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I usually enjoy almost every English dub I watch, but for me, if there's any anime that should never be watched in English it is Higurashi and Cardcapter Sakura.
Oh no please don't watch that in English!
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I prefer Japanese Dub with english Subtitles mostly. That doesnt mean i bash every dub of any Anime ever. For example, the german Dub of DBZ was fitting spot on, surpassing both the english and the original japanese dub in intensity and perfect voice matching to the Characters. They sounded like..well they should to me. So thats one of the few where i think the Dub beat the original.
Of course doesnt work with everything. Naruto for example being a prime example there, remember when they put the "believe it" in the Dub because of the "-tebayo" parts? Yeah, that one hurt. They actually kept that in the german dub for example, the "-tebayo" but cut out any Blood and replaced it with Sweat or in some cases nothing at all. Making certain scenes entirely lose their point. Hinata vs Neji? When Naruto bends down and wipes up some blood in that gesture to indicate he will beat Neji? Yeah, totally lost in the german version because they cut out the blood, completely.
With Dubs in general its a hit and miss, sometimes you get something amazing out of it, which is at the very least is just as good as the original. But most of the time, you really dont, and it just sucks.
Of course doesnt work with everything. Naruto for example being a prime example there, remember when they put the "believe it" in the Dub because of the "-tebayo" parts? Yeah, that one hurt. They actually kept that in the german dub for example, the "-tebayo" but cut out any Blood and replaced it with Sweat or in some cases nothing at all. Making certain scenes entirely lose their point. Hinata vs Neji? When Naruto bends down and wipes up some blood in that gesture to indicate he will beat Neji? Yeah, totally lost in the german version because they cut out the blood, completely.
With Dubs in general its a hit and miss, sometimes you get something amazing out of it, which is at the very least is just as good as the original. But most of the time, you really dont, and it just sucks.
I actually had something of a similar experience. I did a marathon of Full Metal Alchemist, subbed, with my buddies one time (whole series, one sitting with only a dinner break for those who were wondering). I recently convinced my wife to start watching the series with me, but her condition was that we watch it dubbed. I conceded the point at the beginning, but by the time we got through three episodes I managed to convince her that the subbed version was much more entertaining and accurate. To prove the point, I had English subs and dubs on at the same time, and (other than almost giving us both an anurism) she saw my point.
So yeah, subs over dubs. I will however concede to this:
So yeah, subs over dubs. I will however concede to this:
madster11 said:
I guess I'm in the minority here, but I'll avoid subs unless there's no alternative. It just seems a little, I don't know, ...pretentious? I'm not sure if that's the right word, but I always get the impression that people look down on me for watching the dubbed episodes. It's like: "This show is sooo much better in the original, but of course you wouldn't know that, you're not worthy enough."
Well, if proper studios (not just fans on YouTube, or something like that) want to put time, effort, and resources into dubbing a series, there must be something worthwhile about it. From what I've seen, there's a lot of crap around.
I know I'm probably going to cop some flak for this, but it's a hard point to articulate. I don't mean to sound aggressive, or whatever, so if I do, I apologise. That's just my opinion on the matter, for the little it's worth.
Well, if proper studios (not just fans on YouTube, or something like that) want to put time, effort, and resources into dubbing a series, there must be something worthwhile about it. From what I've seen, there's a lot of crap around.
I know I'm probably going to cop some flak for this, but it's a hard point to articulate. I don't mean to sound aggressive, or whatever, so if I do, I apologise. That's just my opinion on the matter, for the little it's worth.
I don't really watch a lot of anime but the ones I do watch are always in English. It frustrates me to have to read everything because I stop paying attention to what's happening in the show and focus on the words. I know it's pretty sad I can't pay attention to both but I just can't.
I always watch anime in Japanese (regardless of whether or not there are subtitles) unless it was one of those really rare projects which was originally recorded in English (like Vampire Hunter D + sequel).
*shrug*
And no disrespect to Americans... it's the accent that ruins it for me, not it being in English.
*shrug*
And no disrespect to Americans... it's the accent that ruins it for me, not it being in English.
