*jumps into the conversation, stanRAB on nearest soapbox*
*cough* It's been a really long time since I've posted anything on the forums, so please excuse my extreme tardiness. And now on with the show.
In about 97% of the cases I prefer the sub, because that's how it was originally intended to sound. It's more genuine, and voice acting in Japan is like movie acting here: a business that a lot of people try to break into because it is filled with prestige and respect. Voice acting in Japan is regarded rather highly by the public. Therefore, you get distinguished
seiyuus like Hayashibara Megumi, a rather prolific actor who inspired a manga series based on her life. (Her credits are
here, if you'd like to see...) The voices are more suited to the characters created, and the acting is superb.
There are cases where you get better dubs than subs, though. My opinion of one of these would be the
Cowboy Bebop dub. True, the sub has the best Japanese actors: Hayashibara Megumi as Faye Valentine, Yamadera Koiuchi as Spike (his credits
here), and a breakout actress as Ed, but it didn't make them right for the characters.
Steve Blum plays a much deeper version of Spike, getting his devil-may-care attitude nailed perfectly as well as little glimpses to the real man underneath.
Wendee Lee plays Faye as a reckless garabler out to swindle everyone for everything with sex appeal, as well as letting Faye's vulnerability shine through. Hayashibara-san plays Faye as more tired, which doesn't suit her dialogue at all.
I also like certain dubs better than subs, because some male characters in the sub are played by women and they really shouldn't be *cough*
Fruits Basket*cough*, but it doesn't make it better. Still, though, voice acting in the States has come a long way, and the actors are making real strides to connect with the characters and still be loyal to the original work. As for the editing of fights, blood, swearing...if you buy the DVD you'll see that they remain loyal. It's the TV network that edits all that stuff--not the studio. Unless it's
Sailor Moon, but that's pretty much the only one. You can't rely on any dubbing from before 1995.
Still, subs are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. And you get to learn Japanese! Thanks to
Ranma 1/2 (I'm on episode 111) I've learned some useful Japanese. As well as perfecting the technique of screaming your loved one's name in a rather wild and forceful manner if they're in danger. Now I have to find a person named 'Akane' and I'll be set...:look:
Okay, sorry about that.
*gets off soapbox and packs her things*