Japanese vs. American voice acting

[Tuuvi]

I never got into anime when I was a teenager, because a lot of the English dub versions they play on t.v. here seemed cheesy and lame to me. But then I started watching the subbed Japanese versions of some series on Netflix and Hulu and I really enjoyed them, the stories and characters are deeper than the stuff you find here in the U.S., and I like the Japanese voice acting. Last night I decided to youtube the English dub version of the series I'm watching right now (Naruto Shippuden), and I wasn't impressed. I feel like the Japanese actors do a better job, but I wonder if it just seems better to me because I don't speak the language so I'm not used to hearing and understanding it in a real life setting.

Which do you guys prefer, American or Japanese voice acting?

[Arjos]

Anime without seiyuu is plain pointless :P

I always saw it as a cultural matter: in the west animation was generally considered as children entertainment, so I'd guess they didn't take it very seriously or acted in "grotesque" ways to appeal kids...

[Chaotix]

Hmm... personally I'd say it depends. For shonen series like Naruto, Pokemon and the like, you can generally expect the English dub to be unimpressive or downright crappy.

But for something more seinen-oriented, e.g. Death Note or Code Geass, I personally found the English voice acting to be excellent.

That could be just from my limited viewpoint, though. Rule of thumb is look for the general opinion on the specific show's dub before you decide. If it does the original work justice, I usually go for it. It's just so much easier to understand and get into that way.

[Graphic]

the stories and characters are deeper than the stuff you find here in the U.S.

You're talking about American cartoons, right?

[Fragony]

Problem I have with Japanese voice-actors is that I often don't know what emotions the characters have. You have to understand the cultural context I thing. It's not just with voice acting but japanese stuff in general, it often doesn't make sense to me

[spankythehippo]

Problem I have with Japanese voice-actors is that I often don't know what emotions the characters have. You have to understand the cultural context I thing. It's not just with voice acting but japanese stuff in general, it often doesn't make sense to me

Oh! I feel quite insulted at that remark! Shame on you!






















Actually, I don't give a flying ****. My culture is pretty weird.

An example. This is anime in a nutshell.

[lars573]

But then I started watching the subbed Japanese versions of some series on Netflix and Hulu and I really enjoyed them, the stories and characters are deeper than the stuff you find here in the U.S.

Well that's simply not true.

[Beskar]

It is simply because they shouting nonsense in Japanese sounds better than them shouting nonsense in English (where you understand it) as you imagine it to be really awesome things which many fansubbers sometimes write into their subs. (Like one had Naruto using b-words and c-words during fight scenes).

So you have them shouting things like "Baka!" which in translation in the English version is "Dumb-Dumb!". Which sounds less impressive.

[Arjos]

All of you speaking only of Naruto must repent watching some quality anime like:

Berserk, Elfen Lied, GTO, Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin or Neon Genesis Evangelion (to mention some)...

Anyway as in books or motion pictures, the original version is always better, much is lost in translation, like cultural references or idioms...

[Greyblades]

Anyway as in books or motion pictures, the original version is always better, much is lost in translation, like cultural references or idioms...

You obviously haven't watched the Baccano Dub.

[lars573]

My favorite version of DBZ is Team Four Star's abridged version.

But my favorite animated shows right now give us this:

[Visor]

Hmm... personally I'd say it depends. For shonen series like Naruto, Pokemon and the like, you can generally expect the English dub to be unimpressive or downright crappy.

But for something more seinen-oriented, e.g. Death Note or Code Geass, I personally found the English voice acting to be excellent.

That could be just from my limited viewpoint, though. Rule of thumb is look for the general opinion on the specific show's dub before you decide. If it does the original work justice, I usually go for it. It's just so much easier to understand and get into that way.

I'd say this would be the way to go, but to be honest, I would probably go English every time unless it was really, really .

Problem I have with Japanese voice-actors is that I often don't know what emotions the characters have. You have to understand the cultural context I thing. It's not just with voice acting but japanese stuff in general, it often doesn't make sense to me

I also agree with this. Often I find it much easier to get into a show when its in English rather then Japanese.

All of you speaking only of Naruto must repent watching some quality anime like:

Berserk, Elfen Lied, GTO, Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin or Neon Genesis Evangelion (to mention some)...

Anyway as in books or motion pictures, the original version is always better, much is lost in translation, like cultural references or idioms...

Cowboy Bebop sounds stupid. Neon Genesis Evangelion I have watched for a bit, I didn't mind the English in it, but then again, that was a while ago.

Death Note had a good English dub as Chaotix mentions.

[Tuuvi]

Well that's simply not true.

To be honest I don't watch a lot of t.v. so I won't try to defend myself here

All of you speaking only of Naruto must repent watching some quality anime like:

Berserk, Elfen Lied, GTO, Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin or Neon Genesis Evangelion (to mention some)...

Anyway as in books or motion pictures, the original version is always better, much is lost in translation, like cultural references or idioms...

What's wrong with Naruto?

[Chaotix]

Cowboy Bebop sounds stupid.

The name sounds stupid, but the show is actually incredible. Nothing to do with cowboys, except that it's sort of a space western.

Hands-down one of the best series of the 90's. I highly recommend it.

[Secura]

Death Note had a good English dub as Chaotix mentions.

"I'll solve equations with my right hand and write names with my left! I'll take a potato chip... and EAT IT!"

I've become acquainted with Japanese animated shows over the years due to some ex-partners or friends being fans, but there's very few that I actually like. Aside of Death Note, I would suggest Higashi no Eden and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann; their English dubs aren't too bad, but they lose a certain something in translation, better to stick with subs.