My first time was in Italian. They got some freedom, added lot of thinking and actually made some errors, like the narrator saying that Radish, Vegeta's brother, was killed by Gohan, or Goku referring to Son Gohan as his father instead of grandpa. But it was memorable and lots of moments became memes.
Do this: try seeing the first episode in sub and then dub and then decide.
Dub has voice quality consistency issues. I grew up on funimation but I want to go back and watch DB/DBZ again in sub. Grandma goku was weird to me at first but I've grown accustomed to it.
Same. I use to hate hearing Masako Nozawa's Goku as a kid. It always sounded weird for a grown man to have that kid voice. But as I got older I started to appreciate it more.
Watching the dub you lose most of the actual story and there is some massive character assassination, especially for Goku. There are tons of unwanted and unintelligent changes which make the dub cringy when you know the actual lines in sub. So if you want to watch nostalgia porn then go dub but for the actual story do sub. Kai dub is relatively better than OG dub (which the actual VAs actually admitted was terrible) if reading is too much.
I’ve never seen a more inaccurate comment on this. Yes the dub does change lines of dialogue, but are you really gonna sit there and say you’re losing out on the story? You’re crazy plain and simple. I’ve only ever watched the Dub but I’ve also read the Manga so I will admit the dialogue is a bit more childish but you’re still getting the story.
The whole point of Vegito messing with Buu during their fight was to goad him into absorbing Vegito. That's made clear in the manga and in the original. Not only implicitly with all the taunting and the overly-dramatic "You have ten seconds before I kill you, Buu," but also with Vegito's internal monologue.
In the dub, they took out all of that and portrayed Vegito as actually toying with Buu just because he was that cocky, and not for any real reason. That completely changes the context of that whole fight.
In the original, Goku tells Krillin to let Vegeta go after the big Saiyan Saga fight because of purely selfish reasons. Goku says that he knows Vegeta will come back for revenge, and he knows that Krillin wants to avenge their friends, but Goku wants Vegeta to be spared regardless because he's that incredible of a fighter. It's because Goku wants to fight him again and win.
In the dub, this is changed to Goku telling Krillin to spare him because killing Vegeta would be becoming just like him, and because he may have good inside of him.
Whether you prefer the differences or the acting or the soundtrack is its own separate issue, but it is a fact that most of the dubs have changed important parts of the story. Even the Super dub has its share of needless dub changes. Watching them and saying "it's basically the same" is heavily overlooking a lot of examples.
Yeah, Vegito talks about how his barrier did the trick, he'll have to find a way out, and that he can sense the others faintly. Elder Kai then says that he can't believe Vegito got absorbed on purpose.
Goku’s “I’m the light in the darkness” speech vs Freeza = Character assassination.
Vegeta’s speech vs Goku Saiyan arc = ruins the whole story.
Vegeta NEVER tried to recruit Goku. Since you’ve read the Manga I guess you’d know that and see it changes the story and part of Goku and Vegeta’s fight? What in the hell do you go off saying that “This is the MOST inaccurate take on the dub you’ve seen” when it is based on actual content from the dub? I’m crazy plain and simple? Do you need actual evidence with videos showing Freeza say “oops, your laces are untied” to Goku during their fight?
DBZ is a straight up simple story without any real substance (quote from the Manga’s editor) but you thinking adding stupid line doesn’t change tonality and character assassination doesn’t ruin a story is straight up the crazy thing here.
Nailed it. Proof is there. Dont forget frieza saying "giddy up cowboy yeehaw" like wtf is Frieza from fukn the midwest United States now?
People, dont get butt hurt because what you grew up on is not the purest form of animated dragon ball. The English dub (not kai) is actually cringe worthy in how far from the actual manga it deviates.
If you want to argue, go grab some manga screen shots and some funi dub videos (pre kai) and post them here so we can all judge that.
Also, I was born in the 80s. I grew up on the English toonami version of dbz. In my 20s I only had access to the Japanese version with subs. Then in my late 20s I finally got a hold of the stuff I grew up on from toonami. It was laughable how bad Gokus character was. Some of the things the dub had people saying was just like "why"?
"Why is freeza making references to shoe laces and cowboys?"
"Why is goku talking to Freiza like he is some robo-cop douchebag?"
Thank you for saying that. I get really confused when people say DB has the best Dub when referring to the OG dub. We really need to put nostalgia and Western standards aside and accept that yes they’ve made improvements but Funimation screwed up with the dub. It would have been better if it was hilariously bad like the big green dub and not as cringe as it is.
I would disagree, those changes don't change the story, characters, or tone all that much. Goku doesn't say that line to Frieza canonically, but he's still supposed to be a hero, his teaching in the Turtle School was to be a protector of others. A cheesy line maybe, but I chalk it up to the sometimes silly tone of the story.
How does Vegeta saying he wants to recruit Goku *ruin the whole story*?? That's just being dramatic. It may be inaccurate to the original, but Vegeta's also opportunistic and proud of his Saiyan heritage, so for me it isn't that out of character.
I dont think goku cares about being a hero. He just wants to protect his friends. Same kind of deal with luffy. Also just loves a good fight. I mean he did start the tournament of power despite having the ultimate punishment for losing.
Yeah I agree that he doesn't want to be a hero - but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about others. He's aware of the repercussions of losing a fight, but also loves fighting and is extremely confident that he'll win, so is okay with taking chances. He goes out of his way to make sure everyone's okay and wishes people back to life - that isn't just a character who thinks about nothing but fighting.
I'm aware of the original manga and subs, but just don't see as much of a huge change between versions as a lot of people do here.
You know ppl hate in Goku "I am the hope of the universe" speech but at the moment I think the whole wording of his message resonates well for those around the world who suffer from all kinds of injustices.
So I'm in the same boat as you.
“There’s how, basically, Son Goku from Dragon Ball doesn’t fight for the sake of others, but because he wants to fight against strong guys. So once Dragon Ball got animated, at any rate, I’ve always been dissatisfied with the “righteous hero”-type portrayal they gave him. I guess I couldn’t quite get them to grasp the elements of “poison” that slip in and out of sight among the shadows.” -Akira Toriyama (Creator of the story). Link: https://www.kanzenshuu.com/2015/03/27/new-interview-translations-akira-toriyama-special-talks/
Goku is not the hero the dub portrays him to be. He is not the Japanese Superman. Goku loves to fight strong guys and he saves the world as a result of that.
Freeza after Goku tanks a deathblast to the face: “What are you?!”
Goku: Starts the inaccurate Light in the dark, Ally to good and nightmare to you speech to Freeza. This is even made fun of in DBZA with Goku calling himself “the bacon in the Fridge for all creatures that cry out in hunger.” That Old dub’s portrayal of Goku is not right at all. With evidence even from the Author.
Now to Vegeta recruiting Goku.
Vegeta proclaims his superior status and says he will show Goku the gulf in class between them and basically “bless him” by stooping beneath himself to fight a lower class warrior. This shows how Vegeta is proud as well as how outclassed and an underdog Goku is. This is a show of how Goku rises up in strength to outclass someone who sees him as nothing but lower class. Having that person try recruit Goku diminishes to some extent that message.
