What you say is true, but you also have to take into consideration the fact that the dubbing process not only includes translation, but also the modification of the script so that it fits the mouth movements of the characters.

For example, Naruto has this tendency to end his sentences with "-ttebayo" as in "Dattebayo!" Although it's just a colloquialism, they can't have Naruto saying nothing during those parts; it would just look odd.

So, just like in the Kenshin dub they replaced the "de gozaru" he adds to the end of his sentences with things like "that I am" or "that it is," they have no choice but to replace "dattebayo" with something. And it has to be only three syllables long. Of course, I think they should have picked something OTHER than "Believe it," but I can understand their reasons for doing so.

Sometimes once licensed and a company is working on a dub, they make certain judgment calls; some are bad, and some are good. For example, for the anime Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (and the sequel series Revenge), I like the dub far more than the subtitled version.

Why? In the original version, nearly half of the sorcerer (and main character) Orphen's lines are spent with him calling out spells (i.e. "Sword of Light, whom I do release!"). Now this wouldn't be too bad; in fact it's pretty cool the first time around... But after the second, third, fifth, tenth, and twentieth time, you get kind of sick of it!

So, when the anime series was licensed, the company made a judgment call: they decided to take 90% of Orphen's spells out of the script. As a result, they had plenty of room to develop the character's dialogue and really crank up the humor (making it one of my favorite humorous fantasy anime) and the voice actor didn't go crazy having to say "Sword of Light" or "Shield of Infinity" countless times over the course of 50 or so episodes. Rather, he got to sound quite cool saying several badass lines while kicking the enemies's butts with his magic ^_^.

Of course, the anime I used as an example is a fantasy, and as a result does not have much of the Japanese cultural references that are oftentimes lost in the dubs of other anime. But if one is so keen on absorbing those cultural elements, I would suggest picking up the manga rather than watching the anime, because just like material is lost when the subbed version is converted to the dubbed version, a TON of material is lost when the manga is converted into the anime. And, if we were to follow this train of thought, much material is lost when the manga is translated from it's original Japanese ^_^;;;

So, if we were to look at it this way, unless you read the original Japanese manga, then you will be missing stuff no matter what. Things are always lost and fall between the cracks when something is translated into any form, be it Japanese to English (or other language) or drawings to animation. And in my personal opinion, to generalize and say that one is better than the other would be a mistake. "At least give it a try," is what I always say when arguing with my friends about watching anime; I've argued for dub, sub, AND original (In Japanese with no subtitles).

Ara, look how much I've rambled! ^_^;;; Sorry for the long post; I hope what I've said makes sense.

Cool :D !!!

I prefer subbed. For example, I hate the dubbed Naruto. Its more annoying than anything else. His "Believe it" line makes me cringe everytime.

However, I do like Trigun's dub. But thats mainly because I began watching it dubbed and got used to it. I enjoy the voice actor for Vash.

It's kinda weird to watch anime in Dubbed ... Cuz U hear the character talking not In Japanese ...... Like Something is Different ...
I think the Japanese language is also sumthing that make an Anime Special, and The expression when the character says sumthing ....
I like it better when It subbed and the Characters talk in Japanese ....
It's kinda sucks when I watched anime that dubbed ... Cuz the Original anime is Not in Other language other than Japanese. And It's like spoiling the Originality ....

I say no, because I'm still getting the gist of the anime, I don't need the entire thing

geez....you're not tellin me that you watch the dubs are ya tdn???....lol...j/k.......gtg to bed....night tdn!!!!

I was just kidding with you tdn.......um tdn????.....hello???..lol....good night!!!!!!

Yea, I know, I do watch dubbed, later Kira

It's not bad to watch dubbed anime...

I watch dubbed and subbed animes my self...

But I think that subbed are little better than dubbed...

Yep... :happypika:

Well I think that the real voice that is given to a character is an important part of it and when you change it, the character loses part of its personality.

Rest assured the Japanese licensor or original owner of the material has a voice (ahem) as to what is done with their title. They likely have final approval on voices and English scripts to make sure that thier vision isn't too obscured.

I would hope that American publishers (or where ever) choose voices to pick the characters, as well. Certainly the talent pool isn't as large as it is in Japan, but there is no shortage of new people trying to break into the business, and with the large volume of anime breaking out of Japan, there are people who can make a living at it.

I do remember the voice of Gigi in "Kiki's Delivery Service" is very different in the Japanese and the English. I always wondered why... there might have been cultural reasons for the decision.

I think the use of big-name stars as voice actors in anime movies is sometimes distracting. (The opposite thing happens in Japan, too, with movies like "Toy Story" or "Shrek".) Licensors are probably stuck, or are looking at the bottom line, and that is disappointing. However, they are most worried about satisfying their Japanese audience. Any extra money they make beyond that is a bonus.

