I like dubs! [Archive] - The Warring States of NPF

Mashirosen

11-20-2003, 01:27 AM

Okay, those of you who were around for the TWC forums know the drill: keep all discussions about the superiority of dubbing to this thread only. Anyone who tries to start an argument by posting that dubs suck in this thread will be banned, and so will anyone who tries to start an argument by posting that subs suck in that thread.

So! What shows do you think are best dubbed? Who are some of your favorite voice actors? Hash it all out in here.

Bezo

11-20-2003, 02:01 AM

I don't think dubs are superior, but I prefer them to subs mainly because I don't watch TV to read. :D

I think one of the best dubs is Slayers (which very few people agree with) and my favourite voice actor is probably Frank Welker. As for dubbie voice actors, Eric Stuart and Crispin Freeman kick much bottom.

Sakae

11-20-2003, 02:06 AM

Agreed. While you do lose meaning in the translation, there's nothing more annoying when fourteen lines of text flash on the screen, right when you're trying follow the big fight scene unfolding. Then you have to read the text, and you invariably miss what was happening while you were reading....big pain. I'll take the minor inaccuracies in the dialog, if it means a more immersive viewing experiance.

krazyk

11-20-2003, 06:38 AM

I usually like subs better since due to the longstanding tradition of Voice Acting actually being a profession in Japan (whereas it's really a relatively new field in America) I think they do a good job on conveying emotion (especially on a lot of the earlier anime which came to America...much of it has absolutely ear-grating dubs).

However, I'm perfectly open to quality dubs. Fruits Basket, for instance, I think has a great dub. And Saiyuki...I wouldn't ever be able to watch that show subtitled. The English VAs are hilarious in that dub. Disney, of course, as far as I've seen always produces fabulously high quality dubs (such as Kiki's Delivery Service (Phil Hartman as Gigi is priceless), Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away). I almost always try sampling the dub of whatever I'm watching, and if I enjoy it, then whether I watch it subbed or dubbed depends mostly on my mood. If I'm trying to pay a lot of attention to the graphics, I'll watch it dubbed for awhile. If I want to see what the Japanese (or Korean, or whoever) script writers originally wrote (assuming the show has a good translation job for the subtitles, which sometimes they don't) then I'll watch subs.

I would, in all actuality, love to try out Voice Acting myself some day. Telling stories outloud is one of my favorite things to do. The likelihood of this ever happening is extremely low, since I tend to be rather busy, but it's fun to think about. And I think, as more people in America start to see Voice Acting as an actual profession, then the quality of dubs in general will become better and better (I think this process is already well on its way).

Oh yeah, and I couldn't stand the Slayers dub. But at least I'm not an all-out all-dubs-suck-because-all-things-Japanese-are-ten-times-cooler-than-anything-in-America sort of person. :D

Blasphemous

11-20-2003, 06:53 AM

I like dubs better whenever they're actual good dubs... In Rurouni Kenshin for instance... The English voice acting is fantabulous, and since I watched about half the series dubbed, I am actually not continuing to watch it because I can't get my hands on any high-quality dubbed episodes... Quite a bummer really. But whenever the dubbing isn't outstanding, I rather use subs because I have this fantasy of learning Japanese and I'm stupid enough to think that watching subs will help me learn. =P

Master_Black_Belt

11-20-2003, 09:20 AM

Mashirosen says: whoops! Someone's got a little reading comprehension problem. Work on that before you come back from being BANLEETED.

transcend

11-20-2003, 01:11 PM

MBB, no anti-dub flaming here.

Anyway, the Cowboy Bebop and Rurouni Kenshin dubs are far superior to the original. But that's about it, I think.

GatoFiero

11-20-2003, 01:30 PM

I prefer subs, but I can't refute that some dubs are very well done. In order for a dub to be well done it must be made by people who really like and care about the series. Another thing that helps dubs is if you haven�t heard the sub before hearing the dub. Once you see the first three or four episodes of a series then you have the character voices stuck in your mind and it's very difficult to change them and like it. Examples of good dubs are Rurouni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, Excel Saga (except that they changed the voice actress for Excel halfway through the series and the second one wasn't as good), Hyper Police, X (the movie), Rune Soldier's dub is pretty good too.

