OK, let's talk about a very tricky subject: DUB or SUB (if you can speak Japanese, that doesn't concern you, since you just can watch the real thing). This is a little war that's going on within anime fans and that separate them into two groups: the dub lovers and the dub haters (unfortunately, I believe it's more accurate do say dub haters then sub lovers). Being french, I have probably seen more "bad" dubs then you Americans (if your American) can believe possible. Strong from those years of experience, I have come to the conclusion that most of the time, it's simply a problem of getting use to what your hearing. The best example I could give is with Sailormoon. I discovered Sailormoon thanks to the NA dub. Later, thanks to a nice charming young woman I was able to see some of the episodes that where killed or slaughtered by DIC (the Sailor V episode and the 2 last episodes). That was my first experience with raw Japanese and I'll be honest, I could barely distinguish the voices of the five girls. Now for a year, I watched almost all other episodes and just lately, I decided to watch again the NA Eps. Lets just say it took a while to get adjust to it. But when I actually did, I liked it as much as I originally did. To this, add the French dub experience...

What are the arguments against dubs? Well, first things, the story is often changed, as well as the names. Not to mention that the words don't fit the mouth movements (is post-synchronization the good word for that?) and that the voices are often way different from the original ones. And dubs are bad!

True, sometimes (ok, maybe often) the story is changed. The names as well. But frankly, if you know nothing about the story, will you notice? Fact is, some jokes may be changes, a few other things too, but the global story just can't. Just take it like someone reading a story out loud. You won't do it the same way I will. But it's the same story. Besides, if you want the real story, buy the manga damn it! The anime is often an ADAPTATION of the original story!

Some will say that the sub is like the original story. This is actually wrong. Why? Let's go through the sub process. First, the basic translation. The idea is to get someone born in Japan who speaks English. You take that person, make him or her listen to the anime and translate. Of course, the goal is to get the more accurate translation possible. But even here, it's a translation, therefore it's not exactly the original story. Next, the translated script will likely go in the hands of someone with English as it's native language. That person will look at the script, and see if all is understandable. There are after all some cultural differences, so something might not be totally clear. Some jokes might be changed, the grammar of some lines too... Then, the script most be transformed again in order to make sure the timing of the subtitles are right. Let's face it, we don't read as fast as we understand what we hear. So, it's very likely that many parts will have to be summarized in order to a) fit the screen and b) give us time to read. And well, a summarized story is not like the original one, isn't it? (Now, you must understand that I never did subtitling, so it might be more complicated then what I explained, but it's basically what I read about subtitling and, well, it's just logic to follow those steps)

For the names, it can sometimes be annoying (not ALL dubs changes the names and often if they do, they try to use something that sounds the same). I was myself very annoyed when I've heard about how DIC had changed "Chibi-Usa", "Princess Serenity", "Endymion", "Metallia", "Dark Kingdom" (although I think that "Negaverse" actually sounds very cool)... But that's the price of knowledge. After all, does all animes fans really needs to do research and know the blood types of all the anime girls they see? Same with the original names...

Mouth movements, post-synchronization? It is said not to be really better in Japanese. The thing is that since you don't know anything about Japanese, you don't see it. From what I've read, Japanese don't care about lips coordination. An anime is mostly a moving manga who has sounds as an extras. The images are done first, then they put the words, unlike Disney animation where they do the voices, then put images on them (at least, that's what I've read, if I'm wrong, please correct me). Besides, post-synchronization it's not that bad in all animes... Depends on how it was drawn in the first place. And you stop noticing it after a while, soooo...

Voices? What can I say? I guess it's like vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Those doesn't taste the same, but you have the right to love both. I actually like very much Sailormoon's Japanese, french (except for Artemis and Rei) and English voices. In Slayers, I prefer Lina's American voice and I prefer Amelia's Japanese voice (you see, even if voices where an argument, it doesn't work here, since there is no copy with mixed Japanese and American voices... too bad).

Now, let's go for a few "for and against". First, I'll give my opinions on what I think is good and bad about subs (except some of what I already said earlier), then I'll do the same for the dubs.

Strong points of the subs:

1- Original soundtrack and voices: You can say whatever you want, it's (almost always) fun to hear the original voices and the original songs are usually great. I don't get a word of the songs, but they are still great. I have a few Sailormoon soundtracks and I love them. I have mp2 of the Slayers Try CD and I like to listen to almost the songs (except the one done by Gourry's voice artist, I can't stand his voice). Every Sailormoon fan will agree with me when I say that Moonlight Densentu is one hundred times better then the NA Sailor Moon Theme.

2- I don't know for professional subs, I haven't watched one yet, but in all fansub I've seen had translators notes to explain specific situation (often jokes). Subs are a great opportunity to learn a few things specific to the Japanese culture. I especially liked the notes in the end credit of Fushigi Yuugi. Those where handy.

Weak points of the subs:

1- Subs require more attention from the person who watch them. In order to get all the story, you must keep reading the subtitles. Therefore, you might miss some little visual detail. Not to mention that you have to be in front of the screen. In the weekend, I like to watch anime while eating dinner. While cooking, if it's a sub, I have no time to read the subtitles, so I miss them (it's better then accidently starting a fire or wasting the food). And when I'm eating, well, my TV is far from the table, so I can't always read the subtitles (this happens mostly with bad quality four or fifth generation fansubs). Luckily, I have a perfect vision, at least for now, so this is not too much of a problem. But I'm not sure I can say the same for everybody.

2- Subs are not popular to the average guy, so it's not available via TV stations. You want a sub, pay it! And often subs cost more then dubs.

