Anime The Evil Debate: SUB or DUB?

[TheGodlyME]

Sorry if this has already been beaten brutally, thrown in a burlap sack, and flushed down the toilet, but which do you prefer? I have to say that I have become quite accustomed to subbed anime, being that it's easier on the wallet(i can almost speak a little japanese as well!). But once-in-a-while, a well-dubbed anime can make my day. However if I had to make a choice, I'd say: "sub it; if I hear one word of modified dialogue...DEATH WILL BE YOUR BEDFELLOW!"

Pretty much, my reason for goin' subbed is that it's cheaper, and there is less editing to the storyline, plot, etc...(hopefully)

Anyway, which do you prefer and why?

[Vertigo]

I happen to be a big sub fan. I just really like how japanese voice actors sound, and I just like how Japanese sounds in general, so that's basically why. Every once in a while, though, I find a dub that I really like, like Cowboy Bebop or Hellsing.

[James]

[color=#884667]I think this really does come down to personal preference.

I like both. I'm very used to watching subbed movies, because I watch a lot of live-action subbed movies. So, I'm used to reading text and watching the action.

It depends on the anime, for me. Some animes get the voices and timing right...and others don't.

In the case of live-action, it's interesting to note that I've seen both the subbed and dubbed versions of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The dubbed version is horrible. Voices sound forced and ridiculous and the timing is sometimes really laughable.

Yet, the subbed version contains the original voices...which contain much more emotion and better timing.

So yeah, it just depends on the movie/series, I guess. [/color]

[Semjaza]

I don't know Japanese. I don't pretend I know Japanese, nor do I have more than a passing interest in a good deal of their culture. So having said that, most of the time I honestly don't care. Watching the subs often means very little, because honestly... if I don't know Japanese, how would I know how good these people are anyway? For all I know, a guy we all think is good is considered one of the worst voice actors in Japan.

Even though I just said all that... I do find, on average, that the Japanese people seem to be more into their acting. It often comes across much better. I do prefer it mostly because I don't know how good they are, which basically makes them better than the huge amount of awful dubs there are.

I was watching Kenshin a while back, and one of the ladies unexplainably had a southern accent. Why? I have no idea. She's dressed in Japanese clothing, calling everyone -san something or other... and she sounds like she is from South Carolina. It makes no sense.

So I guess it all just depends on a lot of things. On average, I think you are better off with subs... Because 1.) nearly all films are better in their original languages, they were made with them in mind and 2.) most dubbing feels like an afterthought.

Hopefully that actually made some sense.

[Manic Webb]

I remember reading somewhere why some characters are dubbed with Southern accents. (I don't know if this is true, though)...

Much like how different states in the US speak in slightly different accents from one another, people from different regions of Japan speak Japanese in slightly different accents. So when a Japanese character speaks in a different accent from the rest of the cast, American dubbers usually translate that accent in the form of a Southern accent.

I can't understand Japanese at all, and like Semjaza, I can't tell if any of the actors are any good. When I watch a DVD, I usually don't bother to switch to the Japanese track until I've watched it in English first. It's much easier for me to follow the story when I don't have to read it. I watch the subtitled version out of curiosity.

I don't have anything against subs or dubs. I go with whichever one is provided on the VHS or TV. I prefer bi-lingual DVDs, anyway.

[Spikey]

I prefer Subs. I like to know the real voices and because they don't edit out what they're really saying. I really like it because it's very cheap. *smiles big*

If I watch a subbed then I have to watch a dubbed. Just because all that reading made my poor little eyes and brain tired. It's good to take a sub then take some time off of reading and watch a dub. Even if it is horribley dubbed.

[pbfrontmanvdp]

I personnaly like the dubbed anime. I cant stand most of the voices for the subbed anime characters, the guy voices sound like women. Plus its just geberish to me since i will never ever attempt to try and learn to speak Japanese.