I think they put celebrities in movies such as Toy Story and Shrek, just so it will get more attention and sell more. Thats pretty much it... they have to try over and over again to get the voices right. Sometimes it take over a year for them to get a single line right (i'm refering to a celeb voicing a weasel in Dr. Dolittle 2). They work harder than our voice actors who go to school for it, and they still suck sometimes o.O

Same in Spain. Goku, Ranma, Bo-Bobo and Kakashi all have the same voice. lol

deppends
 

I dont think it makes you any less of a fan.

But it deppends on what kind of anime it is, when it comes to weather or not they would be any diffrent in subs. With action or romance, its not like they are going to change the plot but with comedy, somtimes some of the jokes are changed on the dubs and that bothers me.

Subs are always different than dubs because they have to cut or add dialogue to fit with the characters mouths when dubbing. Of course it will be pretty close, but in my experience subtitles are more accurate.

Yea but with somthing that has a solid plot, even if they change alot of the words, it dosent really matter because they need to say basicly the same thing or it will change the plot.

For example:

If somone said "Im going to kill you"

they might translate it as "I will defeat you"

but they would never change it to "Im hungry"

because that would change the story.

but with a comedy there isnt always a solid story that need's all the plot to be the same, so they somtimes change a few of the jokes. There are some things they dont think wester audiences will find funny, so they change it.

I usually go for dubs, but for animes like Full metal Alchemist and Elfen lied.. they have great voice actors.. much respect to them!

ILOVEJAPAN :P you made an awesome point ^.^ rock on.

I prefer subbed anime, but I won´t force anybody my opinion.
It´s just about me. I disliked dubbed anime long time ago, and when I saw Naruto dubbed to English, I was shocked! Their voices are the worst :) But it doesn´t mean that ALL dubbings are bad. I´ve seen one good, Slayers I think, and moreover I haven´t seen many dubbed series. So IGNORE everything written here and enjoy :rheart: anime :rheart:

I watch both on each episode if possible so i can see if there is much difference which there usually is but it dosn't make you less of a fan to watch dubbed anime

I just watched an anime with the worst dubbing ever... ok... it was a hentai (all it said in the title was 'hentai' and I was like, "is it really? ::click::"... yeah, it was). They sounded like broken robots.

"*man walking along... stops* come to... think of it... its her... birth... day."

Holy crap...

makes me wonder. Do you think people who dub hentai get amateurs to do the job, or do you think professional voice overs wouldn't be caught dead dubbing a hentai? Its an excellent question ^.^ give me an excellent answer.

Watching dubbed anime doesn't make you less of a fan, although i definately prefer subtitles.

Subtitled is the way to go. USA ruins all anime by dubbing it.

Ohgod. English dubs are appallingly bad and just ruin the whole thing. D:

They actually make me feel embarrassed for the anime/voice actor.

Even if I was watching a deadly serious anime, i'd either burst out laughing or cringe because of the dubs.

Subs are the way to go. Japanese actors are also SO much better than western voice actors. They can change their voices to make them sound only a few years older etc as in the case of an anime where you see the character age over time.

Only guid dubbed version of anime i've ever seen is Chobits.

lol, I disagree with you there :P I preferred the subtitled version of Chobits. But only because Minoru's voice was really bad... My favorite voice actor's voice was in there as Hideki. Crispin Freeman is good ^.^ Voice of Balmung in all .hack//'s, Albel in Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (its a game), Touga in Revolutionary Girl Utena, he's in lots ^.^ I love him! And he's a fan of Subbed anime too, lol. Everytime I hear his voice I look like this -> :lovecat: but I'll hush now about that :x

I like voice actors ^.^ some are really good. And some are... really bad... I bet you anything that some of the voice actors in the Japanese ones suck too ;P

Subtitles, I always watch everything is subs. If I have the option I watch american movies in Japoanese with subs.

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination.
Kaili

hmmm...
 

I personally detest dubbs but ,if you like dubbs thats on you ,I wont say it makes you less of a fan but I dont and will never enjoy a dub over the original version.:vsign:

i used to watch dubs..until i saw 1 subtitled episode and realized i thought it was far better and learned to strongly dislike dubs. i think the dubs almost always ruin the feeling / atmosphere.

example: watch Ah! my goddess subbed, then watch the same episode dubbed, and you'll see what i mean.....especially episode 6...haha i wonder who was doing belldandy xD

i dont think you can say one is a "true fan" or not based on if one watches the dubbed or subbed versions.

I only watch subs. The voice acting is more genuine. I dunno, the english voice cast for any show always seem to be trying to hard.

Yeah same here, I enjoy Subs a TON MORE. I don't think of you less as a fan of Anime, (or maybe I do, I'm not sure) but it ruins it for me at least. It's not Authentic or Genuine like Connor said. It looks like in the English they took one shot and said Retakes were for amatuers. Plus again, its not as funny, and it just looks very poorly done.

SUBS are the best!

^^

wait, I'm lost. Did you say you think of me as less of an anime fan compared to you?