In Hindsight

11-20-2003, 03:18 PM

I was actually wondering about the Excel Saga dub. I've got the whole series downloaded as a fansub, but I can only stomach the original voice track for a couple of episodes at a time. I'm just waiting for them to release the series as a complete boxset, and I'll end up picking it up regardless.

In general, I don't necessarily have a preference over sub/dub... I'm quite new to the whole anime thing to begin with, so I've been able to enjoy the luxury of watching my series' in both languages. I always try both versions and go with whichever works for me the best. However, for anyone that was around in the VHS era, I can kind of understand developing a single preference when a series was split into 12 or so volumes, at $35 a pop (One of the initial things that kept me away all those years ago when I saw a few movies at my friend's house).

For example, the dub in Eva didn't bother me that much, so I stuck with it the first time thru. I'll probably end up watching it subbed the next time around, though. RahXephon, on the other hand... I watched the dub for the first episode and I had to switch it over. The english voice-over was just painful.

Neverwhere

11-20-2003, 04:36 PM

GatoFiero

11-22-2003, 12:18 AM

some things i prefer subs (hellsing, neon-genesis, inuyasha, etc), but things like DBZ/GT need dubs, as their japanese sounds are just atrocious. So, it really depends on how the anime sounds subbed, and how it sounds dubbed, then ill make my decision. I can watch either though :)

With DBZ i agree, but GT wasn't that bad...then again i got a patch work collection of fan subs that consist of korean, japanese, and mandarin. Although, I did find it annoying that the spelling (even the pronounciation in some cases) of the names changed. For instance, Giru was also called Gilla. And Baby was also called Bebi.

Ambassador

11-22-2003, 02:14 AM

Dubs.... some good, some bad. What more can I say?
Oh, there is one dub that really shines compared to it's subbed counterpart. Generator Gaul. The original took itself a little too seriously, but the dubbed managed to capture a near-perfect blend of comedy and... I suppose the word I'm looking for is "drama," but I hesitate to apply that to GG. Anyhow, in this case, the dub was far superior.

Krylo

11-22-2003, 10:31 PM

I prefer dubs for one reason and one reason only. Well, ok, that's an exagerration, there's a few (like when people are talking quickly and the sub flies, or the sub moves over an object of roughly the same color)... but the MAIN one... Japenese fan girls. Watch the Utena sub and when the two guys (I can't remember their names, but one is obsessed with anthy) duel... all the japanese school girls are screaming before it about how they love bishie a or bishie b. Japanese girls screaming is the most painful sound in the world. Fingernails on a chalkboard you say? No... no... not half as painful. I had to mute it until the duel was over with. For some reason, the people they cast for screaming in dubs either don't have voices as annoyingly pitched or just don't scream as loudly.

Ambassador

11-23-2003, 03:36 AM

Or, unlike their Japanese counterparts, the American voice actors realized that this was NOT their only shot into the big world of voice acting, and accordingly spared their voices. And our ears.

The_Phat_G

11-23-2003, 06:02 PM

I like dubs for the same reason as Bezo.

Also, some animes just suck balls with subs. Like Dragonhalf, for example.
(The Great Damoramu has run out of gas!)

Cid Highwind

11-23-2003, 10:45 PM

Generally, a Dub is what I want to watch when I am drunk, sick, or have a hangover. Or if the originals have bad voice acting.
Dubs make Anime easier to get into for newbies and people with reading problems, like 75% of the people in my school.
And Krylo is right, Japanese girls should come with Equalizers.