Plus i think the english voices were great except in the Yu-Yu Hakusho movies (only the movies). The English voices for Cowboy Bebop were amazing as well as for Noir. Plus they dont even edit/take anything out more in a dubbed version compared to a subbed version, they just make the lyrics more American so we understand it more. I mean im not going to understand the Japanese culture since i dont live their so why not make the dubbed version deal with the American culture. Lol this may not make sense but im not really sure on how to word this, but i gave it a shot.

[Dragon Fou Lu]

I like both.

sometimes i like to watch subbed because it's interesting hearing the character's original voice.

and i sometimes watch dubbed because i like to understand what the character is saying when they speak :)

[Queen Asuka]

[color=hotpink][size=1]I am pro-subbed, although I do watched some dubs that do not bother me. If dubs were done better with more thought put into them, they would be decent. The only decent ones I've seen are Trigun and Fushigi Yugi. There are some others that I like as well, but those stick out in my mind the most.

What I don't like about dubbed is that some of the voice actors just have awful voices. I don't understand why they try to get these people with the most ludacris and unnatural sounding voices to play in these TV series. Why not get the everyday average voice? Isn't that how it is supposed to be?

All I know is that I couldn't even watch the Love Hina dub because Kitsune had this really fake Southern accent. Being from the South, I was highly offended. I just wish these dubbing companies would put more time and effort into their projects.

Of course, I love the dub of the Animatrix. I haven't even watched it subbed yet.[/color][/size]

[AzureWolf]

Meh, dub or sub, if they can get the gist of the show to me, I could care less. However, if an anime is truly deep and intriguing, I prefer to see the sub to check out the creator's original choices for the characters' voices. I want to see what his/her intention for the character was, and get more of an understanding/feeling for the anime in its entirety.

[Teknomanfan]

i prefer sub because you have then the original thing, with a dub i think you always lose a bit of the original

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]When it comes to anime, I guess I prefer watching dubs. I tend to watch them first, and if the anime really interests me I'll watch the subbed version to see what I may have missed in translation I missed.

In live action movies, I hate witching dubbed versions, especially when it is a drama...a pretty much stick to subs in that genre...[/color]

[XxJoltxX]

I saw Sub it cuz sometimes the dubed version is just cheesey
For instance: in one DBZ Episoed (did i spell that right?, oh well)in japanese Yamcha says "it's so nice to be at peace" and the english version goes like this: Yamcha- (singing)Cat loves food ye yeah yeah yeah. Bulma- You goof, you're such a nut were did you come up with that?. Yamcha- Its from an old cat food commercial. Puar hates it when I do that. Oolong- I ate cat food once. OOH it tasted like tuna fish. SEE WHAT I MEAN??

[Jubei Yagyou]

Me personally i like subbed. I used to watch dubbed because that was all i had to watch. but now that i can buy stuff (cuz i used to be dead broke and i discovered dvds) I figured out that they change lots off stuff and it makes people look a bit stupid. So now i like subbed anime.

[Youko Minamino]

Me: I loved subbed anime. Dubbed anime is almost always usually crap compared to its original, subtitled counterpart.

Dubbie: You're a moron. Dubbed anime is so much better. It's speaking in English, so you know what they're saying.

Me: So is subtitled anime. It has English written at the bottom along with Kanji translations, as well as explinations to japanese phrases such as the traditional prayer "eitadakimas". Subs teach you things.

Dubbie: Why would you waste your time reading?! You can't even see the action.

Me: Actually you can. And it also improves your ability to read faster, as well as your langauge ability to translate by ear over time.

Dubbie: Well, what about those stupid high-pitched voices?! They sound like women with wedgies.

Me: Maybe you need to listen longer. Japanese VAs are usually superior to there American counterparts. They actually use what is called emotion. Plus they're chosen by the creators. Therefore they're the correct voices.

Me: Now let me ask you a question?!

Dubbie: Shoot.

Me: How come dubs usually edit out simple things for no reason?! And do not tell me that they don't, because aside from Cowboy Bebop and Senkaiden Houshin Engi, no dub is perfect.

Dubbie: Because its not sutible for children.

Me: Well then why do they completely change the story of an arc, say like the Battle City Arc of Yuugiou?! They changed Malik's real plan.

Dubbie: Because kids don't inderstand it.