Personally I prefer it when characters speak the language they are technically supposed to, or at least sound like they are supposed to. I like Trigun and Full Metal Alchemist in English because it is obvious that really no one in the Trigun universe is racially japanese (though I guess they could really be any nationality but clearly Vash is very white) and in FMA I'd rather they spoke German, but I don't understand German.
those are pretty bad examples...
Okay, Code Geass. Watched it in English first, then transitioned to the Japanese version part way through then back to English. I couldn't decide which one I liked better because both had a bit of awkward to me. When i watched the English version, it was alright but because of the whole "Japanese version superior" idea, I decided to give the Japanese version a go. While I was fine with the characters speaking in Japanese what I was not comfortable with was how the Brittanians would speak amongst each other in Japanese and occasionally have some really funny Japanese accented English words. So I went back to the English dub and was equally confused by a pro-Japan restoration group all speaking in English. I feel that the spoken language should fit the context of the story.
Hellsing and Black Butler take place in England, and Full Metal Alchemist takes place in Fantasy Germany, so when the Anime is positioned more Western I'll take those in English (given the English dub be halfway decent)
Rurouni Kenshin and Inuyasha takes place in [Fantasy] Japan, and while I think the English dubs were pretty good it felt like something was off and I prefer the Japanese version.
going back to 2 anime I watched when I was little because our judgment as kids always needs to be checked: Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon.
Dragoball Z takes place on Fantasy Earth where pretty much anything goes. I think it was Gozar's ARDBZ's Goku that said, "I live in a world where dinosaurs and hover cars both exist and the Earth's President is a talking dog. I'll believe anything." The language can really go either way. I've watched Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT and Dragonball Kai in both Japanese and in English and I like them both.
Sailor Moon clearly takes place in Japan except when it takes place on the moon, or outer space. The characters should really be speaking in Japanese, even the intergalactic aliens because (I know this is wrong to say), When it comes to both Japanese and aliens, the Japanese language is alien enough for me because I need subtitles. I don't need them creating a whole alien language, but if they did it wouldn't hurt as long as they are consistent (like Klingon)
those are pretty bad examples...
Okay, Code Geass. Watched it in English first, then transitioned to the Japanese version part way through then back to English. I couldn't decide which one I liked better because both had a bit of awkward to me. When i watched the English version, it was alright but because of the whole "Japanese version superior" idea, I decided to give the Japanese version a go. While I was fine with the characters speaking in Japanese what I was not comfortable with was how the Brittanians would speak amongst each other in Japanese and occasionally have some really funny Japanese accented English words. So I went back to the English dub and was equally confused by a pro-Japan restoration group all speaking in English. I feel that the spoken language should fit the context of the story.
Hellsing and Black Butler take place in England, and Full Metal Alchemist takes place in Fantasy Germany, so when the Anime is positioned more Western I'll take those in English (given the English dub be halfway decent)
Rurouni Kenshin and Inuyasha takes place in [Fantasy] Japan, and while I think the English dubs were pretty good it felt like something was off and I prefer the Japanese version.
going back to 2 anime I watched when I was little because our judgment as kids always needs to be checked: Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon.
Dragoball Z takes place on Fantasy Earth where pretty much anything goes. I think it was Gozar's ARDBZ's Goku that said, "I live in a world where dinosaurs and hover cars both exist and the Earth's President is a talking dog. I'll believe anything." The language can really go either way. I've watched Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT and Dragonball Kai in both Japanese and in English and I like them both.
Sailor Moon clearly takes place in Japan except when it takes place on the moon, or outer space. The characters should really be speaking in Japanese, even the intergalactic aliens because (I know this is wrong to say), When it comes to both Japanese and aliens, the Japanese language is alien enough for me because I need subtitles. I don't need them creating a whole alien language, but if they did it wouldn't hurt as long as they are consistent (like Klingon)
Umm, well.... I watched Clannad in English and I loved it to bits. I couldn't After Story because it was in Japanese. Am I a bad person? I always hated watching media in another language because I would always have to pay attention and be actively reading it, plus I don't recognize emotion and such as easily as I do on a native language.
