If watching Japanese anime with English subtitles, it would be useful to be studying Japanese at the same time. For example, there is a good beginner's program that isn't too expensive available online at
http://www.transparent.com/learn-japanese/
That way one could both read the English, understand the anime, and learn Japanese all at the same time, finally switching to Japanese subtitles after improving one's Japanese - to get a dose of both written and spoken Japanese at the same time.
My son and I watch in English because German is our second language, which we speak at home with my wife together as a family. That's something "of mine" that I have to give him and I don't want anything to interfere with that - and with passing on the culture it is associated with.
Though I am an admirer of Japanese culture too. Yukio Mishima is one of my favorite authors. Sadly, some of his books - that are major works - are not available in translation
