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How long does it take to dub an anime?

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link0007:
As I'm rather new to anime besides watching what is on TV, I was wondering how long it usually takes before a Japanese anime gets picked up for distribution and dubbed and then released in other regions. I'm sure it depends on the anime and how popular it was in Japan and all that stuff but what's a good average? And after how much time is it more likely that it will not get picked up? I ask this because I usually like to wait to see if the dub is any good before watching an anime.

Also as a side note, what I am really curious about is if Itazura na Kiss will ever get dubbed. What do you guys think the likelihood of that happening is?

morrefule:
I don't think you can really gauge something like this, and I'm assuming you are talking about a US release.  Some things get dubbed pretty quickly and some don't.  2 years is a good estimate for a fast dub, because normally what seems to happen is the series finishes in Japan, A US Company decides to License it, it gets translated, a script gets written, script gets approved, voice actors are hired, production starts, post production, and then who knows what else I’m leaving out.  It isn't a quick and easy process by any means

But I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing less and less dubs out there, because of the way the anime industry is headed during the current economic downturn.  For those of us who enjoy subs, that’s a good thing, that means we will get content quicker.  For those of us who enjoy Dubs probably will be less of a selection out there.

As far as Itazura na Kiss is concerned, who knows.  It needs to get licensed first, and I haven't seen anything out there about it, but I really didn't put it on my list of things to "watch to buy" so I’m not really tracking it.  It is a tough title to say one way or another.  But what I would really like to see released in the US is Ef, but I’ll keep dreaming :)

link0007:
Thanks for the reply. I was hoping something a little shorter than 2+ years but oh well. I would rather them take time and make it good than just throw something out.

--- Quote from: morrefule on May 02, 2009, 01:42:13 AM ---But what I would really like to see released in the US is Ef, but I’ll keep dreaming :)

--- End quote ---
Oh man I would love to see that licensed in the US.  :)

Ayporos:
I agree with Morrefule,

Looking at the way things are going at the moment I also believe we will see an increase of subs hitting the US retail market if anything.

But I do not share morrefule's opinion that this is a 'good' thing for us sub-watchers.

My reasoning for this is as follows:
Companies doing subtitles for a Japanese anime to make it compatible for US retail market ALWAYS and ALWAYS WILL 'westernalise' them.
Companies exsist for one purpose and one purpose only.. I don't care what you might think, because it's isn't 'customer service'... it's cold hard PROFIT.
For a company to make as much profit as possible a product needs to appeal to as many people as possible.. aka, the 'dumb consumer masses'.
This means Japanese cultural structure that isn't compatible with western/US culture will get lost in translation.. this usually includes (but is not limited to): honorifics, expressions, sayings, name order (name, surname vs surname, name) etc etc etc.

This necessarily doesn't need to pose a problem... as long as fansubbers continue their GREAT work.
However the problem with this is that fansubbers might lose a bit of interrest in putting their hard work and hours into translating an anime if a bigshot company is going to do it aswell anyway..

Sorry if I turned this thread into a philosophical discussion but I just felt I had to say this ::)

Zalis116:
It's anybody's guess as to when titles will be licensed in this tumultuous market, and it's an equal crapshoot as to whether they'll be dubbed or not. For the time being, I recommend checking out existing titles that already have English dubs -- check out the "Best/Worst Dubs" thread in this forum if you need a place to get started.


--- Quote from: Ayporos ---Companies exist for one purpose and one purpose only.. I don't care what you might think, because it's isn't 'customer service'... it's cold hard PROFIT.
--- End quote ---
You're right about that -- but the same applies to the companies that actually produce the anime as well. They don't make it on a charity basis just so that people across the ocean can download it for free. So why slam overseas distributors for being profit-motivated, when the whole purpose behind anime's very existence is to make money?


--- Quote ---This means Japanese cultural structure that isn't compatible with western/US culture will get lost in translation.. this usually includes (but is not limited to): honorifics, expressions, sayings, name order (name, surname vs surname, name) etc etc etc.
--- End quote ---
How much of this is based on assumption, and how much is based on actual experience with R1 subs? Because recently, many R1 releases have had subtitles creeping closer to "fansub-esque" as far as name order, honorifics, notes, etc. are concerned. Nozomi's Marimite releases even have an alternate "hardcore" subtitle track in addition to the standard localized subs. And really, how much is "lost in translation" by having "I'm off to school!" instead of "itte kimasu" in the subtitles? Same goes for itadakimasu, gochisou-sama, and so forth. You're right that localization takes place, but put yourself in the shoes of a newer fan picking up an anime DVD for whatever reason. If there's no dub and the subtitles are full of arcane gibberish, is that new fan going to keep on buying and watching anime? Probably not. Catering exclusively to insular fan communities is bad business.

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