This answer might seem like a cop-out, but a mix of the two is best. Preserve the original meaning and intent where you can, but if something is untranslatable or makes no sense with a literal translation (like a pun), localize it.
Do you prefer “literal” translation or localization?
Localizing is not translating.
Translate however you want just keep seeding the raw please.
Cartel localization is why I learned Japanese. Thanks Herkz. Now die.
As long as it preserves the meaning, connotation, and tone, localizations are fine. A good mix of both is ideal but generally I prefer if it's more literal. I'm not some retard that can't understand something because it doesn't flow as naturally as it could, and I don't throw autistic fits at honorifics since I'm watching japanese media to experience japanese things.
The real answer thought is to just use raws.
Localization with a note to explain what was different in the original. If done well I get both the intended feeling and the knowledge of the original meaning.
It should be a spectrum depending on the setting and the target audience, going from literal with plenty of translation notes for books set in heian court to extremely localized for anime in a non japanese setting.
we're all on a spectrum here friend
TL;DR subs should be litteral, dubs should be localized.
If I am reading something subtitled, I want it done as litteraly as possible with things like san left in, specific words that cannot be translated properly (such as samurai and yokai) left in, and food dishes to be left named as well (onigiri instead if rice balls for example).
However, if you are going to go through the effort to dub something, it really should be localized.
I understand in an era of lack of easily available subs, people were upset when dubs changed things. But now when we have both, I want everything changed. You can leave names and places alone (dont change Japan to America) but call them rice balls. Say ghoul instead of yokai. Drop the suffixes. Make it entirely understandable in the English language with no outside understanding of Japanese or translator notes necessary.
That's my opinion.
>All traditional shinto references should be washed, and all references to things like Buddha be replaced with Christ
>"With new years, we throw hamburgers at someone disguised as Judas to chase sin out of the household"