Despite originating in Japan,animehas become a global medium, gaining increasing popularity in the West with new fans emerging every day. While sub is the way to go for many anime fans, dubbed shows are more important than ever, as they help newer viewers transition. Some series have phenomenal dubs, likeCowboy Bebop, but on the other hand,sometimes sub is the best way to experience an anime.
Fans should choose whichever option best suits them, and not get caught up in the long-standing debate over dub vs. sub that anime fans have been waging for years. However,certain shows need to be watched in their original languagefor various reasons, includingthe sub being too good to pass up or the dub being so atrocious that fans should opt for the sub.
10’Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure' (2012)
Studio: David Production
These iconic anime series have a weird structure, following a different protagonist of the Joestar lineage with every part. The show takes its many protagonists on a range of adventures, from fighting immortal vampires in London to trying to stop a priest from resetting the universe.Jojo’s Bizarre Adventurehas a lot going on in it, and its wacky characters are better experienced through their original language.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventuredoesn’t have a bad dub; in fact, the different accents are more realistic, accurately representing the various nationalities. However,the sub is too iconic with its line deliveries, from the broken English to the overly dramatic pronunciations;the dub can’t match the mix of goofiness and tension. Thisaction anime masterpieceis best experienced through the versatile sub.
JoJo Bizarre Adventure
9’Bleach' (2004)
Studio: Pierrot
The Big Three all have memorable dubs, but the worst of the bunch isBleach, which has reentered the limelight after a decade, reclaiming its title as one of the most popular anime shows. After gaining the ability of a Soul Reaper, Ichigo defends his town from Hollows, while also taking down anyone who threatens the peace and order of both realms.
Many fans likely grew up on theBleachdub, and while it isn’t bad,it isn’t consistent, leaving some aspects to be desired, depending on where fans are in the story. On the other hand,the sub is near perfection, from the satisfying Bankai pronunciations to the dramatic screaming.Bleachhas many characterswho sound much more authentic in the sub, making it the ultimate way to experience this game-changing show.
8’Mushi-Shi' (2005)
Studio: Artland
For years,Mushi-Shihad no English dub, and even after it finally received one, fans are better off watching the subtitled version. Gingko is a traveling researcher who investigates the mysterious creatures known as Mushi. These insect-like spirits cause strange phenomena, prompting Gingko to learn everything about them.
AlthoughMushishihas a dub,it only covers the first season, so fans are better off getting used to the sub instead of switching midway through. Not to mention that this show isrich in Japanese culture and imagery, making the Japanese language a more suitable fit for this show. If fans want to experience one of thebest anime of all timeto the fullest, they’d better watch the sub.
7’Grand Blue Dreaming' (2018)
Studio: Zero-G
Grand Blue Dreamingis one of the best comedy anime series, and after seven years, theanime’s second season is set to release soon. However, fans should stick to the sub when it comes out. Iori is starting college in a seaside town, but after involving himself in the diving club, all he seems to do is drink and party every day.
Comedy anime are tough to perfect in dub, as Western fans can pick up the flaws more easily, andthe overly dramatic and goofy style of speaking doesn’t translate well into English. Fans are free to watch the dub if they want, but the sub is so much better; it offers fans an over-the-top performance of college kids having the time of their lives.
Grand Blue Dreaming
6’Gintama' (2006)
Studio: Sunrise
Gintamais a great comedy animethat effectively blends these elements with serious storytelling and riveting, action-packed fights. In an advanced version of Edo Japan where aliens took over the world, Gintoki is a former samurai who now works at an odd jobs establishment with a gluttonous alien, a nerdy loser, and a giant dog.
Gintamais best experienced in the dub for the same reasons asGrand Blue: the comedy acting is much better. However, overall, theGintamadub is good; the only problem is thatnot all of the series is translated into English. Fans would have to start with the sub and switch to the dub over a hundred episodes in, resulting in an uneven experience. Indeed, fans are better off watching the sub from the get-go.
5’Attack on Titan' (2013)
Studios: Wit Studio and MAPPA
Attack on Titanis one of the largest anime series ever, which would lead fans to expect a good dub, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The series follows Eren Yeager, who vows revenge after the Titans destroyed his village. However, when he gains the ability to transform into a Titan, he uses his newfound power to lead humanity outside the walls and face their true enemies.
As one ofthe best manga series,Attack on Titanreceived an anime adaptation as good as the original story, meant to be viewed in sub. The screaming and shouting can get annoying in dub, andthe epic moments in sub don’t resonate as well with English voice actors. Fans can feel the emotion on a scale through the sub cast, making it the ideal way to watchAttack on Titan.
Attack On Titan
4’Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World' (2016)
Studio: Studio Deen
Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful Worldis quite a mouthful, like most Isekai anime, but it quickly separated itself from the generic shows with its parody of the genre and endearing cast. After dying a fool’s death, Kazuma is reborn in a dreamlike fantasy world, only to realize it is much harder than he thought.
TheKonosubadub is decent, there’s nothing wrong with it, but it also doesn’t wow the audience. On the other hand,the sub has some of the best voice actingin anime, perfectly representing these characters through the voice actor’s talent, expression, and versatility.Konosubais one of the best Isekai animeseries because of its exceptional cast and voice acting, which elevate every aspect of the show.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
3’Cardcaptor Sakura' (1998)
Studio: Madhouse
Many anime series can be enjoyed by both adults and children, such asCardcaptor Sakura, one of the best magical girl anime shows, praised for its engaging plot and mature themes. After she accidentally unleashes a slew of dangerous cards in her city, Sakura must search and capture each one or else put the world at risk.
Cardcaptor Sakurais a great feel-good anime; however, the dub changes everything about the story. The voice acting is fine, butthe dub’s issue is the way it recontextualizes the story, transforming it into something completely different. It ruins many moments andtakes out the LGBTQ+ representation, makes things more cutsey, changes the setting, and alters characters' personalities. In short, it basically changes the show for the worst.
Cardcaptor Sakura
2’Monogatai Series' (2009)
Studio: Shaft
Anime isn’t for everyone. Despite being a critically acclaimed series renowned for its innovative editing, phenomenal dialogue, and mental health representation, theMonogatari Seriesis a controversial show. After gaining supernatural powers, Araragi helps people of his town defeat the physical manifestations of their mental illnesses.
TheMonogataridub is fine, but it encounters several issues that are avoidable in the subbed version.The fast-paced dialogue was made for sub, which is why itdoesn’t translate welland comes across as sloppy. Another thing is the pronunciation, which the English dub continuously messes up. Ultimately,no one can defend this animedub as the sub is superior in every way.
1’Garzey’s Wing' (1996)
Studio: J.C. Staff
Most entries on this list are semi-popular, but many fans probably haven’t heard ofGarzey’s Wing, an anime from the 1990s that is often forgotten due to its horrendous reviews. Chris can’t grasp a decent life, which he continues to struggle with, when he suddenly finds himself in a fantasy world. Despite being the legendary hero, he cannot figure out how to free the people who summoned him.
Garzey’s Wingis unwatchableand one of the worst anime shows fans will ever experience, with the only worse being the series' dubbed version. If the story wasn’t bad enough, the voice acting renders the anime obsolete and incomprehensible. No one can understand what they are saying, andthe actors deliver some of the worst line deliveries possible.Garzey’s Wing’sdub is so bad that it somehow surpasses the sub, making it a so-bad-it’s-good adaptation.
NEXT:The 10 Best Feel-Good Anime Shows To Watch When You’re Feeling Down
