Specialises in hidden gems, isekai, and anything with great world-building.
The "sub vs dub" debate is over. Some anime have English dubs that are genuinely great — performances that add to the experience rather than detract from it. Here are the best.
The list
1. Cowboy Bebop
Steve Blum as Spike Spiegel is the gold standard for anime dubbing. The entire cast is perfect. Most fans — even sub purists — agree the Bebop dub is at least equal to the original Japanese. The jazz-inflected dialogue works beautifully in English.
2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Vic Mignogna (Edward), Travis Willingham (Roy Mustang), and the full Funimation cast delivered career-defining performances. The emotional scenes hit just as hard in English.
3. Dragon Ball Z
Sean Schemmel's Goku is iconic to a generation. The Funimation dub IS Dragon Ball for Western fans. The Super Saiyan 3 scream is the most famous dubbed performance in anime history.
4. My Hero Academia
Justin Briner's Deku captures the character's emotional range perfectly — from timid admiration to battle-hardened determination. The full cast is excellent, especially Chris Sabat as All Might.
5. Steins;Gate
J. Michael Tatum as Okabe Rintaro delivers one of the best dubbed performances in anime. His shift from eccentric mad scientist to desperate time traveler is masterfully voiced.
6. Black Lagoon
An anime set in Southeast Asia with English-speaking characters. The dub feels more natural than the sub. The profanity-heavy dialogue was written for English delivery.
7. Death Note
Brad Swaile (Light) and Alessandro Juliani (L) bring perfect intensity to their roles. "I'll take a potato chip... AND EAT IT" is somehow more dramatic dubbed.
8. Spy x Family
Alex Organ (Loid), Natalie Van Sistine (Yor), and Megan Shipman (Anya) nail their characters. Anya's English voice is adorable and meme-worthy.
9. Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
One of the rare anime where the dub is universally considered superior. The script was rewritten for English with sharper comedy and more creative profanity.
10. Baccano!
A show set in 1930s America about immortal gangsters. The English dub nails the period-appropriate accents and dialogue. Watching this subbed feels wrong.
Honourable mentions
- Bleach — Johnny Yong Bosch as Ichigo is iconic
- Attack on Titan — Bryce Papenbrook grew into the role perfectly
- Demon Slayer — Zach Aguilar's Tanjiro is earnest and warm
- Samurai Champloo — same quality as the Bebop dub
- Ghost Stories — the dub is a completely different (hilarious) show
Find anime based on mood, not language → [Try Vibe Search](/vibes)