What are Fandubs?

Fandubs are essentially a fandom’s way of partaking in their favorite content themselves and helping others at the same time. Drawing on the Wiktionary...

Fandubs are essentially a fandom’s way of partaking in their favorite content themselves and helping others at the same time. Drawing on the Wiktionary definition, a fandub is a fan-made voice-over of foreign content, done by hobbyists or fans and shared across social media platforms and streaming websites. This is a redub into a foreign language, often their native one. They provide their own voice acting to the characters, transforming themselves into amateur voice actors and actresses. Fandubs are usually seen in anime, a form of Japanese animation, or video game content. However, these are not limited to just anime and video games; they can also be applied to live-action movies or TV series, and even manga – Japanese comics.

Who Makes Fandubs?

Fans of the media are usually the ones who make fandubs, but these can be anyone at any skill level. You don’t necessarily need to have any prior experience, but other fandubbers usually have created unofficial dubs for other series or have practiced their speaking abilities through other means such as radio or podcasts. Other professionals

A Look Back: The History of Fandubs

Fandubbing has a rich history. It first emerged during the VHS era of the 80s and 90s, with fans in different countries dubbing anime like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. Fansubs, fan-made subtitles, also played a significant role in popularizing Japanese animation in non-Japanese-speaking regions. Back then, “Fundubs” were also created, which were parodic dubbing. It’s been said that the first traceable instance of fundubbing was actually a fundub done in 1983 by Phil Foglio and Nick Pollotta. They had created a script that was different from that of the original and layered their voices on top of the video.

A notable spin-off of fandubs is the "Abridged Series," where fans take an anime series and create a significantly shortened version, usually adding a comedic twist as well. A well-known example of this is Dragon Ball Z Abridged.

Another type of fandub is the "Real-time Fandub", a unique take on the fandub genre where the actors improvise the dialogue while watching the gameplay. This lends a real-time, spontaneous feel to the fandub that's thoroughly entertaining to watch.

The best Tool to Make Fandubs: Speechify

For fandubbers, this fandubbing process is significantly streamlined and made easier with the aid of Speechify, a sophisticated text-to-speech (TTS) AI voice reader. With their AI dubbing software, Speechify Dubbing, they’ll be able to translate original scripts into different languages and have the TTS algorithm voice it out. Not only can it provide voice-overs that match the quality of professional voice actors, but users can also pick their preferred voices based on their tastes.

Conclusion

So, if you're an aspiring fandubber or an anime fan eager to create your unique voice-over, Speechify is the tool for you! Speechify makes sharing content in your language faster and trouble-free. You can also check out Speechify’s other features, such as their AI Voice Cloning and AI Video for your other needs.

FAQs

Are fandubs legal?

As fun and engaging as fandubbing might be, there's one essential question that often crops up: are fandubs legal? This issue lies in the gray area of copyrighted material used, as fandubbers will usually upload their work on platforms other than official streaming services. While some companies are more lenient towards fan-made content, others might enforce their copyright claims. For non-profit projects, it usually falls under the realm of fair use. However, it's always advisable to understand the copyright policies of the original content creators before embarking on a fandub project.

What are the benefits of fandubs?

Fandubs come with several benefits. The most common use of fandubs is to localize anime into a language that hasn't yet received an official dub. This allows fans from all walks of life to enjoy anime, which otherwise would have been inaccessible due to language barriers. Fandubs also provide a platform for aspiring voice actors to practice and display their talent, as they often are able to express the personalities of protagonists through their voices alone. This helps them build a portfolio, which can be used if they want to go professional. Fandubs also play a vital role in keeping the excitement around a piece of content alive, creating more engagement within the fanbase.

What is the difference between dubbing anime and fandubs?

So, how does anime dubbing differ from fandubs? The primary difference lies in the process and purpose. Anime dubbing is conducted by professional voice actors and actresses who are officially hired by anime production companies. This process is usually intended to distribute the anime to a wider international audience. Official dubs are usually done in only a few languages and are recorded at studios with state-of-the-art equipment.

Fandubs, as mentioned, are created by fans. They may lack the same level of professional polish as an official dub, but they are often filled with a level of passion and love for the source material that can't be understated. These are done either in the comfort of their homes or at smaller studios with equipment that are not as professional.

What makes a good fandub?

The answer to this is highly subjective. Some fans might appreciate a fandub that stays true to the original Japanese version, while others might enjoy ones that add a unique twist. This means similar tones and scripts. High-quality audio, well-timed dialogue, and performances that match the characters' emotions are also generally considered the benchmarks of a good fandub.

What are some famous fandubs?

Aside from the Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball fandubs, Yu-Gi-Oh! also has a popular abridged series created by LittleKuriboh and became a fan favorite for its unique and witty take on the popular trading card anime. LittleKuriboh's cleverly sarcastic writing and voice acting skills turned it into one of the most well-known fandubs in the anime community. Naruto Abridged by MasakoX and Vegeta3986 is another one, known for its comedic retelling of the original Naruto series. Its humor and witty dialogue, along with voice acting that brings the characters to life in a distinctive way, have made it a popular fandub.

How does the process of dubbing anime work?

Official anime dubbing is a meticulous process that involves several steps. First, the script is translated and sometimes adapted to fit the lip movements of the characters. Then, voice actors are selected through auditions, and recording sessions take place. In these sessions, the actors deliver their lines while watching the anime, ensuring their voice-over matches the character's mouth movements. Finally, the new audio is mixed with the original sound effects and music.