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The debate that has long captivated anime enthusiasts revolves around a seemingly simple question that has persisted since the emergence of the genre: should one watch anime with subtitles or in its dubbed version? This ongoing discussion sees purists on one side, who cherish the authenticity and depth that subtitles offer, and those who favor dubbed versions, appreciating the ease of following the story without the need to read along. Both camps present compelling arguments in this enduring divide.
For many, certain anime are best experienced in their original Japanese form, with subtitles preserving the intricate emotional and cultural nuances that might get lost in translation. On the flip side, some series shine brightly in their dubbed versions, where voice actors sometimes elevate the material to new heights. Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to this debate, though there are instances where dubbed versions undeniably enhance the experience.
Take, for example, the horror-comedy series Ghost Stories. The English dub has gained a cult following, largely due to its wild and irreverent script adaptation. While the storyline mirrors the original Japanese version, the dub takes creative liberties by injecting it with outrageous humor and edgy dialogue, transforming the series into a unique and unexpected comedic gem.
10
Ghost Stories’ English Dub Is Unintentionally More Hilarious
In the case of horror comedy Ghost Stories, fan preference for the English dub is the result of some of the most ridiculous script re-interpretation in the history of anime. The overall premise of Ghost Stories is the same as the original Japanese anime, but the dub goes overboard with inappropriate puns and black comedy in ways no one else dares.
As guilty pleasure anime, most fans won’t even admit to watching, much less enjoying Ghost Stories. But they’re watching, in English, and they’re laughing at all the inappropriate places.
9
Black Butler Has a British Ambiance the English Language Captures Well
Set in an alternate history Victorian England, both the characters and story in the Black Butler anime are perfectly captured in the English dub. It’s hard to imagine Ciel Phantomhive’s arrogance or Sebastian’s propriety in manners and conduct in any other language or accent, even when the humor takes a more Japanese turn.
The balance between Upper Class English and outright Cockney sets the tone for Black Butler, lending it ambiance reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and the Victorian period. The manga’s creator, Yana Tosobo, was often inspired by Holmes, and giving the Black Butler anime a dub that fits the bill goes a long way toward enhancing the experience.
FMA Brotherhood may be set in a fictional world, but there is something inherently English about alchemy in general that really brings the plot and its characters home. There’s a distinct emotion to the tragedy and triumphs of the Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood anime the English dub just drives home beautifully.
Funimation went all out casting the English Dub. Anytime fans can count Vic Mignogna, Colleen Clinkenbeard and Trina Nishimura in the same anime, they know it’s going to be outstanding. Even beyond those three powerhouse voice actors, there’s an entire cast of expertly voiced characters that make the dub a far superior anime viewing experience.
7
A Silent Voice’s English Dub Has One Thing the Sub Doesn’t
Voice acting, much like regular acting, requires a certain amount of dedication to research, experience, and emotional range. With a touchy subject like the one in A Silent Voice, which tells the story of a deaf girl who was bullied and the suicidal boy who once made her life miserable, bringing actual experience to the booth makes a world of difference.
Lexi Marman Cowden, who voices Shoko in the English dub, is also deaf. She’s spoken in interviews often about her experiences with bullying, not much different than what Shoko endures in A Silent Voice. Cowden’s firsthand knowledge of Shoko’s trials adds something really special to her vocal portrayal of a powerful character, making A Silent Voice‘s dub just a little better than the sub.
6
Trigun’s Space Western Atmosphere Lends Better to English Dub
The western in Space Western should say it all, but that’s not to say Japan doesn’t go above and beyond in the genre. Trigun is a masterpiece in its original format, but there’s something about Johnny Yong Bosch as Vash the Stampede that just works. Bosch’s range as a voice actor is epic, and he brings Vash to life gloriously.
The humor in the English dub is also better delivered, especially considering that Trigun is set in an English-speaking world. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the sub version of the Trigun anime. The dub is just a bit better.
5
Attack On Titan’s Emotional Range Delivers Well In English Dub
There’s no denying the emotional tension that grips the Attack on Titan anime from start to finish. It’s a brutal story with high stakes and tension, and the way Attack on Titan bounces all over the emotional scale is masterfully done in the English dub.
Some of anime’s most outstanding English voice actors drive Attack on Titan home with excellence. Bryce Pappenbrook, Matthew Mercer, Trina Nishimura, Josh Grelle and Johnny Yong Bosch are titans in the voice acting industry, and they work flawlessly alongside the rest of the cast to bring a truly harrowing story to life in epic form.
4
Cowboy Bebop’s English Dub Is Far Superior
Even the most elitist sub fans often agree that the English dub for Cowboy Bebop is its best version. Cowboy Bebop was the first anime to debut on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block back in 2001, becoming many Western anime fans’ first introduction to anime in general.
Despite the inexperience of the voice acting cast at the time, they still managed to not only pull it off but hit the dub out of the park. Considering the influence of American music and culture on the anime, there’s just something perfect about the English dub of Cowboy Bebop that can’t be denied.
3
Death Note’s English Dub Cast Goes Above and Beyond
One reason a lot of sub-only fans don’t like dub is because they often feel like the dub Americanizes the Japanese elements from the anime. Death Note‘s dub doesn’t do that at all, which is one of the reasons a lot of anime fans prefer the dub. Viewers still get to experience the Japanese cultural references in their native language without sacrificing an important part of the anime.
Alessandro Juliani’s dub for L is exquisite, lending a lazy brilliance to the character that resonates long after his last breath. Another thing that makes the dub stand out is how often L and Light go into long-winded tangents. The sub isn’t bad, by any means, but sometimes anime fans want to reach for their drink, and in Death Note, that could mean missing an entire revelation in the hunt for Kira.
2
Dragon Ball Z’s English Dub Drives It Home for a lot of Anime Fans
For many anime fans, Dragon Ball Z was their first introduction to anime in the 1990s. There are plenty of strong arguments about the English dub taking a lot of dialogue and cultural liberties, but Sean Schemmel’s vocal portrayal of Goku tends to be far more appealing to a lot of American anime fans.
And it’s not just Goku whose voice actor drives it home on a performance level. Many also stand behind Vegeta’s dub voice actor, Christopher Sabat, claiming that the voices lend more impact to the Saiyan powerhouses. DBZ‘s English dub also has a lot of its own comedy scripted in, which resonates with American audiences on a whole different level that makes the dub even better than the sub for fans.
1
Steins;Gate Is Easily the Best English Dub Anime
One of the biggest detractors for dubbed anime is how difficult a straight translation from Japanese can be. Cultural nuances can easily be lost in translation, significantly changing the impact of a powerful anime. Steins;Gate’s heavy reliance on Japanese internet and otaku culture was impossible to translate into English, so aspects of the script were altered with Americanized equivalents that felt relevant to English viewers.
The beautiful part about this is that it doesn’t negate the actual story unfolding in the anime itself. The exact thing that made Ghost Stories a hilariously bad anime dub works in Steins;Gate‘s favor, making it an unforgettable experience for English viewers on par with the Japanese version.
