I sometimes stalk the ANN forums just to get into the minds of the average American anime fan.And during one of my adventures I stumble across the topic of Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan being licensed discussion.Then, the topic of dubs vs subs caught my attention in the thread.I’ll quote some of the posts anonymously.
“This may come as a shock to you but some of us do prefer English dubbed anime because, for various reasons, we don’t like watching anime in Japanese while reading sub-titles. It doesn’t have much to do with whether a series will be on TV or not, it has to do with maximizing the possible number of fans who can enjoy the series.
Maybe you sub fans should try to remember that while you will almost NEVER have to worry about whether there will or will not be a Japanese track with a sub, unless the show is a kids series, we dub fans are constantly having our hopes crushed as of late. Please, think of your fellow fans every now and then.
And if this gets an English dub I am so buying it.”
I admit I used to despise dub fans to the very core.USED TO.Because I have seen a few dubs during my younger days which were less than pleasant memories.I think the one that made me into such a bloodthirsty monster for the souls of these “heretics” I used to label as was my utter hate for the FMA dub.It was the breaking point because I was a crazy devoted fan back then. CRAZY!!
But now I see them as well,different from me.For me,IMO,a devoted fan would want to enjoy anime in its purest possible form.So we try to get stuff as close to the original.Now I barely feel like I’m reading subs when I watch fansubs.Since,I can understand half the dialog without subs and its become second nature.And while I have found some good dubs none surpassed the original.As good?Maybe.Better?Unlikely.
I asked a dub watch why he does he do these blasphemous things?Answer:I’m lazy to read subs.
For me, thats the worst possible reason anybody can say and I see it time and again with people defending themselves with these excuses whether implicitly or explicitly implied.But as I had stressed,I now respect their decision and try my best not to interact with them when on the subject.They can be ruthless when it comes to flaming.
I see my preference for subs as a sign of my devotion to the series.And getting closer to the authors and characters inner minds.
“i would have liked to get maria watches over us, kashimashi girl meets girl and emma… but seeing as they all got sub only release… i haven’t wanted to get them at all…
for some of us out there… when a series we like or want to see, gets released on DVD… sub only… we feel cheated… it’s like a slap in the face from the company licencing it, fundimentally saying “we don’t care what you want…”…
and when other anime fans pipe up with things like “i hope this doesn’t get a dub” it is even more of a slap in the face, and it’s almost hurtful… i understand you want to get it on DVD as soon as possible… but, haven’t you already seen it fansubbed?(and don’t lie)… surely you can wait a little while longer so that all of your fellow anime fans can be catered for… i want it on DVD as well, as quickly as possible… but not at the cost of it being released properly and fairly…
i have nothing but praise for the likes of ADV, Funimation and Bandai Visual (and geneon before they died), who, despite how much it costs, how long it takes, or how difficult it is, are sticking to their guns and not letting their standards slip… catering to all anime fans by releasing their series with A quality dubs… even the ‘bad dubs’ are better than no dub…
and before the onslaught of retaliation and flames regarding this post are posted, please stop and think of your fellow anime fans out there… we’re not asking for much, only for your patience, support and understanding…”
Here we have the bad dubs are better than no dubs argument<– I sense some implicit implication that greats subs are not even in the equation.Again I wouldn’t have such a negative view on dub fans if they weren’t so obsessive with dubs.I myself would prefer a good dub to a bad sub any day.But again some of these people aren’t willing to take gamble on these things.
As for the rest,the releasing of dvd’s with dubs and all instead of subs only is understandable.But then again.Sub fans should also have the right to purchase dvd’s with subs only.Why do I have to pay money to people I don’t want to hear?As if some random guy can easily replace Jun Fukuyama’s Zero voice?Again its the case of dub fans being too overprotective of their own needs.
Anyway I guess thats enough blabbling,I just wanted to get these thoughts out of my head so I can have some peace of mind.
Note:No offense to the post writers intended.The posts were just examples of the normal response a dub fan would give when asked on the issue.
I’ll be honest. I cannot stand most dubs.
When I hear someone speak in an acting role, whether it be real or animated, I want to hear emotion. I want to hear passion. I want to hear them dropping completely into their character and conveying the gravity, comedy, sadness, happiness, or other applicable emotions of the scene by their tone, timbre, volume, and etc.
