There is no “right” answer, but here is a helpful guide:

One of the primary benefits of anime dubs is increased accessibility. Dubbed anime allows viewers who are not fluent in Japanese to enjoy their favorite shows without the need for subtitles or language learning. This has helped to expand the global anime fanbase, making it possible for people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to connect with Japanese pop culture. Additionally, dubs can help to make anime more appealing to a wider audience, as some viewers may find it difficult to focus on subtitles while watching a show.

For decades, a quiet but fierce war has raged in the world of anime fandom: Purists often argue that the original Japanese voice acting (with subtitles) is the only “authentic” way to watch. However, this dismisses a massive, high-quality segment of the industry that has grown exponentially in professionalism and accessibility.

The history of anime dubs dates back to the 1960s, when anime began to gain popularity worldwide. One of the earliest and most iconic anime dubs is the English version of "Astro Boy" (1963), which was produced by NBC and featured a predominantly American voice cast. However, it was not until the 1990s that anime dubs started to gain mainstream popularity, with the rise of companies like Funimation, 4Kids Entertainment, and DiC Entertainment. These companies began to produce dubs for a wide range of anime shows, from action-adventure series like "Dragon Ball" and "Naruto" to more fantastical shows like "Sailor Moon" and "Pokémon."

Let’s tackle the two biggest arguments against dubs head-on.