Do you prefer to watch Anime in Japanese with English subs or in English?

[Kiryuu]

I prefer it in Japanese with English subs. Most of the English voices make me cringe.

[uɐɟʞɔoɹɔıssɐlɔ]

I also prefer english subs because sometimes the dub will change things and that can get annoying and some english voices are petty bad compared to the subbed one (Sakon from Naruto. His dub voice is horrible to me)

[Ryoutarou]

Depends.

It's too hard to say what I like better because I judge each show on a case-by-case basis. Some shows like Mai Hime have horrible dubs, but some shows like Fullmetal Alchemist and Fruits Basket have what I consider to be dubs better than the originals.

[Allelujah Haptism]

I second what Ryoutarou said about the Fruits Basket dub. It was an excellent dub that one.

Anyway, I usually end up watching subs, simply because I don't have a wait a week in between to watch the episodes, and that I can watch when it's convinient to me, and not Cartoon Network.

But I don't have a preference. If the dub or sub is good, then I don't particularly mind watching it in either Japanese or English. (Although if the dub is painful and poorly done, that's a different story.) However, usually the case is, if I watch it first in Japanese, then I'll prefer it in Japanese, and if I watch it first in English, I'll prefer it in English. I like voices that I'm accustomed to. xD

[Jack O'Neill]

For the most part, I prefer watching anime in my native language. Japanese is not my native language. Make the connection.

[Lunar Fang]

It really does depend on the show, but I don't mind watching either.

[Charon]

I'm not too fussed. I like subbed, because it feels 'authentic' - but I'm often WAY too lazy to read subtitles.

[Alter Ego]

Depends on the quality of dub and sub respectively. A good to decent dub beats a crappy fansub (as in, one that goes "sry, dunno' how to translate this." half the time and spouts gibberish the other half) any day. On the other hand, when the dub is so horrible that it causes physical pain to watch and twists the characters to the point where the original is basically not even the same character as their dub counterpart (Yu-gi-oh! GX, I'm looking at yoooou <.<) then I won't touch the dub with a ten-foot barge pole. In those cases, I'd sooner watch Japanese raws and try to make sense of what's going on than look at the brutally violated -- ahem, responsibly dubbed -- version.

In general, I tend to go for sub over dub if I have a choice in the matter. Series, much like books, are usually best in their original language, I've found. :3

[digi-kun]

Usually subs, although i do enjoy watching certain dubs, the Higurashi dub ended up pretty good, not perfect, but still good.

Um, actually i tend to watch raw over anything...actually in some cases Raw w/ NicoVideo comments so ya

[Ichi-chan]

It doesn't really depend on the show for me... I prefer the subs all the time. Dubs often change some things and they're annoying sometimes. Not all dubs are bad though, but usually prefer subtitles.

Sometimes when I see the subtitled vesion first before I see it dubbed, then I realize how terrible it is. Like Rozen Maiden and Chobits. I watched those shows in subs first then I saw the dub and... "W-w-where's the desu?!"
The voices sucked. o_x

[Super Duder]

I prefer japanese with english subs.
English is annoying.
They have wack voice duders.
For example, the english naruto voice is annoying.

Naruto is suppose to be annoying.
But cool annoying. The english one is
just tear your brains out madness.

[Briareus]

As much as I would like to just watch, I'd rather have subs.

The english voices are almost always annoying and they even change stuff... >.>

[Rikki Tikki Tavi]

Raws > Dubs

Any day of the week.

[Lightning]

Actually, there are some dubs that I prefer over the originals. Like Trigun. 8D;

Anyway, I have to admit that I tend to prefer Japanese with English subtitles if only for the subtitles. I like reading what people say before they say it since I don't have to pay attention as much. I can read it and look away if need be (good for when I'm watching anime while multitasking or talking to others). :x I don't like having to listen to everything, which is imperative when there's no subtitles or closed captioning.

Most dubs now are really good, though, so I don't mind them. It's actually pretty neat watching both and seeing which you like better. :D I just... prefer to have subtitles to read. XD; (I'd watch in English with subs on, but sometimes the script in the subtitles and the lines said by the actors differ slightly and that drives me absolutely crazy, so I don't. :\)

[Shiranui]

If given the choice, I wouldn't mind either. Although, it's just more convenient for me to watch anime in Japanese subbed in English, since the anime they show where I live are either Japanese with Thai subtitles, or dubbed in Thai. The anime DVDs they sell are also in subbed or dubbed in Thai, which pretty much limits my choice. Although I don't mind watching anime with no subtitles, most of the time, I prefer to know what the people are saying xD

[Sorairo]

It matters for me. I care about the voice actors and how the voices sound and all that. Usually, it's really good in Japanese so I'll watch the Japanese version for that reason. But companies like FUNimation, Viz, Geneon, and Bandai(Bandai sometimes) all do really good jobs. If it's in english and the dubbing is really good, of course I'm gonna watch the English version. I tend to not finish reading the line before it disappears when it's in Japanese anyway XD;

So... I guess it depends on how well the dub turns out~

[FoxHound!]

