Summary
The subbed versus dubbed debate has been a hot topic in the anime community for decades. Purists will always say that subs are the true format for anime series, as the bona fide version that is closest to the original artistic vision. However, not all agree.
Fans of dubbed anime often enjoy the casual feel of watching anime without needing to read subtitles. Some fans simply prefer the voice actors in one format over the other. It’s likely no fanbase will ever fully agree on which is better, but there are some notable dubs that really give the subbed versions a run for their money, for one reason or another.
Updated on June 29, 2025, By C.M Edwards:There is a constant debate among the anime community about the quality of dubbed vs. subbed anime. With both sides in a constant tug of war, it shines a light on just how important the voice casting for characters is, and how the way a character’s speech sounds can either make or break a series before it ever gets a chance to shine. While many anime perform much stronger with their original audio in Japanese, there are more than a few series that have shone more once translated by American voice actors who manage to bring a special quality to the series. There have been countless voice actors who have put their all into performances and attracted thousands of fans who otherwise may not have given anime a chance. Here are some more anime that are better dubbed than subbed.
26
Action, Sci-Fi
Production I.G
TheGhost in the Shellfranchise spans multiple series and several animated feature films set in the distant future, where technology has evolved rapidly, and cyborgs, androids, and artificial intelligence are a common occurrence.
Mokoto Kusanagi serves as the main character, and while combating domestic terrorism, she also fights a war within herself, being a human brain implanted inside an artificial body. TheStand Alone Complexseries follows Major Kusanagi more closely in her day-to-day life, and the brilliant vocals of Mary Elizabeth McGlynn portraythe existential crisis of the showperfectly.
1075
Mystery, Thriller
TMS Entertainment
Cased Closedis one of the lengthiest anime series of all time, having over one thousand episodes that continue to entertain with the whimsical and sometimes tragic adventures of Jimmy Kudo, the budding detective turned child who must help his friends solve a number of sinister crimes while trying to return himself back to normal.
While, over the years, the voice of Jimmy Kudo has been provided by a number of voice actors, Jerry Jewell was one of the first and arguably one of the best to step into the role.
366
Pierrot
Bleachhas curated a legacy that will forever have its name ring throughout the anime community for its intense action, deep story, and lovable characters. Ichigo Kurosaki’s perilous journey from normal teenager to supernatural warrior has taken him on an adventure that has threatened both the real world and the spirit world, so he takes it upon himself to protect both.
The iconic tones of Johnny Yong Bosch deliver a stunning performance for Ichigo and have been the defining voice of the character for nearly a decade, with Bosch even reprising his role in the recently releasedBleach: Thousand Year Blood-War Arc.
Madhouse
Trigunis a classic anime that follows the adventures of Vash the Stampede,a legendary gunman who is constantly being hunted by bounty huntersin the far-off future. The characters and storylines that encompass this series can now be considered iconic and influential.
The dub is on par with other late 90s anime, in that it is somewhat goofy and slightly awkward, but these inconsistencies only add to the show’s charm and make it all the more witty and fun.
49
Sci-fi, Mecha
Sunrise
Mobile Fighter G Gundamis another anime that saw great success in the Western market while airing onToonamiandAdult Swimon Cartoon Network. The series was a very different take on the Gundam franchise, taking place in the Future Century timeline as opposed to theUniversal Century timelinein which the originalMobile Suit Gundamanime was set.
G Gundamrevolved around a universal tournament among gundam pilots that decided which colony state resided in power over the rest. The anime followed Domon Kasshu, who was voiced by Mark Gatha, also known for Megaman X, who delivered a charismatic and exciting performance from start to finish.
Sci-fi, Action
S-CRY-edwas a supernatural anime in the same vein as My Hero Academia, set in a Dystopian future where individuals called “Altered” passed powerful abilities and went on rampages in an already struggling society.
The main character is Kazuma Torisuna, who was voiced by the legendary Steve Blum and represents the anti-hero character who caught to tare down the current regime that was oppressing the people with little privilege. Steve Blum’s voice is paired with many highly praised anime, with his voice being linked to their success, such asCowboy Bebop,Samurai Champloo, andCode Geass.
Sci-fi, Drama
Gainax
The masterful seriesNeonGenesis Evangelionby Hideki Anno is highly considered one of the greatest anime ever created for its deep story and heavily flawed but interesting characters who are charged withsaving the world from a cosmic threat.
While both versions of the anime are excellent, the English Dub ofEvangelionpresents the main character on a more personal level, with their emotion and personalities coming out clearly through their dialogues.Neon Genesis Evangelionhad a highly talented cast with veteran voices such as Spike Spencer, Tristan McAvery, and Tiffany Grant who most have continued to voice their characters in the series continuations.
25
Action, Fantasy
Kinema Citrus
Rising of the Shield Herois a fan-favorite isekaianime series where an unsuspecting normal young man is teleported to another world expecting to become a hero of legend but instead finds himself ostracized by an entire Kingdom and framed for a crime he did not commit. Like the others summoned to the new world, Naofumi was gifted with a special weapon granting him powerful magic.
Using the holy shield weapon, Naofumi decides to do what’s in his best interest instead of granting his assistance freely to the people who turned on him without hesitation. The entire cast ofRising of the Shield Heroare strong performers, but Stephen Fu embodies the main character admirably making him stand out.
13
Comedy, Fantasy
White Fox
A great light comedy anime, this hilarious show follows a demon who is thrust into the human world and must take up a low-paying job at a fast-food restaurant. The show is only one season, but the second season will be coming out in summer 2022.
The sub is great, but the dub has a lot to offer, namely top voice talent with seasoned professionals who know exactly how to convey the right emotions.
131
Action, Martial Arts
Toei Animation
Considered by many to be one of the most influential anime of all time,Dragon Ballis still a name synonymous with high-octane action and crazy plot lines that only get wilder and wilder. This powerhouse anime franchise essentially established the world of action anime as we know it.
The dub ofSuperis as iconic as the previous iterations of the show and is one of the biggest draws to the show for audiences who prefer dubs. Hearing the voice actors shout out their fighting moves is utterly satisfying and the goofiness of the series is in full swing inSuper.
