There are a lot of great anime out there, and if you’re one of those people who refuses to watch anime in English, we don’t blame you. Japanese is a language that’s both complex and fascinating, and it’s easy to see why someone would want to experience such a work of art in its original form.
The biggest reason people watch dubbed anime is that they want to understand what’s going on and enjoy the scenes without having to avert their eyes to read subtitles all the time. And while we agree that the original voice acting is typically better than the anime dub, this is not always the case. In fact, if you’re looking to expand your repertoire, we have some good news: plenty of English-dubbed anime out there are just as good as their Japanese counterparts. Some fans even prefer them!
Here at Bored Panda, we are huge fans of everything Japanese, especially if it’s animation! We’ve compiled a list of the best-dubbed anime we agree everyone should give a shot (even if you usually only watch subtitled shows).
#1 One-Punch Man
2015 | 24 episodes + 12 special episodes
In a nutshell, One Punch Man tells the story of Saitama, a superhero who can defeat anyone with just one punch. But, of course, he soon gets bored by a lack of challenges and sets out to find a worthy opponent. You know, just to add a little spice to the dull life of a superhero. The first season enjoyed massive success and was praised for its unorthodox hero, fantastic animation, and kooky sense of humor.
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36points
#2 My Hero Academia
2016 | Ongoing (100+ episodes)
In a world where most humans acquire superpowers at a very young age, a boy named Izuku Midoriya is one of the few who never developed any powers. But that’s not enough to stop him from following his dream and enrolling in a prestigious hero academy. Now, the promising freshman is making his debut at the world-renowned UA Academy. My Hero Academia won’t disappoint you, as it earned its fame as one of the best shounen anime of the last decade!
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34points
#3 Assassination Classroom
2015 | 49 episodes
The story here is quite an unusual one. It follows the daily life of a powerful octopus-like alien working as a junior high teacher. The creature’s students are tasked with assassinating him by their government, thus trying to prevent the planet’s obliteration. And who’s gonna teach them how to use weapons and strategy to kill him? The alien professor himself! This popular anime series may sound like it oversteps the “weirdness line,” but trust me here: there’s no way to stop binge-watching Assassination Classroom.
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34points
#4 Hunter X Hunter
2011 | 148 episodes
We’ve added Madhouse’s 2011 Hunter X Hunter anime series to our shounen list, leaving out the original adaptation released in 1999. Why? Well, simply because this second edition tried its best to stick to the events from the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi. And we do love ourselves an accurate adaptation! Hunter X Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a cheerful and pretty naive boy about to take the Hunter examination to become licensed to track secret treasures, rare beasts, and dangerous individuals. And that’s basically enough to know that the plot will be soaked in action and adventure.
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34points
#5 Naruto: Shippuden
2007 | 500 episodes
Naruto: Shippuden is the sequel to the original Naruto anime, corresponding to Part II of the manga. Its story is full of plot twists, ultimate battles, betrayal, and reforms, an entertaining series full of action and redemption. It debuted on Japanese TV in 2007 and concluded in 2017. A solid ten-year run!
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33points
#6 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2009 | 64 episodes
The steampunk series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is indeed one of a kind. It follows the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, two aspiring alchemists traveling the world and learning the secrets of their craft. But it’s not so simple and rosy, of course, as the brothers’ failed attempt to bring their deceased mother back to life ends up horribly, and that’s exactly the point where all of their dark adventures begin. Our heroes have zero time to relax with deep government conspiracies and unbelievable quests. If you’re unsure which anime to watch, you can’t go wrong with this one!
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31points
#7 Black Clover
2017 | 170 episodes
Asta is a boy who lives in a world where seemingly everyone has a magic power but him. One day, Asta gains a powerful grimoire and sets out to become the next Wizard King despite having no magic in him. In January 2021, Crunchyroll revealed that Black Clover was its most-watched series of 2020, and if that’s not a quantifier for an excellent watch, we don’t know what is!
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29points
#8 Fairy Tail
2009 | 328 episodes
If you are looking for a fantasy world with characters that are out of this world, you have come to the right place! Lucy, an aspiring Celestial Wizard, becomes a friend and ally to powerful wizards Natsu, Gray, and Erza, who are part of the infamous wizard guild, Fairy Tail. The author Hiro Mashima revealed that he based Natsu Dragoneel’s feisty personality on himself as a teenager.
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27points
#9 Attack On Titan
2013 | Ongoing (87+ episodes)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Attack On Titan tells the struggles of humanity forced to live inside cities surrounded by enormous walls, a defense against titans that feast on humans, seemingly without reason. Everything about Attack On Titan got its fair share of praise, starting with the characters and the dark themes, ending with the incredible storyline rich with plot twists that question the characters’ morality and raise discussion among fans. No wonder it’s beloved among critics and fans alike! The fandom is currently waiting for the very last part of the final season, coming out in 2023.
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27points
#10 Naruto
2002 | 220 episodes
Adapted from a comic by Masashi Kishimoto, this animated hit follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent boy who is determined to become a Hokage, a ninja acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of them all. The episodes are based on the first twenty-seven volumes in Part I of the manga, while some feature original, self-contained storylines.
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26points