Me: How come they change character names and music?

Dubbie: Which would you rather hear? Shishinku, or John? And what would you rather hear in a song?! Superman, fly, fly, fly, or goo goo ga no pi are tek nu.

Me: The first and the latter.

In that convo you will find why I beleive subs are superior to dubs.

[Manic Webb]

Actually, that's a common misconception. Not all dubs edit things out for no reason. That's usually the result of an edit for American television.

Dragonball Z, for example, is dubbed with the intention for it to be shown on North American television. So, the dubbers (FUNimation) go all-out to make the dub as Americanized as possible and to edit out or alter certain scenes to make the show marketable to young teenagers.

On the other hand...

A couple weeks ago, I picked up Excel Saga on DVD. This show was not dubbed for the purpose of it to be shown on American TV. As a result, I can switch between the subtitled and dubbed versions of the show, and none of the scenes will be edited out or altered in any way (except for the title of the show during the opening, which was re-written in English).

If you believe that all dubs edit out parts of the show, then I ask you to please name 5 anime you've seen both dubbed and subtitled, and have never been shown on television in North America, where scenes have been edited or altered for no reason.

Don't get me wrong. I like subtitles. In fact, I owe my reading speed to watching subs. I just happen to like dubs just as much. That's why I prefer to buy DVDs with both languages.

I defend dubs because a lot of people seem to be under the impression that all dubs are meant for American network television and are subject to severe editing. I can recognize a bad dubbing voice actor when I hear one *castofsailormoonanddragonballz* but I can also recognize a good one when I hear one, which some people are under the impression don't exist.

I guess I'm a little touchie because I want to be a voice actor one day. I try to respect good voice-over actors, but they aren't enough of them out there.

[Turkey]

I say dubbing. I just can't get the feelings of an anime character when I have to read what they are saying. Also, I have yet to hear a JPN voice actor making a decent scream. Besides, most ADV series are coming out with excelent dubs, so why bother to hear it in a language that's currently gibberish for me?

[Youko Minamino]

You've never heard a devent Japanese scream. Just listen to Son Goku for 1 second.

As for dubs, yes all dubs cut something. There has never been a dub other than Cowboy Bebop that hasn't cut something to mine and Anime no Otaku's recallation, Whether it be half a second in a fight, or a single punch in a fight. Me and my freind Anime no Otaku have

[XeEmO]

It really depends on what anime it is. I like dubbing if it's good, but subbing is unfortunatly the best choice for most anime. In my mind most of the Japanese voice actors are pretty good. Most of the American voice actors on the other hand are awful. There are some exceptions though. For example in the anime "Golden Boy" (one of my favorites I might add) Kintaro's voice is very well done in the American version of the show. It sounds like I think it should sound. The Japanese voice however, isn't as good.

[Manic Webb]

You still haven't named any edited anime dubs that:
1. You have seen both subtitled and dubbed
2. Have never been shown on American TV

I know good and well that dubs shown on TV can be edited badly or even slightly, but that's not even what I'm referring to. If you can come up with proof, then do it. If you're just guessing, then stop.

[Vertigo]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Turkey [/i]
[B]I say dubbing. I just can't get the feelings of an anime character when I have to read what they are saying. Also, I have yet to hear a JPN voice actor making a decent scream. Besides, most ADV series are coming out with excelent dubs, so why bother to hear it in a language that's currently gibberish for me? [/B][/QUOTE]
You've never heard a Japanese voice actor make a good scream?...What anime have you seen? *knows that Hellsing, Trigun, and Get Backers all have very real screams in them*
And I do have to side with Manic on the "bad dubs" thing. Although, as I said anyway, I just think that overall, the Japanese voices fit better. I mean, I remember when I was watching the Evangelion dub on CN, and even my mom could tell that the dubs were bad...although I did have to explain why I was laughing so hard.
But also, we're kinda spoiled by seeing the unedited versions. I mean, look at Evangelion on CN. What else did they edit besides the voices? They took some blood out and hid Misato breasts. It's not really that bad sometimes, but people act like they took out an entire fight or something...
I mean, some censorship is really, really crippling(*cough*Cardcaptor Sakura*cough*). But I'm sick of hearing rants about every little change between TV dub and DVD sub.

