Discotek Poll - Would you be willing to pay for an English dub?

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by gundamcero

I think this option could work. At least better than paying twice as much:

"Discotek Media: Dub only sets would be another potential option. Dubbed BD set for people that want dub, and a Japanese with English subtitled BD set for people who don't need dub."

I like to listen to both languages. I am no purist to either language. I just need them together.

[Dailyan]

I voted no. Modern dubs of older anime just seem awkward to me (Don't even get me started on Sailor Moon). I don't wanna get into the whole dub vs sub debate; for me personally, I'll usually watch series' in English for the first time then again in Japanese but for features I generally go with Japanese. Honestly anyone can watch dub or sub or BOTH that's why there's options but with Discotek I definitely don't wanna pay Aniplex-prices on older shows that don't have a dub or would be sub or dub only.

[pikagreg]

They would definitely not be Aniplex prices. Discotek has a few titles that are $60 msrp and they go down to like $32 after studio sale/GA discounts.

[Bobo1313]

Just isn't worth it for me, I'm strapped for cash enough, paying more for something I'll probably never listen too is definitely a turn off.

I probably wouldn't do as much blind buying, if it did happen, which I do a bunch with discotek.

[Dumbass]

If this helps get more people into classic anime that has never been dubbed before then I'm all for it. I like that Discotek is willing to take risks.

And maybe I'll finally have the second half of Lupin Part Two dubbed.

[IdeaOfEvil]

The discussion here is getting split into two separate reasons to be for or against this idea of making new dubs, and there should only be one reason to base your opinion on imo.

The one incorrect reason for not wanting a dub (imo) is because purists here are saying that subs are the only way to properly enjoy watching an anime, and that even if a person isn't used to watching subs that they'll get used to it.

-I think that's the wrong focus on whether a dub should be made or not. I can watch subs, and I appreciate the talent behind Japanese VA's being better than American VA's. But subtitles are sometimes translated poorly. My biggest pet peeve comes from Funimation when there's a serious battle with rapists and looters attacking a female with a sword, and there's blood and carnage everywhere and she yells out "Shoot!" when she accidentally kills one of the looters instead of something a little more serious (dam, sh**, f** even...). To me, those moments are far worse than listening to a lamer American VA who didn't have to read a line as if it were written for a 10 year old viewer.

But also, when I kinda wanna relax and mess around on my phone or computer while watching an anime, having a dub is great because I don't have to focus on the bottom of my television screen to make sure I know what's going on. And if it's an action anime, being able to enjoy the visuals without have to focus on reading is refreshing, whether or not you're used to watching subs or not.

But on the other hand, there's the second reason that's being talked about here which should be the main point of focus imo. The new dubs will add a 100% increase to the cost of an anime title. For me, dubs aren't important for niche titles - be it a movie, an OVA, or a lengthy series. I don't want to pay $100 for a single volume of Mazinger Z because of a new dub that I'm not going to care about anyways. Or Fist of the North Star. Or Project A-Ko. Or Wicked City. And when I first posted that if there's already an older dub made for such titles, including those is fine enough for me. I don't need properly translated dubs that will sound "off" when paired with the anime. Look at the new Vampire Hunter D dub. It was really bad, but it was translated accurately. It had fine enough voice actors, and it was well produced. But it sucked, and it sucked in a way that it just sounded too new and cookie cutter compared to the older dub.

Just my two cents. But I voted no because I don't want to pay double the cost for an anime that I'm watching for nostalgia anyways.

[Magikor]

Originally Posted by professorwho

If you're not used to reading subtitles, that's okay! Just keep trying, and you'll get there eventually!

The only instance I can understand people only (enthesis on only) going for dubs are those who have a cognitive issue with reading. In that case, it's perfectly fine and makes total sense. I don't want to sound offensive, but by watching dub only, viewers are missing out on how the work was intended to be seen by the director. Even if the acting was 100% equally good, it still wouldn't be the exact same.

