ghost in the shell 2017 japanese dub

• Awards Season
• Big Stories
• Pop Culture
• Video Games
• Celebrities

Subbed or Dubbed? The Best Way to Watch Anime Is Up For Debate

To start a debate at any anime convention, you just need three little words: Subbed or dubbed? Fans in subbed shows — anime in its original Japanese-language form with English subtitles — believe it’s the truest way to watch. On the other hand, those who watch English dubs believe it’s a perfectly fine means of adapting something — and you don’t need the added step of reading subtitles. So, would you rather watch subbed or dubbed Naruto ? 

As for me, I may be putting myself in the line of fire here, but both sides of the subbed vs. dubbed debate have a point. Wait — put your torch and pitchfork down. I can explain. 

The Subbed or Dubbed Debate: The Case for Subtitles

There’s nothing quite like watching an anime in its original Japanese, and reading the subtitles as they pop up. As Oscar-winning Parasite (2019) director Bong Joon-ho said in his Golden Globes acceptance speech , “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”

The same could be said for watching anime. Watching with subtitles is my default method for most anime — unless I really love the dubbed version for some specific reason. It’s not that it’s objectively “better,” but it offers what dubbed anime can’t. So, what are those unique offerings? 

Original Casting Choices

The Japanese version of an anime has the original voice actors — the people the creators cast in each role. The director chose these voices for a reason. They have a certain tone and personality. Even if you don’t understand the words, you can get the nuance you need from just listening to their voices.

Take Demon Slayer/Kimetsu No Yaiba , one of my favorite anime . The casting is simply perfect. In one scene in the show’s second episode, Trainer Sakonji Urokodaki confronts the young slayer Tanjiro Kamado. As a mentor’s voice should be, his voice is crisp and sharp — it’s forceful like a slap at the end of each sentence. The dubbed version, on the other hand, doesn’t quite get there. The English-language voice actor’s voice is low and grumbly. He’s the grizzled old mentor who’s seen it all — a completely different tone.

The Sound Is the Meaning

Japanese is a pitch-accent language . It emphasizes syllables of a word by making them high or low. If you change the pattern of highs and lows, you can change the meaning of the word entirely.

You might not understand those meanings — I don’t — but the pitch fluctuation is part of the experience. To hear the difference for yourself, listen to the subbed and dubbed versions of the same anime. The experience is richer when you can hear the high-low/low-high pattern of speech.

Script Accuracy

If you watch dubbed Naruto and then the same episode but subbed, you’ll notice something: the translation isn’t always accurate. While small changes might seem insignificant on the surface, it can change things quite dramatically — believe it . 

Take the second episode of Demon Slayer , for example. Protagonist Tanjiro is traveling with his sister, who was turned into a demon in Tanjiro’s absence. His trainer doesn’t mince words about the situation, saying, “There are two things to do if our sister devours a human. Kill your sister! And slit your own belly and die! That’s what it means to travel with your sister who became a demon!”

However, in the English dub, things are a bit different. The English script reads: “There are two things you must do if your sister eats a human. First, you kill her. Then slit your own belly and die. That’s what traveling alongside a demon like your sister means.” 

Eats versus devours. “A demon like your sister” versus “your sister who became a demon.” They’re small changes, yes, but they alter the original intent. 

But Don’t Judge Team Dubbed in the Subbed or Dubbed Debate

Subbed anime may be the original version, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the way to go. Before you give Team Dubbed the side-eye, let’s take a look at why adapting a script into another language might not be all bad.

Voice Cast Variety

Yes, the voice cast in dubbed anime is different, but that’s not always a bad thing. One of my all-time favorite anime, Erased , is about 29-year-old Satoru, a pizza delivery person who has a unique ability, “Revival”. This skill allows him to go back in time, moments before life-altering tragedies struck. 

Both casts are talented, but, in this case, the English-language casting is perfect. Satoru’s adult voice is grumbly and pained. You can hear his struggle to find his way in the sound of his voice; when you hear this adult’s inner monologue contrasted against the face of his younger self, it’s incredibly effective.  

Satoru’s coworker, Airi, is light and perky — a nice balance to our main character’s jaded and monotone sound. His mom, meanwhile, is charmingly flippant and fun, while Little Kayo, the girl who disappears, is quiet and subdued — and for good reason. The characters’ voices are why I almost always re-watch the dubbed version of Erased. Thanks to these wholly convincing performances, I find it easier to lose myself in the story.

The Original Experience

Anime isn’t manga, which is meant to be read — it’s an audiovisual format that’s meant to be watched and heard. When you watch the subbed version, reading the subtitles takes part of your mind out of that experience. Technically, you’re multitasking, which is challenging, to say the least .