3- Fansubs. I know, I should say this since I've bought some, but fansubs are becoming evil. First, there illegal. By buying them, your stealing money from the artists that make them, one way or another. Second, there are more and more of those out there, and now, what was supposed to help the industry is threatening it. Let's just take Sailormoon. Let's say you have all Sailormoon S, SuperS and Stars on fansub (the fact that these exist or not is not the point). Let's say that those are Laserdiscs quality. Will you get the professional at $25 for a tape of 3 episodes if lucky? Be honest! Of course you won't! I know I wouldn't. I know it is bad. And I'm trying to change that. But I realize original copies cost a lot more. But we also have to realize that if we would buy professional subs instead of fansubs, the prices might just drop. It's like software piracy. The more it's done, the more the legal products costs. And the more fansubs have been done about an anime, the less likely you will see it get done professionally. That's why I'm glad that Slayers Next and Try haven't been really fansub yet, even though I'm dying to see those.

3- Dub haters. I can't stand people that says: "Why did you buy dubs. The sucks! Subs are far more greater! Bla, bla, bla...". Some people are not too bad. They don't like dubs. Fine. But those who try to convert you to watch subs, who think (and who says it) that you are stupid since you like dubs... Get your brain check, you guys! Your making fools of yourselves, not to mention that your getting on my nerves. I don't believe I'm the one who's acting stupid, since I'm opened to both subs and dubs. And I don't think I'm mister I-Know-All-About-Anime. I'm just an average fan. But you? What are you really? Try some thinking. It can do wonders...

Dubs strong points:

1- Well, the opposite of subs weak point number #1. Your attention can be more focused to the anime. Even though the dubbing really sucked (it happens sometimes) I was glad that I had watched the dub Ghost in the Shell, because I had been able to pay attention to all the little graphical details like shadows and everything like that.

2- Dubs are often adapted to the American culture. You can hear expressions that are more familiar, and some jokes make more sense then some original ones (especially if you don't have the explanation of the joke). This can only help to make anime more popular toward people who feel "invaded" (what a stupid thought) by Japanese animation. What's good for business will eventually be good for the fan (and no, a poorly done dub is surely not good for business).

3- A well done dub is no doubt more attractive to the hears (at least if your American). Frankly, I just love Lisa Ortiz as Lina Inverse (Slayers) and Deedlit (Record of Lodoss War). I often have some problems with Japanese voices, mainly men voices. Maybe it's a question of habit. I just like well done American voices. And surely, if we want anime to expand in America, it's something that could be important for the average guy who's not used to Japanese voices.

4- Dubs are cheaper. If you buy lots of them (I mean professional ones) and only have a regular average salary, then surely you understand this one. A dollar saved is a dollar you can put on another anime tape. And in this tapes, the saving are often near 20%, if not more.

Dubs weak points:

1- The songs. Actually, dubbed songs. Not only these are far from being as good as the original ones, but they are sometimes childish. The worse cases I've seen are with the French and NA dubs of Sailormoon's intro song (I won't call it by it's name, because those dub songs don't have anything common with it). Frankly, those sucks! And if I was the writer I wouldn't be too proud. I know the show is mainly aimed at young girls, but I think such childish songs are somewhat an insult to their intelligence. Not all songs are too bad. If I take away the Intro and End themes, I actually like very much the NA Sailormoon soundtrack. But in any cases, the original songs are usually better.

2- Unfortunately, a lot of dub animes seems to have been done quickly, or simply without much care, so it results in a bad sounding anime. And, well, that's bad. If I have to choose between a bad dub and a sub, no doubt I'll go for the sub.

3- Noises and sound sometimes are not of the same quality then the original anime. This can result in a lack of intensity. An example. In a scene in Slayers, Lina Inverse is caught by Zelgadis and is literally electrified by a spell. It being painful, Lina screams. But, well, it's not too convincing (Lisa Ortiz herself did say in an interview that she's not good with screens). It's something I noticed about dubs. When it comes to crying, wining, screaming, American dub artists don't get it as good then the original artists. I'm not saying it's not good. I'm just saying it's not as good. And of course, the better these are, the more intense the scene gets.

4- Censorship and cuts. These are the most horrible thing about dubs. Censorship totally sucks. I'm asking you, what's really the harm of seeing the Senshi die in the end of Sailormoon when you hear non stop about real violence at the 6 pm news, or show like lives chases, etc. (I don't get why Americans love those so much). True, there are a few thing that may be found disturbing by parents. I'm sure that if someone would dub Sailormoon S, the relation between Haruka and Michiru would get less serious and I can't really blame parents to worry about such think even if I don't care. But in general, there's too much useless censorship. Why cut the scene where Rei slap Usagi on the face? They did show Tuxedo get stabbed on the episode before... As for CM cuts... I understand CM breaks are important for money, but frankly, this sucks. There are a LOT of cuts. Frankly, someone should start thinking about quality products, even if they don't make just as much profit. Luckily, this happens only on anime that make it to TV stations

5- The idiot syndrom. Well, I haven't come across this yet (lucky!) But from what I've read, it seems to be a wide spread problem, not to mention an annoying one. Here's a definition of it done by Les Jerkins, that I took from an anime review on the Animecca Magazine: "What is the Idiot Syndrome? It's when the characters end up saying "Huh?" or "What the..." all the time because the folks doing the adaptation aren't sure what to do with the incidental grunts and sighs so many anime characters make on a regular basis."

Well, that's it for the for and against. Personally, I believe it ends in a draw. Both have there problems, neither are perfect, and both are fun to watch. You have some other strong or weak point about sub or dub you want to share? If so, write at rakna@globetrotter.qc.ca. I'll be happy to add those if I believe they make sense.

Last updated December 11th 1997