Death Note Dub Vs. Sub: Which One Should I Watch?

Indeed, most animes are best enjoyed in Japanese, but there's an exception to every rule, and Death Note might be the prime example of it.

Unlike most anime, Death Note's English dub is wonderful. The voices match the characters more than their Japanese counterparts (Ryuk, for example, sounds perfect in English), and it's got a level of flair that the sub lacks.

The sub, in retrospect, is true to the material and tone of the show. Some scenes are more impactful when you watch them in Japanese, and the dub cannot do them justice.

Now, whether you watch Death Note in English or Japanese depends on many factors: Is Death Note going to be your first anime? Are you comfortable with subtitles? Can you keep up with the show with subtitles, or does the reading take away from the fun?

If it sounds overly complicated, don't fret. We're here to help you pick the ideal language you should watch Death Note in!

Should I Watch Death Note In Sub Or Dub?

Death Note's subtitles are wordy, making it hard to keep up with them. And for a show that relies so heavily on detail, it's crucial you don't struggle to follow the plot.

If you're not comfortable with subtitles yet, watching Death Note in English is better because otherwise, the show might confuse you.

For any other show, we'd tell you to risk it. But Death Note demands attention, and some of the scenes might be really confusing if you don't understand what's going on. For the sake of convenience, it's better that you stick to the English dub.

Don't feel like you'll be making a huge compromise, though; DN's dubbed version is as good as (and in some ways even better) than the original. It might not have the eerie energy of the sub, but it has its own advantages.

For example, the dub is much funnier than the sub. The script was rewritten in English with a little more flair and humor, adding a new dimension to the story.

Take a look at this conversation between L and Misa:

The sub lacks these little quirks that make the dub so entertaining.

Another positive about DN's dub is that it adapts the story without disregarding/directly changing cultural elements from the series. It doesn't "westernize" itself for the sake of its audience. Apart from slight changes in dialogue, the dub stays true to the original material in every possible way.

Of course, there are things that only the sub got right.

For starters, it nailed Light's cold and calculating demeanor. In the dub, he sounds a little unhinged from the beginning (in a good way), but the original audio portrays his personality more accurately.

And if you have experience with subbed animes, you'll appreciate the Japanese dialogues more. There's something so chilling about "Watashiwa L desu" instead of the simple "I am L." Both are good, but the original audio sounds more exciting to the ear.

Regardless, apart from personal preferences, there's no other reason for anyone to miss out on DN's dub. It's phenomenally executed, and if subtitles give you a hard time, don't think twice about switching to English.

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