Transitioning from Dubs to Subs

[mitsuki lover]

Has this ever happened to anyone else?You start off by watching the dubs on tv and then later on you start buying the DVDs.As time goes along you find yourself more and more getting into the subs,into there comes a point some time or other when you find that you are actually come to enjoy the subs better than the dubs,even though you still enjoy listening to certain dubs because they contain your favorite VAs?

[LadyRushia]

Not really. I didn't stick with dubs for a long time and the dubs for the anime I watched back then were really bad, so it was easy for me to switch to subs. Enjoying subs more isn't a bad thing. You're still supporting the people who worked on the series by buying the DVDs.

[EricTheFred]

Mostly, that's how it goes. Low quality acting is a major turn off for me, and while the stars these days in dub-land are fairly competent, most of the time some hideous casting error or hack actor screws it up for me.

Having said that, there are a couple I actually like better in English. Full Metal Panic was very well done, for example.

[minakichan]

Hmm...

For me, my first subbed series was probably Digimon Adventure 02. I didn't think anything of it because I just wanted to see the latest episodes before anyone else did, but when I saw the dub, I was kind of disappointed. (That said, I do believe that the Digimon dubs, aside from their terrible dialogue and pop culture references, are actually well voice-acted.)

I guess it wasn't a transition for me. I just stood up one day and started watching subs. For kids' series, the difference wasn't that great because (for some reason) kids' shows seem to have better English voice acting than teen and adult ones, in my opinion. (Yes, I believe that 4Kids voice actors are better at expressing and intonating and adding personality than, say, Funimation's or whatever. Come kill me now.) When I started watching show that were a little more mature (and by a little, I mean a LITTLE), I just couldn't stand to watch dubs anymore. I can still catch a little Pokemon and Digimon reruns in English and not barf at the voice acting (that's what the rewriting's for) though.

[Doubleshadow]

It depends on the series and quality of the voice acting and competency of the casting. I prefer Furuba and Cowboy Bebop dubbed, but Saiunkoku Monogatari subbed. It also depends on the setting: I sometimes find I prefer historical themed anime and anime clearly set in Japan subbed because it makes more sense that they should speak Japanese. I suppose this doesn't extend to Furuba because the characters don't look Japanese.

[KagayakiWashi]

Once I started watching Subs, I couldn't switch back. After switching, hearing the English dialog just sounded weird.

[Danderson]

It's interesting for me......cuase their are some series where watchiing both the sub and the dub can be good for learning more about the story.....Like in the Sonic X series, there were actually a few parts in the dub that actually were better in the category of humor then from the sub....and vice versa......

[minakichan]

I sometimes find I prefer historical themed anime and anime clearly set in Japan subbed because it makes more sense that they should speak Japanese.

Ah, but Saiunkoku, for example, is set in China. And personally, there is no way I would ever watch it in Chinese (except the opening theme because the Canto version is pretty); Chinese dubs are terrible.

[ShiroiHikari]

For me, there was no adjustment period. I became a fan of subbed anime as soon as I gained access to it.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I like watching anime with the sound muted.

[RidleyofZebes]

I prefer some subbed anime, and some dubbed. Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the ones I prefer dubbed. I wouldn't mind watching the subs sometime, but there are so many other anime that require subbed goodness. I'll watch those first. ^_^

[KhakiBlueSocks]

(That said, I do believe that the Digimon dubs, aside from their terrible dialogue and pop culture references, are actually well voice-acted.)

Win.

In fact, it was the Digimon V/A's that really got me into Dubbed anime--heck, anime in general! Joshua Seth was DA BOMB in my book (still is, actually!)

Back on subject, I've always fallen into the Hybrid field--I turn the subtitles on along with the english track. Then, every so often, I'll switch back and forth between the English and Japanese tracks. Both rock my socks to no end! Though there was two times when I was REALLY pondering who the heck casts some of these actors for roles:

1. Ryoko played by Mona Marshall on the new Tenchi Muyo series.

2. Shigeru Aoba by Vic Mingona on Neon Genesis Evangelion Directors Cut.

[beau99]

No.

The only thing I've ever liked better subbed was Castle In the Sky.

I speak English, so I prefer anime in my language, period.

[the_wolfs_howl]

For every anime I've seen other than Miyazaki films, I've watched the subbed version before the dubbed one. And so far, Miyazaki movies are the only ones where I like the English version better than the Japanese. There's some good voice acting in dubs, but for the most part I just like the way the Japanese voices sound more than the English. I dunno; it seems to fit the characters better, I guess.

[minakichan]

In fact, it was the Digimon V/A's that really got me into Dubbed anime--heck, anime in general! Joshua Seth was DA BOMB in my book (still is, actually!)

YES HE IS AMAZING. Every time I hear his voice randomly, I do this double take. "TAI?!" I like Michael Reisz too, although he's not as amazing, but his Takuya was really lovable, even if slightly Narutoish with his "Hey, buuuuuuuuuuddeh!"

And so far, Miyazaki movies are the only ones where I like the English version better than the Japanese

Ditto~ I love the Miyazaki dubs... but they actually get wonderful, established, talented ACTORS (with exception of the Fanning sisters) instead of this voice actor weaksauce. ._. Seiyuu in Japan are often specially trained to be seiyuu, which is why I don't have much faith in American voice actors, but of course, real Hollywood actors often famous for their talent will be better...

[AsianBlossom]

I say it depends on the series. For me, watching One Piece in Japanese is okay, but I also enjoy the new FUNimation voices. Lucky Star could go either way for me, but I'm mostly used to the Japanese version because I saw that before buying the English DVD.

And I prefer the Japanese version of Sonic X...unfortunately, it's been removed from YouTube, and there's no way you can find the episodes here in the US without importing region 2 DVDs...which don't even work in American DVD players. *must speak to FUNimation about this...they have a YouTube page after all and they take suggestions*

Azumanga Daioh could go either way for me as well, but Angelic Layer might actually be a little more enjoyable in Japanese. Misaki and a couple of other characters might not sound as, erm...whiny, maybe.

But The Cat Returns? Gotta watch that in English. Cary Elwes FTW.

[beau99]

Ditto~ I love the Miyazaki dubs... but they actually get wonderful, established, talented ACTORS (with exception of the Fanning sisters) instead of this voice actor weaksauce. ._. Seiyuu in Japan are often specially trained to be seiyuu, which is why I don't have much faith in American voice actors, but of course, real Hollywood actors often famous for their talent will be better...

Except that American voice actors are also specially trained to be voice actors, and 9 times out of 10, are vastly superior to live-action actors who only do animated films for the green.

[EricTheFred]

And I prefer the Japanese version of Sonic X...unfortunately, it's been removed from YouTube, and there's no way you can find the episodes here in the US without importing region 2 DVDs...which don't even work in American DVD players.

When I get a little more confident with my spoken Japanese, I'm planning to invest in a 'region 0' player. Because regionalization of DVDs is illegal in some countries, player are available that can play any region DVD (they would rather market the player than have DVDs floating around without region coding, that could potentialy be exported to US, Japan, etc.) That way, I can buy the DVDs on places like Yesasia.com (where I buy Japanese CDs.)

No subtitles on those, of course. And that would be the hang-up Funimation (or anyone else's) would have with streaming the video from Japanese DVD releases.

However, I imagine legal pay TV services must exist for Japanese ex-patriots. This is how my wife watches ABS-CBN (Filipino TV network) in Dallas, after all. She can VOD all her soap operas over them internets for a monthly fee. So you may find that Japanese broadcasters are already filling this niche.

[minakichan]

Except that American voice actors are also specially trained to be voice actors, and 9 times out of 10, are vastly superior to live-action actors who only do animated films for the green.

I mean that while seiyuu might actually go to school and study voice acting, American voice actors often start out as regular actors and switch to voice acting (sometimes because they can't actually find real acting work). Also, are you saying that Funi and ADV voice actors are more skilled than Christian Bale, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, etc?! Heck, I don't even like Eddie Murphy much (he's funny, his movies aren't), and he's not really a "serious" actor, but I've never seen an anime voice actor who can pull off something as dynamic and lovable like Mushu. There is a reason that the Miyazaki dubs can even get hardcore sub fans to make an exception. Please give me a counterexample-- a Funimation voice actor who gives a better performance than an established Hollywood actor reputed for his or her acting talent-- so I can go kill myself. (The Fanning sisters do not count.)

[EricTheFred]

I mean that while seiyuu might actually go to school and study voice acting, American voice actors often start out as regular actors and switch to voice acting (sometimes because they can't actually find real acting work). Also, are you saying that Funi and ADV voice actors are more skilled than Christian Bale, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, etc?! Heck, I don't even like Eddie Murphy much (he's funny, his movies aren't), and he's not really a "serious" actor, but I've never seen an anime voice actor who can pull off something as dynamic and lovable like Mushu. There is a reason that the Miyazaki dubs can even get hardcore sub fans to make an exception. Please give me a counterexample-- a Funimation voice actor who gives a better performance than an established Hollywood actor reputed for his or her acting talent-- so I can go kill myself. (The Fanning sisters do not count.)

I'm going to have to agree here. The best American voice actors are those working in major studio animation productions, and most of them are doing it beside a strong live-action career. (A few are mostly VA's though. His name escapes me, but one of my favorites is the guy who does 'Kronk' (Emperor's New Groove) who is a comic genius in my book.) Those who have done well in voice acting outside of feature-length animations here fall into two categories: competent but not spectacular VAs mostly doing Anime, and children's cartoon VAs who have a whole different approach to their work. Among the second are some very good performers, but they don't have the right set of tools for Anime.

Unfortunately, there are also the hacks: Many of these either don't understand the difference between Cartoon Network characters and Anime characters, or more often, have their idea of what Anime characters should sound like from watching Superfriends or He-man as kids.

In contrast, the Japanese voice actors have developed a very high standard by this point (believe me, they've improved a lot over the years. Watch something old like Good Morning, Althea to see what I mean. (It's actually not that bad, but specific characters were terrible. The male lead was well done.)

American voice actors will reach this level once casting directors get a clue. Time and time again, I listen to dubs and know that I have heard better acting in community theatres. The talent is easily available, but the casting directors don't understand the material, so they fail to get the right people. Yes, there are exceptions; I mentioned Full Metal Panic above. I actually think the English Language Sosuke and Kanami are both better matches for the original light novel characters than their Japanese Language counterparts. Especially Sosuke. Chris Patton (one of the few truly good male English Language VAs doing Anime, in my book) absolutely nails this character every time he does it.

The last several seasons, I have had at least one current Japanese show I was following by watching the raw first to challenge my Japanese, then the sub when it came available to see how I did (and yes, I buy the DVD later. Currently, I'm picking up the Tokyo Majin DVDs which I followed this way.) My show this year is "Kure-nai" (a couple others occasionally, but "Kure-nai" consistently). There is a little girl character in this show that is as good a VA job as I've heard in any language. The Seiyuu is Yuuki Aoi, a mere 16-year-old (most children in Anime are voiced by Adults, I suspect.) Her youth makes the quality of the performance that much more stunning.

[beau99]

I mean that while seiyuu might actually go to school and study voice acting, American voice actors often start out as regular actors and switch to voice acting (sometimes because they can't actually find real acting work). Also, are you saying that Funi and ADV voice actors are more skilled than Christian Bale, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, etc?! Heck, I don't even like Eddie Murphy much (he's funny, his movies aren't), and he's not really a "serious" actor, but I've never seen an anime voice actor who can pull off something as dynamic and lovable like Mushu. There is a reason that the Miyazaki dubs can even get hardcore sub fans to make an exception. Please give me a counterexample-- a Funimation voice actor who gives a better performance than an established Hollywood actor reputed for his or her acting talent-- so I can go kill myself. (The Fanning sisters do not count.)

I'm sorry, but I'll take Vic Mignogna, Kyle Hebert, Colleen Clinkenbeard, or heck, ANY VA associated with 4Kids over any live-action actor any day.

And then there are the voice actors who solely do American productions, like Grey DeLisle, Tara Strong and Cree Summer.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Has this ever happened to anyone else?You start off by watching the dubs on tv and then later on you start buying the DVDs.As time goes along you find yourself more and more getting into the subs,into there comes a point some time or other when you find that you are actually come to enjoy the subs better than the dubs,even though you still enjoy listening to certain dubs because they contain your favorite VAs?

ABSOLUTELY!!!

This has happened with Yuu Yuu Hakusho (to the point where I prefer the sub, simply because Hiei's English voice just can't compare to the Japanese one, though the rest of the cast is excellent).

There are anime I don't even like in the dub, like Sailor Moon and the horribly-renamed Zatch Bell, that I loved in the sub and had to start collecting.

I happen to love the FMA dub. I like the sub, don't get me wrong, but the American actors are superb.

[EricTheFred]

I'm sorry, but I'll take Vic Mignogna, Kyle Hebert, Colleen Clinkenbeard

All people I characterize as 'competent'. Really, that's about all they are. Vic is the only one fo these three who delivers the quality I'm used to from Japanese VAs, and there are darned few others.

over any live-action actor any day.

ANY live action actor? You absolutely have your right to that opinion, but this is... mind-boggling. I can't imagine that these being the best voices the English-speaking world can produce. We can't possibly be that bereft of star-quality talent.

(A note about Clinkenbeard, though. Although I'm not a huge fan of her acting work, I see on the ANN website that she has also been either a producer or an ADR director on many US anime releases which I regard as very high quality dubbing work. This is a side of her talent of which I hadn't previously been aware.)

[LadyRushia]

The only problems I have with dubs, usually, are the very bad attempts at matching the high-pitched Japanese voices and the way some characters' names are pronounced. I twitch every time I hear the stress on the wrong part of the name.

I agree that the dubs of Miyazaki films are great. I'm the type of person who picks subs every time I watch something, but when it comes to Miyazaki films, I'll take either.

[Roy Mustang]

And then there are the voice actors who solely do American productions, like Grey DeLisle, Tara Strong and Cree Summer.

Also, Travis Willingham does both anime voice acting and american productions as well, so don't forgot about him.

Go see Secondhand Lions and you will see him in the movie.

Other then that, that is all I'm going to say, since you never can talk to the anime elitists group anyway, so why try.

This just going to turn into an ugly debate anyway, so have fun going after each other, kids!


[font="Book Antiqua"][color="Red"]Col. Roy Mustang[/color][/font]

[EricTheFred]

The only problems I have with dubs, usually, are the very bad attempts at matching the high-pitched Japanese voices and the way some characters' names are pronounced. I twitch every time I hear the stress on the wrong part of the name.

I agree that the dubs of Miyazaki films are great. I'm the type of person who picks subs every time I watch something, but when it comes to Miyazaki films, I'll take either.

Much agreed on both points.

Out of curiosity, I thought I would leaf through a few names on the English cast for 'Spirited Away'. No surprise, they tended to have lots of VA credits, and a few of them have been primary VAs. After all, Disney did pull the cast out of their standard stable. But also no surprise, several of these also have none-too-short resumes in Live Action.

The most impressive to someone my age (may be less famous to you youngsters) is David Ogden Stiers. He played the "Boiler Room Man" (remember the guy sending the hot water to the baths who helped Chihiro get her job?)

He is much better remembered as Major Winchester from the long-running TV series "MASH". Only one of many live-action roles he's done.

[uc pseudonym]

Spanish dubs with Chinese subs only. Everything else is terrible and stupid.

Sure, you could knock it, but have you seen all of DBZ like this? Have you? If not, then you have no idea what you're missing.

[LadyRushia]

I saw a Spanish dub of something once in Puerto Rico. I think it was Yu-gi-oh, XD. There were certainly some lulz to be had there.

[minakichan]

Actually, I think Spanish dub with English sub works just fine.

[MasterDias]

down with sublitists dubz 4ever lololololol


But seriously, I thought there were more dub fans at CAA, or are they all hiding?
Actually, I'm fairly ambivalent either way, and tend to be fine with both, provided the particular voice track isn't terrible or something just irritates me.

Of course, I do get sort of annoyed that the same 8 people tend to get all of the major roles. I like them just fine, but how many main characters are Yuri Lowenthal and Johnny Yong Bosch voicing now?