Think of languages like food.
Some dishes are instantly appealing, sweet, creamy, easy to enjoy without effort. That’s like Japanese: its open syllables and rhythmic flow are immediately pleasing to many ears, even if you don’t understand the meaning.
Other dishes require an acquired taste, spicy, bitter, complex. That’s like Mandarin: its tonal system and syllable structure can feel sharp or unfamiliar at first, but once you learn how to "taste" it properly, you discover a richness and depth that isn’t obvious on the surface.
It’s not about one being better than the other. It’s about perceptual accessibility. Some languages are like street food, instantly tasty, no learning curve. Others are like fine wine, they demand experience, but reward you with complexity once you’ve acquired the palate.
Therefore, when people say they like how Japanese sounds over Mandarin, they are not saying one is "superior" than the other. It’s actually more about perceptual accessibility. Some languages are like sweet desserts, instantly appealing to most palates without effort. Others are like complex dishes or fine wines, they require an acquired taste, and once you develop that palate, you discover layers of richness that aren’t obvious at first. Japanese happens to have phonetic patterns that feel smooth and melodic right from the surface, so many people enjoy it immediately. Mandarin, with its tonal depth, rewards those who spend time learning to appreciate its expressiveness. Both are beautiful, but one is easier to like at first listen, while the other shines with experience.
Because of that, Chinese anime also I will watch in Japanese dub.
by Exact-Salary5560