Dubbed or Subbed?

[Rooney]

I've been getting into some anime series as of late, and I would really like to know for the more popular ones around at the moment, what series are better when subbed, dubbed or if it can go either way. I would prefer to watch a dubbed anime over a subbed anime, but only if the dubbed isnt completely dumbed down for a younger audience.
So, I would like to hear some of your guys suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[Curt]

Depends on which Anime/voice actors really, but i prefer dubbed over subbed

[yoshifan]

deathnote the melancholy of haruhi suzimiya and bleach all are awsome etheir subbed or dubbed

[Scott]

I like dubs and subs, I love the terrible childish jokes in the kiddy versions, they fill me with such glee.

[yanksterj]

Okay generally, go for subbed, you'll usually get uncut versions if you watch online that way. Also, shows like One Piece and Naruto are ruined when dubbed so go for subs, but the more mature dubs like Eva and Cowboy Bebop are perfectly good when dubbed. My rule is watch all subbed, but the adult dubs are fine

[Dark Moogle]

Anything that isn't released aimed at the kids time slot is fine dubbed or subbed (Bleach, Evangelion, GTO etc.).

However, shows that are licensed by the 4Kids type groups that are marketing the show to kids can be butchered in the process of the dub. Eyeshield 21 is a great anime in Japan, and happens to be packed with heaps of swearing, violence and all that stuff. When it was brought over to the US, there was so much stuff cut from the episodes that they had to be combined (episode 1 in the US is actually episode 1+2 in Japan)

[Cobretti]

get dual audio stuff only way to go lol.

Also dbz (old yes) but it is better in english as vegeta actually sounds angr unlike in japanese he sounds like a little bitch.

[watkinzez]

And I was expecting the usual "omg dubs suck" drivel.
Bar actually trying both, looking at who's in control of the localisation is a good indication. Disney's Ghibli dubs are excellent, especially the ones run through Pixar.

[Scott]

Anything that isn't released aimed at the kids time slot is fine dubbed or subbed (Bleach, Evangelion, GTO etc.).

However, shows that are licensed by the 4Kids type groups that are marketing the show to kids can be butchered in the process of the dub. Eyeshield 21 is a great anime in Japan, and happens to be packed with heaps of swearing, violence and all that stuff. When it was brought over to the US, there was so much stuff cut from the episodes that they had to be combined (episode 1 in the US is actually episode 1+2 in Japan)

Bleach has a terrible dub, a terrible terrible dub. I can not stand it at all.

And I was expecting the usual "omg dubs suck" drivel.
Bar actually trying both, looking at who's in control of the localisation is a good indication. Disney's Ghibli dubs are excellent, especially the ones run through Pixar.

Hmm, which company was it that mauled Nausicaa to death that time? That was terrible.

[Scott]

Edit: Bah, double post.

[St.Cameron]

I prefer dubs over subs. Why? I guess that since it is in a language I understand I can relate to it more, understand more. Dubs for me make it a whole lot more interesting. Of course some subs usually have more scenes than their dubbed brethren but I still can't hold enough understanding.

[majTahahl]

prefer the dubs, unless they really make it sound like crap. fullmetal alchemist is done pretty well.

[I Am The Wind]

Subs are a ****ing joke. Some people reckon that the Japanse voice acting is better, that's bullshit and those people are filthy liars living in denial.
Just because you cant understand what someone is saying, doesn't mean they're acting great.

[Thomas_Hill]

I'm cool for both dubbed and subbed.

[Bourbanog]

Subs are a **** joke. Some people reckon that the Japanse voice acting is better, that's bullshit and those people are filthy liars living in denial.
Just because you cant understand what someone is saying, doesn't mean they're acting great.

It's still better than watching horrific English dubs. It's just painful trying to watch a Naruto dub. And now you'll reply with "YEH BUT NARUTO IS ALWAYS SHIT LOL, O LAWD HOW FUNNEH I AM!"

[Bjay]

Don't mind.

Depends if the dub is good or not.

[watkinzez]

And I was expecting the usual "omg dubs suck" drivel.
Bar actually trying both, looking at who's in control of the localisation is a good indication. Disney's Ghibli dubs are excellent, especially the ones run through Pixar.

Hmm, which company was it that mauled Nausicaa to death that time? That was terrible.