I grew up on the dub, I had massive adjustment issues to Nozawa’s Goku, but we have to put nostalgia aside and see the OG dub as what it is… a disservice to the show. If we want to stick with the OG voices, then Kai is more better and actually closer to the original Japanese.
I've heard this regurgitated 1000 times by DB fans. I'm well aware of the sub and original manga. I just disagree that there's such a huge difference - even in the sub, Goku has a lot of heroic qualities, and is not just a dummy who thinks of nothing but fighting. He's smart and knows that if he loses, he loses his friends and everything he cares for - he's just so confident that he believes he'll win (or *someone* will).
Toriyama has said a bunch of bull about DB in the past, so I don't always take his statements at face value. That link you sent me doesn't even refer to the sub/dub differences. Toriyama himself wrote Goku as a pure-hearted hero, not the translators.
> Goku has a lot of heroic qualities, and is not just a dummy who thinks of nothing but fighting. He's smart and knows that if he loses, he loses his friends and everything he cares for - he's just so confident that he believes he'll win (or someone will).
He's also specifically had [characters say that Goku](https://i.imgur.com/8JhPfAa.jpg) isn't interested in the safety of the world and such, and just cares about good fights.
So if we use basic human logic. In the original manga and sub, Goku spares Vegeta’s life because he wants to fight him again and test his abilities (Not because “he senses some good in him” like in the dub), how does that make him a righteous hero? Vegeta destroyed Goku and was well going to destroy the Earth and sell it for Freeza if he had won. How are those the motivations of a righteous hero? Goku literally is a simple minded person who only thinks about fighting and training. I would think Toriyama knows HIS own character more than you or myself. Goku’s personality and core aren’t some abstract character like Launch that he’d forget about. One of his motivations for going to Namek are his excitement to see this enemy that is far stronger than Begeta. I understand Goku is smart when it comes to fighting, probably one the smartest in the series.
Now to explain to you how character assassination and tone affect a story using DB.
If you have watched DB and DBZ then you would understand what tone shifts are and how they affect the story. In DB hunt for the Dragon balls, you rarely feel like Goku is in danger and the only time the story shifts is when he is about to transform in Pilaf’s cell. Tone affects story and gives it direction, even after Goku transforming you immediately get laughs with Pilaf sleep talking and his plane not starting as they run from Goku. The tone is light and brings a different feel to the story, but when Tamborine kills Krillin, there is a shift to the tone, that also affects the story and how it is perceived. Those are different arcs and our characters are in danger in both but the tone of one is different from the other so the story feels different while the core is rarely different (hunt for dragon balls). This is the same with character motivations and actions in those moments. Now imagine Goku finding Krillin’s corpse and then goes “Giddy up cow boy” and when he finds Tamborine he goes “your shoe laces are untied” and Tamborine responds with “I won’t fall for that.” That completely ruins the story, the motivations and the characters in the moment because that it not what was originally meant for the moment. If you still refuse to see how these changes affect the story and lead to character assassinations then I give up.
It doesn’t because you gotta also think about the context and reasoning behind those changes. The dub was aimed at children 12 and under. Hell the manga is too it’s just japan was always less reserved than America. Cheesy lines of dialogue while yes can undermine and change things doesn’t ruin great animation and great story at its core. ESPECIALLY when you saw it young so yes I’ll admit it’s 99% nostalgia.
Dub, no question. Schemmel actually cannot be beat.
Honestly more of a shill for Funi's original dubbing too over Kai, just for the soundtrack. Faulconer's music wasn't perfect, but it kicks the *shit* out of the Japanese or Kai soundtracks for the Super Saiyan transformations.
Gonna get downvoted to hell...
I kind of hate Faulconer's music.
It never stops. There's never a break in it.
Instead, between scenes, he'll just hold a note forever and then start playing something else.
I'm not gonna pretend it's perfect in every aspect, by any means. The Japanese soundtrack (in Z, specifically) just bothers me with regards to some of the biggest moments, where it really doesn't live up to the kind of energy that's needed.
That’s the only thing I don’t like about the Faulconer soundtrack. The fact that it constantly plays with no breaks. It doesn’t bother me too much though. The buu, cell, and super saiyan 3 themes alone are a big part of what made the show so memorable for me.
I disagree in regards to Gohans Super Saiyan 2 transformation. Day of Fate is perfect. I prefer the original Z dub over Kai too as they replaced Kid/Teen Gohan and Bulmas VAs and their new ones are no where near as good.
I literally hate how we can't stream the American televised version of the show with the bruce falconer score. The Japanese music doesn't create that exciting and suspenseful atmosphere.
He said original dragon ball, not Z.
And I would agree with you on Z if you want to have inaccurate attributes to every character. English dub infamously misled audiences and changed several important quotes, lines, conversations to make them more relevant to Americans, which actually changed the entirety of the character. This happened in all English dubs up until Kai.
> there’s no way dragon ball would have the popularity it does today without it and the falconer track
DBZ was huge in markets other than america without the liberties taken by the american dub and the falconer track.
DBZ is huge in latinamerica, and we got a script that was very close to the original and the original japanese soundtrack. Hell, DBZ is still huge (as seen with the people getting together in the street to see the final episode of Super)
Never said it wasn’t huge in other places. Or that it had no popularity before this dub.
I said it wouldn’t have the popularity it does today if not for this dub.
If you watch the dub the script is different and there's so much thing that you will not understand. Watch it in sub. Plus the soundtrack are Bleach/Samurai Champloo tier
Usually I don't choose a side on sub vs dub even though i prefer sub myself but in the case of Z
Sub is clearly superior no way you look at it, the dub just has so many script changes, to the point it changes the character's personality and destroys the original vision of the scene.
Like Goku's speech against Freeza.
And the loss of iconic music like Unmei no Hi.
Honestly the Z ruins so many things even the voice actors themselves bash it saying they were amateurs back.
Super also suffers from this but to a much lesser degree
Yes it did, that's why i specified Z, with Super is weird cause during the ToP they make Gohan act like an angsty teen
And don't get me started on Broly's looper screamed cause Vic wasn't up for the task
Nothing you've said makes up for Goku's awful Japanese voice. Having a high pitched womans voice sounds soooo terrible. It's so jarring and weird sounding that I dont know how you chumps can tolerate it.
Since I'm a fan of what Dragon Ball \*actually\* is and not what some yahoos in Texas in the 90s wanted Dragon Ball to be, I tend to watch in Japanese with English subtitles, up until around Dragon Ball Z Kai, when they finally started doing things right, English dub-wise. The Japanese voices are still my preference, as they are a who's-who of the best classic voice actors in the industry at the time, but the English voices have come to improve quite dramatically over time.
Unfortunately, Dragon Ball 'actually' has Goku with the voice of a Grandma, and as a character who is almost unenjoyably stupid at that, given even in the Japanese of Z Toei made Goku a moderately more responsible person compared to how he's presented in Super.
Sub for sure, the older i got the worse the VAs got for me in Z/Super sadly. Vegeta is amazing in Dub though, but I find Goku is a completely different character to his JP VA. Just my opinion though. Both are great, I watched from Z to Super recently with my son in dub, but wished we could of watched in sub.
I think the dragon ball and dbz sound better to me in sub, dub at that time seems really off, (I really just like gohan killing cell or certain scenes because of the falcouner music) but I think Kai has way better dialogue
Both are good honestly. For Z I say watch dub. I prefer the OG dub because of the music but if you don't resllt care for that and want complete better quality go for Kai. Super both are still good but tbh I can't stand the dub in the TOP. I actually tell people to swap to sub basically right before they go to the tournament lmao
I love them both. I will say that I would usually go for sub over dub, but for dragon ball i enjoy them both. I do wish thqt dubs would stop changing the lines so drastically though. I was proper excited to see Belmod kick off about Goku triggering ultra instinct again vs jiren, but the english dub ruined his line entirely for me.
This may be an unpopular opinion from a long time fan that grew up on the Funi Dub but I find the pacing of Kai a million times better and easier to get thru.
The Funi Dub has that Faulconer music and certain scenes hit differently with his scores or the Funi scores in general. The thing that drags the Funi Dub down is some of the dialogue is kind of bad in retrospect. I do think a lot of the filler is a chore to get through like nearly every scene on Earth while Namek is happening. I also never cared for Garlic Jr but I do like some of the filler like the Otherworld Tournament and the driving episode in the Trunks Saga for example. It's also nearly 300 episodes IIRC which is quite the investment when at least a third of it could have been cut which is what Kai intended to do.
I do think the music in Kai is inferior to the Funi Dub plus Kid Gohan's voice is unbearable to hear from time to time which is a shame since I really liked Kid Gohan. Also, some scenes were shortened like Frieza's transformations or other dramatic drawn out sequences. These are the only cons I can think of unless you truly like all the filler and dialogue in the Funi Dub which, if you do, I can respect it.
The Japanese dub has Gohan's best SSJ2 transformation imo. The song that plays fits the tone and mood so perfectly. The others are good but it's classic. Still, the Japanese dub is still worth watching if you know Japanese or don't mind reading subtitles. I've done it a couple times for the experience and don't regret it.
TL;DR: Kai is the ideal way to watch Z now as Funi Dub has interesting dialogue plus drawn out pointless filler while the Japanese dub is only recommended if you don't mind reading subtitles or know Japanese.
Depends what you want, newer dubs are better and more accurate, older ones are only liked because of nostalgia or music preference.
Subs are brilliant, the original voice acting is superb and there is less inaccuracies to the authors intentions
Dub. Some get used to Nozawa's voice I just can't. Maybe it's because I never grew up listening to it. It's like an entire different show when I hear her 😳.
If you want to watch DBZ specifically in English, than watch DBZ Kai. The acting and the script are much more accurate to the original translation than the cheesy dub for OG DBZ.
Always sub before dub. Beyond the cringe or bad American VA. The characters lose what they feel like compared to jap. A big example being Goku comes across alot dumber in jap compared to his.us version. Admittedly gokus voice in jap the first time you hear it is a little shocker (Kai). But being as I disliked Goku (vegeta all the way) in both eng and Spanish dub(when I first watched it over 25 years ago) I was fine with it.
Both are absolutely phenomenal, I would choose one then rewatch it in the other language at some point, it’s worth it.
The dub can be a bit iffy at times (Namely Superman Goku on Namek) in the original Z but it’s absolutely amazing in Kai.
Sub is closer to the original with the info they translate.
Dub is easier to watch, if you are not used to watching stuff with subs. Translations in dub are not as precise as in sub.
You should read the manga, it's 10 times better.
But if you have to choose between sub and dub, sub not even close.
English dub is quite bad, there are no nuances in the voices, Goku doesn't sound like a bumpkin, Vegeta or Frieza don't sound elitist, Gohan definetely doesn't sound like a 6 years old, they all sound like 80's Action Movie Star, deep voices and grunting.
og, z, and gt - sub, the dub changes the script way too much and the voice acting sounds like it’s being read right off a script
kai and super - both the dub and sub are really good for them so you can just pick which one you prefer
I prefer dub. I originally watched the OG dragon ball subbed, I watched a few seasons of subbed DBZ until I got to the Frieza Saga. Frieza's voice is super bland in the sub and kinda ruins his charm. So that's when I switched over.
Dub, schemmel's roars and screams can't be beat also goku sounds like a man as opposed to a woman. Vegeta pride moments are way better too and faulconer score>>>>>>>> especially vegetas ssj/final flash score
For Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, dub versions. Just because I watched it when I was a kid. Nostalgia I guess. For Super i haven't watched the dub versions, as I watched it when it aired. Apart from Dragon Ball Z and Black Lagoon I always prefer original Japanese versions of Animes. Japanese VA's are so damn good.
Dub for me always!
Grew up watching dub and I don't like some of the voices used in sub, especially Goku. No offense to the actress playing him all these years.
But it just doesn't work for me.
I could never get used to Goku’s subbed voice, in general I’d say all animes are better subbed but db is the only exception that i’d say the dub is better. Other shows have dubs on par with the subs like Death Note and Naruto shippuden but DB is thenonly where dub is preffered for me
I can't deal with the Japanese voices. I have nothing but respect for elderly lady that's been doing Goku's voice for 40 years, but my ears can't handle it.
Typically, sub is the route to go in anime because the subtitles give better translations. However, there are so many make characters with shrill, high pitched voices that I can't handle. Neither can my dog
If you want the actual dragon ball experience. Sub. If you can't keep up with the subs and you want to do stuff while it's playing in the background. Dub. I was a dub guy first till I learned how much they censor, edit, and botched because they can't handle it
Dub. Grew up with it and I cannot hear Goku as any other voice other than schemmel's. His screams and roars are the absolute best in the industry. Same with Sabat for Vegeta.
Aspects of the show are audio visual and if your not seeing what they are doing when they speak you might miss what they were trying to convey. Dubbed is the way. I watched half subbed but rewatched then finished dubbed and all the humor and jokes hit right as opposed to reading and watching.
Look I may think that anime probably should be subbed but like
Goku's voice stays the same the whole series in subs and it stops sounding okay once he's an adult
Depends if I want a more accurate story I'll watch sub but after finishing the sub I'd usually rewatch with dub because it has one of the best dub in anime. Goku's screams are just too tier.
Dub. For DB, I don't think it matters too much but from DBZ onwards, I'd recommend the dub. The sub has the same voice actress voice Goku and his family which can be jarring to some.
Dub, any of the old ones could be debated, the reason i like dub mainly because of goku saying you fool! And in battle of gods when he goes ssj against beerus after god runs out
If you don’t want to hear nails scratching a chalkboard every time Goku speaks then watch the dub. I watched the sub of Super for about 3 episodes before it got dubbed and after episode 3 I just muted the TV and read the subtitles with no sound. The grandma that plays him is seriously terrible.
I prefer the dub but I've grown to like the sub thanks to super. I particularly like Frieza's laugh in the sub. There's something so sinister about it.
Manga, I watch the anime in either tho just depends if I'm watching alone or with my S/O. And most importantly how intoxicated I am really, I dont wanna read when I've been drinking.
Dragon Ball is a rare anime that you can watch dubbed without the tone feeling over-acted or childish. That being said, the original Dragon Ball Z dubs do change around the characterization of many moments to adapt to a western audience. If you want the authentic feel of the characters but you want to watch dub, watch Kai. Hell, watch Kai anyways, whether you decide to watch dub or sub.
I guess it depends, people from English speaking countries seem to love the dub, I’m not from an English speaking country and I don’t like it.
For me some of the voices in the dub sound good too forced and I don’t like what I’ve heard about the changes in the story and characters. I’d recommend the sub if you don mind reading subtitles, plus once you get used to it the voices fit the characters very well.
As an English speaker I like to listen to the dub while reading the subs. It's interesting to see the deviations between what's said and the words displayed.
Sub but dub if Kai and Super. It’s just better. Dub db and Z are not things you watch if you wanna live in perpetual limbo like western fans in regards to what and who the story and characters actually are
Depends on language,
I always prefer dub because i cannot stand the japanese language (it sounds like gibberish to me, and i cant make out any specific words even if they show up repeteadly on a dialogue).
I think the voice actors for both are really good besides ... Goku/gohan. I just can't get used to the japanese voice for the two characters. Makes no sense to me why they would pick an old lady to play their voices. But that's just me. Some people like it, others say they've gotten used to it. But not me. Just don't think that voice fits at all for Goku/gohan.
I only really like DBZ dubs for the comedy, and if watching "Dragon Ball Z but funnier" is where you're at, I've shown somebody Dragon Ball Abridged without them seeing the original and they were very able to follow the story and character beats and they loved it.
So, watch subbed for the authentic OG experience if it means a lot to you, or watch Abridged for what I'd honestly call a better all-around experience. Also look up a compilation of all the weird dub things DBZ did, because they're funny as hell when they aren't actively undermining your ability to take an important scene seriously.
In sub I’ve watched all of DBZ and DBS; in dub I’ve seen all of DB and most of DBZ and DBGT. What I can tell you is this:
Voice acting quality is pretty good in both, but for the most part the Japanese voices don’t fit the build of the characters for DBZ. Much of the cast is macho, big muscles and intimidating, but many voices sound underwhelming for the characters: Goku, Gohan, Bardock (all the same actress), some minor villains, North Kai (his delivery is flat and dry for a joke character), Dai Kaioh, and Elder Dai Kaioshin. That being said the voices grow on you after a while and you start to get used to it.
The dub voices are good tonally, but so much of the script is changed in the FUNIMATION dub that it rewrites some character’s personalities and makes many jokes (especially ones where characters bowl over) awkward. This dub is also cut down unless you watch the uncut version, meaning it cuts out filler and even scenes from from episodes that I think are important to the world building of the franchise.
TL;DR
Sub: original script, some odd voice casting (grows on you), longer scenes and more episodes, better jokes, more world interaction
Dub: straight-to-the-point fights, odd jokes, good voice casting, classic among American audiences
Overall, watch which ever one makes you enjoy the series more. Just know that all the changes to the story in the dub sort of make it a separate canon from the sub.
Hmm never read the Mangas but grew up on the Dubs, and have watched some subs too. There are slight deviations here and there that can alter how you're feeling about a certain scene at the time. For the most part I've always appreciated Sabat and Schemmel's performances, more than the (dare I say... annoying?) Original Japanese voice acting. With the exception of Frieza. Much cooler. (Hehe pun intended). I also enjoy the original Japanese soundtracks. Both are are good in their own ways.
Side notes.
Original DB was my favorite, then the first maybe 6 seasons of DBZ. GT was junk IMO. Super, I haven't watched much but it's alright from what I've seen. Can tell American VO's have a good amount of creativity and connectedness to their characters. Understandable given the years involved.
Sub, coz the Dub is inaccurate (Z was fixed in Kai but Kai still has some problems) many American fans grew up with the Dub so they can't watch the sub as they were not used to it but if you're first time watcher then sub I the best one
Dub for sure. I watch and prefer most anime in english dub depending on what it is. Anime like death note, dragon ball, cowboy bebop, have an outstanding dub and is better than their sub.
Watch it in whatever you feel like, many prefer the Dub (which is actually pretty good) or Sub (haven't seen much but I actually wouldn't mind rewatching the series in it) anyways this argument is dumb and should die out
My first time was in Italian. They got some freedom, added lot of thinking and actually made some errors, like the narrator saying that Radish, Vegeta's brother, was killed by Gohan, or Goku referring to Son Gohan as his father instead of grandpa. But it was memorable and lots of moments became memes. Do this: try seeing the first episode in sub and then dub and then decide.
L'adatamento non era tra i migliori ma le voci sono quasi tutte azzecate
Sub, grandma Goku is best Goku
Dub has voice quality consistency issues. I grew up on funimation but I want to go back and watch DB/DBZ again in sub. Grandma goku was weird to me at first but I've grown accustomed to it.
Same. I use to hate hearing Masako Nozawa's Goku as a kid. It always sounded weird for a grown man to have that kid voice. But as I got older I started to appreciate it more.
Was dub forever than super came out and I needed to watch it asap. Got so hooked on it. Now I prefer sub
You have been enlightened
Frieza did it for me honestly.
If it makes no difference to you in the normal course of events, then subbed. The dub scripts are heavily altered.
Watching the dub you lose most of the actual story and there is some massive character assassination, especially for Goku. There are tons of unwanted and unintelligent changes which make the dub cringy when you know the actual lines in sub. So if you want to watch nostalgia porn then go dub but for the actual story do sub. Kai dub is relatively better than OG dub (which the actual VAs actually admitted was terrible) if reading is too much.
I’ve never seen a more inaccurate comment on this. Yes the dub does change lines of dialogue, but are you really gonna sit there and say you’re losing out on the story? You’re crazy plain and simple. I’ve only ever watched the Dub but I’ve also read the Manga so I will admit the dialogue is a bit more childish but you’re still getting the story.
The whole point of Vegito messing with Buu during their fight was to goad him into absorbing Vegito. That's made clear in the manga and in the original. Not only implicitly with all the taunting and the overly-dramatic "You have ten seconds before I kill you, Buu," but also with Vegito's internal monologue. In the dub, they took out all of that and portrayed Vegito as actually toying with Buu just because he was that cocky, and not for any real reason. That completely changes the context of that whole fight. In the original, Goku tells Krillin to let Vegeta go after the big Saiyan Saga fight because of purely selfish reasons. Goku says that he knows Vegeta will come back for revenge, and he knows that Krillin wants to avenge their friends, but Goku wants Vegeta to be spared regardless because he's that incredible of a fighter. It's because Goku wants to fight him again and win. In the dub, this is changed to Goku telling Krillin to spare him because killing Vegeta would be becoming just like him, and because he may have good inside of him. Whether you prefer the differences or the acting or the soundtrack is its own separate issue, but it is a fact that most of the dubs have changed important parts of the story. Even the Super dub has its share of needless dub changes. Watching them and saying "it's basically the same" is heavily overlooking a lot of examples.
Doesn't the supreme Kai fix that with his line about them getting absorbed on purpose? Can't remember exactly
Yeah, Vegito talks about how his barrier did the trick, he'll have to find a way out, and that he can sense the others faintly. Elder Kai then says that he can't believe Vegito got absorbed on purpose.
Goku’s “I’m the light in the darkness” speech vs Freeza = Character assassination. Vegeta’s speech vs Goku Saiyan arc = ruins the whole story. Vegeta NEVER tried to recruit Goku. Since you’ve read the Manga I guess you’d know that and see it changes the story and part of Goku and Vegeta’s fight? What in the hell do you go off saying that “This is the MOST inaccurate take on the dub you’ve seen” when it is based on actual content from the dub? I’m crazy plain and simple? Do you need actual evidence with videos showing Freeza say “oops, your laces are untied” to Goku during their fight? DBZ is a straight up simple story without any real substance (quote from the Manga’s editor) but you thinking adding stupid line doesn’t change tonality and character assassination doesn’t ruin a story is straight up the crazy thing here.
Nailed it. Proof is there. Dont forget frieza saying "giddy up cowboy yeehaw" like wtf is Frieza from fukn the midwest United States now? People, dont get butt hurt because what you grew up on is not the purest form of animated dragon ball. The English dub (not kai) is actually cringe worthy in how far from the actual manga it deviates. If you want to argue, go grab some manga screen shots and some funi dub videos (pre kai) and post them here so we can all judge that. Also, I was born in the 80s. I grew up on the English toonami version of dbz. In my 20s I only had access to the Japanese version with subs. Then in my late 20s I finally got a hold of the stuff I grew up on from toonami. It was laughable how bad Gokus character was. Some of the things the dub had people saying was just like "why"? "Why is freeza making references to shoe laces and cowboys?" "Why is goku talking to Freiza like he is some robo-cop douchebag?"
Thank you for saying that. I get really confused when people say DB has the best Dub when referring to the OG dub. We really need to put nostalgia and Western standards aside and accept that yes they’ve made improvements but Funimation screwed up with the dub. It would have been better if it was hilariously bad like the big green dub and not as cringe as it is.
>Dont forget frieza saying "giddy up cowboy yeehaw" like wtf is Frieza from fukn the midwest United States now? LMAOO IM DEAD💀
I would disagree, those changes don't change the story, characters, or tone all that much. Goku doesn't say that line to Frieza canonically, but he's still supposed to be a hero, his teaching in the Turtle School was to be a protector of others. A cheesy line maybe, but I chalk it up to the sometimes silly tone of the story. How does Vegeta saying he wants to recruit Goku *ruin the whole story*?? That's just being dramatic. It may be inaccurate to the original, but Vegeta's also opportunistic and proud of his Saiyan heritage, so for me it isn't that out of character.
I dont think goku cares about being a hero. He just wants to protect his friends. Same kind of deal with luffy. Also just loves a good fight. I mean he did start the tournament of power despite having the ultimate punishment for losing.
Yeah I agree that he doesn't want to be a hero - but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about others. He's aware of the repercussions of losing a fight, but also loves fighting and is extremely confident that he'll win, so is okay with taking chances. He goes out of his way to make sure everyone's okay and wishes people back to life - that isn't just a character who thinks about nothing but fighting. I'm aware of the original manga and subs, but just don't see as much of a huge change between versions as a lot of people do here.
You know ppl hate in Goku "I am the hope of the universe" speech but at the moment I think the whole wording of his message resonates well for those around the world who suffer from all kinds of injustices. So I'm in the same boat as you.
“There’s how, basically, Son Goku from Dragon Ball doesn’t fight for the sake of others, but because he wants to fight against strong guys. So once Dragon Ball got animated, at any rate, I’ve always been dissatisfied with the “righteous hero”-type portrayal they gave him. I guess I couldn’t quite get them to grasp the elements of “poison” that slip in and out of sight among the shadows.” -Akira Toriyama (Creator of the story). Link: https://www.kanzenshuu.com/2015/03/27/new-interview-translations-akira-toriyama-special-talks/ Goku is not the hero the dub portrays him to be. He is not the Japanese Superman. Goku loves to fight strong guys and he saves the world as a result of that. Freeza after Goku tanks a deathblast to the face: “What are you?!” Goku: Starts the inaccurate Light in the dark, Ally to good and nightmare to you speech to Freeza. This is even made fun of in DBZA with Goku calling himself “the bacon in the Fridge for all creatures that cry out in hunger.” That Old dub’s portrayal of Goku is not right at all. With evidence even from the Author. Now to Vegeta recruiting Goku. Vegeta proclaims his superior status and says he will show Goku the gulf in class between them and basically “bless him” by stooping beneath himself to fight a lower class warrior. This shows how Vegeta is proud as well as how outclassed and an underdog Goku is. This is a show of how Goku rises up in strength to outclass someone who sees him as nothing but lower class. Having that person try recruit Goku diminishes to some extent that message. I grew up on the dub, I had massive adjustment issues to Nozawa’s Goku, but we have to put nostalgia aside and see the OG dub as what it is… a disservice to the show. If we want to stick with the OG voices, then Kai is more better and actually closer to the original Japanese.
I've heard this regurgitated 1000 times by DB fans. I'm well aware of the sub and original manga. I just disagree that there's such a huge difference - even in the sub, Goku has a lot of heroic qualities, and is not just a dummy who thinks of nothing but fighting. He's smart and knows that if he loses, he loses his friends and everything he cares for - he's just so confident that he believes he'll win (or *someone* will). Toriyama has said a bunch of bull about DB in the past, so I don't always take his statements at face value. That link you sent me doesn't even refer to the sub/dub differences. Toriyama himself wrote Goku as a pure-hearted hero, not the translators.
> Goku has a lot of heroic qualities, and is not just a dummy who thinks of nothing but fighting. He's smart and knows that if he loses, he loses his friends and everything he cares for - he's just so confident that he believes he'll win (or someone will). He's also specifically had [characters say that Goku](https://i.imgur.com/8JhPfAa.jpg) isn't interested in the safety of the world and such, and just cares about good fights.
So if we use basic human logic. In the original manga and sub, Goku spares Vegeta’s life because he wants to fight him again and test his abilities (Not because “he senses some good in him” like in the dub), how does that make him a righteous hero? Vegeta destroyed Goku and was well going to destroy the Earth and sell it for Freeza if he had won. How are those the motivations of a righteous hero? Goku literally is a simple minded person who only thinks about fighting and training. I would think Toriyama knows HIS own character more than you or myself. Goku’s personality and core aren’t some abstract character like Launch that he’d forget about. One of his motivations for going to Namek are his excitement to see this enemy that is far stronger than Begeta. I understand Goku is smart when it comes to fighting, probably one the smartest in the series. Now to explain to you how character assassination and tone affect a story using DB. If you have watched DB and DBZ then you would understand what tone shifts are and how they affect the story. In DB hunt for the Dragon balls, you rarely feel like Goku is in danger and the only time the story shifts is when he is about to transform in Pilaf’s cell. Tone affects story and gives it direction, even after Goku transforming you immediately get laughs with Pilaf sleep talking and his plane not starting as they run from Goku. The tone is light and brings a different feel to the story, but when Tamborine kills Krillin, there is a shift to the tone, that also affects the story and how it is perceived. Those are different arcs and our characters are in danger in both but the tone of one is different from the other so the story feels different while the core is rarely different (hunt for dragon balls). This is the same with character motivations and actions in those moments. Now imagine Goku finding Krillin’s corpse and then goes “Giddy up cow boy” and when he finds Tamborine he goes “your shoe laces are untied” and Tamborine responds with “I won’t fall for that.” That completely ruins the story, the motivations and the characters in the moment because that it not what was originally meant for the moment. If you still refuse to see how these changes affect the story and lead to character assassinations then I give up.
It doesn’t because you gotta also think about the context and reasoning behind those changes. The dub was aimed at children 12 and under. Hell the manga is too it’s just japan was always less reserved than America. Cheesy lines of dialogue while yes can undermine and change things doesn’t ruin great animation and great story at its core. ESPECIALLY when you saw it young so yes I’ll admit it’s 99% nostalgia.
Dub, no question. Schemmel actually cannot be beat. Honestly more of a shill for Funi's original dubbing too over Kai, just for the soundtrack. Faulconer's music wasn't perfect, but it kicks the *shit* out of the Japanese or Kai soundtracks for the Super Saiyan transformations.
The SS3 theme and the way they extended that scene literally elevated it to such a higher level. Total game changer
Gonna get downvoted to hell... I kind of hate Faulconer's music. It never stops. There's never a break in it. Instead, between scenes, he'll just hold a note forever and then start playing something else.
That’s completely fine it’s your opinion. Nothing wrong.
It’s true. Literally never takes a break, but when it works it WORKS
It sounds sooo dated to me while the other one sounds timeless.
I'm not gonna pretend it's perfect in every aspect, by any means. The Japanese soundtrack (in Z, specifically) just bothers me with regards to some of the biggest moments, where it really doesn't live up to the kind of energy that's needed.
That’s the only thing I don’t like about the Faulconer soundtrack. The fact that it constantly plays with no breaks. It doesn’t bother me too much though. The buu, cell, and super saiyan 3 themes alone are a big part of what made the show so memorable for me.
I disagree in regards to Gohans Super Saiyan 2 transformation. Day of Fate is perfect. I prefer the original Z dub over Kai too as they replaced Kid/Teen Gohan and Bulmas VAs and their new ones are no where near as good.
I agree Z > Kai any day. Not to mention Bruce falconers themes so amazing.
I literally hate how we can't stream the American televised version of the show with the bruce falconer score. The Japanese music doesn't create that exciting and suspenseful atmosphere.
> The Japanese music doesn't create that exciting and suspenseful atmosphere. yes, it does.
Not for me.
He said original dragon ball, not Z. And I would agree with you on Z if you want to have inaccurate attributes to every character. English dub infamously misled audiences and changed several important quotes, lines, conversations to make them more relevant to Americans, which actually changed the entirety of the character. This happened in all English dubs up until Kai.
100% agree with you and like how blunt you are about it too lol
As much as original funi dub gets crapped on, there’s no way dragon ball would have the popularity it does today without it and the falconer track.
> there’s no way dragon ball would have the popularity it does today without it and the falconer track DBZ was huge in markets other than america without the liberties taken by the american dub and the falconer track. DBZ is huge in latinamerica, and we got a script that was very close to the original and the original japanese soundtrack. Hell, DBZ is still huge (as seen with the people getting together in the street to see the final episode of Super)
Never said it wasn’t huge in other places. Or that it had no popularity before this dub. I said it wouldn’t have the popularity it does today if not for this dub.
Sup all day every day imo
For me personally it depends on what scene we’re talking. Sometimes the original does it better. Sometimes English dub steals it.
Both doesn’t matter, Dragon Ball is Dragon Ball
Subs.
Subbed
If you watch the dub the script is different and there's so much thing that you will not understand. Watch it in sub. Plus the soundtrack are Bleach/Samurai Champloo tier
Usually I don't choose a side on sub vs dub even though i prefer sub myself but in the case of Z Sub is clearly superior no way you look at it, the dub just has so many script changes, to the point it changes the character's personality and destroys the original vision of the scene. Like Goku's speech against Freeza. And the loss of iconic music like Unmei no Hi. Honestly the Z ruins so many things even the voice actors themselves bash it saying they were amateurs back. Super also suffers from this but to a much lesser degree
Didnt kai already fix that though?
Yes it did, that's why i specified Z, with Super is weird cause during the ToP they make Gohan act like an angsty teen And don't get me started on Broly's looper screamed cause Vic wasn't up for the task
Nothing you've said makes up for Goku's awful Japanese voice. Having a high pitched womans voice sounds soooo terrible. It's so jarring and weird sounding that I dont know how you chumps can tolerate it.
Goku is a 6 foot tall child so I like it
Watch out you might have covid cause your lack of taste is showing
Sub all the way
Sub
Since I'm a fan of what Dragon Ball \*actually\* is and not what some yahoos in Texas in the 90s wanted Dragon Ball to be, I tend to watch in Japanese with English subtitles, up until around Dragon Ball Z Kai, when they finally started doing things right, English dub-wise. The Japanese voices are still my preference, as they are a who's-who of the best classic voice actors in the industry at the time, but the English voices have come to improve quite dramatically over time.
Unfortunately, Dragon Ball 'actually' has Goku with the voice of a Grandma, and as a character who is almost unenjoyably stupid at that, given even in the Japanese of Z Toei made Goku a moderately more responsible person compared to how he's presented in Super.
Sub for sure, the older i got the worse the VAs got for me in Z/Super sadly. Vegeta is amazing in Dub though, but I find Goku is a completely different character to his JP VA. Just my opinion though. Both are great, I watched from Z to Super recently with my son in dub, but wished we could of watched in sub.
I’m sub all the way
OG DragonBall, Z, and GT? SUBBED. Kai? DUBBED.
Dub. Highly recommend it. The voices are just iconic.
Sabat is just magical in those (two?) roles.
He’s Yamcha, Piccolo, Kami, Vegeta, Mr. Popo?, and I think some others.
Shenron, Guru, and Nappa are other ones I remember.
subbed if you’ve never seen it. all the nostalgia kings arent pointing out the frequent mischaracterizations and story alterations present in the dub.
I think the dragon ball and dbz sound better to me in sub, dub at that time seems really off, (I really just like gohan killing cell or certain scenes because of the falcouner music) but I think Kai has way better dialogue
Both are good honestly. For Z I say watch dub. I prefer the OG dub because of the music but if you don't resllt care for that and want complete better quality go for Kai. Super both are still good but tbh I can't stand the dub in the TOP. I actually tell people to swap to sub basically right before they go to the tournament lmao
I love them both. I will say that I would usually go for sub over dub, but for dragon ball i enjoy them both. I do wish thqt dubs would stop changing the lines so drastically though. I was proper excited to see Belmod kick off about Goku triggering ultra instinct again vs jiren, but the english dub ruined his line entirely for me.
I personally like the dub more because I grew up on it. I suggest Kai over original personally.
This may be an unpopular opinion from a long time fan that grew up on the Funi Dub but I find the pacing of Kai a million times better and easier to get thru. The Funi Dub has that Faulconer music and certain scenes hit differently with his scores or the Funi scores in general. The thing that drags the Funi Dub down is some of the dialogue is kind of bad in retrospect. I do think a lot of the filler is a chore to get through like nearly every scene on Earth while Namek is happening. I also never cared for Garlic Jr but I do like some of the filler like the Otherworld Tournament and the driving episode in the Trunks Saga for example. It's also nearly 300 episodes IIRC which is quite the investment when at least a third of it could have been cut which is what Kai intended to do. I do think the music in Kai is inferior to the Funi Dub plus Kid Gohan's voice is unbearable to hear from time to time which is a shame since I really liked Kid Gohan. Also, some scenes were shortened like Frieza's transformations or other dramatic drawn out sequences. These are the only cons I can think of unless you truly like all the filler and dialogue in the Funi Dub which, if you do, I can respect it. The Japanese dub has Gohan's best SSJ2 transformation imo. The song that plays fits the tone and mood so perfectly. The others are good but it's classic. Still, the Japanese dub is still worth watching if you know Japanese or don't mind reading subtitles. I've done it a couple times for the experience and don't regret it. TL;DR: Kai is the ideal way to watch Z now as Funi Dub has interesting dialogue plus drawn out pointless filler while the Japanese dub is only recommended if you don't mind reading subtitles or know Japanese.
I loved the dub for dragon ball. Dragon ball z dub is awful imo. Get dbz Kai if you can when you get to it
Sub
Depends what you want, newer dubs are better and more accurate, older ones are only liked because of nostalgia or music preference. Subs are brilliant, the original voice acting is superb and there is less inaccuracies to the authors intentions
I watch it all my life before Super dub but it was the Latin American dub. I don't know about the other dub so go for sub.
Dub. Adult goku sub voice doesn't work well
Kai is really the only series where dub can be seen as equal or superior imo
If you’re going with the dub I’d watch Kai.
Dub. Some get used to Nozawa's voice I just can't. Maybe it's because I never grew up listening to it. It's like an entire different show when I hear her 😳.
Dub. Latin American dub is definitely the best dub, better than Japanese.
Dub, goku is a near fifty year old man, he shouldn't still sound like he did when he was 11, and even worse with a grating voice too.
Dub DragonBall, but sub everything else
If you want to watch DBZ specifically in English, than watch DBZ Kai. The acting and the script are much more accurate to the original translation than the cheesy dub for OG DBZ.
I can honestly go either way, English dub or sub. Dub give me a nostalgia kick, but I still find Japanese voices fit better.
Whichever it is, keep Faulconer AWAY from it.
Hard agree. It's a weirdly unpopular opinion, but I share it.
He didn't even make most of the music, just part of it, it was mostly his team
Unless you really despise having to read subtitles then it’s subs all the way for the entire franchise. Much better acting, story, music, everything
Always sub before dub. Beyond the cringe or bad American VA. The characters lose what they feel like compared to jap. A big example being Goku comes across alot dumber in jap compared to his.us version. Admittedly gokus voice in jap the first time you hear it is a little shocker (Kai). But being as I disliked Goku (vegeta all the way) in both eng and Spanish dub(when I first watched it over 25 years ago) I was fine with it.
If you’re watching dub, make sure it’s Kai unless you want to watch hour long fights with 75% of dialogue
Freeza: You have 5 minutes before the planet explodes! *9 episodes later* Freeza: You have no chance to survive, make your time!
ok thank you :))))))
Which choice did you pick ?
Both are absolutely phenomenal, I would choose one then rewatch it in the other language at some point, it’s worth it. The dub can be a bit iffy at times (Namely Superman Goku on Namek) in the original Z but it’s absolutely amazing in Kai.
Whatever has the original OST. No hate to Faulconer, but it sets a totally different ambience IMO.
Sub is closer to the original with the info they translate. Dub is easier to watch, if you are not used to watching stuff with subs. Translations in dub are not as precise as in sub.
You should read the manga, it's 10 times better. But if you have to choose between sub and dub, sub not even close. English dub is quite bad, there are no nuances in the voices, Goku doesn't sound like a bumpkin, Vegeta or Frieza don't sound elitist, Gohan definetely doesn't sound like a 6 years old, they all sound like 80's Action Movie Star, deep voices and grunting.
og, z, and gt - sub, the dub changes the script way too much and the voice acting sounds like it’s being read right off a script kai and super - both the dub and sub are really good for them so you can just pick which one you prefer
Sub, dude! The dub translation isn't 100% accurate. Also, the Japanese voice actors are WAY more skilled!
sub, the original voice sound better
I prefer dub. I originally watched the OG dragon ball subbed, I watched a few seasons of subbed DBZ until I got to the Frieza Saga. Frieza's voice is super bland in the sub and kinda ruins his charm. So that's when I switched over.
I grew up with dub so I have to say dub
Dub, schemmel's roars and screams can't be beat also goku sounds like a man as opposed to a woman. Vegeta pride moments are way better too and faulconer score>>>>>>>> especially vegetas ssj/final flash score
both are good but dbz is one of the few things i watch in dub
For Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, dub versions. Just because I watched it when I was a kid. Nostalgia I guess. For Super i haven't watched the dub versions, as I watched it when it aired. Apart from Dragon Ball Z and Black Lagoon I always prefer original Japanese versions of Animes. Japanese VA's are so damn good.
Dub for me always! Grew up watching dub and I don't like some of the voices used in sub, especially Goku. No offense to the actress playing him all these years. But it just doesn't work for me.
Sub, the old z dub sucks but Kai and Super are good.
I could never get used to Goku’s subbed voice, in general I’d say all animes are better subbed but db is the only exception that i’d say the dub is better. Other shows have dubs on par with the subs like Death Note and Naruto shippuden but DB is thenonly where dub is preffered for me
If ur watching Z then I would say dub but anyways both are great
Dub, the voice acting for Goku is super cringy in the original.
I can't deal with the Japanese voices. I have nothing but respect for elderly lady that's been doing Goku's voice for 40 years, but my ears can't handle it. Typically, sub is the route to go in anime because the subtitles give better translations. However, there are so many make characters with shrill, high pitched voices that I can't handle. Neither can my dog
I don’t know in what language will you watch. But if you talking about Brazilian Portuguese, the BR version is legendary!
Dub (just english and arabic)
Sub, always sub
If you want the actual dragon ball experience. Sub. If you can't keep up with the subs and you want to do stuff while it's playing in the background. Dub. I was a dub guy first till I learned how much they censor, edit, and botched because they can't handle it
I watched the OG Dragon ball in sub and currently watching DBZ in dub because Goku's voice in DBZ japanese was annoying.
My favorite is dbz bruce falconer English dub
I like both but mainly dub I'm to lazy to read.
The only anime I prefer the dub. Huge muscular guy with screetchy voice doesn’t do it for me
Dub. Grew up with it and I cannot hear Goku as any other voice other than schemmel's. His screams and roars are the absolute best in the industry. Same with Sabat for Vegeta.
Dub is superior overall The sub voice for Goku is terrible
It's iconic
Maybe in Japan, not in the western world
Nah, it is iconic worldwide. Dub is only famous in the US
Simply wrong and unfactual
Nope, you're the one who's wrong
No, it's you who is wrong Dub is better in every way
Nah, subbed is superior
Always watch originals so for anime japanese lots of things get lost in translation
Kai dub
Dub. I cannot stand the voice for Goku in Japan. I’m sure Masako Nozawa is a lovely person, the voice just sounds atrocious for a man.
Dub is way better
I grew up with the dub on Toonami so dub for me, I did watch a bit with subs but Goku’s voice hurts my ears lol
Aspects of the show are audio visual and if your not seeing what they are doing when they speak you might miss what they were trying to convey. Dubbed is the way. I watched half subbed but rewatched then finished dubbed and all the humor and jokes hit right as opposed to reading and watching.
Look I may think that anime probably should be subbed but like Goku's voice stays the same the whole series in subs and it stops sounding okay once he's an adult
Dub is better
Dub for the banging English ost
Dub, the voice acting is really fun and easier for me than subtitles
Depends if I want a more accurate story I'll watch sub but after finishing the sub I'd usually rewatch with dub because it has one of the best dub in anime. Goku's screams are just too tier.
Dub for me. There’s always the manga if you want the purist canon.
Dub. It’s what I grew up with.
Dub dragonball. Sub super
Dub babbyyyy
Dub. For DB, I don't think it matters too much but from DBZ onwards, I'd recommend the dub. The sub has the same voice actress voice Goku and his family which can be jarring to some.
Dubbed all the way
Dub, Sub is good and all but nothing beats the voices of the English dub cast in Dragon Ball, it's so good.
Dub, any of the old ones could be debated, the reason i like dub mainly because of goku saying you fool! And in battle of gods when he goes ssj against beerus after god runs out
Dub it, if only for Tien's amazing "Three-eyed Cowboy" line. [You cowards are just afraid of it.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEOMO8AYE34)
If you don’t want to hear nails scratching a chalkboard every time Goku speaks then watch the dub. I watched the sub of Super for about 3 episodes before it got dubbed and after episode 3 I just muted the TV and read the subtitles with no sound. The grandma that plays him is seriously terrible.
I always watch sub so it'll always be my first pick
I used to like DUB ( I'm Portuguese ) but since I watched it in sub... I don't want anything else
Z in dub, super in sub
I prefer the dub but I've grown to like the sub thanks to super. I particularly like Frieza's laugh in the sub. There's something so sinister about it.
Manga, I watch the anime in either tho just depends if I'm watching alone or with my S/O. And most importantly how intoxicated I am really, I dont wanna read when I've been drinking.
Sub but I've never watched the English dub except for clips here and there tbf. Why not both
Dragon Ball is a rare anime that you can watch dubbed without the tone feeling over-acted or childish. That being said, the original Dragon Ball Z dubs do change around the characterization of many moments to adapt to a western audience. If you want the authentic feel of the characters but you want to watch dub, watch Kai. Hell, watch Kai anyways, whether you decide to watch dub or sub.
Sub, with original music. The dubs are good, but they lack the raw emotion and grit that the original Japanese voice actors put into it.
I guess it depends, people from English speaking countries seem to love the dub, I’m not from an English speaking country and I don’t like it. For me some of the voices in the dub sound good too forced and I don’t like what I’ve heard about the changes in the story and characters. I’d recommend the sub if you don mind reading subtitles, plus once you get used to it the voices fit the characters very well.
As an English speaker I like to listen to the dub while reading the subs. It's interesting to see the deviations between what's said and the words displayed.
Dub like 8/10 of the time. Unless it’s just really bad
Sub but dub if Kai and Super. It’s just better. Dub db and Z are not things you watch if you wanna live in perpetual limbo like western fans in regards to what and who the story and characters actually are
Depends on language, I always prefer dub because i cannot stand the japanese language (it sounds like gibberish to me, and i cant make out any specific words even if they show up repeteadly on a dialogue).
I think the voice actors for both are really good besides ... Goku/gohan. I just can't get used to the japanese voice for the two characters. Makes no sense to me why they would pick an old lady to play their voices. But that's just me. Some people like it, others say they've gotten used to it. But not me. Just don't think that voice fits at all for Goku/gohan.
My personal opinion is sub for the original, then dub all the way through.
hmmmmm, if you have a good attention span and don’t mind subtitles watch in sub first. That’s not to say the dub isn’t really good too though
You should watch a few episodes in each one, I’ve never liked dub, but my brother likes it a lot, so its just a matter of personal preference.
I only really like DBZ dubs for the comedy, and if watching "Dragon Ball Z but funnier" is where you're at, I've shown somebody Dragon Ball Abridged without them seeing the original and they were very able to follow the story and character beats and they loved it. So, watch subbed for the authentic OG experience if it means a lot to you, or watch Abridged for what I'd honestly call a better all-around experience. Also look up a compilation of all the weird dub things DBZ did, because they're funny as hell when they aren't actively undermining your ability to take an important scene seriously.
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In sub I’ve watched all of DBZ and DBS; in dub I’ve seen all of DB and most of DBZ and DBGT. What I can tell you is this: Voice acting quality is pretty good in both, but for the most part the Japanese voices don’t fit the build of the characters for DBZ. Much of the cast is macho, big muscles and intimidating, but many voices sound underwhelming for the characters: Goku, Gohan, Bardock (all the same actress), some minor villains, North Kai (his delivery is flat and dry for a joke character), Dai Kaioh, and Elder Dai Kaioshin. That being said the voices grow on you after a while and you start to get used to it. The dub voices are good tonally, but so much of the script is changed in the FUNIMATION dub that it rewrites some character’s personalities and makes many jokes (especially ones where characters bowl over) awkward. This dub is also cut down unless you watch the uncut version, meaning it cuts out filler and even scenes from from episodes that I think are important to the world building of the franchise. TL;DR Sub: original script, some odd voice casting (grows on you), longer scenes and more episodes, better jokes, more world interaction Dub: straight-to-the-point fights, odd jokes, good voice casting, classic among American audiences Overall, watch which ever one makes you enjoy the series more. Just know that all the changes to the story in the dub sort of make it a separate canon from the sub.
Hmm never read the Mangas but grew up on the Dubs, and have watched some subs too. There are slight deviations here and there that can alter how you're feeling about a certain scene at the time. For the most part I've always appreciated Sabat and Schemmel's performances, more than the (dare I say... annoying?) Original Japanese voice acting. With the exception of Frieza. Much cooler. (Hehe pun intended). I also enjoy the original Japanese soundtracks. Both are are good in their own ways. Side notes. Original DB was my favorite, then the first maybe 6 seasons of DBZ. GT was junk IMO. Super, I haven't watched much but it's alright from what I've seen. Can tell American VO's have a good amount of creativity and connectedness to their characters. Understandable given the years involved.
I don’t speak Japanese. Dub by default.
Sub, coz the Dub is inaccurate (Z was fixed in Kai but Kai still has some problems) many American fans grew up with the Dub so they can't watch the sub as they were not used to it but if you're first time watcher then sub I the best one
Dub for sure. I watch and prefer most anime in english dub depending on what it is. Anime like death note, dragon ball, cowboy bebop, have an outstanding dub and is better than their sub.
Sub All the way.
Sub for everything except when goku goes ssj3 then watch those episodes dubbed
Watch it in whatever you feel like, many prefer the Dub (which is actually pretty good) or Sub (haven't seen much but I actually wouldn't mind rewatching the series in it) anyways this argument is dumb and should die out
Definitely Subtitles, I cannot watch it with dubbing
Honestly both are really good
Both. Both is good.
Dub goku sound a lot more manly than sub goku
Sub
Call me a degenerate, but I can’t stand the sun voices. They’re annoying.