When you watch the dubbed version, your brain doesn’t tire so much; there’s no switching back and forth between tasks. Therefore, it’s easier to have a connected emotional experience. It’s the closest you can come to experiencing anime like a native Japanese speaker, in some ways. 

Better Accessibility

This is the most important argument for dubbed anime. Not everyone can read subtitles or read them quickly enough to keep up with a show’s pace. And it’s no one’s place to judge what’s accessible or not for another person.

I don’t think “purity” should get in the way of anyone enjoying anime. Plenty of people — children and adults — would never get into anime if dubbed versions of shows weren’t available. Making something more accessible shouldn’t be frowned upon. After all, you never know which stories and characters will profoundly influence someone. 

So, How Should I Decide to Watch Anime?

Anime is art — not organic chemistry. There’s no one right answer, no matter what that Deku cosplayer at that con told you. That said, you still have to make a choice — subbed or dubbed? If I have the time, I love to watch the first episode in both formats.

If not, I’ll tend toward subbed versions. Not only do you hear it in the way the director envisioned it, with a script as intact as possible, but it’s the original sound and art working together — and I think that combination can matter.

MORE FROM ASK.COM

‘Attack on Titan’ publisher Kodansha launches K Manga app in US

Kodansha , the publishing company behind popular titles like “Attack on Titan,” “The Seven Deadly Sins” and “Ghost in the Shell,” launched its new K Manga app on Wednesday for U.S. users to read hundreds of manga for free.

At launch, about 400 manga titles are available, including the three above titles we mentioned as well as “Tokyo Revengers,” “Fairy Tail,” “Battle Angel Alita,” “Rent-a-Girlfriend,” “Don’t Toy With Me Miss Nagatoro,” “Edens Zero,” “Flying Witch” and “Aho-Girl: A Clueless Girl,” among many others. Kodansha will continue to add more titles over time.

Out of the 400 titles, there will be 60 ongoing titles currently in serialization. The most recent chapters will simultaneously release on the app, the company wrote in its announcement.

Notably, all these titles have been officially translated by professionals, so English-speaking users no longer have to visit pirate sites where the free manga is often translated by fans. In fact, many of the manga titles offered on K Manga have never been translated into English before, Yuta Hiraoka, project leader for K Manga, told TechCrunch. This is the main reason K Manga took more than two years to create the app, Hiraoka added.

As manga sales continue to see an upward trend in the U.S., now is the perfect time for Kodansha to launch its U.S.-based app. In 2022 alone, there were 28.4 million copies sold, solidifying manga’s position as a major player in the comic/graphic novel marketplace. Kodansha previously reported that its manga sales in the U.S. tripled last year.

Image Credits: Kodansha

There are many manga apps — such as VIZ Manga, Manga Plus and Crunchyroll Manga — that offer a select number of chapters for free before users are then prompted to sign up for a subscription. K Manga, on the other hand, does its free option a little differently.

Kodansha’s new app has ticket and point systems, allowing readers to unlock additional chapters.

For instance, the app offers “Normal Tickets,” which are given to users daily, and “Premium Tickets,” given to users three or four times per day through login bonuses or by watching video ads. Normal tickets can only be used on one title whereas premium tickets last three days and can be used on multiple titles.

One ticket unlocks one chapter. Users can only use their tickets on titles with the orange ticket symbol next to them.

Points are another way for users to unlock chapters. Like tickets, these can also be earned by watching ads — each advertisement gives users 50 points. K Manga also grants them five points if they read certain titles.

Once a user unlocks a chapter with points, they can access it indefinitely through their account. And if a user runs out of points, they can always purchase them with real money. One point costs 1 cent, so users can spend $1 and get 100 points.

However, one downside is that one chapter can cost either 69 or 99 points. The number of points per chapter varies, depending on the title and when the chapter was released. (Older chapters typically require fewer points than newer chapters.)

The app also offers some titles that offer “always free” chapters, the company noted, and don’t require tickets or points.

In 2015, Kodansha launched its first manga app, Magapoke (magazine pocket), for Japanese readers only. The app currently has five million monthly active users and 20 million app installs.

K Manga is almost identical to Magapoke, including the ticket and point systems, recommendation features, update section on newly released chapters, search function, genre tabs and the option to add titles to a favorites list. However, the U.S. app doesn’t have a comment section for users to review manga and interact with one another. Kodansha plans to launch the feature in the near future, Hiraoka told us.

K Manga is available on iOS and Android devices. The company plans to eventually launch the app in other countries.

Things you buy through our links may earn  Vox Media  a commission.

