Anime Lovers

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

I will say that I watch subs exclusively.  It may be because I know English so well and trying to understand what is being said is more fun for me.  However, I think the real reason is, and this was alludded to in this discussion: quality.  To me, if i hear the english version and japanese version, the english version just sounds funny and comical.

 Why is this?  Well to answer that question you have to know more about Japanese culture.  I had the unique privilige to live in Japan for 3 months last year while I studied abroad.  One thing you quickly learn is that Japanese are awful with live action movies or shows.  It seems that much of the prestige in show business is in voice acting there.  Their are even animes about the road to becoming a voice actor (REC is one of them).

 During one of my excusions, my friend and I visited Tokyo for 3 days, in particular we spent a good deal of time in Akihabara which can be called the anime and electronics capital of the world.  I remember seeing video games that helped a person prepare for a career in voice acting.

 Now, when we think about who does voice acting in America, its generally cartoons for kids or live action actors creating something for kids.  Very rarely do you have successful actors who only do voice acting in America.  In Japan its quite the opposite.  So, in my opinion, that is why subs are so much better, because the Japanese put so much more effort into it, then we do.

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

Actually, alot of the dub actors work exclusively with voicing, and many exclusively with anime. Generally the voice actors you hear doing kids movies and such are not the same actors that are dubing the anime shows you are watching. I've gotten to meet and talk with alot of the english voice actors at conventions, and they put alot of effort into their work, just as much as the Japanese actors. It's true that in Japan the voice actors are more well known, but just because the english actors aren't doesn't mean that they don't try or care, they are very passionate about their work, and want the series to turn out the best for the fans.

It's true there are some slackers out there, but most dub companies now-a-days work their hardest to please the fans. When Suzumiya Haruhi was about to be dubbed they had a poll on their website with clips of different actors, and allowed fans to vote on which voice they thought was the best match.

Now again, I'm not a hardcore dub fan, and I'm not trying to push them on you. Honestly, I watch subs way more often then dubs. It just annoys me when people automatically write dubs off as crap. I feel the same way when people say that it's stupid to watch the sub versions.

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

I know that it used to be the case that in most anime, the animation was created first and then the voices were recorded afterwards.

I think Akira might have been one of the first major productions where it was the otherway around.  The voice actors recorded their dialogue first and then the movie was made to fit the dialogue.

I'm pretty sure this is how most American animated shows are done now.  Do you know if all anime series are now done like this as well?

If so, that's all the more reason to support subs, since the animation was created specifically off of a particular actor's exact performance.

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

i will be honest with everyone ..LOL.. When i first starting watching Anime some 8 years ago i really despised Subs. I just couldnt watch and get the full affect of the Anime while havimng to read the subs.. But as time went on i started watching more and more Fansubs and now i wouldn't say i despise Dubs ...

 But i really learned to appreciate the language and get the full affect from the characters and the show in it's original language. So to anyone who dislikes subs i really would recommend giving it a shot ad watch some series subbed. It's just much better in my opinion, and thats coming from a former sub hater ..haha 

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

DUBS SUCK! Subs OWN! end of story.

 If you're looking for a more robust argument on the matter I will venture forth into the reasoning behind my crass statement. You see when a character in a story has mannerisms (body language) and speech that goes with said mannerisms, typically the body language and spoken language are somehow seemingly meshed together. Therefore when you watch me talk and do whatever it is that I do while talking it seems natural. Now imagine another person is talking for me, and I'm still just doing the movements. It seems pretty silly. In fact it becomes almost unbearable to watch. It is for this reason that I avoid dubbed anything. The exception being Hayao Miyazaki's fabulous films such as My Neighbor Totoro etc. He gets excellent actors to do the voices for this characters. 

The other reason is that I enjoy Japanese as a language. I have studied it, and honestly prefer to listen to it when I watched anime. I find that english just can't do certain things as well as Japanese can, but maybe it is just bias. :) 

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

rjsprague:

  The exception being Hayao Miyazaki's fabulous films such as My Neighbor Totoro etc. He gets excellent actors to do the voices for this characters.

That's funny, because Miyazaki's movies are one of the few things that I hate watching dubbed. I don't like having the popular and Disney actors doing the voices. Castle in the Sky especially made me cringe, that dub was terrible!

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

Bah I loved that one dubbed. You have lost your mind! :) Actually I don't recall what the dub was like. I enjoyed Nausicaa though. And Hayao does NOT use "Disney Actors", well sometimes, but considering the fact that Eisner is his bitch its only natural. I thought the english voice acting for Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle was excellent.

I think you are just trying to pick a fight ms superdrive0. :p 

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

Actually, they do use Disney actors. All of Miyazaki's movies are dubbed by Disney.

For example, Chihiro from Spirited Away is voiced by Daveigh Chase, who also does the voice for Lilo in Lilo and Stich. And Haku from the same movie is voiced by Jason Marsden, who has had numerous Disney roles.

And I'm not trying to start a fight anymore then you were trying to start a fight by claiming that dubs suck. I'm simply stating my opinion, as were you.

Re: Sub Vs. Dub

superdrive0:

Actually, they do use Disney actors. All of Miyazaki's movies are dubbed by Disney.

For example, Chihiro from Spirited Away is voiced by Daveigh Chase, who also does the voice for Lilo in Lilo and Stich. And Haku from the same movie is voiced by Jason Marsden, who has had numerous Disney roles.

And I'm not trying to start a fight anymore then you were trying to start a fight by claiming that dubs suck. I'm simply stating my opinion, as were you.

Em's fightin words. :p     Yeah I know they're dubbed by Disney, but not every voice actor in his films is a "Disney" actor per se. They've probably all had roles in Disney films though, which would make sense since there is already a pre-established relationship. Also, it would seem to me that some of the best voice actors might be affiliated with Disney due to the nature of Disney's history with animated films. It only seems natural for Miyazaki to go to Disney for just that reason. Disney's classics are some of the most celebrated animated films of all time, as far as I know at least. Btw I'm pretty sure that Michael Keaton did the voice of Porco Rosso, and while he's been in Disney films, I'm pretty sure he's done some other stuff as well. Batman! (Is that Disney - I hope not or I'm lookin pretty dumb right now :)