[LetalisNox]

My reason for preferring dubs is mostly redundant: I can't speak Japanese, (though subs help me learn) all those little words on the bottom are annoying to read (even though I'm a very fast reader) those high-pitched voices get on my nerves, despite the skill at acting, and it's distracting from the action to watch something in another language. I prefer subs for their accuracy in the original storytelling in comparison with dubs, but ultimately, dubs are my favorite because the story just isn't as good unless you can hear someone yell smart-aleck insults in English. (Nothing like Western irreverance, don't ya know).

But it is true, there have been some pretty awful dubs out there. (The Shadow Skill movie being one. My God, what was WRONG with those people? They couldn't act their way out of a glass box with a sledgehammer.) Although I feel that, now, with America forced to deal with the fact that anime is NOT just a passing trend, they're putting more effort into making sure anime remains as much like the original version as possible.

After the Sailor Moon/Dragonball Z editing tragedy (they were changing peoples' GENDERS, for crying out loud) anime is coming overseas in more and more accurate forms all the time.

Take, for example, Rurouni Kenshin. Not only is the voice acting good and appropriate for each character, but the names of everything Japanese has remained quite Japanese (and utterly confusing; my Japanese dictionary just doesn't help anymore ::crying::) and they actually have a crossdressing male character chasing after another male character's affections and they let our children in on this on Toonami. Now, compare that to the Sailor Moon fiasco and say that we Americans haven't come far. ^_^ Dub all the way!

[Panzer Dragoon]

See it depends what we mean by dub. The dub anime shown in the US is always edited due to TV censorship. The other dub is the english version of the anime you get in the DVDs. For example, take GTO. The dub is exactly like the sub only its in english of course.

But I do understand the point of the thread. Sometimes Sub anime is a lot better, easier and cheaper to get. Take for example Love Hina, its sub is way better then the dub.
When it comes right down to it, either version will do.

[Manic Webb]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Panzer Dragoon [/i]
[B]See it depends what we mean by dub. The dub anime shown in the US is always edited due to TV censorship. The other dub is the english version of the anime you get in the DVDs. For example, take GTO. The dub is exactly like the sub only its in english of course. [/B][/QUOTE]
That's [i]exactly[/i] what I've been trying to say. Screw half of the dubs shown on TV! I'm defending the dubs you get on DVD. Those are usually the exact same, aside from obviously using different actors. Anime dubbing has come a logn way these past decades, and it's just now starting to get the treatment it deserves. The more people out there that watch & buy anime, the better in quality the dubs become. And dub quality now is higher than its ever been.

[SadClown]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by pbfrontmanvdp [/i]
[B]I mean im not going to understand the Japanese culture since i dont live their so why not make the dubbed version deal with the American culture. Lol this may not make sense but im not really sure on how to word this, but i gave it a shot. [/B][/QUOTE]

And why not forcefully assimilate the rest of the Native American culture into ours to make it easier? American people are always looking for a way to make it easier for themselves. Anime is JAPANESE cartoons so translating it to english defeats the purprose. The only reason people started doing it was because someone got tired of reading subtittles. ALL american voice actors, and I do mean all, can never match the same skill that the Japanese voice actors have. Over there, it's a real career. They go to school for it and are highly respected for what they do. Over here, it's a joke. Further more, translating it to English is insulting. They do a bad job. I will never watch a dub anime for the rest of my life. There's just no point.

And while I'm already ranting, I hate Cartoon Network for not showing anime in it's entiret; ESPECIALLY when they go out of there way to change the story. DBZ was ok because there already isn't much plot in it, but in sailor moon, good god, they ruined the first season which is the best one! Everyone dies at the end in the Japanese version and it's really sad, but in the English one, they all get "captured" and then realised. It's sick. And taking away Uranaus' and Neptunes obviouse homosexual relationship was just as bad. I hate to break it to them, but making them cousins just makes it SCREAM insest to me.