I don't know about you crazy kids, but whatever I'm watching, I prefer it to be in English so I can understand it. I don't really watch anime much anymore, so it's not a problem.
Cowboy Bebop and The Big O, the only ones I really like have sterling dubs.

[Sheimi-Manafi]

Depends what I'm watching. Several japanese cartoons I'd watch in English (mostly none now), but several like Azumanga Daioh I'd watch with subs! It's nicer (proof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYcu6o1stlc)

[The Infinite Devil Machine]

I generally prefer english dubs. Just because I don't like to read. :P

[Neko Hina]

It depends on the anime. If the English dub is good, I watch it because it's easier than reading subtitles. Like Naruto, I love the English voices. On the other hand, I freakin' hate Yuki Sohma's English voice in Fruits Basket and refuse to watch it in English >.>

[Sheimi-Manafi]

I also like dubs because I learn japanese that way.

(for my teacher I'd say "Hai, *******-sensei? (Blocked his name))
Although, is it supposed to be the last name or the first??? Hmm... Oh well, 9 or 10 more years to become a sensei in japan... Zzz...

[kohei]

Raw, then fansubs if the raw isn't there.
As for dubs, I came to a conclusion that fandubs are much more closer to the original than dubs.
Of course, there are exceptions, like Witchblade and Black Lagoon (though most characters in Black Lagoon are supposed to be speaking English anyway.)

[Cowrie]

My default preference tends to be subs - to which I could try to give all sorts of reasons as to why, but I'll just leave it at "because I want to". With some older series, it sometimes is a matter of that I don't like the English voices as much. However, with more recent series, I'm more than willing to give the dub versions a chance (and sometimes do like the dubs even more than the subs), as I'm impressed with how good some dubs have gotten.

Ultimately, I guess it comes down to depending on what I'm watching, and also what's available to me at the time.

[Crystal Clair]

Dubs
however, I end up going for subs as they seem to be more available and easier to find on the internet. I dont like not being able to appreciate the art. Being stuck reading is really annoying sometimes.

[Stevo-kun]

I prefer Japanese subbed. But I have watched many in a dubbed language, and only a few tend to be as good as the Original, like Beyblade for one. And I think they voice them better in Japan imo. Like BLEACH's dub is worse, and Naruto's is just horrible.

[Jordan]

My default preference tends to be subs - to which I could try to give all sorts of reasons as to why, but I'll just leave it at "because I want to".
That would be my answer as well.

Jordan.

[Misayu]

I prefer to watch anime in English because I can understand it much better but if I really have to, I will watch it subbed but its not likely at all that I do. 99% of the time i watch anime in english.

[Ryuuji]

Errr, English Dubs. It's more wayy more uh, I think it translate much more than subs.

[!gnition]

Either one is fine for me, however, yes the English subs can be of a poor quality at times -_-

[Sahara_17]

I prefer Japanese with English subs. Inuyasha, Blood Plus, and Blood trinity are ok in english but the other anime's i've watched in english makes me turn the TV off in the middle of them.

[Kazuma]

Mmm I prefer English subs over dubs. Why? Most of the time they give characters the worse english voices I could ever imagine. I just can't stand that sort of stuff lol xD. Other than that they sometimes change some of the names to a more Western Style (Masaru = Marcus) Ew.

[Eon-Rider]

I don't have very good eyes so I prefer dubbed or subbed.

[Gumidrop]

I prefer it in English because I can't understand it in Japanese and the sub will be poor sometimes or its covering something in the TV.

[Cassino]

I prefer anything to be subbed rather than dubbed. I just like things in their original language, no matter how much better or worse any dubs may be. It doesn't just apply for anime, Das Boot, my favourite film, is German.

My stand on English dubs is, however, that they need to have less Amercans and more British and Australians doing it; the English speaking world doesn't revolve around North America. D:

[BreD]

Subs, i tried dubbed once, it was horrible. I couldn't watch it all.
The best dub imo is Death Note, it's done quite well, although i still watched it subbed.

