So I'm rewatching Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood on Netflix but it bothers me that the spoken track and subtitles differ in English. I'm curious which of the two is the most faithful in their translation? Does anyone have the answer to this?
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Full metal Alchemist spoken VS subtitle
- Thread starter Perzeval
- Start date
at a guess, the subtitle, because the spoken one has to deal with syncing up the lips/timing more, so it was probably altered for that to work. but I don't know much japanese and haven't compared them, so grain of salt, etc.
I know with DVD releases it would usually come with different English subtitle options for both the dubbed and the Japanese tracks. Can you change the language track on Netflix? If so, I'm surprised they wouldn't give you both.
I absolutely agree that it's very well dubbed, but the question remains if the subs is more true to the source material?
I can't quite remember, since I watched FMA:B, then read the manga...but I don't think the sub track is like a direct rip from the manga.
Worrying about what's more true to the source material is a little besides the point, imo, when it's the story adapted into a different medium, unless you meant source material as in the Japanese script.
I don't remember any particular discrepancies though, as you get with some adaptations or translations in general.
Yeah, there's the option of Japanese audio track on Netflix but I find it distracting since I don't know a word of Japanese. I prefer to watch with both audio and subs on English.
I'm inclined to think the subs would be more true to the japanese script.
Also best dubbed anime is Bebop.
Also best dubbed anime is Bebop.
They don't change major character names or plot points like 4kids if that's what you're worried about.
I'm not really worried about "authenticity" per se, my main point is that it's distracting hearing one tranlstaion and reading another. I was mostly curious on which was the more correct after I noticed this difference.
Well, if you don't find it too distracting, then I guess you'll see the difference between the concessions made for the dub versus the more literal subtitles based on the original Japanese dialogue. (Though sometimes even those subtitles can be a bit more liberal in their translations, which I sometimes appreciate when they're more creative than what I would have personally gone with.)
Truth. Black Lagoon's Dub is legit the best, though FMA:B is a damn close second.
I watched it with Subs and Dubs, prefer Dubs simply for the performance being so strong. As for accuracy? Eh, it seemed pretty close?
The dub is better. Subs generally take a more literal translation of the source material and end up being pretty awkward as a result.
Unless the dub is truly awful I generally prefer the dub to subs.
Unless the dub is truly awful I generally prefer the dub to subs.
Being TV-Nihoned in my youth makes me shy away from subtitles
Not named Ghost Stories
Hey, thanks you all for the answers. I'll take this opportunity to hijack my own thread and ask an unrelated quick question. What's the best way to watch Silver Fang in EU? It's not on Netflix so I'm guessing DVD, or are there Blu-Rays of it?
I'm sorry mods if it's wrong to change the course of a thread like this but it seems like a miniscule reason to create a new one.
I'm sorry mods if it's wrong to change the course of a thread like this but it seems like a miniscule reason to create a new one.
Like one thing right now that differs; Edward just met his father and there's a past monologue by his mother "someday I'll be a wrinkly old woman myself" (subs) VS "someday I'll be a wrinkled old monster myself" (audio) that's just weird, lol. Common sense tells me the subs are more accurate of course. However, it's just distracting.
This.
FMA: Brotherhood and Cowboy Bebop are the gold standards of dubs imo.
I've watched the series both ways on Netflix and the subs are a tad janky at points. Slightly misworded.
How all of ya'll misspelling Yu Yu Hakusho? Is this some form of group hallucination or something?
In general, dubs are expected to be more localized and less literal than subtitles both in order to match the lip flaps but also convey the intent of the scene as best as possible.
In this instance, after much of the episode was spent with Hohenheim calling himself a "monster" (due in part to his non-aging), Tricia using that same term is meant to help draw a parallel between them. I can't vouch for the translation's accuracy, but it does seem to capture the essence of the scene.
Eh it's up there but it's a tad goofy.
The reason that the FMA dub is so praised is that the characters go through a wide variety of emotional ranges and the VAs had excellent direction.
I can't really say that with YYH.
You know, sometimes official subtitles are bad just like official light novels or mangas can have bad translation.
Japanese grammar being different than English also may play a part.
Otherwise, just watch what you prefer.
Japanese grammar being different than English also may play a part.
Otherwise, just watch what you prefer.
Yeah, I really can't think of anything b--
oh shit whaddup
The subtitle translation was done by Steve Simmons, who is best known for his work on the Dragon Ball franchise since the early DVD days. His translations tend to be a bit more on the literal side and as a result can appear a bit "unnatural", but his translations are fine overall and more accurate than the dub script.
They've never said that.
That just comes down to different content. A super serious Yu Yu Hakusho would just be plain bad. It gets a bit dark at times but it never really gets as dark or mature as FMA. So there is never really a need for those performances.
I will agree that the performances in FMA are probably better, though I've only heard them in passing as I still prefer the JP voices for a lot of characters.
I think what sets YYH apart so much is that it is honestly better than the original JP script, which is fairly flat and boring. They do inject a lot of extra humor and change dialogue lines up compared to the original Japanese, and it all works for the most part.
Kuwabara the Tasmanian Devil just about invalidates everything good about YYH's dub.
H-Have you actually heard his JP voice as well?
I actually find the EN dub much easier to listen to, especially in the comedic moments when JP Kuwabara's voice goes super high pitched.
I never watched the show in Japanese but I did watch the show for the first time since it aired on Adult Swim. Kuwabara's voice undercut moments that weren't really supposed to be funny. Genki's young lady voice made me crack up but everyone else was pretty great.
Also, Yu You Hakusho's english script had some weird dialogue like when an old guy was talking about "ass hairs". I'd look that up but i'm scared what i'll find.
Subtitles being different from the (same language) dub is really awful and I'm not sure why it's considered acceptable.
Yeah, those two are great but I don't think you can make a case that they are actually better than the original Japanese voices. It just comes down to preference. Both have stellar quality in both JP and EN.
I was mostly pointing out that YYH dub is one of the rare cases where I feel like the English version is far better than the original. The original Japanese isn't terrible, but it's very forgettable and the writing/dialogue is where it really falls flat. The dub injects a lot of much needed personality into the characters. Even random throwaway characters have some personality.
Only correct answer. Yu Yu Hakusho is a close second, but MistaTwo is tripping saying it the Japanese sub isn't good. Kuwabara being capable of sounding cool when he needs to alone means that's not true.
Yes, Kuwabara's a goofball and the dub matches that. But he has his serious moments, and the dub portrays those poorly. Voice is still just a goofball trying to get srs.
I don't think the performances are outright bad and Kuwabara's VA definitely puts in work even if I don't like it at times. I think Botan is my favorite JP performance with Yusuke being my least favorite.
It's mostly the general changes to the dialogue that elevate it. I have actually been rewatching it and switching between both voice tracks and it's crazy how often one of the great one liners from Yusuke is literally just a NANI!!?!? in JP.
This is what a lot of people don't seem to get when it comes to subs vs. dubs. Sometimes a direct translation isn't the best because of phrases and references that a Japanese person would get but would fly over our gaijin heads. The best example I can think of is when FLCL referenced a drink that was in Japan, but when it got dubbed, they changed the reference to Crystal pepsi because it conveyed the same meaning.
It's a balancing act though. I don't think you need to change bread to hot dogs or onigiri to donuts.
Honestly I tried to watch the JP version of FMAB and it just... I couldn't stand it. Edward just sounded so wrong, the voice just could not match the character design. The dub is so good cause all of the voices perfectly match the designs.