Dubbing Producer Reuben Lack Discusses Anime Localization Challenges
Dubbing producer Reuben Lack, in an interview published on the Substack newsletter Anime by the Numbers, discussed the current state of anime dubbing and localization. Lack described his entry into the industry, starting in Los Angeles in 2016 and later joining SDI Media (now Iyuno), where his known enthusiasm for anime led to work on Crunchyroll titles. He named his favorite dub project as "Heavenly Delusion" ("Tengoku Daimakyo"), praising its cast and visual quality. Lack expressed concern about increasing pressure on dubbing workflows, citing instances where productions record English dubs against non-final animatics and do not correct sync issues later. He also noted that some companies hire vendors with no anime experience, resulting in what he called "awkward, clunky dubs." Lack called for fans to be vocal about quality expectations and to call out subpar work. He contrasted anime dubbing with live-action dubbing, saying anime localization often becomes "highly derivative of itself" and that he prefers more naturalistic performances like Kylie McNeill's in "Belle" or Jonah Scott's in "Beastars."