The percentage of dubs on-par with Japanese is less than 10% if we count everything ever made, and with how things are now (using the same voice actors all over in everything) it's less than 5%.

I don't just limit it to anime, it's film/television in general. I think we are doing the creators a disservice if we don't watch with the original language and subtitles. It might not be the most fun for some people, but it's more accurate.

I find reasoning like this to be problematic. I know you're not intending to offend anyone with it, and you didn't offend me, but to suggest that it's only okay to prefer dubs if you have issues with reading comes off a tad elitist and exclusionary.

I can appreciate your desire to experience the art form in the original "intended" way, but it's excluding the simple idea that some people simply PREFER to enjoy it the way that they prefer to enjoy it. I prefer dubs myself, as it's how I was initially introduced to anime, and I only watch subtitles if there is no dub available for a show that I want to watch, or if half of a show is dubbed and the other half is not (When They Cry/When They Cry: Kai is a good example). I have no issue with watching subtitles, but if I have the choice, I prefer to watch dubs, as that's how I enjoy it the most, and the idea that I should "keep trying" against my own personal preference isn't something I'm willing to do. Whether or not it's more accurate doesn't really affect me. If I'm going to sit down and indulge myself in one of my hobbies, I wanna do it on my own terms that makes it most enjoyable for me.

Whether or not the quality of the voice acting is on par with the Japanese counterparts is, again, preference. There are plenty of modern (and some older) dubs that I think are pretty great, and as I've watched more, there are lots of American voice actors that I'm now just an outright fan of, and I get excited when they pop up in a new show I'm checking out. It's the same type of reasoning that I used when sitting through I, Frankenstein for Yvonne Strahovski.

Again, I know you meant no offense with your post, and again, I took none. I just wanted to throw my own defense out there.

[Bandit Tajomaru]

I don't mind paying extra for a dub ,but I have to wonder if a dub watcher would even watch a classic anime.

[darkness2918]

Sure, I wouldn't mind paying extra for dubs. That's how I prefer to watch anime anyway.

[Girls With Guns]

I can't/won't vote because I refuse to do social media, but I would definitely vote no - unless they released two separate versions every time, one sub-only and one with the dud - I mean, dub... Then I can always buy the far superior sub-only release at a nice discount and avoid being forced to pay for a bunch of westernized crap I don't need or want. And I'm not anti dub either - I just despise them for my own personal use - so if the dubbers want to pay more for their own separate English-infested release, they are welcome to, as long as it is not at my expense.

[Snarfs]

Being a westerner, there's a lot of dialogue that greatly benefits from being westernized. Whether they're bad translations or too directly translated, some subtitles feel absolutely soulless.

That being said I'm not going to vote because I'm torn. I have to admit, I get a weird feeling about newer dubs for older shows.

[different]

Originally Posted by Bandit Tajomaru

I don't mind paying extra for a dub ,but I have to wonder if a dub watcher would even watch a classic anime.

I most certainly would.

[One-Eye]

Originally Posted by Girls With Guns

I can't/won't vote because I refuse to do social media...

Same here, I wish they used a third party for these polls or put it up on their website.

I prefer dubs and while I think overall dubbing has improved since the 1990s I still find that the majority is pretty mediocre. This results in me watching about ~70% of anime subbed, because I don't find the dubs appealing enough. I still prefer to have the option of watching either one. Oh, and live action I only watch subbed, now that has some pretty bad dubbing. As far as subtitles go, not all subtitles are good. Some have had mistakes, some have had rewritten scripts that are far from original intent, and some go to the opposite extreme of trying to be so accurate that they come off as stilted and not particularly enjoyable to read. I also don't think reading subtitles was the directors original intent. Anime is made primarily for a Japanese audience. And no I am not going to learn Japanese as some of the more extreme purists that pop up on the internet from time to time demand.

