The "weeaboo" argument

[Bara_no_Hime]

TL;DR version: Do you guys think it's okay to watch anime in the original Japanese with English-or-whatever subtitles if you don't speak the language, even if it's already been dubbed into the language you speak?

With a very few exceptions (Slayers), I only watch anime in Japanese with subtitles. English voice acting has come a long way, and has some truly great actors, but it tends to lack subtly and consistency. Even a really good voice cast can be ruined by one really bad voice actor in a pivotal role.

 

[funksobeefy]

Im totally the opposite, I think that original voices at worst sound fucking annoying and at best a minor nuances. I dont mind however watching French or German original voices. Perhaps Im racist towards Japanese voice actors?

weird, I had never put two and two together before

 

[Scarim Coral]

I prefer either choices but I think it's find you like to watch it in Dub. As long you don't troll the dub (yes dub can suck but there are one to two dubs out there like Cowboy Bebop or Fooly Cooly that are good) than it's fine by me.

 

[LiliumSnow]

I always watch anime in the original Japanese with English subs, because like you said the English voice overs are usually bad. I tried listening to the English voices to my favourite anime "Ghost Hunt" and I almost choked on my Pepsi from horror.

So yeah, I think it's totally fine to read the English subs on an anime -as long as the subtitles are done by experienced translators and not some kid who only knows basic Japanese and doesn't bother to edit it.

Also I have never heard of the term "weeaboo" until now. Who came up with that? Is that based off of a real word?

 

[DracoSuave]

Also I have never heard of the term "weeaboo" until now. Who came up with that? Is that based off of a real word?

It originated here [http://pbfcomics.com/71/] and somehow the word got used on 4chan's filters.

 

[Atmos Duality]

TL;DR version: Do you guys think it's okay to watch anime in the original Japanese with English-or-whatever subtitles if you don't speak the language, even if it's already been dubbed into the language you speak?

I have partial hearing damage (both ears) due to a childhood of infections and treatments.
If someone is going to push their elitist bullshit on me for watching anything with subs, I'm simply going to stab them in the ears with an icepick until they can understand my perspective.

(This applies to ANY film, etc. I actually don't like anime; only enjoying three series I've ever seen, and I've had a LOT of stupid anime forced on me)

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I've done this argument a billion times

#1: All dubbing work by 4kids is terrible.
#2: Most english dub work is very good. In the case of certain characters from Bleach, any Gundam series not called G Gundam, and basically any mecha genre in general, the english VAs are better.
#3: Maile Flanigan (Voice of Naruto in English) admits she sucked in the first 30 episodes. By this point, she's actually doing a very good job.
#4: If you like subs over dubs, go for it. I prefer dub work, but watch how you want.

I recently started watching DBZ Kai, and I'm surprised that the Dub Work is actually pretty awesome. They seem more self aware of the goofiness this time around, so they all sound like hilarious large hams.

Also, might I ask what show your avatar is from?

General Olivier Mira Armstrong from FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. 100% pure bad ass.

Ah. Is FMA set in the 1940's or something? I heard that somewhere.

 

[Casual Shinji]

I tend not to watch anything dubbed, say for a few old Disney movies and cartoon shows for the sake of nostalgia (I'm Dutch).

 

[xvbones]

TL;DR version: Do you guys think it's okay to watch anime in the original Japanese with English-or-whatever subtitles if you don't speak the language, even if it's already been dubbed into the language you speak?

Remove the word 'anime' from the question and the answer remains the same.

Subbed is always superior to dubbed, because the dubbed VO actors are invariably terrible.

The original voice actors in their original language will always be superior to listening to disinterested and barely-paid redub VO sleepwalk through lines, sometimes seeming to deliberately ignore context and subtext.

(They're not calling you a 'weeaboo' because you prefer subtitles, they're calling you 'weeaboo' because you watch anime, period.

Ignore them and walk away. Nobody gets to tell you what you're allowed to like.)

 

[thylasos]

Personally, I watch subtitled media for the reasons stated in the OP, as well as the fact of my being a language student, and general interest in languages.

That applies to more than just anime, though. In fact, it's very rare I'll watch anime, these days. More often it's Central and Eastern-European miniseries or films, which thankfully don't have such awful problems with dubbing (for me, at least) due to substantially different casting requirements, for one, which mean you don't get the ever-present awful adolescent US male voice actor or poor imitation thereof.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

I watch anime in both subbed and dubbed form but I will admit that I prefer dubbed because japanese voices annoy me so when I watch subbed I have to watch it with no audio and just read the subs. I do see no problem with liking the subbed better though so it's just really a matter of whichever you prefer.

roughly this,

there are very very very very few anime's that i watch not dubbed, as i find most of the voices to be pure death on how overly emotional or weird it sounds (there are a few i like, but most of them literally i can not stand to watch for more than a minute or two)

i don't mind most english voice acting, because i can understand it, but dear god...

japanese, why u no not make annoying emotional sounds?!?

OT: Whatever floats your boat really, i don't see the point in them acting like pricks about it, as long as you weren't trying to act elitist about it or such.

 

[Something Amyss]

Watching dubbed anime doesn't make you a weaboo.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Watching dubbed anime doesn't make you a weaboo.

No, he said he was called a weaboo for watching subbed anime instead of dubbed. Either way, if he doesn't act like a Weaboo he isn't one.

 

[moh21]

If you are looking for an accurate unbiased definition of weeaboo, stay away from urban dictionary. There is a difference between somebody that enjoys japanese culture (anime/manga, music,history,etc.)and some idiot that can't go 5 minutes without yelling "believe it!" or ending sentences with "Desu". That is my definition of the phrase "Weeaboo" Also, Subs>Dubs.
Finally, Full metal alchemist was great, even the dubs were ok.

 

[Sangreal Gothcraft]

what the HELL is a Weeaboo..? Heard some one call my GF one though she did not take it to kindly and proceeded to Slap the person that called her this.

 

[Iwata]

A weeaboo is an annoying person who claims everything Japanese is inherently superior to anything western.

Watching anime with subtitles rather than an audio dub hardly fits the criteria. I do it myself, in fact.

 

[moh21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtzlKJ1dObU
Worst black guy dub ever.

 

[Something Amyss]

Watching dubbed anime doesn't make you a weaboo.

No, he said he was called a weaboo for watching subbed anime instead of dubbed. Either way, if he doesn't act like a Weaboo he isn't one.

I meant subbed. Unfortunately, we're talking two words with the only differentiation being the first letter, which are side by side on the keyboard.

 

[Something Amyss]

A weeaboo is an annoying person who claims everything Japanese is inherently superior to anything western.

Watching anime with subtitles rather than an audio dub hardly fits the criteria. I do it myself, in fact.

See, this is what I understand the definition to be. Not the definition initially.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Watching dubbed anime doesn't make you a weaboo.

No, he said he was called a weaboo for watching subbed anime instead of dubbed. Either way, if he doesn't act like a Weaboo he isn't one.

I meant subbed. Unfortunately, we're talking two words with the only differentiation being the first letter, which are side by side on the keyboard.

Sorry about that. Just my inner pretentious correction self.