Summary
- The debate between subbed and dubbed anime continues, with fans having different preferences based on factors like voice actors and ease of watching.
- Some notable dubs have given the subbed versions a run for their money, showcasing the importance of voice casting and how it can make or break a series.
- Certain anime series, like Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Case Closed, and Bleach, have been praised for their English dubbed versions, attracting a wider audience to the medium.
The subbed versus dubbed debate has been a hot topic in the anime community for decades. Purists will always say that subs are the true format for anime series, as the bona fide version that is closest to the original artistic vision. However, not all agree.
30 Sports Anime That Will Motivate You To Workout
While some look to music or real-world influencers to help motivate themselves to workout, these animes are a great alternative to help get moving.
Fans of dubbed anime often enjoy the casual feel of watching anime without needing to read subtitles. Some fans simply prefer the voice actors in one format over the other. It's likely no fanbase will ever fully agree on which is better, but there are some notable dubs that really give the subbed versions a run for their money, for one reason or another.
Updated on October 2, 2023, By C.M Edwards: There is a constant debate among the anime community about the quality of dubbed vs. Subbed anime. With both sides in a constant tug of war, it shines a light on just how important the voice casting for characters is, and how the way a character's speech sounds can either make or break a series before it ever gets a chance to shine. While many anime perform much stronger with their original audio in Japanese, there are more than a few series that have shone more once translated by American voice actors who manage to bring a special quality to the series. There have been countless voice actors who have put their all into performances and attracted thousands of fans who otherwise may not have given anime a chance. Here are some more anime that are better dubbed than subbed.
25 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
MyAnimeLists Score: 8.4
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
26 |
Action, Sci-Fi |
Production I.G |
The Ghost in the Shell franchise spans multiple series and several animated feature films set in the distant future, where technology has evolved rapidly, and cyborgs, androids, and artificial intelligence are a common occurrence.
10 Best Military Moe Anime
Fans of the "military moe" subgenre of anime should check out the following shows if they haven't already.
Mokoto Kusanagi serves as the main character, and while combating domestic terrorism, she also fights a war within herself, being a human brain implanted inside an artificial body. The Stand Alone Complex series follows Major Kusanagi more closely in her day-to-day life, and the brilliant vocals of Mary Elizabeth McGlynn portray the existential crisis of the show perfectly.
24 Case Closed
MyAnimeLists Score: 8.1
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
1075 |
Mystery, Thriller |
TMS Entertainment |
Cased Closed is one of the lengthiest anime series of all time, having over one thousand episodes that continue to entertain with the whimsical and sometimes tragic adventures of Jimmy Kudo, the budding detective turned child who must help his friends solve a number of sinister crimes while trying to return himself back to normal.
While, over the years, the voice of Jimmy Kudo has been provided by a number of voice actors, Jerry Jewell was one of the first and arguably one of the best to step into the role.
23 Bleach
MyAnimeLists Score: 7.9
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
366 |
Action, Sci-Fi |
Pierrot |
Bleach has curated a legacy that will forever have its name ring throughout the anime community for its intense action, deep story, and lovable characters. Ichigo Kurosaki's perilous journey from normal teenager to supernatural warrior has taken him on an adventure that has threatened both the real world and the spirit world, so he takes it upon himself to protect both.
Best Marvel Anime & Manga, Ranked
Marvel's characters have been adapted into anime and manga, and these are the best series for Marvel fans to check out.
The iconic tones of Johnny Yong Bosch deliver a stunning performance for Ichigo and have been the defining voice of the character for nearly a decade, with Bosch even reprising his role in the recently released Bleach: Thousand Year Blood-War Arc.
22 Trigun
MyAnimeLists Score: 8.2
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
26 |
Action, Sci-Fi |
Madhouse |
Trigun is a classic anime that follows the adventures of Vash the Stampede, a legendary gunman who is constantly being hunted by bounty hunters in the far-off future. The characters and storylines that encompass this series can now be considered iconic and influential.
The dub is on par with other late 90s anime, in that it is somewhat goofy and slightly awkward, but these inconsistencies only add to the show’s charm and make it all the more witty and fun.
