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Comprehensive Guide to Dubbed Anime: What, Where and Why

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What is a Dubbed Anime?A dubbed anime refers to an anime series or film that has been translated from its original Japanese language into another language,...

What is a Dubbed Anime?

A dubbed anime refers to an anime series or film that has been translated from its original Japanese language into another language, often English. The "dubbed" in "dubbed anime" refers to the process of replacing the Japanese voice acting with English voice actors. This process involves careful script translation, casting voice actors to match the personalities of the characters, and precise syncing of the dialogue with the characters' mouth movements.

Famous anime series like "Naruto", "Bleach", "My Hero Academia", "One Piece", and "Attack on Titan" have reached a global audience partly due to the availability of English dubbed versions. Movies like "Spirited Away" and TV shows like "Cowboy Bebop" and "Dragon Ball Z" have also been widely recognized because of their top-notch English dubs.

Where Can I Watch All Anime in English Dub?

There are several platforms to enjoy dubbed anime:

  1. Netflix: Netflix offers a variety of anime, both dubbed and subbed. Popular series include "Naruto", "One Piece", "Attack on Titan", and "Death Note".
  2. Crunchyroll: Known for its vast collection of anime, Crunchyroll also provides a good selection of dubbed series such as "My Hero Academia", "Hunter x Hunter", and "Black Clover".
  3. Funimation: Owned by Sony, Funimation specializes in distributing dubbed anime like "Dragon Ball Z", "Fairy Tail", and "One Punch Man".
  4. Amazon Prime: While not as extensive as other platforms, Amazon Prime still offers a decent collection of dubbed anime.

Is Anime on Netflix Dubbed?

Yes, many anime series on Netflix come with English dubbed options. Netflix has invested significantly in bringing anime to a wider international audience, including English-speaking regions. It has also commissioned and produced its own original anime series, like "Castlevania", available in multiple dubbed languages.

What is Anime Original vs Dub?

The term "original anime" refers to the original Japanese version of the anime, including its original Japanese voice acting. The dub version, on the other hand, replaces the Japanese dialogue with a different language, often English.

What is the Difference between Subbed and Dubbed Anime?

Subbed anime is the original version with added subtitles in various languages, whereas dubbed anime involves replacing the original voice acting with different languages. While watching subbed anime, you can hear the original Japanese voice actors' performance, which some anime fans prefer. However, watching dubbed anime lets you focus more on the visuals and action, as you're not constantly reading the subtitles.

Benefits of Watching Anime in English Dub

One of the main benefits of watching dubbed anime is it allows the viewer to fully engage with the visuals without the distraction of reading subtitles. It also makes the content more accessible to those who struggle with reading or aren't fluent in English. Furthermore, high-quality dubbing can enhance the story through exceptional voice acting performances, bringing the main characters to life.

Popular Anime with English Dubs

There's a wide variety of popular anime available in English dub. Here are a few examples:

  • "Cowboy Bebop": A stylish sci-fi noir series, featuring the space bounty hunter, Spike.
  • "My Hero Academia": A high school hero story set in a world where superpowers are the norm.
  • "Naruto": Follows Naruto, a ninja in training, on his journey to becoming the best.
  • "One Punch Man": A comedic series following Saitama, a superhero who can defeat any enemy with a single punch.
  • "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood": An epic tale of two brothers searching for the Philosopher's Stone to restore their bodies.
  • "The Rising of the Shield Hero": An isekai series where the protagonist is seen as the weakest among the four cardinal heroes.

Top 8 Software or Apps for Dubbed Anime

  1. Speechify AI Dubbing: Speechify AI Dubbing is the best you will find. Easily dub your existing or new videos. Let AI take care of all the heavy lifting. You simply upload your video, or share a YouTube video URL. Select your target language and click Dub. That’s it. Yes, Speechify Dubbing can auto detect the source language of your video - you don’t have to specify that.
  2. Crunchyroll: Over 900 anime shows, many dubbed. It also features a large collection of manga.
  3. Funimation: Best known for dubbed anime, including classics and latest releases.
  4. Netflix: Provides a mix of classic and Netflix original anime series in dubbed versions.
  5. Amazon Prime Video: Offers dubbed anime films and series, including exclusives.
  6. Hulu: Provides a variety of anime, including dubbed classics and popular series.
  7. VRV: Combines anime from multiple sources including Crunchyroll and HIDIVE.
  8. AnimeLab: Exclusively available in Australia and New Zealand, with a significant collection of dubbed anime.
  9. HIDIVE: A newer app offering a growing library of dubbed anime.

Whether you prefer subbed or dubbed, the world of anime has something to offer everyone. Platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Funimation have made anime more accessible to English-speaking audiences than ever before. From high-stakes shonen to lighthearted slice-of-life, anime's diversity and rich storytelling continue to captivate fans around the globe.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.