Anime | Manga Discussion: Subs VS Dubs

[Firaga 5,947]

Well, it was a half day at school and my Death Note box set is being a pain in the ass, so its time to RANT! Uh, I mean, discuss...and shit.

Never mind the above sentence, my brain's in a weird place right now.

Anyhoo, I figured I get another practice debate in order....since this subject is very....uh, personal, when it comes to some fans of anime....very personal....

So, first off, what are subs and dubs? Well, they refer to the language you are watching said anime in. If it's subbed, then you are watching the show in its original Japanese audio track with English subtitles to translate the dialogue ....or whatever other language you speak and.or watch anime in. Dubbed anime is anime that has the original Jap. track silenced and is instead replaced with a new track, voiced in another language more commonly, English. (there's also dubs for Spanish, French, German, etc.)

When it comes to subs and dubs, anime fans can get a little....touchy....on the subject. Some fans will tell you that dubbing as a whole is a stupid act and it is always mediocre in comparison to the original Japanese track, while others will tell you that dubbing is fine, and that hearing the show in your own language is better than spending half your energy reading the subtitles as you watch.

Where do I stand? Well, I'm neutral. I prefer subs and dubs. I have no problem with watching an anime with its original voice track playing because, frankly, I like the whole of Japanese voice-acting, and I think that they do a pretty good job at what they do, and they know exactly what they're doing. As for dubs, well, I do like understanding the show in my own language....and I think that the West has some talent in the field too. I mean, I listed off a good few of English voice actors a while ago that I really liked, so there's your proof right there.

Now, again, I'm not full on to one side....I'm in the middle. In fact, there are a few grievances I have with both forms of voice-actors, more dubs than subs, but still. One grievance I have with subs is basic casting: sometimes I feel like most characters in a show are voiced by the same dude. lol. I mean, let's be honest, unless you're a character that is supposed to have some unique or even screwball voice or you're dubbing over an English product *coughKingdomHeartscough*.....uh, I can't really differentiate from the other cast members....but that's just me. As for dubs, well, I have a few more, lol......for starters, dubbing in the early years of anime? Oh Jesus.....mind you, this is like, probably, the first few years that anime in it of itself in both Japan and America really began, and also around the time that America decided to import the product to the West. Back in the 80s and 90s, America decided to dub over anime and distribute it over to....well, us. The younguns of the generation. Why? Probably because since it was animation, that meant "let's sell this to kids" and stuff....again, IMO. Anyways, they used English voices, different music, they even made up theme songs....and uh, let's be honest, given the time and the demographic....it was kinda corny. I mean, DragonBall Z, Pokemon, Digimon, Samurai Pizza Cats, Sailor Moon, all that was pretty sweet back in the day.....but if you're telling me that you can watch the "Americanized" versions of those shows today....and not call it terrible....than you my friend have a pair of nostalgia goggles GLUED TO YOUR FACE....I'm sorry to get mad like that, but I'm being honest here: we grew up, shit like that doesn't need to pulled just to get us interested in the product. We don't need corny jokes or pounding rock BGM is watch anime. Hell, at times, I feel like "screw it" and just watch what was originally intended.

And as for the weeaboos....the fans that are totally obsessed with Japanese culture and hold it up on a pedestal...and of course, treat subbing like its the bee's dick (knees are too overrated) and dubbing is a pile of shit.....well, f**k those people. Plain and simple. Just because its the original, doesn't mean its superior. Dubs are very capable of being as good or even better than subs. Just Saiyan.

I think that's about all I have to say. If you guys have any other arguments, points, or questions you got, leave 'em below.

Edited August 17, 2013 by Firaga Sensei

[LordOfTheCastle 92]

I prefer dubs over subs. I have to agree with you on the japanese voice actors all sounding the same. It gets irritating.

[FireRubies1 1,325]

It depends on who's dubbing

like a Funimation dub is usually always amazing.

And then there's 4kids.... (cough) Mew Mew Power

[Firaga 5,947]

It depends on who's dubbing

like a Funimation dub is usually always amazing.

And then there's 4kids.... (cough) Mew Mew Power

 

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that dubbing companies like 4Kids....uh, what's the most polite way to say this.....uh..."take the demographic I mentioned earlier (the 80s and 90s one) and take it too far"? Yeah, I'll go with that.

[Akihiko 1,628]

Oh so no one can like Japanese culture over their own because it makes them a weeaboo. Seems Fair.

 

And I can't say dubs are shit either because that's also being a weeaboo. Okay.

[Firaga 5,947]

Oh so no one can like Japanese culture over their own because it makes them a weeaboo. Seems Fair.

 

And I can't say dubs are shit either because that's also being a weeaboo. Okay.

 

I didn't say that....or, uh, what did I say? I don't know. I can't remember. Let me rephrase whatever I said: weeaboos worship Japanese culture, mostly just because of anime and manga, to a point where they put it on a pedestal above everything else.....and everything else, in their own eyes, is complete CRAP. If its not Japanese, it's not worth their time or anyone else's time. They're biased and they like to put people down.

