Crunchyroll Vs Funimation Which Streaming Service Has The Better Dubs

For fans of anime who prefer watching with English voice acting, the debate between Crunchyroll and Funimation isn't just about content—it's about quality. While both platforms have shaped the landscape of anime localization in North America, their approaches to dubbing differ significantly. With the full merger of Funimation into Crunchyroll now complete, questions remain: whose legacy lives on in the dubs? Which service historically produced higher-quality English adaptations? And where should fans turn today for the best dubbed anime experience?

This article breaks down the strengths, weaknesses, and defining characteristics of each platform’s dub production, offering a clear picture of which service has consistently delivered superior English dubs—both past and present.

The Evolution of Anime Dubbing in the West

Anime dubbing has come a long way since the early days of poorly translated scripts and flat voice performances. What began as a niche effort to make Japanese animation accessible to Western audiences has evolved into a respected craft, with professional voice actors, skilled directors, and tighter adherence to original tone and intent.

Fan-driven demand for high-quality dubs surged in the 2000s, fueled by series like Dragon Ball Z, Inuyasha, and Fullmetal Alchemist. Funimation, founded in 1994, was at the forefront of this movement, establishing its own in-house dubbing studio in Fort Worth, Texas. This gave them direct control over casting, direction, and production timelines—leading to consistent, polished results.

Crunchyroll, launched in 2006, initially focused on subbed content, prioritizing speed and authenticity. Dubs were secondary. However, as the market shifted and viewers demanded more accessibility, Crunchyroll invested heavily in English dubs—especially after acquiring former Funimation talent and integrating dub production post-merger.

“Dubbing isn’t just translation—it’s cultural adaptation. The best dubs preserve the soul of the original while making it resonate with English-speaking audiences.” — Jamie Marchi, Voice Actress (Bulma in *Dragon Ball Super*, Momo in *My Hero Academia*)

Dub Production Quality: Studio Standards and Talent

The quality of a dub hinges on three core factors: voice acting performance, script adaptation, and audio engineering. Let’s examine how Crunchyroll and Funimation compare across these dimensions.

Voice Acting and Casting

Funimation built its reputation on strong, consistent casting. Their in-house studio allowed for long-term relationships with voice actors, resulting in iconic performances that defined generations of fans. Series like One Piece, Naruto, and Attack on Titan featured dedicated casts who grew with their characters over hundreds of episodes.

Crunchyroll, by contrast, often outsourced dub work to various studios—including Bang Zoom! Entertainment, Studiopolis, and Sound Cadence—before bringing more production in-house. While this provided flexibility, it sometimes led to inconsistency in vocal tone and performance energy across seasons.

Tip: Pay attention to recurring voice actors across series—consistent casting often correlates with higher dub quality and emotional continuity.

Script Adaptation and Localization

Funimation’s scripts leaned toward accessibility, occasionally taking liberties to clarify jokes or cultural references for American audiences. While some purists criticized this approach, others appreciated the effort to make dialogue feel natural rather than stilted.

Crunchyroll’s dubs, especially in recent years, aim for tighter alignment with the original Japanese. Scripts often preserve honorifics (like “-san” or “-chan”) and retain more literal translations. This appeals to bilingual fans but can sometimes sacrifice conversational flow.

Audio Engineering and Direction

Funimation’s centralized studio ensured uniform audio quality. Engineers could maintain consistent microphone levels, reverb settings, and background noise suppression. Directors worked closely with actors to refine pacing and emotion.

Crunchyroll’s decentralized model introduced variability. Some dubs—particularly those from smaller studios—exhibited mismatched audio levels or rushed delivery. However, recent investments in sound design have narrowed this gap significantly.

Content Library and Dub Availability

A great dub is useless if you can’t watch it. Here’s how the two services stack up in terms of dubbed content availability.

Series	Funimation (Legacy)	Crunchyroll (Current)	Notes
My Hero Academia	Complete dub	Complete dub	Shared production; consistent cast
Jujutsu Kaisen	Partial dub	Complete dub	Crunchyroll took over dub production
Attack on Titan	Final seasons dubbed	All seasons available	Merged library now unified
One Piece	Ongoing dub	Ongoing dub	Funimation started; Crunchyroll continues
Chainsaw Man	Not dubbed	Complete dub	Crunchyroll-exclusive title

Today, all Funimation content has migrated to Crunchyroll. That means every legacy Funimation dub—from Dragon Ball Z Kai to Sword Art Online—is now accessible under the Crunchyroll umbrella. However, new dubs are produced under Crunchyroll’s branding and workflows.

Dub Speed and Simuldubs

Crunchyroll pioneered the simuldub—releasing English-dubbed episodes shortly after the Japanese broadcast. This model, introduced with Carole & Tuesday in 2019, allows fans to enjoy dubs almost as quickly as subs.

Funimation adopted simuldubs later and struggled to match Crunchyroll’s pace. Their dub of Black Clover, for example, lagged behind the original airing by over a year.

Tip: If you want to watch dubs close to the original release, Crunchyroll is currently the only reliable option for timely simuldubs.

Case Study: The Dub of Jujutsu Kaisen

No recent anime better illustrates the shift from Funimation to Crunchyroll dominance than Jujutsu Kaisen.

When the series premiered in 2020, Funimation held the license and began dubbing Season 1. The dub received praise for Adam McArthur’s performance as Yuji Itadori and the nuanced portrayal of Satoru Gojo by Kaiji Tang. However, production delays meant the dub trailed the sub by several months.

After the merger, Crunchyroll took over dubbing duties for Season 2 and the movie Zero. They accelerated the schedule, releasing simuldubs within weeks of the Japanese premiere. Audio quality improved, with clearer dynamic range and better lip-sync timing. Fan reception remained strong, though some noted a slight shift in Gojo’s vocal tone during intense scenes.

This transition highlights Crunchyroll’s current edge: faster turnaround, modernized production values, and seamless integration with global release cycles—all while preserving the legacy performances fans love.

Expert Insights: What Voice Actors Say

The people behind the mics offer crucial perspective on what makes a dub successful.

“The biggest change I’ve seen is respect. Studios now treat dubs as artistic extensions, not just cash grabs. We get rehearsal time, directorial notes, and emotional context.” — Erik Kimerer, Voice of Zenin Maki (*Jujutsu Kaisen*) and Hawk (*Chainsaw Man*)

Kimerer, who has worked extensively with both companies, notes that Crunchyroll’s newer processes emphasize actor input. “They’ll ask, ‘Does this line feel right?’ That kind of collaboration wasn’t always there before.”

Meanwhile, veteran Funimation director Christopher Sabat (also voice of Vegeta) acknowledges the trade-offs: “We had consistency because we did everything in one place. Now, with remote recording and distributed teams, you gain flexibility but lose some cohesion.”

Which Service Has Better Dubs? A Practical Checklist

To help you decide where to invest your viewing time, here’s a checklist based on key dub criteria:

• ✔️ Legacy dubs: Look for Funimation originals like DBZ, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Black Butler.
• ✔️ New simuldubs: Choose Crunchyroll for fast, high-quality dubs of current hits like Blue Lock and Oshi no Ko.
• ✔️ Audio fidelity: Crunchyroll leads in modern sound mixing and noise reduction.
• ✔️ Script accuracy: Crunchyroll retains more original nuance; Funimation favored readability.
• ✔️ Actor chemistry: Funimation’s long-running casts (e.g., One Piece) offer unmatched character continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Funimation still active?

No. As of March 2024, Funimation has fully shut down. All content, including its extensive dub library, is now hosted exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Are Crunchyroll dubs replacing Funimation dubs?

Not exactly. Legacy Funimation dubs remain available on Crunchyroll. However, for ongoing series like One Piece, Crunchyroll now produces new episodes using the same cast whenever possible. In rare cases, recasting has occurred due to scheduling or union agreements.

Why do some Crunchyroll dubs sound different?

Differences arise from changes in recording studios, directors, or technical pipelines. Remote recording—common since 2020—can affect vocal consistency. Additionally, Crunchyroll sometimes adjusts scripts to align more closely with the Japanese original, altering tone or delivery.

Conclusion: The Verdict on Dub Quality

The question isn’t whether Crunchyroll or Funimation has better dubs—it’s recognizing that each played a pivotal role in shaping English anime localization.

Funimation set the gold standard for consistency, casting depth, and mainstream accessibility. Its dubs made anime a household phenomenon. For nostalgic value and long-form character development, few can match the emotional resonance of a classic Funimation production.

Crunchyroll, meanwhile, represents the future: faster, technically refined, and globally synchronized. Its investment in simuldubs and audio quality ensures that English-speaking fans no longer have to wait months—or years—to experience beloved series in their preferred format.

Today, thanks to the merger, you don’t have to choose. Crunchyroll hosts the best of both worlds: the legacy dubs that defined a generation and the cutting-edge productions that are setting new benchmarks.

If you value speed, technical precision, and access to the latest hits, Crunchyroll is your go-to. But if you’re rewatching classics or seeking the definitive performances of icons like Goku or Edward Elric, you’re still benefiting from Funimation’s enduring influence.

🚀 Ready to dive into the best anime dubs? Fire up Crunchyroll, queue up a simuldub, and experience how far English anime has come. Share your favorite dub moments in the comments—what performance gave you chills?