Dubbed Intros Cut the Whole Mood, Subbed Kept It Real

Last month I rewatched Cowboy Bebop episode 5, the one with the old Beckett play, and having seen the subbed version 3 years ago I realized how much the dub's intro music kills the dread. The Japanese version lets the silence hang for 15 seconds before the horn kicks in, the dub just dives in with fanfare. I switched to subs for everything after that and now I can't go back. Anyone else notice a specific scene where the dub's timing wrecked the tension at Tokyo Anime Fest or just on your couch?

1 comments

1 Comment

wendyk5619d ago

Wait, are you sure the Japanese version lets the silence hang? I checked the original broadcast audio a while back, and the music actually starts about the same time in both versions. The real difference is the mix, the dub has the horn more upfront while the sub keeps it softer in the background. That can definitely change how tense a scene feels, but it's not so much about timing as it is about volume and tone. I get why you switched, the dub's sound design can be pretty heavy handed at times, just thought I'd point that out. Your mileage may vary though, some folks prefer that punch.

-1