FUNimation: The Best English Anime Dubbing Company

Dubbed anime is an excellent way to enjoy your favorite Japanese animated shows and movies without the language barrier, but not all English dubs are created equal. A poorly dubbed anime can ruin the entire experience, as the voices and dialogue can be jarring and out of sync with the animation. On the other hand, a good English dub can elevate the anime to a whole new level, making the characters more relatable and the storyline more immersive.

It takes a combination of technical expertise, linguistic proficiency, and artistic interpretation to create a dub that does justice to the original material. 

After countless years of watching and writing about English dubbed anime, I conclude that FUNimation is the best English anime dubbing company. Why do you ask

FUNimation was established in 1994 and has a long history of successful English dub releases, leading to a massive library of anime titles. This experience has allowed them to refine their processes and hone their skills, resulting in some of the most accurate and compelling English-language anime adaptations.

One of the reasons that FUNimation is so successful in its dubbing efforts is also due to its talented voice actors. They employ a vast pool of voice actors, many of whom are highly skilled and have extensive experience in the industry. They also take great care in casting actors who deeply understand the source material and can bring authenticity and nuance to their performances. By doing so, they can deliver English dubs that match the lip-sync of the original Japanese dialogue and capture the spirit of the characters and the story.

Another critical factor that sets FUNimation apart from other dubbing companies is their focus on localization. They understand that anime is created in a different cultural context and that direct dialogue translations may not resonate with Western audiences. To address this, they have developed a localization process that involves adapting the dialogue to fit their target audience while maintaining the creators’ original intent. This attention to detail helps create a more immersive viewing experience for fans who prefer English dubs.

In addition to their focus on localization, FUNimation is dedicated to providing accurate script adaptations. They understand the importance of staying true to the original story while still making it accessible to an English-speaking audience. They work closely with their translators to ensure the dialogue is faithful to the original Japanese while still being easy to understand and relatable to Western viewers.

Finally, FUNimation’s willingness to listen to fan feedback and make improvements based on that feedback has helped to establish them as a fan favorite in the anime community. They take to heart what fans say about their dubbing work and are always looking for ways to improve and refine their process. This dedication to their craft and fans is a testament to their commitment to providing the best possible anime-watching experience for English dubbed anime lovers.

A critically acclaimed and popular anime series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, tells the story of two brothers who use alchemy to search for a way to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to bring their mother back to life. FUNimation’s English dub of this series is widely considered one of the best dubs of all time, with outstanding performances by voice actors such as Vic Mignogna* and Travis Willingham, who voice the main lead Edward Elric and Roy Mustang, respectively.

*Yes, the author is aware of the allegations made against him

Attack on Titan takes place in a world where humanity has to live behind massive walls to protect itself from man-eating giants. The series has been a huge hit both in Japan and overseas. FUNimation’s English dub of Attack on Titan is widely considered one of the best in recent years, with solid performances by voice actors Bryce Papenbrook and Trina Nishimura. Nishimura won the Best Female Lead – People’s Choice at the third BTVA Anime Dub Awards. Moreover, the cast won the Best Vocal Ensemble – People’s Choice that year.

The series follows Izuku Midoriya, a young boy born without superpowers in a world where they are the norm. He dreams of becoming a hero like his idol, All Might, and eventually gains his powers by joining a prestigious academy to train and become a professional hero.

FUNimation’s English dub of My Hero Academia has received widespread praise for its strong performances by voice actors Christopher Sabat and Justin Briner and its faithful translation and high-quality sound design.

These are just a few examples of the many excellent English dubbed anime series that FUNimation has released over the years.

While FUNimation is the best English anime dubbing company, there are several other top companies that also provide high-quality English dubs. Here are some of them:

• Sentai Filmworks is a leading distributor of anime in North America and has a strong reputation for producing high-quality English dubs. Fans praise their dubs for their faithful translations and strong performances.
  Examples: Akame ga Kill!, Parasyte -the maxim-, and Food Wars!

• Viz Media is a leading publisher and distributor of manga and anime in North America, and their English dubs are highly regarded for their quality and accuracy. Their dubs are often praised for their well-cast voice actors and faithful translations that capture the spirit of the original Japanese performances.
  Examples: Megalo Box, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Mr. Osomatsu
• Bang Zoom! Entertainment specializes in English dubbing and voice-over production for anime, video games, and other forms of entertainment. Their English dubs are known for their high production values and talented voice actors, who can deliver just as good as the original Japanese performances.
  Examples: Higurashi When They Cry, Durarara!!, Your Lie in April

Crunchyroll is primarily known as a streaming service offering a wide range of anime titles, including many simulcasts from Japan with English subtitles. While Crunchyroll has produced a few English dubs in recent years, they are not typically known as an English dubbing company.

That being said, the quality of their English dubs varies depending on the specific series and the team working on it. Some of their English dubs have been well received by fans and critics, such as their dub of Mob Psycho 100. However, other dubs produced by Crunchyroll have been criticized for their pacing and inconsistent voice acting.

While Crunchyroll is less established than the other companies mentioned, they have made efforts to produce quality English dubs in recent years and have certainly contributed to the dub fandom by merging with FUNimation. 

In the ever-growing world of anime, two major players have come together to create an even more impressive force in the industry. FUNimation and Crunchyroll have merged, creating one of North America’s largest anime dubbing companies. The two companies have been long-standing rivals in the anime community, but their merger promises to bring fans an even greater selection of dubbed and subbed anime.

Currently, both companies are operating independently, and fans of both can still access their favorite shows through their respective platforms. However, fans can expect more collaboration between the two companies as the merger progresses, with potential cross-platform releases and a wider selection of dubbed content. And ultimately, becoming one under the name Crunchyroll.

Even though the FUNimation and Crunchyroll merger promises many benefits for anime fans, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. One potential downside is that the merger could decrease competition in the anime industry, which could result in fewer options and higher prices for consumers. While the platforms have offered deals for switching over to Crunchyroll, a price increase is inevitable if they want to expand their content. Prime members have seen their monthly subscription increase. Also, you have to take into the shifting global economic landscape. So, you’ll have to give out more to watch your favorite dub anime.

Another potential issue is that the merger may change the dubbing process for certain titles. FUNimation is known for its high-quality English dubs. Still, there is a concern that the merger with Crunchyroll could lead to changes in the dubbing process that may not meet the same standard.

Nevertheless, the FUNimation and Crunchyroll merger is a significant development in the anime dubbing industry. It promises to bring fans even more high-quality content, both dubbed and subbed – still needs to be debated –, and represents a major step forward in the growth and evolution of the anime industry in North America.

The best English anime dubbing company is FUNimation (Crunchyroll in a few years), with its experienced voice actors, accurate script adaptation, and high-quality audio engineering. They consistently provide high-quality dubs that stay true to the source material, making them the go-to company for many English dubbed anime fans. While there are several other top English dubbing companies, FUNimation is the best option for bringing favorite anime shows and movies to life in English. Whether you prefer dubbed or subbed anime, FUNimation is worth checking out.