[Kenta-kun]

It largely depends. Some dubs are excellent, and watching them in English actually enhances the experience; a perfect example of this is Cowboy Bebop, in which the ability to have recognizable accents for the show's ethnically diverse cast wouldn't be possible in Japanese and thus helps lend a particular flavor to the show in English. However, most anime dubs are relatively low-budget, and thus you're not getting the same kind of talent that high-end dubs (such as any of the Miyazaki films, dubbed by Disney) have, and thus you have an inferior product. The talent of the voice actors is really what this is all about; back in the day, translation was also an issue, but nowadays most companies will stick to a show's original script as best they can because they know that is what the fans want. A perfect example of this is Naruto: the dub is technically an accurate one, but the talent of the individual voice actors vary wildly and thus the series can be unbearable to watch in English sometimes.

I would have to say that, for the most part, I prefer to watch my anime subtitled. I'm not sure if this is something experienced by everybody, but for the most part, lines translated over from Japanese tend to sound a whole lot more lame in English than they did in their original language (especially the screaming out of attack names common in Shonen...), and subtitles can occasionally communicate a language complexity better than a dub can.

[Utada]

I got to say I agree of what Ryoutarou, Xenocrates, and Chikara³ said.

It depends for me as well. I know if the dub is superior than the sub I will watch the dub a lot more than the sub. I will still watch the sub, but it won't interest me that much as watching it dubbed.

And vice versa if I watched it subbed. But those guys summed it up pretty much. ^^

[Ash Ketchum]

Japanese for the winning! xD With English subtitles, that is. I think of Japanese of the original language of the series and most of all I think the voices are, most of the time, perfect. English dubs are okay at times, but I think Japanese is loads of better. I can always try to watch English episodes, but if I had to pick between Japanese and English, it'd definitely be Japanese.

[Kawaii, Inc.]

I prefer english dubs, instead of subs...even if the voice-actors make me want to bang my head into a pole.
1) I find myself looking away from the t.v. when I watch something.
2) Engrish annoys me!!

[The Fable]

Japanese with subs, definately!
English isn't my native language, though I speak it fluently. But the voice actors in english are really CRAPPY and the japanese are... special. They fit with the anime style. *goes to watch the creepy Iruka voice in Naruto*

[Danchan]

It depends. I would prefer to watch the dub, as it it usually shown on television. I don't like watching subs (on the computer, at least) because it strains my eyes too much. @_@

Since English is my first language, I would rather watch it dubbed than subbed. In my opinion, some anime have been dubbed pretty well. Examples of such? Nerima Daikon Brothers, Cowboy Bebop, Funimation One Piece, Super GALS!, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note....the list goes on and on! And to think Nerima Daikon Brothers was dubbed down to every last song (with the exception of the Prime Minister's BGM), and pulled off pretty dang well imo.

so yeah. More oft then not, Dub > Sub.

[Ayano Katagiri]

It depends on the anime for me. If the English dub sounds alright, then I'll watch it in English. But I find that most anime sound better with the original Japanese VAs so I tend to watch it RAW (even though I barely understand half of it) or with English Subs.

[Trainer Kat]

The best dub imo is Death Note, it's done quite well, although i still watched it subbed.

It's pretty good. L's voice made me cringe the first time I heard it though [and I don't like Light. Raito sounds much better imo.]

But honestly, like everyone else has said, it depends on the show. Take something like Gantz- they keep the original names, plus the voices are really well done and fit quite well. However, every so often you get something horrible, like Shido's voice in Getbackers [he has a lisp. x.x]

[skaterzpenguin]

It depends what movie I'm watching, so I like both...

[mega-dark]

What trainer Kat said, some animes are good in dubs and some are not. Gundam Seed, WORST DUB EVER! And I like Gundam. >_<

[pink-tiger]

English, my eyes start hurtiong after a while of reading the subs. >_<

[Sharpedochu]

Japanese, the voices are less whiney, i <3 watching excel saga in japanesian subs :)

[Katsu Koneko]

Depends for me. xD Though usually it's Japanese. :3

[Galla]

The Dub... I know it's a tad silly but after reading all that coursework for college, I just wanna kick back and relax - NOT read more! :P

But there are some scenes which dubbers cut out and I'll go and rewatch the subbed version of the same episode just for a particular scene (namely Yami Bakura eating steak in Yu-Gi-Oh! Simply adore that scene!)

