Anime is an incredibly versatile form of entertainment that’s been able to steadily expand from more of a niche fascination to a mainstream interest that’s only becoming more popular and universal. There are more ways than ever to consume anime content and there’s a wide variety of genres and titles to appease virtually every demographic. However, one topic that still causes debate between anime fans is whether the original version in Japanese is superior to the English dub alternative.
This varies depending on the title, but popular examples like Dragon Ball Z have led to some of the broader conceptions about anime dubs. There are definitely some titles that benefit from being experienced in their original version.
10 Dragon Ball Z In Its Original Version Best Captures The Anime’s Fighting Spirit
Dragon Ball Z’s early dub shouldn’t be criticized too harshly considering that it was before a time when anime was prevalent and there weren’t the same standards to hold dub productions up to. Dragon Ball Z’s dub improves substantially over time, but the early episodes are still very awkward.
They don’t just contain censorship towards violence, but sometimes entire episodes are removed or edited together. The English version is charming and nostalgic, but there are significant changes for those that are looking for the most authentic experience.
9 Higurashi - When They Cry’s English Dub Struggles To Land The Tricky Tone
Higurashi - When They Cry is a deceptively complex anime series that continues to mess with people’s heads and expectations even to this day. The anime is trippy murder mystery that incorporates time paradoxes, sinister viruses, and all sorts of unexpected twists while the characters are drawn with an innocent art design that hides the anime’s darker instincts.
The English dub for the first anime plays more towards the art style than the tone and it’s a messy endeavor. Even when the dub begins to figure out what’s going on it becomes a problematic process.
8 Digimon Adventure’s Rough Edges Get Sanded Off In Its English Version
Digimon is often dismissed as an imitation of Pokémon, but there’s more that’s different about these series than there is that’s alike. Digimon Adventure creates a surprisingly deep narrative over its Digi-Destined from its first two series.
The dub is competent, but it treats the anime like it’s purely for kids— whereas the Japanese version is a lot more nuanced and accessible for all ages. Digimon Adventure’s darker instincts get dismissed and those that remain feel out of place as a result. The original series allows the Digi-Destined much greater complexity.
7 English Captain Harlock Turns A Sci-Fi Adventure Into A Dated Disaster
There are many iconic anime series that were dubbed back during the 1970s when American knowledge towards anime was at an all-time low and are completely deserving of new dubs as a result.
Harlock: Space Pirate is supposed to detail a reckless individual's mission to maintain peace, but the English version makes it hard to even focus on the plot because of the perplexing disco soundtrack, bad sync job with dialogue, and a script that could care less about continuity. The original version's gripping sci-fi story gets completely buried in camp in Captain Harlock.
6 Gundam Build Fighters Can’t Channel The Right Energy In English
The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is an evergreen tenet of the anime industry and there are dozens of series that offer different takes on the powerful mecha. Many Gundam series dubs are perfectly satisfying, but Gundam Build Fighters is an unfortunate misfire due to how unusual the anime is in the first place.
Gundam Build Fighters exists in a world where kids build Gundam models, which then battle through a virtual reality system. It’s a big departure and the young characters are very hyperbolized individuals, which often feels off in the English version.
5 One Piece’s Beginning Becomes An Atonal Joke In Its English Version
One Piece is a legendary anime series that is now close to reaching 1,000 episodes. It's an essential program and it's comforting that the property is now in the hands of Funimation, who have done excellent work with the English version.
However, the anime's start was handled by the infamous 4Kids and they truly didn't understand what the series or the Straw Hat Pirates represent. The voices and energy for many characters are completely off and the new theme song, the "Pirate Rap," is enough proof of why the original version is a must here.
4 The Cast In The Original Blue Exorcist Are Better Fits For The Dark Roles
Blue Exorcist is a thrilling shonen series where two brothers, Rin and Yukio, learn that they’re the illegitimate children of Satan. The two become determined to usurp their father and change the cosmic scales and Blue Exorcist’s dub properly understands the story and energy that’s necessary for this series.
Blue Exorcist’s English version has good intentions, but the characters just sound more convincing and authentic in the original version. This ultimately comes down to preference, but Rin’s anguish in the final episodes feels like it’s on a whole other level in the original Japanese.
3 The Original Pokemon’s Edginess Gets Removed By Committee
The English version of Pokémon definitely deserves respect for helping the anime become such a phenomenon and the dub has found its footing over time, allowing itself to take more chances with its material. English Pokémon is perfectly acceptable when it comes to the characters’ performances, but since the dub is marketed towards children, there is plenty of content that’s been edited or completely removed in some cases.
Pokémon is a light enough series that its English version still suffices, but those that watch the original Japanese will realize just how much gets changed and sanitized.
2 The Sense Of Humor In Food Wars! Gets Lost In Translation
It’s become increasingly exciting to see the wider berth of anime that receive English dubs and how it’s expanded far beyond the narrow selection of action and magical girl titles. Food Wars! is a creative spin on the shonen genre where competition is expressed through cooking, not combat.
The English version of Food Wars! does impressive work and there's a clear passion for the series that’s present, but the anime’s wild sense of humor just feels more natural in Japanese. The anime’s menu and food selections also are just better in the original version.
1 Speed Racer’s English Version Is More Parody Than Anime
Speed Racer’s English version is so iconic that it’s sometimes hard to believe that there’s an actual series with a narrative that’s underneath it all. Of course, Go Mifune isn't an incredibly deep series, but it still makes an effort when it comes to story and characterization.
Go Mifune's transformation into Speed Racer has zero regard for consistency or what gets changed and it simply wants to match the anime's manic energy and exaggerated tone. There's a completely different story being told in the original version that is literally lost in translation.