When the Dubs Hit & When They Completely Miss
Most anime fans, especially those who have been watching for a while, probably prefer watching series in the original Japanese. New fans, however, might not want to pause and read subtitles all the time. But no matter which side you're on and which language you prefer, here are 10 dubs that might outdo the subs, and 10 you should skip.
1. Cowboy Bebop
It should probably come as no surprise that Cowboy Bebop is better dubbed than subbed—it is, after all, inspired by Western themes. If you want to follow a group of bounty hunters on a spaceship as they chase down criminals, this is the show for you.
2. Death Note
The original subbed version is great, but Death Note's dub gives it a run for its money, and it's a great choice for first-time viewers as well. Quick summary? A high school student finds a journal that gives him the ability to kill anyone whose name is written in the pages.
3. Ghost Stories
When Ghost Stories was first released in Japan, reception was mediocre. It had a fun premise (middle school students fighting against supernatural forces inspired by popular Japanese ghost tales), but both the storytelling and anime direction lacked depth and interest. They gave the English studio free rein, and what resulted from it was a completely revolutionized show that's guaranteed to make you cry laughing.
4. Yu-Gi-Oh!
If you grew up watching anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! was probably one of the hit series you often saw on TV, evidenced by the fact that most kids carried around a pack of these trading cards back then. Sure, the original subbed version has great emotional depth, but the English dub was just as, if not more, iconic, making it much more fun to watch characters duel.
5. Pokémon
Another show you probably watched as a kid was Pokémon, and the dubbed version is better in the sense that it's more globally recognized. Heck, you probably wouldn't have known Ash Ketchum's real Japanese name was Satoshi if you hadn't looked it up.
6. Bleach
If you've seen the original subbed version, you might disagree with Bleach's being placed on this side of the list, but the English dub is a lot better than you think. Most of that is due to the voice behind the story's protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, Johnny Yong Bosch, though the entire cast does an amazing job.
7. Space Dandy
Space Dandy is one of those rare anime series where the dubbed version actually came out in the US before the Japanese release. If you've seen Cowboy Bebop and liked it, Space Dandy is a must-see as it takes place in the same universe.
Michael Ocampo from United States on Wikimedia
8. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist is already a superb anime series on its own, given its storyline and characters, and the original Japanese version certainly does it justice. But don't count the English dub out—the voice acting cast does an incredible job at showing the plot's emotional depth.
9. Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is one of those series that hit the spot no matter which language you watch it in, considering it has a memorable cast of characters and thrilling battles. But the English dub knocks it all out of the park. In fact, the voice actors put so much effort into their roles that Sean Schemmel, the one behind Goku, actually passed out while screaming Kamehameha once in Dragon Ball GT.
10. Howl's Moving Castle
One of Studio Ghibli's enduring masterpieces, Howl's Moving Castle is not only a must-watch—it's worth multiple rewatches. Chances are you've likely already seen its original Japanese version, so on your next replay, make sure to see the English dub, where you're bound to be blown away by Emily Mortimer's and Christian Bale's performances.
Ready for dubs you should avoid? Read on for anime series you should definitely stick with watching in Japanese.
1. Attack on Titan
What happens when humanity is forced to live inside enormous walls to protect themselves from giant humanoids? Well, you probably should find out by watching the series in its original subbed version to get a better sense of the world and dialogues. It's not that the English dub is horrible (far from it, in fact), but it's a better experience overall to see the action in Japanese.
Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
2. Naruto
The dubbed version of Naruto is probably the version many grew up watching if your anime addiction started with cable TV, but the Japanese original is a classic. Plus, if you were wondering as a kid why Naruto always said "Believe it!" at the end of his sentences, watching the sub might help you understand it better.
3. One Piece
Again, it's not so much that the English dub for One Piece is extremely horrible, but the Japanese version is far superior in terms of quality and capturing emotions. A cherry on top is that the voice acting cast for One Piece stars some well-known names, like Kazuya Nakai and Kappei Yamaguchi.
4. Spirited Away
While you might enjoy watching the English dub of Howl's Moving Castle, you should probably stick to the original voices for Spirited Away. The dub isn't bad at all, but the Japanese version gives the story much more nuance and depth, and includes details that aren't mentioned if you decide to watch it in English.
5. Jujutsu Kaisen
Unless you absolutely loathe having to pause and read the subtitles when watching anime, take it from us and watch Jujutsu Kaisen in the original Japanese. While the English version does a fine job, nothing beats the original.
6. Cardcaptor Sakura
If there's one series on this list you absolutely shouldn't watch dubbed, it's probably Cardcaptor Sakura. Not only does the dub completely change the characters' personalities, it also changes the story and the content. You can even test it out for yourself to see the stark difference.
7. Speed Racer
Want to watch a dub where you have no idea what anyone is saying because they're talkinglikethisthewholetime? If so, then skip Speed Racer. Granted, the English voicing cast consisted of only four people and the show was aired in the late 1960s, so the result makes sense. But if you're looking to watch something you can actually understand, see the original.
8. Garzy's Wing
The dubbed version of Garzy's Wing is so bad, it's actually worth watching. But what, exactly, makes it so horrible that it has been widely regarded as one of the worst anime series ever made? Well, the English voice cast certainly didn't put any effort into their delivery, so that might give you a hint.
Matthijs van Heerikhuize on Unsplash
9. Eyeshield 21
If you're a huge American football fan, don't watch Eyeshield 21. But if you aren't a fan, give it a go—just don't watch the dubbed version, if you can even find it. In fact, it was so poorly done that the English version was canceled after five episodes. Heck, most anime fans probably didn't even know Eyeshield 21 even had a dub.
Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels
10. Neon Genesis Evangelion
There are two dubbed versions of Neon Genesis Evangelion, one that '90s kids might be familiar with, and a newer remake by Netflix. The latter, though, changes the content and relationship dynamics, which isn't good news for old (and new) fans of the show. If you're looking to watch it for the first time (or do a rewatch), the original Japanese is still the best choice.
