Is this the "best" way to watch the film? For purists, the original Japanese (with Rumi Hiiragi) remains the gold standard. However, the English dub contained in releases like 1080621 is arguably the finest English dub of any Ghibli film. It avoids the stilted literalism of early 90s dubs and the over-expressiveness of modern cartoons. It is warm, strange, and sincere.
Cultural and artistic significance of the English dub Spirited Away English Dub 1080621
The success of the English dub rests heavily on the shoulders of a young Daveigh Chase as Chihiro. Unlike the high-pitched, squeaky voices often associated with children in anime dubs, Chase delivered a performance grounded in realism. She sounded like a real, sullen, frightened 10-year-old. When Chihiro whines about moving or screams in terror crossing the river spirit, the emotion feels raw and earned. Is this the "best" way to watch the film