[SBaby]

I try to avoid Raws, since it's guess work on my part trying to figure out what they're saying (though in some cases I have no choice). But I've seen dubs and subtitled Japanese versions. It really depends on the Anime, and which version I see first (which sadly is probably true for a majority of people here, whether they admit it or not).

The Dub... I know it's a tad silly but after reading all that coursework for college, I just wanna kick back and relax - NOT read more! :P

Sadly, a good majority of Anime fans are the exact same way. It doesn't matter the reason, they simply don't like spending a half hour or so reading lines of dialogue (flashbacks to customers at my work ensue). I'm not arguing that Subs are usually superior to Dubs, but that's just the way alot of people are.

[Tré]

i like more the japanese with subs because you can feel the presence of the language........

[Twar3Draconis]

At some point, I just dropped the subs. Japanese Audio continues, though.

[Kumo-dono]

Japanese with subtitles, by far.

[PB]

I prefer to watch I dubbed if it's dubbed well, otherwise I prefer the subtitles.

[saphire]

I prefer japanese with subtitles in spanish

[Jeremy]

Japanese with English subs, sweetie. It makes it cooler in my opinion, and it helps me to take the show a little more seriously, sweeties. XD

[Marilyn]

Japanese with English subs. The English dubs usually change a lot of things.

[Fruitboy]

I mostly perfer to watch Anime in Japanese sub English so I understand what there saying.

[SilverTail]

I enjoy watching bolth, however, when they change the voices suddenly in the english versions to unbelievably rediculous voices (as with one piece....) it dose get a tad bit hard to watch *hasnt watched one piece since*

I do admit though, watching the non-watered-down japanese version yeilds much better truthfulness to the storylines.

[Uryū Ishida]

I prefer english with no subs, but there are some things that i hate what they change, like in bleach, kon is looking up rukia's skirt, japanese he says "nice angle im glad im a stuffed animal" and english he says me and ichigo were talking about my name, lol.

[She-Elf]

I prefer it in japanese, and with norwegian subs, but english workes as well ^^ So japanese with English subs, since that was the question :)

[Soma Peries]

I love how so many people in this thread group all dubs together as bad. There are bad dubs, yes, but there a lot of good dubs too.

Anyways, it really depends for me. If I know an anime has no chance of getting a dub, I'll watch subs, but I've been more of a dub person lately.

[クリス]

If the show I am watching has horrible english dubbing then I prefer the original over english subs. However, if the english dubbing is excellent (Fullmetal Alchemist) then I have no issues with devoting that entire series to the english dubbing.

[Falling Star]

Depends on the show. I'm generally a dub person, but if I'm curious I'll take a peek at the subs. I never understand why some eleven-year-olds sound like a fifteen-year-old, though...

[BeachBoy]

I usually don't mind ether, but some english ones are ugh!
So jap+subs is the one I usually go...

I truly don't mind ether though...

[Rhiannon-Chan]

I have to say..
Japanese with English subs, 'cause the naruto/one piece English dubs destroy ma ears!!

[Jessie]

It depends. I can't find Pokemon in Japanese so I've never heard their original voices to compare...but Pokemon's voices aren't actually -horrible-.

Fruits Basket is one anime that I cannot stand to watch in English. No matter what. It's just horrible. You can't even hear Yuki speaking for one thing and Tohru's dubber sounds like she's trying too hard to get the "cutesy anime" girl voice. And Kyo, my dear Kyo...his voice is awful.

I won't even go into other anime's...so in conclusion I watch anime in Japanese whenever I can, even if subtitles aren't avaliable. I can understand most of Japanese but I just can't speak it! lol.

Does anyone know why the Pokemon DVD's don't have Japanese as a language choice? It just bugs me.

[~Fire]

Almost all the time dubbed.
The english voices in Deathnote are terrible compared to japanese.
Ryuzaki sounds like a politician.
But some english voices are better
Example:Ryuk from Deathnote

[Terminal]

Subs. Most English VA's are not good.

[kasumi_chan_x]

Most to all english dubs are horid...example Naruto's english voice...agh!
Though...I do like Full Metal Alchemist in English.
All in all, the subs are just fine with me :)

[Closer]

I watched anime in Japanese with english subs.

If I knew japanese, I would watch them without the subs.

I use to watched them dubbed, but since I watch alot of anime not dubbed yet, I've realised that anime sounds much better in it's own language.

[Tadano_nika]

Japanese with english subs. or without if the plot is not too difficult.
almost all english voices make my ears bleed. not to mention the dutch ones...