It’s hard to say which is better, dub or sub.. obviously, there’s no objective answer, even if you’re thinking of the “platonic ideal.” Like some people have commented, their experience has been growing up with watching almost everything subbed, so their experience of text-on-screen would be quite different from a lot of american viewers that would not be as accustomed to reading during watching.

The main qualm I have with Dubs are the re(mis)-interpretation of the characters.. I doubt it is even possible… (which puts that “platonic ideal” into question). Even if the same Japanese voice actor were to also do the English dub, the two languages have a difference of Culture that, even with the same voice, cannot be bridged.
For example, the simple expression of “Tadaima” (I’m Home), cannot really be carried over to the English speaking audience, as it’s a part of Japanese culture that doesn’t really translate itself adequately with “I’m Home.”
This example is only one, and a really simple one, out of many that are spread throughout the movie. You can imagine how much this will change and skew original intents and the integrity of the piece.
Granted, subtitles too will encounter this problem. However, with sub, you get both the translated yellow words along with the idea of its original meaning and emotion aurally.

(I’m sure actors themselves confront this problem as well, not really understanding why certain characters say certain phrases at such times. However, their characters’ mouths are moving, so they have to say Something, so the actors just blurt it out anyways. This problem adds distance between the voice actor and their animated characters, and that awkwardness can really be felt.)

however, there is one anime that i’ve seen with great dubbing. Whoever did the voices for Cowboy Bebop series really did well. Even if it might have been a re-interpretation of the characters, it was believable. And the voice-actors themselves also seemed to be experienced with dubbing, as they really got into the 2d flesh of their characters and made every word, weep, and pant sound natural.

so, yeah- sometimes, rarely, dubbing does succeed. But there are just so many obstacles (only a few of which i mentioned above), that really finding such a great dub will be really hard.

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[i think the main problem is just the inexperience and ignorance of actors that don't really know how to deal with dubbing for animation, especially anime, that tent to be for audiences older than the american animation audience. If the voice actors were well chosen, and those chosen decided to actually invest enough time and effort in their characters as they would a live action movie, then those hurdles of language, culture, timing and other problems could be sufficiently overcome.]

For this film in particular, I don’t think it matters at all whether it’s in english, japanese, or silent. The vast majority of the film is told through the imagery and by solely paying attention to the spoken words, you would miss pretty much everything that was important in the story. Since the words don’t really drive the plot or develop the characters much at all, I don’t see why it should matter if some prefer it in one language and some in another. Do whatever floats your boat and call it good.

For this film in particular, I don’t think it matters at all whether it’s in english, japanese, or silent. The vast majority of the film is told through the imagery and by solely paying attention to the spoken words, you would miss pretty much everything that was important in the story. Since the words don’t really drive the plot or develop the characters much at all, I don’t see why it should matter if some prefer it in one language and some in another. Do whatever floats your boat and call it good.

It was reminiscent of my childhood, growing up in fantastical worlds created in books, as I listened to the dubbing. While I am a fan of the book, I can honestly say I’d prefer the movie. As two different mediums tell quite different stories, it was only through Miyazaki’s adaptation that I learned anything.

I have watched the movie in both languages, and as someone who has never minded subtitles, I found nothing lost in script or emotion. Not to mention, the characters seemed to have more depth when matched with European accents.

I enjoy your outlook on the differences in subtitles and dubs as it is closest to my own. Reading through a few previous comments I couldn’t help but feel a sense of ignorance and biased in many replies. While some shows may *sound* better subtitled, I will not bash any dubbing as I know the time and effort it takes to record.

My sympathy to anyone “fan” who fights the “subtitle vs. dub” battle with little more knowledge than hours they spend endlessly watching anime.

Fine, fine, fine. I bow before the incredible power of your immense brain. With a little more practice, you should be able to dispense with actually having to watch the movies, and will be able to just hold the DVD up to your forehead and absorb the contents psychically. From there it should be just a short hop to transcending your humanity and becoming a being of pure energy.

In awe of your 3l33t reading sk1llz,

peterb

My reading speed has long since gotten to the point that when I’m watching a subtitled film I don’t even realize that I’m reading. Whole sentences and such are just absorbed into my eyes along with the images on screen without even having to move my eyes.

The biggest thing that trips me up is when I have those fan subs that put explanitory notes above the dialoge text as they speak… that can get to be tough sometimes but even then… I usually read it all without missing what’s going on and without having to pause.

So yeah… don’t be lazy… just watch more subtitled films… try to get used to speed reading… eventually you’ll wonder why you were ever complaining about “having to read during a film”.

I am touched and honoured that the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons has taken the time to comment on my article.