 

Does that make more sense? I should have just said what I just said know, but sometimes I feel like I ramble on too much, so I guess it slipped my mind....

 

And as for the dub weeaboo thing...uh, if you're American, than don't sweat it.

Edited October 11, 2012 by Firaga96

[Kaneki Ken 1,516]

I like both, If I can understand it, then I'm cool.

However, sometimes dubs like Naruto Shippuden that are aired on Disney , well... SUCK.

If you want the true uncut content, you have to buy the box set, which ticks me off, allowing me to resort to Subs.

Pokemon? Nothing special, it was originally intended for kids, but if there's something unappropriate, Japan and internationals will ban the episode, which created a plot hole for the safari zone episode (The gun was used in the episode).

Bleach? I'm cool with both, just mad at the fact that they keep throwing us Anime fillers.

[Rob 5,571]

I prefer subs over dub, but I also prefer dubs over subs.

[Firaga 5,947]

And another thing! An example even....of how dubs and subs can be on equal terms with each other...

 

Romeo X Juliet, a take on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Subbed? It's great? Dubbed....eh....maybe better. I'm serious. Mind you that in the English dub, the script actually implements some actual Shakespearean dialogue...and its done very well. Kudos to Funimation on that.

 

However, sometimes dubs like Naruto Shippuden that are aired on Disney , well... SUCK.

 

 

You mean just because they don't curse? That's the only thing I see that's somewhat wrong. Other than that, they do it at a level I can understand. Remember, those were like 7 years watching Shippuuden. Besides, Disney or even Nictoons, who did a fine job with DragonBall Kai, are far better than......well, uh, I don't really have the stomach to name them, even though I said their name a while ago....I stopped though, because I thought of their One Piece edits......ugh....

Edited October 16, 2012 by Firaga96

[Kaneki Ken 1,516]

You mean just because they don't curse? That's the only thing I see that's somewhat wrong. Other than that, they do it at a level I can understand. Remember, those were like 7 years watching Shippuuden. Besides, Disney or even Nictoons, who did a fine job with DragonBall Kai, are far better than......well, uh, I don't really have the stomach to name them, even though I said their name a while ago....I stopped though, because I thought of their One Piece edits......ugh....

 

Not about cursing, no. It just feels unnatural. I have watched Naruto (Part 1) Since the beginning of Sasuke arc on cartoon network.

then on 2009 or 10, Disney bought rights for Naruto shippuden, and cleaned everything up. take Hidan and Kakazu arc for example, it doesn't make sense to me to use DNA for Hidan's curse, but blood, that makes sense. There is certain plot holes and animations that couldn't be fixed. But it was made for kids who watch . But once they watch the series, they want to buy DVD and find out a huge chunk of info that Disney cleaned up.

 

I'm not sure if im making sense at all, I'm ranting like u firaga.

[Yang 1,859]

If Funimation is the one that dubs it, I'll usually like it better than the sub.

Besides, we get anime bloopers OwO

[Firaga 5,947]

Not about cursing, no. It just feels unnatural. I have watched Naruto (Part 1) Since the beginning of Sasuke arc on cartoon network.

then on 2009 or 10, Disney bought rights for Naruto shippuden, and cleaned everything up. take Hidan and Kakazu arc for example, it doesn't make sense to me to use DNA for Hidan's curse, but blood, that makes sense. There is certain plot holes and animations that couldn't be fixed. But it was made for kids who watch . But once they watch the series, they want to buy DVD and find out a huge chunk of info that Disney cleaned up.

 

I'm not sure if im making sense at all, I'm ranting like u firaga.

 

Oh, well I believe you. I haven't seen that much of the Disney Shippuuden, anyway.

[Kaneki Ken 1,516]

Oh, well I believe you. I haven't seen that much of the Disney Shippuuden, anyway.

 

Me too, I stopped watching Disney after 4 tail vs. Orochimaru

[Weedanort 8,786]

Subs all the way.

 

Where I live, the dub pratically killed "Bleach".

 

Thank God they're subbing "Death Note", and "Dragon Ball Kai" now. (I wouldn't mind to see a dubbed Dragon Ball Kai, since I grew up watching dubbed Dragon Ball Z ^^)

[MyDixieRect 2,061]

I prefer dubs over subs. I have to agree with you on the japanese voice actors all sounding the same. It gets irritating.

 

Seriously. The females especially almost always have this generic squeaky high voice.

[Firaga 5,947]

Subs all the way.

 

 

 

Thank God they're subbing "Death Note", and "Dragon Ball Kai" now. (I wouldn't mind to see a dubbed Dragon Ball Kai, since I grew up watching dubbed Dragon Ball Z ^^)

 

Well, I actually just bought the box sets for Death Note....and IMO....the English dubs aint bad. L sounds pretty cool...

 

And, uh, there IS a dubbed Kai you know. They just now finished releasing the DVDs....or at least in my area, which is Murica. Oh and by the way...Kai is SO much better than Z....voice acting and all.