Original Ghost in the Shell Anime Cast to Dub Live-Action Movie for Japan

Amid concerns that the live-action Ghost in the Shell is departing too considerably from its anime and manga source material, it seems fans are getting a small concession. Per Natalie , the original cast who voiced the 1995 film will provide dubbing for the Scarlett Johansson–led effort in Japan. Specifically, Akio Ōtsuka, Kōichi Yamadera, and Atsuko Tanaka are quasi-reprising their roles as Batou, Togusa, and the Major, respectively. The gesture seems aimed at Ghost in the Shell ’s hardcore fans, though it probably won’t do much to abate those offended by the story’s whitewashing .

• ghost in the shell
• small gifts

Most Viewed Stories

• Mick Jagger and Lady Gaga Are the Latest Pair to Stop by Studio 8H
• Saturday Night Live Recap: Bad Bunny Can Do Whatever He Wants
• Lupin’ s Murky and Menacing Coda, Microscopically Examined
• Ego Nwodim’s Jada Pinkett Smith Continues Her Never-ending Press Tour on SNL
• The 12 Best Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Weekend
• Billions Recap: Minted
• Wait, Was DJ Envy Part of a Ponzi Scheme?

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

• Lower case letters (a-z)
• Upper case letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9)
• Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

• Entertainment & Arts
• North Korea
• Learning English (해설판)
• Learning Korean

Top 10 Stories

[email protected] All rights reserved

ⓕ font-size

Ohayo Japan 'Ghost in the Shell' dubbed in original Japanese voices

Interactive News

Paris baguette opens 500th overseas store in singapore, interview shin hye-sun, lee jun-young discuss challenges, inspiration in 'brave citizen', monsta x's hyungwon to begin military service in november, more young people give up job search, korean inns in the 19th century part 2: bedbugs, interview hyundai motor group transforms from fast follower to game changer, interview legislation ministry seeks expanded role in setting rules for artificial intelligence, lance reegan-diehl continues musical journey in 'maniacal cavern', sense of crisis grips yoon as approval rating falls to 6-month low, ls cable's technologies meet global demand for offshore wind power.

Sign up for eNewsletter

• USA & Canada
• Australia & New-Zealand
• Southeast Asia

• anywhere on the site
• in the encyclopedia
• in the forums
• remind me tomorrow
• remind me next week
• never remind me

News Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film's Japanese Dub Reunites Original Anime Cast

The official Japanese website of Paramount Pictures ' live-action Ghost in the Shell film revealed on Friday that the Japanese dub of the film will feature Atsuko Tanaka , Akio Ohtsuka , and Kouichi Yamadera reprising their roles from Mamoru Oshii 's Ghost in the Shell anime films and Kenji Kamiyama 's Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex anime series. Tanaka (center in picture below) will play the Major, Ohtsuka (left) will play Batou, and Yamadera (right) will play Togusa.

A different cast voiced the two most recent anime projects, Ghost in the Shell Arise and Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie .

Paramount previously streamed a Japanese-subtitled trailer for the film on Tuesday that has narration by Yamadera.

Paramount Pictures also began streaming two new short English-language clips on Wednesday and Thursday for the film.

The film's Japanese title is " Ghost in the Shell " in the phonetic katakana alphabet, instead of the " Kōkaku Kidōtai " title in kanji ( 攻殻機動隊 ) that is the Japanese title of the other works in the franchise in Japan. The film will open in Japan on April 7.

Scarlett Johansson stars in the film as the Major, and Pilou Asbæk ( Lucy ) plays Batou. Michael Pitt ( Boardwalk Empire ) plays the Laughing Man. Director, comedian, and actor Beat Takeshi (also known as Takeshi Kitano ) plays the Public Security Section 9 founder and chief Daisuke Aramaki.

French actress Juliette Binoche (2014's Godzilla, The English Patient, Chocolat ) plays Dr. Ouelet, and Kaori Momoi ( Sukiyaki Western Django , Memoirs of a Geisha , Helter Skelter ) and Rila Fukushima ( The Wolverine ) also have roles in the film. The actors for the other Section 9 task force members are as follows: Lasarus Ratuere ( Terra Nova ) as Ishikawa, Tawanda Manyimo ( The Rover ) as Borma, Yutaka Izumihara ( Unbroken ) as Saito, Danusia Samal ( Tyrant ) as Ladriya, and Chin Han ( Independence Day: Resurgence ) as Togusa.

Additional staff members include cinematographer Jess Hall ( The Spectacular Now ), editor Neil Smith ( Snow White and the Huntsman ), production designer Jan Roelfs ( Fast & Furious 6 ), and costume designers Kurt Swanson and Bart Mueller ( The Hunger Games: Mockingjay ).

