Few debates are as heated in the anime community as the one surrounding whether it is better to watch anime subtitled or dubbed. Based solely on discourse available online, it's easy to conclude that the overwhelming majority of fans prefer to watch anime in the original Japanese. However, a new interview with Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini reveals that dubs actually have the slight advantage, though there is one catch that is easy to miss.

In an interview with news site C21Media, Purini speaks about anime's global growth and specifically how the medium is gaining increasing popularity in the UK Between snippets of insight from Purini about how anime is faring in the U.K., the interviewer writes "48% of UK fans also watch their anime subtitled – more than anywhere else in the world, [Purini] added." Though fans may be taking Purini's comments an applying them to the wider anime community, it is important to note that his 48% figure is only referring to anime fans in the UK.

Crunchyroll's New Data Completely Reframes The Sub Vs. Dubs Debate

Crunchyroll's President Hints That Dubs Are Essential To Growing Anime Fandom

The fan debates about subs vs. dubs are incredibly nuanced and truly drill down to the heart of what people value about the medium. While sub proponents prefer the authenticity, accuracy, and nuance of Japanese performances, those who like dubs find that their preferred method is not only easier to understand, but can also contain equally breathtaking performances. There are even a handful of older anime with great dub performances. No matter how heated the debate gets, though, the numbers suggest that a majority of fans have already made their choice in droves.

Though the 48% figure is getting a great deal of attention, Purini's follow-up is equally telling: “Since anime is rooted in Japan, localization has always been key and we are investing in dubs and making anime feel right at home for our fans worldwide.” This comment strongly suggests that Crunchyroll views dubs as an essential part of their strategy to bring anime to the entire globe, and while some may balk at the idea, Crunchyroll wouldn't be investing so heavily in dubs if it weren't an effective way to generate more anime viewers.

Dubs May Have Their Fair Share Of Detractors, But They Have Become A Pillar Of Anime

For The Medium To Stay Sustainable, Dubs May Be Completely Necessary

It is difficult to deny that there are definitely some subpar dubs produced, and the threat of AI dubs hangs over anime. Still, though, to ignore or downplay dubs as a whole denies the hard work and ion from the actors and workers who make dubs possible. Dubbing anime is a notoriously thankless job, as actors can face harassment and relatively low wages. No one gets into dubbing for an easy paycheck. Even if fans deny the skill and craft of dubbing anime though, dubbing may be wholly necessary for anime to keep on getting produced at all.

Bringing new fans into the fold isn't just a pipe dream; it is essential for the industry to sustain itself.

It's no secret that anime is growing more expensive to produce every year. As technology marches on and fans expect bigger things from anime year to year, it is just an inevitability that anime costs more to produce every year. So with ballooning budgets, bringing new fans into the fold isn't just a pipe dream; it is essential for the industry to sustain itself.

Studios want their anime to be seen by as many people as possible, and the best way to do that outside of Japan is clearly to produce dubs. Despite the numbers from Crunchyroll's president, though, it's clear that fan debates around subs vs. dubs will only continue as more of the latter is produced.