The "weeaboo" argument

[Trivea]

So, let me start this off by saying I like anime. I like anime a lot. With very few exceptions, I prefer to watch anime in the original Japanese, and because I'm not exactly fluent in the language, I watch it with English subtitles.

I have been called a weeaboo for this multiple times (as well as some of my friends), because of the argument "if you don't speak Japanese and it's been dubbed into English just watch it in English", but that doesn't fly with me very well and generally just pisses me off. As an example: I really like Naruto. I refuse to watch Naruto in English, simply because... have you ever heard Naruto's English voice? It's like taking a nail file to your eardrums. Most English dubs of anime series are just... well, so insanely horrible that I literally can't watch it. (Except Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z, which are painful in both languages.)

The comparison that I've always drawn is with opera, actually. The vast majority of operas were not written in English, though I know several people who speak nothing but English and enjoy opera (I'm one of them). A lot of these have been dubbed into English on DVDs, strange as it may be, but most people prefer to watch them in the original Italian or German or whatever language with English subtitles. Why is this okay when it's not okay to do the same thing with anime?

TL;DR version: Do you guys think it's okay to watch anime in the original Japanese with English-or-whatever subtitles if you don't speak the language, even if it's already been dubbed into the language you speak?

[EDIT] Yeah, guys, I know what a weeaboo is. I never said they were using the insult correctly. I just said they were using it.

 

[Ice Car]

So, let me start this off by saying I like anime. I like anime a lot. With very few exceptions, I prefer to watch anime in the original Japanese, and because I'm not exactly fluent in the language, I watch it with English subtitles.

I have been called a weeaboo for this multiple times (as well as some of my friends), because of the argument "if you don't speak Japanese and it's been dubbed into English just watch it in English", but that doesn't fly with me very well and generally just pisses me off. As an example: I really like Naruto. I refuse to watch Naruto in English, simply because... have you ever heard Naruto's English voice? It's like taking a nail file to your eardrums. Most English dubs of anime series are just... well, so insanely horrible that I literally can't watch it. (Except Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z, which are painful in both languages.)

The comparison that I've always drawn is with opera, actually. The vast majority of operas were not written in English, though I know several people who speak nothing but English and enjoy opera (I'm one of them). A lot of these have been dubbed into English on DVDs, strange as it may be, but most people prefer to watch them in the original Italian or German or whatever language with English subtitles. Why is this okay when it's not okay to do the same thing with anime?

TL;DR version: Do you guys think it's okay to watch anime in the original Japanese with English-or-whatever subtitles if you don't speak the language, even if it's already been dubbed into the language you speak?

Yes, because it's your choice. You have your own preference as to what you want to watch or hear. If I find the English Dub's VAs to be unbearable, which is usually always, I always look for English subtitles.

I haven't been called a Weeaboo much for doing that, though.

 

[wooty]

Yes, I watched subbed, mainly because I cant be arsed waiting years for them to dub good shows, usually poorly. No harm in it at all my boy as long as you enjoy the show.

Plus, weeaboo is such an outdated term anyway. If anyone calls me a weeaboo now, I just respond with the good old classic "prick".

 

[pffh]

I don't watch anime but I dislike dubbing of anything. Dubbing is so rarely done well that it's almost always better to watch something with subtitles rather then a dub.

 

[staika]

I watch anime in both subbed and dubbed form but I will admit that I prefer dubbed because japanese voices annoy me so when I watch subbed I have to watch it with no audio and just read the subs. I do see no problem with liking the subbed better though so it's just really a matter of whichever you prefer.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Its fine to watch it in whatever language you want. When it comes to cartoons, I watch in my own language, but for movies, I always go with the subtitled version.

From what you've said, you don't like the English VA's for Naruto, or English VA's in general. And that's totally fine.

The Weeaboo is the one who acts pretentious about it as if watching in the original language somehow makes them a superior being when in reality they are just coming off as obnoxious.

Its like most things that piss people off. Most will be happy to ignore your choices as long as you don't force them on other people. A Weeaboo is like the gay person who needs to remind you that they are gay every single time, or the Vegan that talks down to others because of their decision. Most people don't have a problem with these kinds of people as long as they aren't jamming shit down their throats at every interval.

 

[Rawker]

there are a few animes I like better subbed then dubbed, and vice versa. I like bleach dubbed, but I like Death Note subbed. its a matter of taste, and I've never really gottent the term "weaboo" its pretty stupid.

 

[Dr Pussymagnet]

What you've described doesn't really sound like a weeaboo to me.

A weeaboo is more like this.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

What you've described doesn't really sound like a weeaboo to me.

A weeaboo is more like this.

Thanks for that link, I do enjoy the comments section.

 

[ckam]

It's all right to watch something in any language that you want. It's not a weaboo thing, at all. If you are going to try to speak Japanese or whatever just because you want to "be more Japanese" or whatever, then you're a weaboo.

 

[Seventh Actuality]

That's pretty silly. I wouldn't watch a lot of my favourite foreign films if they were dubbed over. The original performances are kind of important.

 

[Jazoni89]

A Weeaboo is more of a Japanophille, who's obsessed with everything Japan, the Culture, the Food, the Music, the Clothes, everything, and they integrate with their own lives in such a way that makes it unhealthily obsessive. For example, talking in Japanese everywhere they go, or dressing in a Kimono to go to the shops.

A huge Anime fan is called an Otaku, which is not as bad as a Weeaboo.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

Why is this okay when it's not okay to do the same thing with anime?

The simplest answer is because the internet (and the real world, I suppose) is full of assholes who will rip on anything they don't do/like.

It also has something to do with what is socially acceptable; opera is for the sophisticated and anime is for children, sports fanaticism is awesome but cosplay is for weirdos, my dad can beat up your dad, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

A Weeaboo is more of a Japanophille, who's obsessed with everything Japan, the Culture, the Food, the Music, the Clothes, everything, and they integrate with their own lives in such a way that makes it unhealthily obsessive.

A huge Anime fan is called an Otaku, which is not as bad as a Weeaboo.

Mostly because Otaku rarely venture outdoors. In Japan they are still looked down on.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I've done this argument a billion times

#1: All dubbing work by 4kids is terrible.
#2: Most english dub work is very good. In the case of certain characters from Bleach, any Gundam series not called G Gundam, and basically any mecha genre in general, the english VAs are better.
#3: Maile Flanigan (Voice of Naruto in English) admits she sucked in the first 30 episodes. By this point, she's actually doing a very good job.
#4: If you like subs over dubs, go for it. I prefer dub work, but watch how you want.

I recently started watching DBZ Kai, and I'm surprised that the Dub Work is actually pretty awesome. They seem more self aware of the goofiness this time around, so they all sound like hilarious large hams.

Also, might I ask what show your avatar is from?

 

[Jack and Calumon]

It's fine to watch it in english subs. That does not make you a weeaboo. But if you curse your every existence that you were not born in Japan and hate others when they do not watch it "as it was meant to be seen", and go around talking Japanese for no reason, then you would be a weeaboo.

But watching Anime subbed? Nope, does not qualify for Weeaboo.

Calumon: Jack watches them all in the same everyone else speaks around this cold place. >.<

 

[HoradricNoob]

I can't stand to watch anime in anything other than the original Japanese if it can be helped- the dubbing almost always sounds terrible, even with a Hollywood cast.

 

[CODE-D]

Seems like I could care less but that would take effort,
Just f**king watch anime especially the good stuff, I dont care how.....


But I watch dub because it acts as a filter for bad anime, if they dont care enough about the dub its probably a shitty anime I could care less about.