Is the dubbed version alright?


I watched the Japanese subtitled version, but I want to show it to my brother who can't read very fast (he's 14, 5 years younger than me). We've watched Pans Labyrinth and Downfall before, both of which he enjoyed.
My question is, considering his preference, does the dubbed version sacrifice much artistic value?

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I haven't watched the English version of this one in a while, but I remember it being fine. It doesn't "Americanize" the story or characters or anything like that. The voice acting is pretty good too, though personally I can't stand Chihiro's English voice which is a big reason I stopped watching that version.

"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"

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... though personally I can't stand Chihiro's English voice ...
Yes, I too, found it grating on quite a few occasions.🐭

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You don't like LILO???? :(


Whatever the weather my ass! It's hot as hell out here!

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Her performance as Lilo comes off as far more natural. As Chihiro she comes off as amateurish and seems to get a lot of the emotions wrong. I don't know why, I guess Lilo just suited her better.

"If life is getting you down and needs uplifting, then please come dance with me!"

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I understand your point of view on that, and almost agree with it, but I just see it as her being a scared a naive ten year old, which I think the voice fits well with.

Admittedly, I've only ever seen the English dub with Daveigh Chase, so I'm not too sure on the Japanese version.

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The dubbed is good.

Can't stop the signal.

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Disney always does an amazing job with studio ghibli films (the dub is excellent and I normally hate dubbing).

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I thought the dubbing was pretty good.

If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now.-Loki (Marvel's Avengers)

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I also agree the dub is very good, the jap is definitely superior but whenever my gf or friends wants to watch it, I'm cool with either version. The only scene I didn't care for was the way Chihiro's VA delivers the yelling rant to her parents when she goes to see them in the farm. Other than that she does a fine job.

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A bit late, but it's actually fine! I personally still greatly prefer the original - the subs I feel present a more accurate rendition of the story, and the voices seem to "fit" better (I say that as someone who watched the American dub first).

There are several occasions where the English dub actually clarifies plot points/small details that might be obvious to Japanese viewers, but lost on Western ones. I appreciate that immensely.

There are also some parts where the English dub distorts the meaning of the film; on one occasion, it's downright damaging and makes a character come across as mean (Hint - the scene involves Kamaji and Lin towards the last stretch of the movie).

Do what I do: watch 'em both :)

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The dubbed version did win an Oscar for Best Animated Film.

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the dubbing had nothing to do with SA winning the Oscar.

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It is one of the better dubs I have seen, but I wanted to say...you watched Pan's Labrynth and Downfall with a 14 year old?? Those are very violent and scary movies, isn't Downfall about Hitler??

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