Subbed or Dubbed?

Dubbed all the way for me. I sometimes multitask while I’m watching anime, and I want to be able to understand what’s happening without reading words at the bottom of the screen. I realize there are “purists” who take issue with this, but I’m an English speaking American and want to hear audio as such. It’s the same reason that I can’t watch most foreign films, regardless of their quality.

Depends on several factors, honestly.  Once upon a time I went with a more purist view that subs were always and completely dominant to dubs. But as I got older I took a different view on the subject.

1: I think it depends on what your first experience was with a show. First impression tends to create a comfort zone for a show. Example: I was a hardcore Tenchi fan back in the day. I first saw it dubbed, so when I got my first set of DVDs and tried the sub, it didn’t feel right. Other example: Evangelion sub is perfect. To watch the dub melts the brain.

2: Quality of the VAs. After a certain point, Western VA work got better. To simply say dubs are all shit is not totally accurate once we get into the 2000’s.

I’ve watched Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood both ways. During the original air run with subs. Then when I got the blu rays, I tried the dub. I prefer the dub…hail Vic as Edward Elric!

Same with Gundam SEED/SEED Destiny. I prefer the dub after watching both versions.

Once Piece dub…both versions…horrific .vs. the sub. JP VAs just do a better job shouting out named attacks, heh. Gumu Gumu no!!!

Sword Art Online, I prefer the dub.

Bleach is better with subs.

Dragonball…I can go either way.

Fate Stay/Night I go with sub. Zero and Unlimited Bladeworks, dub.

3: Feeling lazy or need background noise.

There are times, especially if I’m tired and lazy, where I choose the dub if it is of high quality. Maybe I’ve got my glasses off and wanna half doze enjoying a show I love, so a good dub lets me do that. Or maybe I’m doing something where I want it as background entertainment. I don’t speak Japanese, so gotta go with a dub.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by Roas.

It depends on the anime. Personally i don’t mind dubbed anime (cause i suck at reading subs), the only thing i find annoying sometimes is when they change the music

Like Roas said, it depends. Liek the dub works well for certain Western theme anime like Hellsing, Black Lagoon, or Trigun. But I have been watching sub way more now. Currently watching numerous anime under the World Masterpiece Theater banner which are anime based on western literature.

Subbed, always subbed, though I am working on getting away from subs and to just understand japanese since subs are not save from ideologues.

Depends on what is being dubbed. I’ll go for either.

I really liked the dubs for Baccano!, Black Lagoon, Cowboy Bebop, Big O, and mostly anything that has somewhat of a western inspired setting. If I’m multitasking, I’ll turn on the dub. Even for recent titles, I’ve been enjoying the dubs for My Hero Academia and How Many Dumbells Can You Lift.

There’s a handful of shows I prefer subbed because the performances are iconic and  the cast has my fav. Japanese voice actors. Such titles include Evangelion, Sailor Moon, Slayers, Ranma, etc.

I prefer subs but if my wife likes a series we watch it dubbed