I like subs and dubs equally. Whenever I get a new anime series I usually watch the subbed version first, and then go back and watch it over again in English.

Depends. I get on kicks. Right now I generally choose dubs over subs. Of course, there are some shows I just can't stand the dub voices.

omg!! i LOVE Haunted Junction!!

unfortunately, my copy was lost along with a whole box of dvds during one of my moves, and i have yet to find a used copy somewhere ;_;

it's all about Asahina-kun {hugs} and "Aka-mantle wipe!"
rotflmao!!!!!

I have noticed that RightStuf seems to be going towards subtitles on most of their new releases like GAKUEN ALICE, Emma, MARIA WATCHES OVER US, and ARIA. I have over 1000 anime dvd's, most of which are bilingual. I have only bought 1 series that was subtitled, Cardcapter Sakura. I don't speak Japanese and because of my vision I have to pause subtitles to read them, so I don't buy them. I don't mind paying a little more for Dubs and would buy all of the above titles if they were Dubbed or bilingual.

Even though Bandai is putting out a subed version of Gurren Lagann the are still trying to get a Dubed version out this fall, they see a greater market in bilingual releases.

Obviously: The nice thing about the bilingual releases is it gives the buyer a choice in how they view the dvd no arguments about sub or dub its your choice.

Gurren Lagann is also, and no disrespect to TRSI's licenses here, going to outsell every single one of TRSI's recent acquisitions combined. Thus it can support the cost of a dub, which in this age of allegedly lowering license advance fees, may well be the single largest cost an R1 company takes on when they attempt to release an anime in R1. Estimates years ago were $10,000 an episode to dub a show. Even if costs have not risen (doubt that) you're talking a quarter of a million dollars to dub a standard two cour (~25 episode) show.

A show like Aria, in TRSI's estimation, won't sell enough extra copies with a dub to cover those kinds of costs. To the best of their knowledge, if they dubbed Aria they would lose money and be unable to keep licensing more shows. Maybe they're wrong... but the only way to find out for sure is to take a risk they decided was unacceptable.

I have already stated my opinion on this subject. I fully understand that the current market and business plan can't support dubs no matter how much I hate that. I too am a person that has to stop subs the first time I watch a show because I am a slow reader. Sadly, the days of subbing everything is gone. And I truly believe that in the next year or two you might even see sub only on the vast majority of titles. The only titles getting dubs will be those guaranteed to see air time on TV. I will no longer be participating in this topic because as we saw in the last one it only ends up in a fight. *great, now I have three 6 mafia in my head* and I have an angry streak that I don’t want to come out.

~patpat~ no worries. the Sub or Dub thread/debate has always been a hot topic, prone to squabbles and the occasional bit of ugliness. it can also promote open discussions of the pros and cons of each though.

mainly, it's a very personal topic which can make it hard to remain impersonal. i started out watching dub only and now i've been watching sub only for quiet a few years. it just evolved that way for me, but everyone is different

one fact is definitely for sure: dubs cost money, lots n lots of money. for a company that wants to take a risk and get in an anime which isn't mainstream or not gaurunteed to rake in the cashola, subs only is the best option to bring to the fans the anime they really want.

ultimately, having both choices is always the best and most fair, but sometimes factors just don't allow it to be that way.

I'm the same way. Started out on dubs and now on subs. As you said it's a personal choice.

Thank you, guys -- especially something, long time lurker, otakuden and stargates -- for keeping things mature and civil during this thread's last few posts. You have my personal thanks.

One thing that seems to have gotten lost among the fans (here and elsewhere) is that "different expectations" don't necessarily mean "low expectations." They are simply "different" expectations driven by the conditions of the current anime market. These expectations do play a factor in whether series get licensed (and whether or not they receive dubs).

Now, part of that is because you only get to hear part of the story: No company is going to open up its spreadsheets and show them to the fans. (As an industry, we do need to do a better job educating fans about the licensing process, and that's one of the reasons we have so many industry guests on Anime Today.)

I can speak for us, though. We carefully and thoroughly examine the potential possibilities for each property we bring out -- from the release plan to "how the heck are we going to market this?"

These are not easy decisions, nor are they decisions we make casually.

for me i would be a happy person if all dvds were released with subs only. Like in the vhs days XD