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ANN should have a Sub vs. Dub rating (details...)

Everytime I am researching a possible show to watch, one of the first things I look for is "is the english version acceptable, or generally well respected".

I know in their anime reviews they have separate scores for Sub and Dub but that is only in their reviews of individual DVDs.

I was thinking it would be cool if right below the "User Ratings" there was also another little bar graph just like the "User Ratings" one where one category is Sub and one is Dub titled quite simply "Sub vs. Dub Rating" and people would vote on it on their profile the same way we already score our ratings.

This way, users simply take a quick look at the an anime's ANN home page to help decide whether to go sub or dub on that particular anime. Easy right?

Does anyone else think it's a good idea? Does something like this already exist? How would one go about suggesting this?

Don't you guys are being a little pessimistic? How exactly would this feature be abused?

I really don't think it matters personally, because I'd watch it in either language.

I can't imagine most people taking the time to do it though

let alone like you suggested or without abusing it

Everytime I am researching a possible show to watch, one of the first things I look for is "is the english version acceptable, or generally well respected".

It does matter. Two people that watch the same anime but with different audio tracks can go through two very distinct experiences and some anime are undoubtedly better with one over the other. Can you imagine someone telling you they watched "Cowboy Bebop" subtitled? Or D. Grayman dubbed? I think people need to be informed.

Don't you guys are being a little pessimistic? How exactly would this feature be abused?

People on this website take the time to write up reviews, compile an anime list, and rating their anime. I don't think voting on "Sub" or "Dub" is too much of a stretch at all.

As you note yourself, this is something covered in reviews, and most stuff that gets dubbed gets reviewed here at some point. How are the comments and grades given in those reviews not acceptable for this purpose? While there may be some variance, there's usually not a big difference between reviewer evaluation of sub/dub merits and general public opinion on them from amongst open-minded fans. (I don't even count the opinions of the dub-only and sub-only crowds unless they are deviating from the norm.)

This means if I am trying to decide whether to go dub or not, I cannot count on ANN for assistance until the DVD is released.

But considering I typically only watch English dubs, it goes without saying if a show has a option of English, I will always pick that 100% of the time. The only time I only watch a show with subtitles is when there is no English option and it's unlicensed.

(And for the record, I watched Cowboy Bebop subbed.)

marie-antoinette wrote:

(And for the record, I watched Cowboy Bebop subbed.)

Prime example of what I think should be avoided. Cowbow Bebop is an anime that is widely regarded as having an excellent dub track that is superior than the original Japanese dialogue.

Had that information been readily available on the ANN page (assuming you visited the page before watching the show), you would have known and watched the anime the optimum way.

I recommend you at least skim through it dubbed. Spike's voice is so much cooler in the english version.