Specifically when we talk about Sub Vs Dub, it refers to Japanese animation. The preference that each of us have depends on our own experiences, likes and dislikes as well as how we have consumed Japanese animation or were first introduced to it. Most people like to watch everything in English because its easy, localized, familiar, you can still follow a show without watching the screen constantly. Its the way it is meant to be watched. Right?
Watching anime on TV has gotten a whole lot easier, we have DVRs that can record your shows of choice without you staying up all night or trying to time the recorder just right. Services like Netflix also has a nice set of English dubbed anime. Its mostly stuff that has been around since the late 90's and 2000's sure but it's most of the good stuff, refined down into a tidy package. Internet Streaming is now rampant where, like youtube, can stream shows directly to you without out any other 3rd party provider.. There are now many ways to consume in anime in English. Great, right?
Since the early 2000's several well known companies went through massive changes, resulting in the consumer getting anime, in the US, for very cheap. Comparing to what dedicated fans pay in Japan, we are getting anime for practically nothing. Full box sets for $30 and $40. Availability of anime has come and gone, with store shelves in brick and mortar stores being packed to the brim with countless shows, to less than half of a single shelf and maybe ten or so titles. Availability history had it's ups and downs have come and gone and yet still, English dubbed animation is here to stay.
Now for Sub versus English dubbing the whole issue is kind of silly. Comparing voice acting to Closed Captioning is beyond what I would call sane, but that is what it is. Think about the pro's and cons about the two.
~Both let you enjoy the show without knowing the extensive dialect of Japanese.
~Both come packaged together, most of the time.
DUB --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pros
Cons
1. Watching the show in a familiar language
1. Ignores select tones for localization.
2. Being fully immersed without being distracted.
2. Shows directors faith to the source
3. Being able to follow story without paying attention
3. Non interest in the story continuity and culture behind the show.
4. Supports English Voice Actors
4. Unrequited support of middlemen
5. Available in select regions.
5. Not a full representation of everything.
Subtitles ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pros
Cons
1. Opportunity to understand the show in its original language.
1. Questionable quality, text style continuity issues.
2. Being immersed while getting a closed caption understanding of the story.
2. Constantly switching between subtitle text and background animation.
3. Transferring slowly to spoken Japanese and a askewed look at the culture.
3. Unacceptable way of learning a language, never fully understanding spoken dialogue.
4. Supporting Japanese Voice Actors
4. The language barrier prevents real acknowledgement and feed back.
5. Available to all regions
5. Too many series, nothing is refined.
These are just a few examples of the reasons people give. There are many fans recognized on both sides as having a good point. I myself prefer subtitles because of the 40 different new series I follow every season. Dubbing is more for the masses. More for a final and complete product. The time between releases are getting much shorter compared to years ago. Around 2009 they tried simulcasting, meaning that it would air in japan and then an hour later we would get it. A few series were trailed off to see if it was a decent business model. It worked and Crunchyroll's new model was born.
Here are the two big ones that come from everyone that argues their side as fact.
!Dub fans = Reading issues (text Speed and text dumps) and attention issues with the subtitles onscreen.
[ "That is not the way the Japanese watch their cartoons."
"I don't know how you read and watch what is going on at the same time."
"must be nice to have good eyes"
"how would you know if the subtitles are wrong or not?"
"No dub, no sale" ]
!Subtitle fans = English voice acting issues, sub font issues and missing opening/closing music
["Those were Dubtitles and not the real story"
"The English actors are stale, no feeling at all."
"They try hard to match the mouths but end up missing it"
"The script is different, story isn't the same"
"My Karaoke isn't included?"]
Fans became disconnected again once bittorent got popular. Suddenly people who had no access to anime, had every series. Pros over night. The argument is so flawed that when it becomes the topic of the day, nearly everyone avoids it or scream their head off to no avail. Its about preference.
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