Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Modern advancements in writing and technology have greatly contributed to anime’s rise as a mainstream medium. While the current anime landscape has significantly boosted its popularity, older works still hold their unique charm.
Many iconic anime, includingCode Geass,Ghost Stories,Cowboy Bebop,Neon Genesis Evangelion,Samurai Champloo, and many more, are timeless classics. While studios achieved remarkable success with original anime in the 2000s and 2010s, they seem to struggle to capture the same magic with today’s original releases.
Not every older anime has aged well, but many classics remain worth watching, whether for their excellent writing or surprisingly enduring animation. One such gem isGhost Stories, a classic that gained immense popularity, transcending borders with its hilarious English dub, which preserved its comedic essence despite the language barrier.
How theGhost StoriesEnglish Dub turned a niche anime into a cult classic
Ghost Storiesis a series with a hilariously infamous dub that hasn’t aged well, yet it remains beloved by fans. The sub vs. dub debate is endless, but when it comes toGhost Stories, the dub undeniably stands out as the superior choice.
WhenGhost Storieswas originally set to be dubbed for English-speaking audiences, ADV Films surprisingly gave the artists enough room to recreate the story any way they saw fit.
The only requirement was to preserve the basic story structure and character names from the original series. The result was a dub that deviated significantly from the original plot, incorporating an unexpected dose of dark comedy.
‘Hit me way harder than I was expecting’: Hayao Miyazaki’s Most Underrated Movie Is Also the Only Relevant Movie of Our Time That Has Aged Like Wine
What theGhost Storiesdub also benefits from is its different script, and its hilarious observations of pop culture.
Let’s get this out of the way: if you aren’t old enough to remember this era of pop culture, then half of the humor is going to go straight over your head. This series gets more dated by the minute.
I still can’t believe this was real dub😭😭pic.twitter.com/d3LYyNEhZ3
There are constant jokes flown miles-per-minute referencing TV shows, movies, trends, and even real-life people. The ADV Films dub forGhost Storieswas officially released in the mid-2000s.
The dub unapologetically delivers off-color jokes, reminiscent of many American comedy films from the same era. Originally airing in Japan in 2000, the series was meant to be a timeless tale of kids solving spooky mysteries, but its transformation into aFamily Guy-style parody somehow works surprisingly well.
The most fascinating aspect of the English dub forGhost Storiesis how it saved the anime from fading into obscurity. Over the years, the dub elevatedGhost Storiesto the ranks of renowned classics likeOne Piece,Naruto,Cowboy Bebop, and even Miyazaki’s iconic works—securing its place as a timeless anime remembered for generations.
Hayao Miyazaki’s perspective on the rise of Live-Action and Animated Media
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most celebrated storytellers of our time, founding Studio Ghibli, home to iconic films likePrincess Mononoke,Spirited Away,The Boyand the Heron, and more.
In the world of animated storytelling,Hayao Miyazaki-drawn animations are colorful and imaginative spectacles with strong female characters and fascinating fantasy creatures.
“Our first job is to stay true to what the movie is”: Real Reason Why Hayao Miyazaki’s Dubs Are So Good Is Deceptively Simple
The storyteller flaunts, creating films that feature complex themes neatly sewn together with well-writtencharacters and bewitching animation.
Not to mention, there’s a deep and thought-provoking wisdom beneath his exciting adventures and magical worlds, which makes his films resonate with audiences of all ages. In an old interview, Miyazaki noted that live-action elements were increasingly merging withanimation, blurring the lines between the two mediums.
His words hinted at a future where ‘animation’ becomes an all-encompassing term encompassing various techniques and styles. Fast forward to 2024, and many popular anime are transitioning to live-action, makingMiyazaki’s words ring true now.
Ghost Storiesis available to stream on Crunchyroll
Mehul Rolta
Articles Published :510
Mehul Rolta is a seasoned journalist with over 3 years in esports and soccer journalism. Transitioning to anime writing at Fandom Wire, Mehul shares his lifelong passion for anime about integrates professionalism. Dedicated to connecting the world of anime globally, Mehul shares thoughts and insights, communicating personal passion with professional insight.
