People are going crazy over some news and statistics that came out, and also coming up with their own theories as to why. Netflix just came out and announced that 80-90% of their anime viewers watch them in English dub.
Now, you can hate English dubs all you want and keep watching the subs, that’s completely fine, and no one is going to stop you. But tell me, why do you think so many people watch English dubs on Netflix? Is it-
- People enjoy using anime like a podcast, and have it turned on in the background.
- A lot of kids in America are too stupid to read subtitles, so they have to watch the English dub.
- People who own a Netflix account would rather listen to something in their language.
Now honestly, I think this is a weird point to make. I don’t really think it runs that deep. Like, I doubt the reason the number is so high when it comes to the average people watching English dubs on Netflix is because kids can’t read. Hell, when I was younger, I watched English dubs even though I knew how to read at that point in time. Why? Because I was more accustomed to watching English dubs because of Toonami. And let's be honest, what kind of kid really wants to try watching an anime while also trying to read it? They just got out of school, the last thing they want to do is do more reading.
Like, I know people enjoy shitting on the American school system, but like, you wouldn’t be able to pass a basic test if you couldn’t read at a simple level. Hell, you’ll be failing even math tests without knowing basic reading. So I feel like the reason for such a huge number of Netflix viewers watching English dubs is more because most Netflix viewers might not really be as deep into anime as much as the people who were into anime before things like Amazon or Netflix started picking them up. I don’t want to call Netflix anime viewers casual, but I don’t feel like they're the kind of people who are trying to figure out what anime is dropping every season. They’re pretty much into the Demon Slayer, and Dandadan. Which hey, those are two good series to be into. But they're definitely not watching the latest Mushoku Tensei or The Summer Hikaru Died. Which again, is not an issue, different strokes for different folks. I just think that’s just a better explanation on why the English dub number for Netflix is so high. Also, people who are watching anime subs, aren’t even using Netflix. Most anime fans are watching their anime somewhere on the Grand Line, like a true pirate.
Why do you think Netflix English dub viewership is so high? Do you think a lot of kids can’t read anime subs? Do you have a Netflix subscription? Tell us in the comments.