Bezo

11-23-2003, 11:07 PM

I read fairly fast, but I also watch anime in large doses (like 4 or more hours at a time) and after a while, you just wanna be able to take your eyes off the screen for a second, and dubbies allow that. Dubs aren't always spectacular, but I've only heard a couple of dubs that were god-awful (Those Obnoxious Aliens, Slayers: The Movie, Tekken)

However, one of the worst dubs ever is also nearly my favourite of all animes: The Ultimate Teacher. The voice acting is horrid, but it fits the anime.

One thing I absolutely hate is fan subs, specifically fan subs that use really cool looking fonts (but are nearly impossible to read).

GatoFiero

11-23-2003, 11:26 PM

Ugg, Tekken. I hear the movie sucked like a 10 cent <<censored>>

Bezo

11-23-2003, 11:30 PM

More like a 2� one.

It was pretty bad. Not the worst dub ever, but it's in the top five.

Neverwhere

11-24-2003, 09:58 AM

I, being the cheap college kid that I am, have had a history of buying the GT DVD's and watching them dubbed. However, since I have quickly run out of cash, I started dloading GT episodes (not to mention they are months ahead of the DVD's) and must say, I do like the subbed GT episodes. However, I would rather watch dubbed for one sole reason. Voice acting. Its dispicable. The monkey during the baby saga sounds like they are killing a four-year old kid. Such a high, schrill scream. Makes me shiver. The other voices are ok, but all of their background voices are disgusting. Least we Americans know how to act.

Oh, and some anime uses the same actors for both English and Japanese versions.

Raiden

11-24-2003, 02:44 PM

Dubs are the best! I'd rather watch a show with dubs in it, because they usually say stuff that makes sense. I watched one show that had subs in it, and they were going "Join me and eat. The food is good and nice." I'm thinking, "What the hell! Nobody talks like that!" But with dubs, they went "Sit down, the food is good." I'm thinking, "I can understand somebody saying that."

Dubs are better, in my opinion, because they usually talk in ways we would talk.

Neverwhere

11-24-2003, 04:40 PM

Well, subs are literal translations where as dubs are interpertive forms of subs.

Bezo

11-24-2003, 11:59 PM

That's one thing I'm glad for. In all the dubs I have, no one has ever been called san, chan, kun, senpai, sensai, nii, nee, or sama.

The purpose of translation is to communicate, not confuse, which is why I generally prefer dubs. Otherwise, I'd learn Japanese and I wouldn't need dubs OR subs. :p

GatoFiero

11-25-2003, 02:09 PM

Ooo, i just thought of a really bad dub. Has anyone here ever heard the cartoon network dub of Eva? Worst...dub....ever!

Neverwhere

11-25-2003, 02:28 PM

Eva is one that must be watched subbed..

Bezo

11-28-2003, 05:44 PM

Personally, I'd rather just not watch Eva at all. ;)

Priest4hire

11-29-2003, 02:24 AM

I don't envy studios the task of creating a good dub. Subtitles are easier for a number of reasons. Besides the whole casting issue, and the problem of getting decent lip sync, there's the issue that while a sub can get away with some pretty crappy writing, people will just expect a decent screenplay with a dub.

And that's probably the key. It has to hold up in English. A good dub must be good in English while at the same time being faithful to the source. That requires a translator that is both skilled as a writer and able to capture the spirit of the original material. Or a collaboration between a good writer and a good translator.

I should point out that there is no such thing as a purely literal translation. Such a thing can not exist. Some words don't translate; sometimes there are other meanings in a word or phrase other than the literal meaning, and so on. If you translated Japanese to English literally, there would be almost no pronouns for example.

Ultimately the translator is walking a very fine line. And with a dub that line is thinner yet. On the other hand, a dub done really well can add something to the piece a sub can not. For one thing, a dub can move dialog, as in the bulk of words, than a sub since it doesn't have the issue of the audience reading and following the action. Some movies benefit from this greatly, like Patlabor 2 where the big speech just hasn't the impact in the short and not well written sub. The dub on the other hand is very well written and delivered. Thus the dub adds weight to this long monologue.