Source: Comic Natalie

News homepage / archives

Asuka Konishi's Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii Manga Gets TV Anime

Laid-back camp season 3's new visual reveals april 2024 premiere, digimon adventure 02 the beginning anime film review, spy×family manga volume 10 review, the fall 2023 anime preview guide, ragna crimson volumes 9-10 manga review, this week in games - trust the fungus. touch the fungus., re:zero -starting life in another world- season 2 limited edition anime blu-ray review, final fantasy xvi producer naoki yoshida on the game's anime influences and design philosophy, this week in anime -narou-ing down your anime watchlist, soaring sky pretty cure episodes 25-36 anime review.

• Convention reports
• Press Releases
• Your Score for Recent Simulcasts
• Upcoming Anime List
• Upcoming DVD & Blu-ray
• Weekly Rankings
• Fall 2023 Preview Guide
• Daily Streaming Reviews
• Encyclopedia
• Subscribe »
• ANN:Connect
• Staff openings
• Privacy policy
• Copyright policy
• Advertise with ANN
• Report a Problem
• Bugs & Technical Questions Forum

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘Ghost in the Shell’: Original Anime Voice Actors Will Dub the New Live-Action Movie Into Japanese

Yoselin acevedo.

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

Twenty-two years after voicing the characters of Mamoru Oshii’s anime “ Ghost in the Shell ,” the original voice cast will now reunite to dub the new live-action film into Japanese, as reported by Kotaku .

Atsuko Tanaka, who voiced the original Major Motoko Kusanagi in the 1995 anime is returning to voice Scarlett Johansson ’s character, The Major. The actress also voiced the lead character in the sequels “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” (2004) and “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” (2005).

READ MORE: ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Video Shows How Weta Workshop Made Scarlett Johansson’s Thermoptic Suit

Akio Otsuka will voice Batou as he did in the original anime and its sequels. The actor is also known for voicing Snake in the action/adventure video game series “Metal Gear.” Koichi Yamadera is joinning Tanaka and Otsuka as the voice of Togusa.

“It’s been a while since they’ve played these characters,” Oshii told the Japanese site Natalie.com . “I definitely want them to deliver performances they see fit. They’re all pros, so there’s nothing to worry about, and I can only say that this is something to look forward to.”

Related Stories Sofia Coppola: ‘I’m Not Going to Think About’ Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray’s Age Gap in ‘Lost in Translation’ Scarlett Johansson Almost Cried After ‘Worst’ ‘Under the Skin’ Venice Premiere, Says Festival Director

READ MORE: Scarlett Johansson on ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Whitewashing Controversy: ‘I Would Never Presume to Play Another Race’

Last year, the casting of Johansson to play the lead in Rupert Sanders’ live-action adaptation of the classic Japanese anime series was met with controversy and backlash. Hiring a white actress to play a Japanese character seemed to critics and fans like another case of whitewashing. Casting the original voice actors to dub the film into Japanese is definitely a way to get in the good graces of fans of Masamune Shirow’s iconic franchise .

“Ghost in the Shell” hits theaters in the U.S. on March 31. So far, a release date for Japan has not been announced. Check out the latest trailer  below.

Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.

Most Popular

You may also like.

• The A.V. Club
• The Takeout
• The Inventory

Original Ghost In The Shell Anime Actors Dubbing The Live-Action Movie In Japan

The original Ghost in the Shell voice actors will be once again reprising their roles in the upcoming Hollywood film’s Japanese language dub.

According to Natalie , Akio Otsuka will be voicing Batou as did in the 1995 Ghost in the Shell anime feature, its 2004 sequel Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and Stand Alone complex. (Otsuka has also been the Japanese voice of Metal Gear ’s Snake.)

Likewise, Koichi Yamadera will be returning as the voice of Togusa, while Atsuko Tanaka will voice Scarlett Johansson’s character.

Tanaka, of course, voiced Motoko Kusanagi in the 1995 anime feature as well as through Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex . Since Johansson’s character is apparently named “Mira,” Tanaka’s performance might cause confusion? Maybe not.

“It’s been a while since they’ve played these characters,” says Mamoru Oshii, director of the 1995 anime film. “I definitely want them to deliver performances they see fit. They’re all pros, so there’s nothing to worry about, and I can only say that this is something to look forward to.”

Movies get both dubbed and subtitled releases in Japan. But in the past few years, Japanese moviegoers have been increasingly complaining about the folks movie studios have brought in for dubs. Instead of hiring proper voice actors and actresses, distributors have brought in whichever celebrity is currently popular.

Because of this, the Japanese dub releases of some movies have suffered ( The Avengers , for example ), which is explains why Oshii says there is nothing to worry about and mentions how Otsuka, Yamadera, and Tanaka are all pros. That they are.

Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.

Opening story…

Click here Tap here if the story doesn’t open after a few seconds.

Learn more about Apple News

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions