Let’s Compare English Anime Theme Songs To Their Japanese Original

There’s always a lot of discussion around sub vs dub. Many of us started with dub shows and songs on TV, and some newer fans may still prefer dubbed for their own reason. Of course some things will be lost in translation or has to be cut out due to censorship, but the stories should still be somewhat true to the original.

But there’s one other aspect that changes greatly when dubbed, and that’s the theme songs. Thankfully, these days, even if a show was dubbed, they may still use the original opening like we saw with Inuyasha and Bleach when it was on air. But for older anime fans, they may have never heard the original openings since the English opening was widely loved.

So, I thought it would be fun to find all the dubbed openings I could and compare it to the Japanese original. I have seen a couple videos on Youtube do this, but they would only include a clip of the song, so here’s your chance to listen to it in all it’s glory.

Be sure to share your thoughts and preferences in the comments! And if you’re into Japanese music, I have a lot of other articles, theory lessons, and easy anime songs for instrument beginners on my Japanese Music Resources page.

P.S. I did make a previous post about some of the best forgotten English soundtracks, but today, I’m just going to show a comparison of some English dubs vs the original. I’ve skipped songs where the lyrics are simply dubbed, unless the music itself has been changed like in Sailormoon.

Pokemon (Season 1)

*The first time I heard the Jp, I didn’t like it at all, but that’s just me being biased. After a few more listens, it’s not bad. However, both songs give a different feel. The JP is more about catching Pokemon even if it’s hard, and how he’s going on a journey, which is a great original opening that tells you what Ash is about to do. However, the English is about Ash and his deep mission to be the best, wants to be a master, and I think the song just hits deeper.

Beyblade

I don’t have a whole lot to say about this one, but the English op and the whole soundtrack is amazing. I think male vocals work really well for a series that does have mostly main characters. “Let It Rip” was certainly a phrase all kids my age would say at the top of our lungs haha

Sailor moon

For Sailor Moon, they kept the song and general melody. However, the original has one lady singing while the English has a group of girls. The English also added a bit of a rap, and of course, the epic guitar solo.

Digimon

While I’m sure many of us loved the techy Digital rap. simple and catchy. However, the Japanese opening was what got me interested in Japanese music. While neither opening really tells you much about the show, the original with it’s rock riffs and emotional singer, it’s a song that even non-fans love.

For Season 4 aka Frontier, I feel they both do a good job at creating a sense of wonder and uneasiness as the kids go to this new world and have to fight themselves to save everyone.

Yugioh

It was so interesting hearing the original for this one. I’m so used to the epic instrumental for the English one that I really didn’t expect a rock song with words for the original. The Japanese riles you up just a bit like it does for other shows on this list, but I like that the English carries that Egyptian sound just a bit, and makes the show sound a bit scary initially, then switches to an epic baseline. It’s a bit all over the place.

Cardcaptors

Many western fans who have heard the original seem to prefer it. It’s a sweet and cute pop song that really gives the show a more feminine sound and appeal. You don’t really see the cards or monsters in the original. As someone who grew up a tomboy, the English opening was what made me want to tune in everyday. It sounds more epic and you’re looking forward to the battles and adventures highlighted in the clips.

One Piece

The original for this show is very energetic which I think fits the show initially as these pirates embark on a big adventure. The English went with an epic hip hop and rap song similar to Digimon. They decide to tell the story and introduce you to all the characters.

Kirby

Here’s another show that I’m really curious how fans feel. I haven’t watched but the original definitely sounds and looks like a kiddie show, the same level as Hello Kitty. The English opening…okay, it does remind me of some Western kid shows as well, but it’s definitely more energetic and fun, kinda jazzy, with a lot more adventure and fighting scenes.

Shamen King

The original went with a more upbeat pop song with some very inspiring lyrics. The English went with a slower ballad feel with very simple lyrics, but this was quite common. I didn’t watch this show to know which one fits it better, but I would have to give this one to the Japanese.

Magical DoReMi

I think this is one of the few series where they tried to make an original song with a similar sound and feel. However, I like that the Japanese song had more instruments and musical elements since the show is about musical powers.

Metabots

Both these songs can rile you up for sure. The English one doesn’t have a whole lot of words, but focuses more on the Metabots and the fighting aspect of the show. The Japanese one focuses more on the inner dialogue of the main character, and I always find it cute when they get the main character’s voice actor to sing a theme song.

B-damAn

While I did watch this show as a kid, I couldn’t recall how the opening went at all. I wasn’t digging the Japanese one since it sounded both empty but also all over the place….but then I listened to the English and realized they copied the same elements and structure of the song, just revamped it and used younger, more energetic singers, and a different melody.

Hamtaro

This was one of my favourite shows as a kid (and what made me ask for a hamster) but I just can’t with the original graphics ^^” Japan went with a bit more of a reggae feel and just had the verse repeat. Hamtaro went with a more fun pop version with…a lot of autotune. It was also designed to go with the graphics of the opening.

Rave Master

For this show, the Japanese went with a more traditional-pop sounding opening, very 90s Japan. The English went with a more upbeat, but cartoonish sound like Hamtaro above.

Dragonball Z

I’m sure Chala Head Chala and Rock The Dragon has a pretty equal amount of fans. One Youtuber made a comment that the Japanese focuses more on the characters and adventure aspect, but the English goes crazy with the fighting scenes. As many times as I’ve heard Chala, the English opening is just more exciting for me thanks to the guitar rock riffs and yelling haha. Probably one of the better dubbed ops.

As for the GT openings, it’s quite a switch up. The Japanese has a softer pop sound, again, very 90s Japan. The English one though, took a step back. They tried to combine hip hop with rock, but I feel the song is too soft compared to the visuals.

Yu Yu Hakusho

I was considering not adding this one since it is a direct dub, but it was also a bit interesting to hear. The original series aired in 1992, while the dubbed aired 10 years later in 2002, so I’m actually surprised that they chose this route and was able to use the original backing track….but what can I say, it’s a pretty good, chill song.

Ouran High School Host Club

This was another song that was directly dubbed, but it’s definitely a very popular show. Since the Japanese version has some English phrases, it’s always interesting hearing how that would sound with a native speakers voice.

Naruto

This is one of few animes where there was an English dub, but then they just started using the Japanese songs, like One Piece. The Japanese version has a more mellow slow rock opening, while the Naruto goes with…a very short rock anthem. When I rated the Naruto Japanese openings (as a non-watcher) and looked around for opinions, I don’t recall seeing anyone really voting for ROCKS, but I am curious if any OG fans recall watching and loving the English opening. I’m sure it got many people interested as did the Dragonball Z English opening.

Gundam Force

For Gundam Force, the original had a more bubbly opening by Puffy AmiYumi (Same group that sang the Teen Titan opening), but the dub opted for a majestic orchestral instrumental.

Tokyo mew Mew

Mew Mew Power did air on TV, but I avoided this show cause it looked and sounded to girly (as opposed to Cardcaptors like I mentioned above), but I watched the subbed years later and loved it! While both songs talk about love, the Japanese version is a lot more subtle, expressing one’s feelings and the need to build courage and confidence, while the English directly states, “it’s hard to save the world when you’re falling in love”. It was always disappointing that a strong female character just had to coincide with a romance story (ie, Sailormoon and Cardcaptors).

Saint Seiya/Knight Of The Zodiac

Both these songs went with a rock theme. The Japanese does have this retro sound, combined with a lower male vocal, which I think fits really well. I don’t know what the shows about, but after hearing it, it feels like I do (The nostalgic power of Japanese music). The English one started off well, but after listening to all the songs above, I guess I have to accept a lot of English dubbed openings have the corniest or most basic lyrics. The chorus just says “I ran away, ran all night and day”, so very generic ^^” It could actually pass for a real English rock song though, instead of sounding too cartoonish, so it’s not horrible music wise.

Superbook

Last but not least, we got Superbook. I remembered watching a few episodes as a kid so checked it out in high school and finished it. Only after did I come to realize it was an anime too, which was really shocking. Japan isn’t a very religious place and Christians make up a very small minority, so it didn’t make a lot of sense. I’m also not used to animes featuring many other races and cultures, but hey, Japan works hard research wise. It’s definitely one of the best Christian series I’ve watched.

The original focuses more on the beauty of creation and mentions Adam and Even in Eden, but the English actually does a better job at letting you know what the actual series is about, which is 2 kids and their robot toy going back in time and taking part in all these biblical stories, talking to the people and being saved by the danger and violence that was going on back then.

Conclusion

It’s always interesting checking out original openings. I know yeaaars back when I listened to some of these, I didn’t like them at all, but that’s because I had a western ear and was used to western theme songs and openings. Now, over 15 years later, after listening to a lot more Japanese music and watching more dubbed series, I can listen, appreciate, and rank more fairly.

I will admit, in the majority of cases, the Japanese did it better. They are the OGs of course, but there’s still a few that I think the English did a better job at showcasing what the show was about or creating music that would interest kids more, or at least Western kids I guess.

Pokemon, is just a classic. Even people who didn’t watch it know it. The Beyblade opening and the “Let it Rip” slogan went hard on the playground floors. As I said earlier, if Cardcaptors had a softer or more girly opening, I probably wouldn’t have watched it. And I kinda like the modern and hard rock theme of the Dragon Ball Z’s English opening more than the older sounding Japanese one. Digimon and Tokyo Mew Mew though? I grew up with the English, but the Japanese definitely won me over.

But hey, that’s just me. What about you? Which do you prefer? Are there any English theme’s youre attached to, or has Japan won you over with their original versions? Let me know below!