So in the end I think at its best a dub can transcend a sub, especially if the material lends itself that way, but on the other hand a dub has many time more the pitfalls and thus can suck far greater.

Kenryoku_Maxis

11-30-2003, 03:10 AM

Ultimately the translator is walking a very fine line. And with a dub that line is thinner yet. On the other hand, a dub done really well can add something to the piece a sub can not. For one thing, a dub can move dialog, as in the bulk of words, than a sub since it doesn't have the issue of the audience reading and following the action. Some movies benefit from this greatly, like Patlabor 2 where the big speech just hasn't the impact in the short and not well written sub. The dub on the other hand is very well written and delivered. Thus the dub adds weight to this long monologue.

So in the end I think at its best a dub can transcend a sub, especially if the material lends itself that way, but on the other hand a dub has many time more the pitfalls and thus can suck far greater.

But in effect, doesn't that mean that a sub can actually transcend a dub if the person watching it is use to watching subtitled works? Where as a dub, even if done correctly, still can never get away from the fact that it is using a different voice actor and type of language which ultimately makes the character different?

This isn't a disagreement by any means. I'm kinda seeing an extension to your idea.

-----

And sorry you don't want to watch Eva. Amazing show.

Mashirosen

11-30-2003, 03:22 AM

It's really nice to see that you're keeping it civil so far, but please take any discussion of the technical superiority of subs to the sub thread, please. You won't be asked again.

Outbounder

12-09-2003, 02:25 PM

I prefer dubs as well. When they're done well. I just prefer to be able to just watch and listen, without having to be distracted by reading things, and not understanding what they're saying. It is very easy to miss small details in the time you looking down and reading the subtitles, plus I don't feel I can really get a sense of their emotions and feelings while just reading words. I like to hear the pronunciation, and if the voice is laced with sarcasm and that sort of thing.
I just like it better when it's in my own language.

Stabbitty Death

12-22-2003, 10:18 AM

I hate it when they cast voice actors for children that sound like adults even though they're like, six or something.

Hobo2323

12-28-2003, 02:05 PM

If it hasn't been said, Love Hina and Spirited Away show dubbing at its finest.

Priest4hire

12-31-2003, 03:25 PM

If it hasn't been said, Love Hina and Spirited Away show dubbing at its finest.

Spirited Away almost seems a given. Disney has been doing voice casting and getting great performances far longer than any Anime studio in existance.

Rhianwen

01-11-2004, 02:07 AM

I should point out that there is no such thing as a purely literal translation. Such a thing can not exist. Some words don't translate; sometimes there are other meanings in a word or phrase other than the literal meaning, and so on. If you translated Japanese to English literally, there would be almost no pronouns for example.

Exactly, and that's the reason I'll watch either, but tend to prefer the dub. In my mind, a translation is still a translation, whether it's dubbed over or written at the bottom of the screen. I suppose you are getting a more exact translation with a sub, but...yeah. If I'm not mistaken, nuances will be lost either way. And since I don't care enough about getting every nuance in an anime to go learn Japanese fluently, I'll lose a bit more in translation and watch the dub. ^_^ Unless the dub is really bad. Or one voice just generally irks me. Dilandau in Escaflowne springs immediately to mind...as does Shinji in Evangelion. I liked most of the rest of the Evangelion dub voices (Misato and Ritsuko alone made me keep watching the dub), but Shinji made me want to drop the TV on my head until the pain stopped. Of course, the other option would have been to turn off the durned TV and do something productive, but...I'm not too good at that. ^_^

I also agree with Outbounder that it's nice to be able to hear the sarcasm and other expression in the VA's voice, and that this can be lost if you don't speak the language, unless it's really obvious. Psychotically angry, it's pretty easy to tell. Kind of depressed, however...I've found that I don't know it from more or less satisfied with life. This may be my own stupidity, but it's just what I've found. ^_^

And I agree wholeheartedly with Bezo's healthy dislike of fansubs that choose the stupidest possible font. Rrr... ^_^

Outbounder

01-23-2004, 12:30 PM

But in effect, doesn't that mean that a sub can actually transcend a dub if the person watching it is use to watching subtitled works? Where as a dub, even if done correctly, still can never get away from the fact that it is using a different voice actor and type of language which ultimately makes the character different?