As far as the poll goes I don't think Discotek is looking to go back and dub every old show, that would be too financially risky. I think it would have to be on a case by case basis and I would be ok supporting that if a small handful of anime got dubbed. Its not going to break my piggy bank if I pay more for a couple of anime.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Bandit Tajomaru

I don't mind paying extra for a dub ,but I have to wonder if a dub watcher would even watch a classic anime.

I’ve been listening to English Dubs in Anime almost my entire life. (24 out of 30 years when I began watching Anime) but when considering that English Dubs have improved by a ton since then, I would be all over it no matter how old or new the series is.

[juss100]

Originally Posted by Magikor

I find reasoning like this to be problematic. I know you're not intending to offend anyone with it, and you didn't offend me, but to suggest that it's only okay to prefer dubs if you have issues with reading comes off a tad elitist and exclusionary.

I can appreciate your desire to experience the art form in the original "intended" way, but it's excluding the simple idea that some people simply PREFER to enjoy it the way that they prefer to enjoy it. I prefer dubs myself, as it's how I was initially introduced to anime, and I only watch subtitles if there is no dub available for a show that I want to watch, or if half of a show is dubbed and the other half is not (When They Cry/When They Cry: Kai is a good example). I have no issue with watching subtitles, but if I have the choice, I prefer to watch dubs, as that's how I enjoy it the most, and the idea that I should "keep trying" against my own personal preference isn't something I'm willing to do. Whether or not it's more accurate doesn't really affect me. If I'm going to sit down and indulge myself in one of my hobbies, I wanna do it on my own terms that makes it most enjoyable for me.

Whether or not the quality of the voice acting is on par with the Japanese counterparts is, again, preference. There are plenty of modern (and some older) dubs that I think are pretty great, and as I've watched more, there are lots of American voice actors that I'm now just an outright fan of, and I get excited when they pop up in a new show I'm checking out. It's the same type of reasoning that I used when sitting through I, Frankenstein for Yvonne Strahovski.

Again, I know you meant no offense with your post, and again, I took none. I just wanted to throw my own defense out there.

I agree inasmuch there are reasons to watch dubs that don't make you an idiot, though personally I strongly prefer not to. I have a friend who does a lot of art in her free time and we watch anime together occasionally. We used to argue a lot because she wanted to watch the dub so that she could watch and art at the same time, making the most of her time. It's annoying to me because I loathe watching the dub but from her perspective perfectly reasonable since she'd only end up watching something without subtitles otherwise.

You could - and I do - argue that you should set aside a time to watch things properly ... but time is precious and not every anime series is Citizen Kane. At the end of the day whatever gets people watching is a good thing. Still, I'd hate to pay more for a dub!

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by Magikor

but to suggest that it's only okay to prefer dubs if you have issues with reading comes off a tad elitist and exclusionary.

You made a very good counter-argument that raised some good points, and it’s really good. Thanks!

What I’ve quoted is something I think you may have mis-understood. What I meant was that I thought the reading issue only applied to people who only watch dubs. As in, “if you have a dislexic reading issue, it’s okay to be dub only”, as people who don’t have major reading issues can learn to get used to subs. It doesn’t take away from your argument, but I felt like clarifying a mistake you might have made.

[NLScavenger]

I would only want to pay for a dub if it's done in the Manga Entertainment style of ye olden days. Love the excessive swearing.

Cyber City Oedo 808 - Sengoku's Finest Moments - YouTube

[professorwho]

https://youtu.be/ubSdfYqCgK8

We need more retro style-dubs. Then they would make moe garbage watchable with their impeccable scripts.

[Crazymerio]

Originally Posted by pikagreg

They would definitely not be Aniplex prices. Discotek has a few titles that are $60 msrp and they go down to like $32 after studio sale/GA discounts.

When/where are these Discotek sales? I don’t remember ever seeing Discotek stuff on sale.

[Bobo1313]

Rightstuf does discotek sales a couple a times a year.