This is sort of the opposite of what you're asking, but dear god do I want to strangle anyone who watches the original Japanese version of BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad near me. The supposed raised in America engrish is so goddamn horrible. And to see a band enthusiastic about someone murdering their song? It's just awful. I personally use that show to gauge whether or not someone is a japanophile or weaboo.
Ah yes, the subbing-dubbing debate.
Personally, I take it on a case by case basis. Sometimes the sub is better, sometimes the dub is better. I'll admit that the dub rarely is, though...just because information gets lost in translation, and the original version has people specifically chosen to fill those voice acting roles. For the dubbed versions, they have to go with 'Eh, he's close enough.'
...So yeah.
IMPORTANT EDIT: I'm reminded of Disgaea 3. Japanese Mr. Champloo is epic...but English Mr. Champloo is mind-blowingly beyond Kamina epic. His speech pattern and even his laugh are completely different between versions.
I also like the English Prinnies more than the Japanese Prinnies in all the games. They also have completely different speech patterns.
Personally, I take it on a case by case basis. Sometimes the sub is better, sometimes the dub is better. I'll admit that the dub rarely is, though...just because information gets lost in translation, and the original version has people specifically chosen to fill those voice acting roles. For the dubbed versions, they have to go with 'Eh, he's close enough.'
...So yeah.
IMPORTANT EDIT: I'm reminded of Disgaea 3. Japanese Mr. Champloo is epic...but English Mr. Champloo is mind-blowingly beyond Kamina epic. His speech pattern and even his laugh are completely different between versions.
I also like the English Prinnies more than the Japanese Prinnies in all the games. They also have completely different speech patterns.
Black Lagoon. I knew Revy liked to swear, but in the english version she does it all the time. It's not as annoying in the japanese, but I don't think any anime should be watched in english.
I can't stand watching things, anime or otherwise, with only subtitles. No matter how much better people say the original voices are, or even how good I personally think it is, the subs distract too much from the video. I usually need to watch the dub to be able to enjoy it. That's why I'm always so lenient with bad voice actors. Don't get me wrong, though; I will watch subs if it's completely necessary.
What's weird is that if there is an option for English voices AND English subtitles, I always do that. I don't know why it's any different from watching anime in Japanese with English subtitles, but it is.
This personal quirk of mine has, thankfully, never really affected me at all; I've enjoyed most of the dubs I've heard, although outside of games that isn't really saying much, considering I'm not really experienced in the field of anime. Speaking of games, the only dubs that I've experienced that I really had a problem with are the early 3D Sonic games, and even then I didn't really mind except in situations where it was REALLY bad. They've become better, though; Jason Griffith, the titular character's previous voice, was actually noticeably better in Sonic and the Black Knight than in any other game before it, possibly better than his voice from before Griffith, Ryan Drummond, and replacing the voice actors with overall better ones for Sonic Colors was another reason why the game was a step in the right direction. The biggest reason that I have so much of a problem with the acting in the older games is not because they're bad, but because the newest ones are so much better.
TL;DR version: No subs for me IF I can avoid them, English dub AND matching subs is good, never had a problem with dubs other than early Sonic games.
Also:
Please note that just because someone watches subs doesn't mean I feel this way about them. It's just those who look down on people who watch dubs over subs, play as one character or another, etc.
What's weird is that if there is an option for English voices AND English subtitles, I always do that. I don't know why it's any different from watching anime in Japanese with English subtitles, but it is.
This personal quirk of mine has, thankfully, never really affected me at all; I've enjoyed most of the dubs I've heard, although outside of games that isn't really saying much, considering I'm not really experienced in the field of anime. Speaking of games, the only dubs that I've experienced that I really had a problem with are the early 3D Sonic games, and even then I didn't really mind except in situations where it was REALLY bad. They've become better, though; Jason Griffith, the titular character's previous voice, was actually noticeably better in Sonic and the Black Knight than in any other game before it, possibly better than his voice from before Griffith, Ryan Drummond, and replacing the voice actors with overall better ones for Sonic Colors was another reason why the game was a step in the right direction. The biggest reason that I have so much of a problem with the acting in the older games is not because they're bad, but because the newest ones are so much better.
TL;DR version: No subs for me IF I can avoid them, English dub AND matching subs is good, never had a problem with dubs other than early Sonic games.
Also:
I wholeheartedly agree with you. There's this sense of pretentiousness that I get from people who think subs are undeniably better than dubs, which rather turns me off from them, even if that's not their intention. There're people like that in video game communities, too: the Stop Having Fun Guys, who are intolerant of other people's playing styles/character choices. Sometimes, I WANT to play as Toon Link in Smash Bros and not be mocked for it! Oh, you should have seen everyone's faces when I kicked their asses at my school tournament... Anyway, I get the same feeling from them as I do from people who think the subs are always better. Sort of a smug, superior kind of vibe, y'know?Antitonic said:
Please note that just because someone watches subs doesn't mean I feel this way about them. It's just those who look down on people who watch dubs over subs, play as one character or another, etc.
I love Japanese and I actually learned a bit of it as a mental exercise long before I started watching animes. Kurosawa's movies were my inspiration, of course. Reading is especially rewarding but it does take a long time to learn. I guess that what attracted me to it was how similar some sounds are to Romanian. Grammar is also piss easy compared to Latin languages or even English. And it should come as no surprise to anyone that the first speaking robots will speak Japanese, just because this language is so logical, it fits like a Lego.
So it literally pains me to hear animes in other languages. I've learned English just by watching Disney movies as a kid. Sure, I didn't UNDERSTAND what they were saying but somehow, I did. Later, when learning English at school, it just felt more natural. So watching TV or movies in another language (with subtitles, of course) is a great tool for learning. Most TV shows have so much sex and violence that any kid allowed to watch them should, at his age, be able to read in his own language. As such, I feel that Germans, French, Italians and all the other European countries that dub their movies are making a huge mistake, depriving their citizens of the chance to get accustomed to other languages which they might learn in school.
As for animes, sure, learning Japanese might not be the most useful thing to have but it's better than nothing. Plus, it sounds great.
So it literally pains me to hear animes in other languages. I've learned English just by watching Disney movies as a kid. Sure, I didn't UNDERSTAND what they were saying but somehow, I did. Later, when learning English at school, it just felt more natural. So watching TV or movies in another language (with subtitles, of course) is a great tool for learning. Most TV shows have so much sex and violence that any kid allowed to watch them should, at his age, be able to read in his own language. As such, I feel that Germans, French, Italians and all the other European countries that dub their movies are making a huge mistake, depriving their citizens of the chance to get accustomed to other languages which they might learn in school.
As for animes, sure, learning Japanese might not be the most useful thing to have but it's better than nothing. Plus, it sounds great.
I agree with this post 100%!!!Macgyvercas said:
Molly's voice was horrid! Wasn't fond of Amy's either. lol. Funnily enough though, Serena's voice didn't bother me too much. :/ I think I just got used to it though. xD
But another one that is horrible dubbed is Vampire Knight. Subbed all the way!!!
Well, I wouldn't say that's true of all the characters, but the thing is that the same Japanese voice actor did Goku's voice throughout the entirety of the Dragon Ball universe, from the original Dragon Ball all the way through Z (don't know about GT, as I haven't seen it subbed), without changing Goku's voice at all as he got older, so he constantly sounds the same as when he was a kid back in the start of Dragon Ball. That's why he sounds like that, and yeah, it sounds completely off. So yes, I will agree, DBZ sounds better dubbed.swansman said:
I don't have much experience with the Japanese version, but I also consistently hear that Outlaw Star is just as good, if not better, in English, and I have to say it does sound pretty damn good in English, so I may be inclined to agree.
Other than those two, while there may be good English dubs among them (Trigun, Cowboy Bebop and Bleach come to mind as decent), I have to agree that most anime sounds better subbed just because it happens to sound more natural. In a lot of dubs, voice actors are forced to try to make voices match expressions and mouth movements and it can be really difficult to do, so it ends up sounding more fake.
I like the dubs for that though the dubs probably are better. There are some parts that i think would be a lot funnier in Japanese like Kid's obsession with symmetry. But its on netflix as dubbed so I'm watching it like that. Almost done with the show it's really good.kidd25 said: