keep original Japanese names in English dubs?
| Do you prefer if the English dub keep the original Japanese names or you'd rather have them change the character names so that it better fits the English dub? Notable examples of anime dubs that changed the character names Pokemon: Satoshi -> Ash Takeshi -> Brock Okido, Shigeru -> Gary Oak Yugioh!: Mazaki, Anzu -> Téa Gardner, Jonouchi, Katsuya -> Joey Wheeler Honda, Hiroto -> Tristan Taylor Notable examples of anime dubs that kept the original character names Sailor Moon Dragon Ball Z New Game! |
| You can buy lossless digital music from your favorite Japanese artists on https://ototoy.jp/. The songs are all DRM-free and you can re-download your purchased albums as you wish. Show your support to your favorite artist if you can! ps. if you are looking for Japanese albums, you have to search it in Japanese (not romaji). Just copy and paste the name. For those who want to learn Japanese through anime Resources for learning the language |
| I usually prefer the original names, but it's not really a big issue if they use English names. I guess it depends on the show. |
SerafosMar 7, 2024 9:34 AM
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| I really don't care. All of the dub names for the characters in pokémon and yugioh are very iconic at this point but the same thing can be said for the dubs that kept the original names for their characters. |
| Go read Berserk and One Piece they're the best thing ever |
| Generally they should keep original names but due to the games Pokemon is a very rare exception that should absolutely NOT use the Japanese names. |
*kappa* |
Reply to Serafos
I usually prefer the original names, but it's not really a big issue if they use English names. I guess it depends on the show.
Serafos said: I usually prefer the original names, but it's not really a big issue if they use English names. I guess it depends on the show. Same here as long the dub is good and worth watching it in. |
| Perhaps surprisingly most dub watchers seem to prefer the original Japanese names. Interesting! |
| You can buy lossless digital music from your favorite Japanese artists on https://ototoy.jp/. The songs are all DRM-free and you can re-download your purchased albums as you wish. Show your support to your favorite artist if you can! ps. if you are looking for Japanese albums, you have to search it in Japanese (not romaji). Just copy and paste the name. For those who want to learn Japanese through anime Resources for learning the language |
| changing character names mostly never works and causes more confusion especially if the series doesn't get a re airing. i also rarely watch dubs for that reason. |
| "among monsters and humans, there are only two types. Those who undergo suffering and spread it to others. And those who undergo suffering and avoid giving it to others." -Alice “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.” David Hume “Evil is created when someone gives up on someone else. It appears when everyone gives up on someone as a lost cause and removes their path to salvation. Once they are cut off from everyone else, they become evil.” -Othinus  |
| I'd actually say it applies on a case by case basis. 99% of the time keeping the Japanese name is the best move but there are certain instances where chaning the names actually make sense. In Pokémon for example, the character and Pokémon names are puns in Japanese, so changing the name in English (and French, French names are unique as well) helps keep the puns and wordplay intact. Another character I think who changing the name for was a good idea was Kuma from Persona 4, where the English version of the game (and anime) changed his name to Teddie which keeps the bear motif more obvious in English. I also am fine with English dubs giving characters nicknames to replace diminutives as it gets across the level of familiarity in English that diminutives do in Japanese in a more natural way. |
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GrimAtrament said: changing character names mostly never works and causes more confusion especially if the series doesn't get a re airing. i also rarely watch dubs for that reason. Do you only watch kids' anime and really old shows like Macross? Because outside of those kinds of shows, dub name changes are virtually non-existent. |
Reply to Zalis
GrimAtrament said:
changing character names mostly never works and causes more confusion especially if the series doesn't get a re airing.
i also rarely watch dubs for that reason.
changing character names mostly never works and causes more confusion especially if the series doesn't get a re airing.
i also rarely watch dubs for that reason.
Do you only watch kids' anime and really old shows like Macross? Because outside of those kinds of shows, dub name changes are virtually non-existent.
| @Zalis there are many changes in dubs including words and how things are said and the meaning. But I mostly only watch English dubs if they are exceptional. Otherwise I watch any show in its original language including French animations |
| "among monsters and humans, there are only two types. Those who undergo suffering and spread it to others. And those who undergo suffering and avoid giving it to others." -Alice “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.” David Hume “Evil is created when someone gives up on someone else. It appears when everyone gives up on someone as a lost cause and removes their path to salvation. Once they are cut off from everyone else, they become evil.” -Othinus |
| If they're real names like Satoshi, I'd prefer they keep the names. If they're made-up names that are random Japanese words (such as, say, Nukesaku ["Loser"] from JoJo), then I don't really see an issue translating them to make sense to an English audience. :P Ultimately though, I don't really mind if they decide to change character names or not. It's just a preference thing. :P |
Formerly known as Kuroni_Kuru |
| Like who doesn't prefer Ran Mori being called Rachel Moore or Ai Haibara being called Vi Graythorn (or even Anita Hailey)? |
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