21 Mobile Fighter G Gundam
MyAnimeLists Score: 7.5
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
49 |
Sci-fi, Mecha |
Sunrise |
Mobile Fighter G Gundam is another anime that saw great success in the Western market while airing on Toonami and Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. The series was a very different take on the Gundam franchise, taking place in the Future Century timeline as opposed to the Universal Century timeline in which the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime was set.
10 Robots That Defined The Mecha Anime Genre
The mech anime genre wouldn't exist in its current form without these legendary robots.
G Gundam revolved around a universal tournament among gundam pilots that decided which colony state resided in power over the rest. The anime followed Domon Kasshu, who was voiced by Mark Gatha, also known for Megaman X, who delivered a charismatic and exciting performance from start to finish.
20 S-Cry-Ed
MyAnimeLists Score: 7.3
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
26 |
Sci-fi, Action |
Sunrise |
S-CRY-ed was a supernatural anime in the same vein as My Hero Academia, set in a Dystopian future where individuals called "Altered" passed powerful abilities and went on rampages in an already struggling society.
The main character is Kazuma Torisuna, who was voiced by the legendary Steve Blum and represents the anti-hero character who caught to tare down the current regime that was oppressing the people with little privilege. Steve Blum's voice is paired with many highly praised anime, with his voice being linked to their success, such as Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and Code Geass.
19 Neon Genesis Evangelion
MyAnimeLists Score: 8.3
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
26 |
Sci-fi, Drama |
Gainax |
The masterful series Neon Genesis Evangelion by Hideki Anno is highly considered one of the greatest anime ever created for its deep story and heavily flawed but interesting characters who are charged with saving the world from a cosmic threat.
While both versions of the anime are excellent, the English Dub of Evangelion presents the main character on a more personal level, with their emotion and personalities coming out clearly through their dialogues. Neon Genesis Evangelion had a highly talented cast with veteran voices such as Spike Spencer, Tristan McAvery, and Tiffany Grant who most have continued to voice their characters in the series continuations.
18 Rising Of The Shield Hero
MyAnimeLists Score: 7.9
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
25 |
Action, Fantasy |
Kinema Citrus |
Rising of the Shield Hero is a fan-favorite isekai anime series where an unsuspecting normal young man is teleported to another world expecting to become a hero of legend but instead finds himself ostracized by an entire Kingdom and framed for a crime he did not commit. Like the others summoned to the new world, Naofumi was gifted with a special weapon granting him powerful magic.
Using the holy shield weapon, Naofumi decides to do what's in his best interest instead of granting his assistance freely to the people who turned on him without hesitation. The entire cast of Rising of the Shield Hero are strong performers, but Stephen Fu embodies the main character admirably making him stand out.
17 The Devil Is A Part-Timer
MyAnimeLists Score: 7.7
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
13 |
Comedy, Fantasy |
White Fox |
A great light comedy anime, this hilarious show follows a demon who is thrust into the human world and must take up a low-paying job at a fast-food restaurant. The show is only one season, but the second season will be coming out in summer 2022.
13 Strongest Characters In Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Ranked
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an anime based on the beloved CD Projekt Red's game, Cyberpunk 2077, with a great cast of incredibly strong characters
The sub is great, but the dub has a lot to offer, namely top voice talent with seasoned professionals who know exactly how to convey the right emotions.
16 Dragon Ball Super
MyAnimeLists Score: 7.4
|
Number of Episodes |
Genre |
Studio |
|---|---|---|
|
131 |
Action, Martial Arts |
Toei Animation |
Considered by many to be one of the most influential anime of all time, Dragon Ball is still a name synonymous with high-octane action and crazy plot lines that only get wilder and wilder. This powerhouse anime franchise essentially established the world of action anime as we know it.
The dub of Super is as iconic as the previous iterations of the show and is one of the biggest draws to the show for audiences who prefer dubs. Hearing the voice actors shout out their fighting moves is utterly satisfying and the goofiness of the series is in full swing in Super.