just find that I have yet to see an english dub that can shine a light on the japanese myself.

So that leaves the question, what are the good english subs then?

SSX always does a good job IMO. A lot of the translations are crud though. I actually find myself getting fandubs of stuff I own just for the superior translation. Arucard (or Akkard) indeed.

 

[ashibaka]

Problem: Dubs usually dumb down everything, but on the other time subtitles make it hard to concentrate on the excellent animation.

Solution: Learn Japanese, watch raws

 

[Angelo]

yeah... lets all go learn japanese... and while were at it, why don't we learn elvish too. That way, we can turn off the subtitles when they speak Elvish in Lord of the Rings...

Anyway, I'm a fan of subs for the most part. But some animes I prefer to watch the dubbed version of it. Like Gundam Wing. I just love the voice overs in that series, and I actually hate the Japanese voices. So it all really just depends on the series I guess.

 

[Kelly]

Thats why we can all sing the praises of DVD. Everyone can be happy.

 

[Blessed-one]

i used to watch dub, but sub really brings out the characters better. The voices.. you just don't get that in dub much.

 

[SenseiPenPen]

Maybe it's the fact that my reading speed is like 700 words per minute, but I've never been distracted from the art by the sub before.

700? I'm jealous. I thought 450 was good. *sob*

I don't believe in removing anything from the original language; it was made to be in one language, it should stay in that language.... Plus, it's (sort of) good practice for my Japanese major at Ohio State.

 

[Jet Black]

subs


and what ashibaka said.

 

[Damien Nightbane]

Subs > Dubs

I'm really fearing what we stupid gaijin are going to do to Azumanga Daioh when it's licensed stateside. The Triad sub is easilly the best I've ever seen, with the accurate translations and in depth explanations for the regional jokes (I.E. the Kanji meaning jokes).

The recent translation of the manga has really bothered me. There was far too much localization. I mean, Osaka cannot be from NY. By definityon, she can only be from Osaka. How are they going to fix the Kanji jokes? The references to Chiyo's studying abroad in America? The trip to Okinawa? The bloomers? It just won't work.

...Stupid Americans...

 

[ashibaka]

I mean, Osaka cannot be from NY.

Ugghhhhh... I deleted my licensed anime so that I can buy DVDs that claim Osaka is from New York?

 

[Brian]

Subs > Dubs

I'm really fearing what we stupid gaijin are going to do to Azumanga Daioh when it's licensed stateside. The Triad sub is easilly the best I've ever seen, with the accurate translations and in depth explanations for the regional jokes (I.E. the Kanji meaning jokes).

The recent translation of the manga has really bothered me. There was far too much localization. I mean, Osaka cannot be from NY. By definityon, she can only be from Osaka. How are they going to fix the Kanji jokes? The references to Chiyo's studying abroad in America? The trip to Okinawa? The bloomers? It just won't work.

...Stupid Americans...

I heard the localization was toned down a bit in the second volume and I actually like the translation of ADV's manga. BTW, they didn't make it so Osaka is from NY. Osaka is still from Osaka. They gave her a NY accent and made some of the jokes to go along with that while staying true to the nature of the original. They needed some way to show that Osaka has an accent and I think they did a good job.

Please wait and see on ADV's Azumanga Daioh dub/sub. The anime isn't even out in the US yet! ADV is very good with translations IMO.

I like both subs and dubs, though I like to watch subtitles first becuase they are usually the original. I like it when dubs turn out great like the Princess Nine dubs, but I dislike dubs with too many unnecessary changes like the Cardcaptors dub of Cardcaptor Sakura or bad acting like the Crest of the Stars dub. I before the latter dub over the former, though.

 

[Damien Nightbane]

Don't forget the legendary Funimation dubs of the first few seasons of DBZ. "I'm sending you to the next dimension! Go to HFIL!" Gotta love those floating, conveniently placed flowers and bath stools. Aren't painted on bathing suits great?

 

[short stick]

subs over dubs, you get a better feel for the original idea behind the animation, although i agree that some decent dubbed animations (cowboy bebop was a very good example) do feel right in english too,

long live the DVD!

 

[armed2010]

Depends on the anime. Some animes I cant stand dubs, some I prefer them. I watch Neon Genesis Evangelion, Love Hina, Azumanga Daioh, Bottle Fairies, and others, with subs. I watch .hack//sign with dubs.