When it comes to anime, there’s usually one major argument many fans partake in: sub or dub? Since many fans aren’t fluent in Japanese, they tend to rely on those who are to translate their favorite anime series; however, the preferred method is not always the same.

For those of you who don’t know what sub or dub means, allow me to explain. A subbed anime is one that includes subtitles, normally appears at the bottom of the screen, while a dubbed anime is one where the characters speak a language other than Japanese. I want to say English would be the definite other language but keep in mind that anime is popular worldwide. It’s unbelievable the amount of translations that are available for each anime series.

Some say that sub is the better method to truly appreciate the Japanese culture. Okay, maybe not. Many fans prefer sub since the Japanese are the ones who gives any anime character their authentic Japanese accent. Plus, the lip movements actually match what the characters speak. Another advantage to sub is you can learn Japanese while you watch the episodes. Subbed anime may not always be the best method since some fans are not able to read the translation and watch the action at the same time.

There are some fans that prefer dub to sub because they feel that reading subs can distract them when watching an episode. When you watch a dubbed episode, you don’t have to worry about what the characters are saying since they’re speaking a language you’re more familiar with. That is, of course, you have the correct dubbed version that you can understand. Dub episodes may not always be the way to go either since the voices may not match the original Japanese voice. When voices don’t match the characters, that’s when it can get difficult to finish watching anime. Then again, sometimes giving a character a different voice can be a blessing to some. Those of you who watched both the Japanese and English version of Dragon Ball Z should know what I’m talking about.

So, is there a clear winner between the two contenders? No. Not now. Not ever.

Rather than trying to convince other people to watch anime through just sub or dub, why not appreciate the fact that there are two ways to watch them. Even better, appreciate that you’re able to watch anime in the first place.