American VAs, for the most part, do not do that. Most of them seem to use the same, stilted, unnatural voice for every role that almost never actually fits the character. They do not seem to have studied the inflection or tone of the original Japanese Seiyuu or the personality of the character they are playing, or the overall feel of the scene and anime they are acting it. It feels very phoned in. I cannot stand that.
That is why I generally watch subs. Because I want to hear the passion. Hearing a person full invested in their character delivering lines with the correct tone makes and breaks characters for me. The perfect example is Lelouche’s Japanese Seiyuu vs. His English VA. The Japanese Seiyuu absolutely MAKES the character. He knows when to make Lelouche sound like the mild, friendly Oniisama or Ashford Academy student, or when to make him sound like the regal, arrogant Zero. The English VA’s voice in comparison is weak, all over the map, and makes Lelouche sound more like a brat than the Revolutionary (and possibly Megalomaniacal) Overlord he is.
Now, I don’t begrudge Dub fans their likes. When a dub is good, I have no problem watching an anime that way. But given the choice, I will choose Japanese Voice track, English subtitles almost every time simply because of how rare good english dubs actually ARE. The only real exception I can think of to that trend is Cowboy Bebop — and for that one, apparently the American Director made sure the English VAs studied the characters, the scenes, and how the Japanese VAs played the characters as well, from what I understand. So no wonder.
I think some applause is in order for Jobril*claps* lol
Good point there on Cowboy Bebop,it was the anime that I felt the dubbing was as professional as the original.It was downright classy.It might have even been better than the original.
But, I think you’re being too hard on the English VA for Lelouch with your analogy.Its not reasonable to compare a GOD to a mere mortal lol.
I don’t like dubbed at all.
aha You have a good point. And YES no one can replace Jun Fukuyama’s voice acting as Zero! If a dub fan can tell me that, then I will never watch another fansub as long as i live. btw judging by the english dub trailers, the dub on code geass is second rate and the Lelouch voice actor is no where near as good as Jun Fukuyama! His maniacle laugh is cannot be reproduced!
i liked spikes voice better in the english version than the japanese one. So dub cant be all bad
We need more guys like Steven Blum (Spike Spiegel, Roger Smith, Vincent, Mugen, the list goes on and on)out there, he brings magic to any project that hires him on. I’m definitely the kinda guy who favors subs over dubs, but I’m always willing to embrace anything that really puts a good effort in quality. Or if it has Blum in it.
I am a bigtime sub-fan. All too often I listen to dubbed after dubbed episode of Naruto or One Piece and I feel like vomiting. Now I will say this much there are American VAs who bring emotion to the table. (Blum as many have said). There is also Richard Ian Cox (voice for Inuyasha,and Ranma Saotome in Ranma 1/2 (note this is after episode 65 about. and anything before that was pitiful).
I also liked the American Dub for Rurouni Kenshin (though the dialog didn’t make sense at times). But in short, yes, the majority of dubs are unacceptable when you compare them to their original.
One Piece and the entire Yugioh franchise (original, GX, and 5D’s)
Two wonderfully produced works of art turned into utter garbage when a bunch of “know-it-alls” thought it would be a great idea to edit out all the mature content, replace the background orchestra music with monotonic guitar, insert a bunch of “trash talk” even when the characters are being polite with one another in the original version, and getting rid of the high quality openings and endings since rap and hip-hop can “connect” better with tiny children.
Taking all this into consideration, I’m still surprised why these “Dub-Dummies” constantly ask me why I am vehemently against the “westernization” of an asian product despite the fact that I’ve told them my valid and logical reasons.
I don’t hate Dub-Dummies because they are too lazy to read the words at the bottom of the screen. I hate them because they refuse to realize that they were ripped off by their “beloved” licensing company. It’s like being yelled at by your own sister because you had pointed out that her boyfriend is an abusive and useless piece of dirt.
Before I get any more emotional, I’ll just say that people who watched the subbed Yugioh series are more polite, honorable, and have a better understanding of the intricate card rulings than the ones who watched the dubbed version. Ex:
“It’s my turn. Draw!” (Original version)
“I’m so wonderful. You can learn a lot from me.” (Arrogant jerk version)
That example speaks for itself, folks. I’m done with my rant. Thanks to all who listened!