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The anime series [Big Windup](https://www.funimation.com/shows/big-windup/)
has a full English dub, and it does it does something interesting with its
openings and endings. (I just checked, and the same thing occurs in the sub.)
By "full dub", I mean even the credits are translated. The interesting thing
is that in odd episodes, the opening and ending songs are shown in English
subtitles. However, even episodes show the song text in Hepburn (Japanese with
Latin characters). At least I think it is an odd:even pattern; I'm only on
episode 5.

I can think of a sort of practical reason to do this. For English speakers who
want to know what the songs mean, they see that in the odd episodes. For
English speakers who would like to sing along, they can do so in the even
episodes. Is that the reason, or is something else going on? Have other series
done this?

\----- added next day -----

I completed season 1, and have begun season 2. It isn't on Funimation, though,
but it [legally
streams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8xIQM_vjNY&index=1&list=PLrrh84y760v9po595DAfcZqNeutpZiA3G)
on YouTube on Nozomi Entertainment's channel (Japanese dub with English sub).
They continued the subbing of opening and ending songs. **This time, though,
both the English and Hepburn text are displayed each episode.** (Nozomi
licensed season 2, Funimation season 1.)


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2017-12-30T19:04:49.750
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question
anime-production japanese-language big-windup
English, Hepburn, English, Hepburn, alternating in OP and ED. Why?


This isn't unheard of and this is actually an older tactic than you may think.
Funimation's dub of [_Outlaw Star_](https://www.funimation.com/shows/outlaw-
star/outlaw-world/uncut/?lang=english), for example, ~~does the same thing~~
has in the past done the same thing with its opening and ending songs,
alternating between English and Hepburn.

For whatever reason, the dub on their site for free users no longer
alternates. Some older DVD releases _do_ , though.

You surmise correctly in that this helps the English speakers follow along
with the song, and understand the meaning of the lyrics, too. The Hepburn
addition allows non-native Japanese speakers to at least get a feel for how
the words are pronounced.


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