But isn't that sort of the point? I mean, to radically change a character would be wrong. However, it is good to make the character more identifiable in the culture it is presented in. Changing certain aspects of a character to make it more appealing to different audiences is sort of necessary for the show/movie/whatever be more successful and enjoyable in that setting.

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm making any sense so I'll stop now.

Kenryoku_Maxis

02-01-2004, 04:58 PM

But isn't that sort of the point? I mean, to radically change a character would be wrong. However, it is good to make the character more identifiable in the culture it is presented in. Changing certain aspects of a character to make it more appealing to different audiences is sort of necessary for the show/movie/whatever be more successful and enjoyable in that setting.

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm making any sense so I'll stop now.

I can't really say anything in this thread anymore or else I'd give you a really good answer to that question. And it is a good question and many people share it.

-----

To suggest something per Mashirosen's post on the previous page, if you want to ask me this question you can put it on the Subs topic or PM me about it. I would like to answer it.

Mashirosen

02-01-2004, 08:42 PM

Don't push your luck, Kenryoku.

Vicious

02-07-2004, 09:12 PM

Hmph, nobody has mentioned the Trigun dubs? I thought they were done pretty damn good... but that's just me...

GiantSpaceNinja

02-11-2004, 12:30 PM

The only reason I'll watch a dub is if the humor quality in the dub is brought out more (ie Golden Boy, Ai Aori Yoshi ["You can't eat that! That's one of those magical girls!"], etc.) Otherwise I'm a really fast reader so having to read the subtitles doesn't really matter.

Daer

02-17-2004, 02:04 AM

Edited by Mashirosen: bye-bye. Come back when your reading comprehension is up to a level where you can understand plainly written rules.

Outbounder

02-18-2004, 02:39 PM

This is more of a question than a comment, and you can delete it if it's too unrelated. But when comparing the early DBZ dubbing (Beginning of the series through Frieza) with the later dubs, the early ones just plain suck. Plust I think there was something about being overly censored. The reason I bring this up is that my friend told me that there were plans to go back and redub the earlier episodes with the people from the later episodes. So my question is, is there any truth to that?

Ravenhurst

02-21-2004, 08:44 PM

The only dub I've run into that is clearly and undebatably better than the sub is FLCL's. Haruko and Naota's dad are a million times funnier, Naota and Mamimi sound more authentic in my mind, and the rest are just as good as their Japanese counterparts. But FLCL's the exception in this case, for the most part I find it very hard to declare either the sub or the dub superior on anything recent.

bodex

03-05-2004, 03:26 PM

i like dubs more the subs because im dyslexic and trying to read all the suds gives me a headache plus i always have to pause it just to understand whats going on.

bodex

Chi_Mangetsu

03-29-2004, 03:14 PM

Argh! Considering how this damn thing didn't put my post through, I'll have to try this again! *Rawr!*
I personally watch the Dub before the Sub and in general, prefer Dubs except in the case of certain ... genres. And I met some great VAs at this years Ohayocon, which was rather kickass. This part here was a lot longer but it went bye-bye. Moving on...

To Vicious:
Good God, yes; Vash's japanese voice was so damn annoying! Wolfwood, Meryl, and Millie were fine, but Vash! It was sad really. And it was such a good post, too. =;-;=

To Outbounder:
Actually, your logic is quite viable. This situation--culture problems--is quite applicable in the case of the Evangelion Live-action movie. I asked Matt Greenfield about it and his reply is as stated in the second paragraph of the following linked Memory of my livejournal:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/chi_mangetsu/28692.html

I know this can be considered spam but I figured it rather applicable in this situation. I've decided to create an LJ Community for Dub fans and, to make it short, if you have con stories, a favorite VA, are a VA, and/or a livejournal, I welcome you to join the Voice Actor Fans' Community!
http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=voiceactor_comm

Kampai~!

