Debate: Are dubs ruining the anime experience for new fans?

Last week at a watch party in Philly, a guy argued dubs help people get into anime who can't read subs. 3 years ago I would've said he's dead wrong. Which side are you on - accessibility or authenticity?

2 comments

2 Comments

gavinwood6d ago

see I used to be right there with you on the authenticity side, but 3 years changed my mind a little. my younger cousin got into anime through the Cowboy Bebop dub specifically because he has some vision problems that make subs a real headache. for him it's not about being lazy, it's about actually being able to watch the show. now that doesn't mean I think every dub is good. the original Ghost in the Shell dub still sounds like they recorded it in a tin can with a fan running. but when a studio puts real effort into casting, like with Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, I think it opens doors for people who'd never try subs in the first place. your mileage may vary, but I don't see dubs as ruining anything if they get more people into the hobby.

elliot_harris255d ago

Man, you just reminded me of my buddy Mike who got into anime through the Dragon Ball Z dub back in high school. He has dyslexia and reading subs was just a total nightmare for him. Without that dub he probably never would have touched anime at all, and now he's more hardcore than me. Plus not every Japanese voice actor is some holy grail either. I've watched subs where the acting was flat as cardboard. So if a dub lets someone enjoy the story without fighting the subtitles, that's a win in my book.