Hello everyone,

Recently, I saw a poster for the new The Super Mario Bros. Movie movie and started thinking about an important question:

Should I watch it subtitled or dubbed?

When foreign movies come to Japan, there are usually two choices. You can watch the movie with subtitles, or you can watch a dubbed version. What do these words mean?

A subtitled movie keeps the original voices of the actors. Written translations appear at the bottom of the screen so viewers can understand what they are saying.

A dubbed movie replaces the original voices with new voices in another language. In Japan, this usually means Japanese voice actors perform the lines instead of the original actors.

Both styles have good points and bad points.

Subtitled movies let you hear the original actors’ voices and emotions. Some people feel this creates a more “authentic”, or real experience. If you are studying English, subtitles can also help you connect spoken English with written meaning.

However, subtitles can sometimes be tiring. Your eyes move between the action and the text, and fast scenes may become difficult to follow. Also, if the movie has lots of action, you might miss small details while reading.

Dubbed movies are easier to relax and watch. You can focus completely on the story without worrying about reading subtitles. For younger people especially, dubbed movies are often more comfortable.

On the other hand, some people feel dubbed movies lose part of the original performance. Voices and jokes may sound different after translation, and sometimes famous actors suddenly sound completely different from what audiences expect.

Personally, I think both styles can be enjoyable depending on the movie. Animated movies like Mario are interesting because the dubbed versions are often very energetic and fun. At the same time, hearing the original actors can also be part of the experience.

In the end, there is probably no “correct” answer.

Some people love subtitles.
Some people love dubbing.
Some people choose based on mood.
And some people accidentally buy tickets for the wrong version and discover it only after the movie starts.

So how about you? If you had the choice, would you watch a movie subtitled or dubbed?

Good luck on your tests!