~AOK~

Aerozord

05-31-2004, 01:23 PM

I like dubs for one simple and obvious reason. I dont wanna read and watch at the same time. I can multi-task and watch and listen completely at once. I cant watch, listen, and read without taking away my focus.

Now if I knew Japanese I would want subs, or atleast consider it an option. I say get it sub if you speak the language well. Otherwise go with dubbed

thatismynoodle

06-08-2004, 11:20 AM

I used to only was dubs, but after watching countless kirasawa movies and fan subbing...I got hooked on fan subs.

Xellos

07-12-2004, 11:12 PM

I can only watch Slayers in dub form, because otherwise it just sounds weird............Too weird.

And I HAVE to watch Hellsing in dub form because I feel It can be watched no other way.

However, I have no other preferences...........

Jack's Smirking Revenge

07-23-2004, 06:20 PM

The only dubs that I have encountered that were as good as, or better than their Japanese counterparts, were Evangelion's and Cowboy Bebop's. I prefer the Japanese in Bebop (mostly for Faye), but I just looooove Misato, Asuka and Rei's English voice cast.

Usually English dubs sound a bit hollow and overdramatic, but these two series really hit the nail on the head.

DrmChsr0

09-12-2004, 10:29 AM

Where I live we have Chinese Dubs. Messed up, I know, but they're generally better than English dubs. And no, I don't live in Chinese Taipei.

Kikuichimonji

01-27-2005, 09:07 PM

I really like Kenshin's English voice in Rurouni Kenshin. Then, when I watched the Samurai X movie, I noticed that it either had a different dubbers or that there weren't any at all (I forget). The movie wasn't bad, but Kenshin's voice failed to reflect the dual personality that made Kenshin a great character in the dubbed series. I can generally deal with one or two annoying voices (damn you, Collette!) in an anime or video game, but Kenshin is one of my favorite anime characters, so I got mad when they "ruined" his voice for me. So unless a dub is horrible, I can live with it. But for me to enjoy a sub, the voice acting and subbing both have to be above average.

Aerozord

01-27-2005, 10:23 PM

in Samurai X he doesn't have the dual personality. He developes that after the war. Remember in the movie he is 15 and nearly emotionless.

Major Blood

10-28-2005, 01:28 PM

Personally, what i perfer depends on which i see first. If i see a dubbed version of a show first, i will perfer the dub version. If i see a subbed version, i will perfer it. Case and point, Inuyasha. I watched a subbed version on T.V when i went to Japan a year ago. Now i can't watch the dubbed version cause i think it sucks too bad. Likewise, when i first watched .hack//SIGN about 6 months ago on YTV i loved it. I tried watching a subbed version of it but couldn't.

Leon-the-Dark-Knight

04-11-2006, 03:09 PM

I tend to prefer dubs myself, especially for Nadesico and Trigun. Though some of the subs I have seen are also quite enjoyable.

KM91

06-12-2006, 01:22 PM

Most dubs are dumb in my opinion. Unless they are on Adult Swim or something. If they are on Toonami, they are subject to numerous edits to not offend anyone, and not to mention blood is edited into sweat and scratches.(They can't get scratched all the time, people)I'm not trying to start an arguement, but I'm trying to tell people the truth.

Meister

06-13-2006, 05:24 AM

Between Mashirosen stating on page 1 that anyone who posts here about the suckage of dubs will get in trouble and the existence of an "I like subs" thread, what prompted you to post this?

Warning and a one-time 48 hour ban for you.

Gwalchavad

06-27-2006, 01:09 PM

I'm a big fan of well done dubs myself. So far, though, FLCL has to be the only dub I've come across that I actually prefer to the original.

And I tend to watch Cowboy Bebop in dub form, just because I got used to Steven Blum's voice from the Adult Swim run. It really does fit Spike well.

Excel Saga is another one where I almost exlusively watch dub, while I'm a fairly fast reader, damn, the dialogue just moves waaay too fast sometime (give those people some tranquilizers!) Big props to Jessica Calvello for spitting out so many words without breathing, we hope you didn't suffer from any permanent brain damage while working on it. Also, I like the fruitier sound to Il Palazzo's voice in the english... don't know why. And Nabeshin as a Southern white Shaft is perfect.

Everything else I watch in sub unless I anticipate not being able to devote my full attention to the screen while viewing, you know like watching TV while you eat or something.

Fighter=Genius

09-20-2006, 04:20 PM

If I like the dub version I see on adult swim or wherever then I don't think it really matters if people think the sub versions are better. I'm willing to make the sacrifice of losing some stuff in translation or cutting lines that make no sense translated as long as it's still a good show in the end.

Denivire

10-02-2006, 03:23 PM

Well, peopel said it before, but I agree, reading while watching gets annoying. Main reason I prefer dubs. Kinda annoying to pause the stupid thing right when several blocks of subtitles appear for some long-winded explanation why the guy must fight, and then the fight scene.
"I must kill him becuase he killed/kidnapped my sibling/parent/guardian/friend/lover and/or other people, destroyed towns... [2 hours later] ... my dog, and that is why I must kill him!" :shifty:

Kikuichimonji

10-02-2006, 08:03 PM

You know, the more I watch anime, the more I realize I don't understand Japanese inflections. A male voice that might seem neutral to a Japanese audience seems immasculate to me, and female voices often sound incredibly whiny. For example, in Twelve Kingdoms, Yoko's voice in the first few episodes is gratingly shrill in Japanese - not even just whiny like she's supposed to be, it's just disconcerting. Of course, it might just be bad voice acting for that character, but I doubt it.

And I can read and watch at the same time. The strain comes more from knowing the tone of voice they're using.

Azisien

10-02-2006, 09:02 PM

The dubbing on Cowboy Bebop is so fantastic, I have quite honestly forgotten it was originally in Japanese. I watched the movie with dubs (and obviously, loved it). Then, when I watched the special features and they had some mandatory scenes without dubs or subs I literally went "WHAT THE FU-Oh right, it's a god damn japanese cartoon."

Lord of Joshelplex

11-03-2006, 02:22 PM

I prefer the dub, but only voice dubs, no censoring. I often find it difficult to cthc humor (specifically sarcasm) when I can't recognize the words or tones. Excel Saga porably wouldnt be as funny as it is unless it's in your native language.

HOOH! Last person to prefer dubs!

Robert Paulson

07-18-2007, 10:53 AM

If a show's English dubbing is well done, I will prefer watching it in English. For my money, Fullmetal Alchemist, Trinity Blood, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex are very well dubbed; no odd censorships, all the characters sound their part, voices sound convincing, yeah.

Also, yes, I don't hate Japanese animation as a whole anymore. FMA, TB, and GITS:SAC all happen to be programs I like very much, especially considering how well done their dubbing was.

CelesJessa

07-18-2007, 12:03 PM

Just because I want to throw this in here:

I don't usually watch anime(honostly, I could probably count the number of animes I've watched on two hands), so my opinion between dubs and subs might be a bit biased (since I don't have a lot of experience between both)

But generally, I will always prefer the dub over the sub. It just sounds better to hear it in my native language and, if it's done well, I can get so much more out of the emotion when it's done in english.

For example. In FMA, when Hughes dies, I don't think Mustang's reaction wouldn't have been nearly as powerful to me if I didn't hear it in english and hear the waver in his voice. And Ed crying in the english version just sounds so much more meaningful to me.
Also, FMA did a fantastic job with their english casting. The only series ever to get me to actually pay attention to the people behind the voices. ("Pay attention" I guess is talking lightly, since I went to meet the voice of Ed(Vic Mignogna), bought all 3 of his music CDs, and hope to go meet the voice of Mustang (Travis Willingham!) next year (crap, I'm like a groupie now, I guess)

Anyway, basically the only thing that will make me watch the sub instead of the dub is if the dub makes me ears bleed (like Sailor Moon in the later seasons).

Elminster_Amaur

10-07-2007, 07:30 PM

Aerozord

11-05-2007, 05:36 PM

I find it hilarious that my friend, who actually is one of the people that does these fan translations, hates subs. To her its, raw or dub (though as a japanese speaker she normally selects raw)

WillyFourEyes

02-01-2008, 05:36 PM

cal2jack

10-18-2008, 05:02 PM

Ive only liked a select few dubs mainly because i find that you loose a lot of the original poetry of anime or films with dubs.

Dubs of note that i like: spirited away, howls moving castle, and princess mononoke. (too many o's?). And yeah they are all ghibli, and incidentally ghibli is basically the only dubs i like.

Chocobo

07-08-2009, 12:52 PM

I prefer dubs over subs.

The only time that I ever preferred sub over dub was when 4Kids dubbed One Piece, and now FUNimation has a hold of it now.

Specterbane

08-27-2009, 08:35 PM

CJ, Miniskirts are waaay better than Rangers.

There are only four or five dubs that I think are even worth watching:
Hellsing (and Ultimate)
Trigun
FMA
and
Cowboy Bebop

I watch everything else either subbed or raw.

Actually I'd argue there are some others to add there.

Samurai Champloo is good
Darker Than Black
Baccano (as I've recently found)
Yu Yu Hakusho
Slayers is great by the second half
Outlaw Star is good too
and
Ruroni Kenshin (I HATE the sub of this, as a grown man Kenshin should not be voiced by a woman, just my opinion)

CABAL49

08-27-2009, 10:53 PM

Gundam. Original series dubs.

Arhra

08-28-2009, 01:24 AM

I usually prefer subs since I find a lot of dubs come out a bit flat, but the Girl Who Leapt Through Time has one of the best dubs I've ever heard.

The Cat Returns was really well done too.

Yrcrazypa

01-04-2010, 07:34 PM

EVILNess

01-04-2010, 07:40 PM

I don't watch anime all that much, but the most recent one I saw was a dubbed Gurren Lagann, I thought all the voices were well done for the most part, none come to mind as being particularly annoying.

Really good show, though I think 90% of you already know that. For those of you Americans who haven't seen it, it is on Hulu.com.

Yeah, the dub voices weren't bad, but they just weren't as over the top manly as the original voices.

Desert Punk is probably the best example of an anime where the dub is better than the original.

Eldezar

01-30-2010, 10:59 PM

I like the part where I get to watch my moving pictures rather than read them.

A Zarkin' Frood

01-31-2010, 06:40 AM

Dubs for anime, especially the German dubs, were really REALLY bad until a time ago. But it's getting better now. The Death Note one was good, FMA was good, Gurren Lagann was good.
The worst dub I've ever seen was the German dub for Gunslinger Girl. It's so cruel. I love the series (first season only) but the dub is... I lack the words to describe how horrible it is. Of course, I'm only referring to the voice acting here.
I've heard really horrible things about the 4Kids dub of One Piece... I guess the german equivalent to that is Naruto.
I usually don't mind dubs at all, but if they censor shows to make them kid-friendlier I'll watch a sub over a dub any day.

I'm just a bit sad that most DVDs I get over here don't have the English dub in case the German one isn't that good. It'd mean I have to watch less subs.

Ecks

02-21-2010, 04:48 PM

I like subs.

I PREFER dubs.

While I do so enjoy being able to see something ahead of it's American airing schedule, something about being able to hear and comprehend what it is they're talking about onscreen without having to refer to the subs to understand it is immensely relieving.

The exception to this is probably Code Geass' dub. While I do like Johnny Bosch's voice for most shounen protagonists, ViZ' insistence on making him the American Voice of Shounen Anime is a little grating, especially considering the fact that it's playing against type in Lelouch's case.