The one complaint I had about the cast was Nausicaa, and that had more to do with the sketchy justification of her speeches when being the only character on screen (say, the intro).

[Cobretti]

hha you think ALL subs suck?

try watching dubbed versiosn of initial d it is so lame. its been americanised like a mother****er

[I Am The Wind]

My exciting post got deleted. Clearly fascists are trying to hide the truth that subs suck dick.

You can't blame dubbing for initial D sucking, it was bad to begin with.

[Cobretti]

they dont all suck.

some anime is better subbed and some better dubbed. Its jsut fact.

[Capt. Billy]

they dont all suck.

some anime is better subbed and some better dubbed. Its jsut fact.

I concur with this statement.

[nephilim]

hha you think ALL subs suck?

try watching dubbed versiosn of initial d it is so lame. its been americanised like a ****
initial d sucks anyway :P

[Raven]

Depends on the anime. My thoughts (feel free to debate with me!!!)

-generally anything with a ninja or a samurai is better subbed. Best that japanese language stays to japanese themes.

-for us, animes with a westerner feel are better dubbed.
example: full metal alchemist (its about nazis!!!!) dubbed just seems *right*.

a lot of the ghibli animes do well dubbed, because they are set in england, but some do nicely subbed! (grave of the fireflies, spirited away)

[yanksterj]

But I'd say One Piece is more western (Pirates) and everyone knows that One Piece got butchered when dubbed

[Scott]

And I was expecting the usual "omg dubs suck" drivel.
Bar actually trying both, looking at who's in control of the localisation is a good indication. Disney's Ghibli dubs are excellent, especially the ones run through Pixar.

Hmm, which company was it that mauled Nausicaa to death that time? That was terrible.

The one complaint I had about the cast was Nausicaa, and that had more to do with the sketchy justification of her speeches when being the only character on screen (say, the intro).

I was talking about the company that cut it up and made war of the worlds. Oh well.

My exciting post got deleted. Clearly fascists are trying to hide the truth that subs suck dick.

You can't blame dubbing for initial D sucking, it was bad to begin with.

I can't stand Initial D. They all look stoned. All the time. That, and whatever storyline is thrown into driving around barely interests me.

[watkinzez]

Oh... that. :lol:

[Danon]

Depends on the anime. My thoughts (feel free to debate with me!!!)

-generally anything with a ninja or a samurai is better subbed. Best that japanese language stays to japanese themes.

-for us, animes with a westerner feel are better dubbed.
example: full metal alchemist (its about nazis!!!!) dubbed just seems *right*.

a lot of the ghibli animes do well dubbed, because they are set in england, but some do nicely subbed! (grave of the fireflies, spirited away)

I recall quotes of the Director of those movies, saying he preffered dub, as it helped people concentrate on the visuals, rather than having to read the subs.

I'm meh about it, I don't really care, a good anime is a good anime, regardless of it being subbed/dubbed.

[xParad0Xx]

Subs are a **** joke. Some people reckon that the Japanse voice acting is better, that's bullshit and those people are filthy liars living in denial.
Just because you cant understand what someone is saying, doesn't mean they're acting great.

I love you for this :D

[Nintendotwins]

I like dubbed anime way better, but if I'm forced to watch subbed like tales of symphonia I don't mind.

[The InterNed]

For the smallest part of anime I've watched, I like dubs. Subs are alright, though you have to read and it takes away from the visual experience that anime offers.

[Kiru]

Cardcaptors is the old anime which I love dubbed. I cannot get inot the subbed episodes. Other than that, subbed is better.

[stoveOVEN]

I guess it doesnt matter, though it obviously varies depending on which show you're watching. I find that if you start watching a show with subs (like I did with Death Note) then move on to dubs, the voices just don't sound right and it gets in the way of enjoyment.

[Hyper the Mewtroid]

I can't get into dubbed Naruto whatsoever. I can, however get into subbed Naruto. It's pretty much the other way around for the Dragonball animes. It all depends, really.

[<DkW>]

To be frank, i would picked Dubbed.
I'm not a massive fan of subtitles, except in games, & takes less concentration for Dubs.

[Gookanheimer]

I've only really watched three anime things before. Perfect Blue (movie), Ghost in the Shell (SAC, apart from the last three eps or so) and Samurai Champloo (season 1). All of them dubbed.

Because of a stuff up with recordings, I missed an ep or two at the end of GitS, so I tried to download it. After much pain and irritation (torrent troubles) I eventually got it fully downloaded and started to watch, only to find it was subbed. Couldn't stand it. Not only because the voices sounded wrong (as they would, coming off watching a dozen eps or so with the one set before going to that, much like what stoveOVEN said) but I also found that having to read the subtitles down at the bottom like that pulled too much of my attention away from what was happening on-screen. So yeah, no subs for me thanks.

[Capt. Billy]

To be frank, i would picked Dubbed.
I'm not a massive fan of subtitles, except in games, & takes less concentration for Dubs.

Really? I'm not having a go, but you're not the first person I've heard say this. Is it really that hard to read subs and comprehend the on screen action as well? I don't have an issue with it, and would prefer it over a crap dub any day.

And why all the Initial D hate? So much better than all that cutesy pie bollocks that a lot of anime fans seem to love.

[TetsuoKunio]

Maybe it depends on the size of the screen...

Meh, Dubbed for me. I can read and watch at the same time. Just I think it's really annoying to have to do that. It's not the voices, it's the effort.

[Jader7777]

Most of the time the original Japanese voices are better than the 4kids counterparts. However in cases like Full Metal Alchemist the English version obliterates the Japanese version into a fine pink mist.

Why the heck did they make Alfonze a little girl in the Japanese dub? Why?!

[Scott]

To be frank, i would picked Dubbed.
I'm not a massive fan of subtitles, except in games, & takes less concentration for Dubs.

Really? I'm not having a go, but you're not the first person I've heard say this. Is it really that hard to read subs and comprehend the on screen action as well? I don't have an issue with it, and would prefer it over a crap dub any day.

And why all the Initial D hate? So much better than all that cutesy pie bollocks that a lot of anime fans seem to love.

Cutesy pie bollocks? Elaborate.

[Capt. Billy]

Dunno how to put it into words. Like the ones where it's "an all girl team doing...". They annoy the hell outta me. Also, they tend to be fan service heavy, which is another grievance of mine. Each to their own I guess. If I can think of specific titles, I'll edit this.

[Nintendotwins]

Cardcaptors is the old anime which I love dubbed. I cannot get inot the subbed episodes. Other than that, subbed is better.

Yeah, same here. I only watched the dubbed episodes for that too. I think it was bad subbed.

[<DkW>]

To be frank, i would picked Dubbed.
I'm not a massive fan of subtitles, except in games, & takes less concentration for Dubs.

Really? I'm not having a go, but you're not the first person I've heard say this. Is it really that hard to read subs and comprehend the on screen action as well? I don't have an issue with it, and would prefer it over a crap dub any day.

No, thats not my issue with it Capt, as i have no problems with reading & comprehension, and the like, its just that i dont like my on screen action clogged up with writing. I am an avid reader, on & off, & if i wanna read, then i will. Also, i tend to do watch movies/shows while im on the net/doing this & that. so i like to hear whats going on rather than have to look back every three seconds. Also doesnt help if your tired, thou it does keep me up that little bit longer.

I haven't seen what i'd call a bad dub anyway, thou i know the originals have bits that are lost in translation/just plain not as good, due to edits.

[Shan]

It's like what Curtb03 said, it really depends on the anime I think.

There will be dubs that are done so professionally...(FMA is a prime example)
Then dubs that you can JUST tolerate...
...and finally the dubs that just drive you crazy (the ones that will make you resort to the Japanese subs)

I personally like to view anime dubbed.

If it sounds horribly ridiculous, then I'd convert to subs.

[yanksterj]

Generally, dubs are fine except in most shounens that are aimed for people 18 and below.

[Scott]

Dunno how to put it into words. Like the ones where it's "an all girl team doing...". They annoy the hell outta me. Also, they tend to be fan service heavy, which is another grievance of mine. Each to their own I guess. If I can think of specific titles, I'll edit this.

Oh, Magical Girls series. Haha, they aren't so bad.

[AceAussie]

Dubbed all the bloody way.
Even those kiddy ones :D

[triggen]

The two kind of go hand in hand for me. If you watch the dubs then you're likely to miss out on some of the storyline. But at the same time you could miss out on the emotions in the voice actor's voice.

[Boo!]

The two kind of go hand in hand for me. If you watch the dubs then you're likely to miss out on some of the storyline. But at the same time you could miss out on the emotions in the voice actor's voice.
Huh? So Japanese voice actors can't display emotion? :o

I don't have a problem with reading subs, and if it has better/more suited voice actors, I'll watch it in subs. If the dub is superior, then why not try the dub?

If I watch a series multiple times, I'll try out both sub/dub, although whichever one I watch first is truly random, or dependant on general consensus concerning the sub/dub or particular anime.

[triggen]

The two kind of go hand in hand for me. If you watch the dubs then you're likely to miss out on some of the storyline. But at the same time you could miss out on the emotions in the voice actor's voice.
Huh? So Japanese voice actors can't display emotion? :o
Of course they can. But, if you don't understand Japanese it's a bit harder to pick up on it.

[Triaspia]

ill personally try to seek out dubbed eps before subbed, mainly turning to subs if:
a) there is no dub
b) the dubs i find are extremely low quality

i mainly try for dual audio torrents

[The Giant]

Subbed for me, i can't stand dubbed anime it always painful to watch. I watched a bit of the dubbed death note on abc2 is was awful.
Excel saga has an awful dubbed track, the voice actor who does Excel voice should be shot.

The great thing about subs is that you don't know if a charcater has bad voice acting.

[majTahahl]

Subbed for me, i can't stand dubbed anime it always painful to watch. I watched a bit of the dubbed death note on abc2 is was awful.
Excel saga has an awful dubbed track, the voice actor who does Excel voice should be shot.

The great thing about subs is that you don't know if a charcater has bad voice acting.
lol excel is meant to sound psycho though.

[Lon Lon Rancher]

Dubbed, I'm too lazy to read.

[stubbietubbie]

Subbed for me, i can't stand dubbed anime it always painful to watch. I watched a bit of the dubbed death note on abc2 is was awful.
Excel saga has an awful dubbed track, the voice actor who does Excel voice should be shot.

The great thing about subs is that you don't know if a charcater has bad voice acting.
lol excel is meant to sound psycho though.

The voice actress (or more accurately 'actresses') of Excel's English voice has an unusual history. For the first half of the series, Jessica Calvello had done Excel's voice. However (possibly because of the nature of Excel's shrill and extremely fast voice), Calvello had lost her voice. From episode 14 on Larissa Wolcott was quickly used as a fill-in.


via wiki

[fishsticks]

Subbed.

Instead of using the word dubbed, they should refer to it as "rape"
E.g. "Did you hear they're raping One Piece?"

But seriously, hardly any dubs are good.
Maybe DBZ, that's it.

[Lon Lon Rancher]

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=145
Yay! VGCats, and it's relevant :)

[fishsticks]

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=145
Yay! VGCats, and it's relevant :)

Exactly what I'm referring to! :P
I remember that comic when it came out!

[Aladdin Sane]

But seriously, hardly any dubs are good.
Maybe DBZ, that's it.

Seriously?

DBZ didn't fare much better than One Piece for a considerable bit of its run. If you want a good dub, try Cowboy Bebop.

[AceAussie]

But seriously, hardly any dubs are good.
Maybe DBZ, that's it.
-Black Cat
Pokemon (Old School)
Full Metal Alchemist
Naruto(Shoot me, I actually like the voices)
Guyver
Bleach
Also I don't really mind the voices as to the actual content, If they screw the content of the anime around It truly hurts.

[Leon77]

I prefer subbed in most cases, though occasionally you'll find a series which has a bearable (maybe even enjoyable) list of VA's.

[AceAussie]

I prefer subbed in most cases, though occasionally you'll find a series which has a bearable (maybe even enjoyable) list of VA's.
I'm sort of to lazy to read the subs.
Also I find that it's at times hard to keep up, Although I just pause if it happens to move to fast.

[Capt. Billy]

Subbed.

Instead of using the word dubbed, they should refer to it as "rape"
E.g. "Did you hear they're raping One Piece?"

But seriously, hardly any dubs are good.
Maybe DBZ, that's it.
:lol:

Though there is such a thing as a good dub. Others have listed some good examples, and EVA, Trigun and Hellsing are some decent dubs also. To me, it's more about how much content they try and "westernise", like Initial D's "raping", and especially One Piece, that determines how crap the dub will be.