[LordOfTheCastle 92]

 

 

Seriously. The females especially almost always have this generic squeaky high voice.

 

Mhmm. Although plenty of English dubs have those kinds of characters (I'm looking at you, black butler and FMA) it's still like ALL of them in the subbed version. Just generally high-pitched.

 

One of the few subbed voices I didn't mind was Maka from soul eater.

[Firaga 5,947]

Also, when it comes to the dialouge of those 80s and 90s shows I was talking about....

 

Listen. I liked DragonBall Z. It's my favorite series (and you know thisss, man). But.....back in the day....with Funimation, and the Bruce Falconer, and the DRAGON DRAGON, ROCK THE DRAGON....oh, God.....it's just so damn BAD....compared to newer works like the games and DragonBall Kai.

 

Hell, they didn't even follow the original script, they just made stuff up! Now, still being young at my age, I can easily find some enjoyment even now in the cheesy one-liners and other memes that were made from that show. Every DragonBall fan does...whether they enjoy Z or Kai better...they and me still treat it as part of the core of why we love DragonBall....let's be honest, those phrases still have a ring to 'em even now. (i.e. "It's over 9000!!!" or "The balls are inert" or "If that Android is set free, it'll be the end of us all! NO!!!!") Some of them even make me laugh....mostly because, yeah, it's still corny. I still prefer Kai, cuz it's stayin' true to the original script, and not needing to go all "MURICA" to be good. Just Saiyan.

Edited October 16, 2012 by Firaga96

[mrberzerko 25]

I am neutral as well. Some anime are much better subbed then dubbed and vice versa, however I really don't mind which language it is in, as long as I can understand it.

[dusk 910]

Subs without doubt. I don't have anything against dubs though, I just find it different to watch animes with them and most of voice acting sounds same

[Gxmwp 28]

I like them both. I don't really have a opinion because some anime have great dubs and bad originals but then some have great originals and bad dubs

[Firaga 5,947]

And another thing....just because I feel like this goes here....

 

Concerning the controversty surrounding the dubs of DragonBall and Naruto...(sigh)

 

I'm neutral. YES, I'm saying I like DragonBall and Naruto whether they are subbed or dubbed....now, before you jump on my dick, LISTEN! ... Orale...

 

I get why there's disdain...yeah, Pro-Dub DragonBallers are biased against the Jap. cast just cuz they don't sound MURICAN...and the Pro-Sub DragonBallers don't like the dubs cuz...well, either the same reason for the Dub's disdain (lol) or because they couldn't stand the orginal Funimation track. (I don't blame 'em, really.)

 

As for Naruto...ugh....we have Pro-Sub Narutards who think the cast is BULLSHIT...and we got Pro-Dub Narutards (very few in this one) who think that it's fine and that there's no need to complain.

 

Personally, I don't give a DUMP....Subbed DragonBall. Yay. Stop griping about Masako Nozawa, dammit. She works too damn hard to be ridiculed like this. And Dubbed DragonBall? Also fine. I love me some Christopher Sabat and Vic Mingonga, so there! BLEH!

 

Naruto Dubs....(sigh)....why? Why are there so many people against the dub? You guys are the ones that watched Part 1 on Toonami and Part 2 on Disney , huh? ...(sigh)....I'm gonna say this once: BUY. THE. FRICKIN'. DVDS....they are uncut. Blood, swearing, and sexual content all abound. Go to the Best Buy, or the Target, or go online to Amazon or something!.....(takes breath).....sorry. Pent up anger.

 

Now...subbed Naruto....well, there's no real haters for this, so, uh, yeah. I'm fine with it.

 

So in short: Dubbed and Subbed DragonBall/Naruto are okay in my eyes. No, I don't think Nozawa is annoying. No, I don't think Flannigan is annoying. No, I don't think the Part 1 or Part 2 script is bad. It's FINE...and so is the DragonBall Subbed script. Dubbed...eh...you already know....But, hell, DragonBall Kai counts in this, so THERE.....

 

Well, that was certainly something. 0-0 Those come from the heart, people. I hope you know that. I least I don't have to keep it inside anymore...

Edited November 6, 2012 by Firaga96

[Ultima Weapon 71]

I guess I like both

 

I usually watch the anime in their original lenguage (that means on internet with subs ), but I watch dubbed anime on tv to (where I live, there are really good dubbing companies, like the ones that dub dragon ball Z or Sailor Moon or Ranma 1/2, fifteen years ago of course, but anyway).

 

I like to watch both versions and then choose the one that sounds better.

Edited November 15, 2012 by Ultima Weapon

[Azure_skyye 5]

I prefer subs over dub, but I also prefer dubs over subs.

Dat logic.I prefer subs to dubs as some are horrendous. I will say if you dont watch subs than you wont realise how bad they are, the Fairy Tail subs are by far the worst i've head... Dn' hurt me plz D:

[Junko 2,815]

honestly i would watch an anime whether it's dubbed or subbed. as long as there's a translations for me to understand the dialouge, i'm good