like or dislike fansub

[Garylisk]

This is kind of drifting off topic... The point here is to discuss whether or not you like fansubs, not which fansubs you're following. Bleach is awesome, but start a thread about it if you want to discuss it.

Back on track. Fansubs.

Well, if anyone knows me at all, you'll know I am a big supporter of fansubs, although my reasons are a little different than some of the folks out there.

(lecture?)
I'm actually in a fansub group, and I'm really heavy into the fansubber "code of honor". If you've not heard of this, pay some more attention.. It tends to be stamped all over fansubs, usually during the commercial break "eye-catch". Basically, fansubs are free, 100%. They must never be sold for profit. Furthermore, they must never be passed around, even to your family or close friends, after the show is licensed. (Proof definite of that was earlier tonight when I told my room mate that I wouldn't make copies of my Tenchi OVA3 fansubs for her mom.) And on top of that, a fansubber has to be moral in that they will stop fansubbing a show once the show is licensed. That doesn't mean "one more episode, then we stop", it doesn't mean "keep subbing until a DVD comes out in stores." - It means stop, right there, even if you're about to release the next episode.

Some groups like ot just keep going after a license, and that's just dirty. Why? Because, that takes a fansubber, and just makes them a pirate. You're no longer providing English speakers with a product they normally couldn't get... Instead, you're pirating a preview of an upcoming product. Like those movie bootlegs that somehow find their ways to Ebay or the local Farmer's Market a week before the movie premiere. It's not right, and it's just a cheap alternative to purchase, which Fansubs shouldn't be considered as.

Ages ago, fansubs were not as easy to get. You had to order them from the subbers, pay for the blank tapes, and watch them on a VCR. Sometimes you'd watch them at your local anime club, it was cool, it was fun... You know. But now that you can download fansubs, and download, really, anything you want... the code of honor is being broken left and right, and that's sucky if you ask me.
(/lecture)

So, do I like fansubs?
Yes, if they are used for the intended purpose. I watch them to see what's new in Japan, to follow a new show, to get a grip on what's coming out in the next couple years, etc... Also, it's a great alternative to boredom.

Now if you were to ask me if I thought fansubs were hurting the anime industry.... I'd have to say Yes.. Slightly. I don't think the pirate bootleg type fansubs that get passed around peer to peer networks are hurting things horribly. I don't think that the fansub groups that keep subbing after licensing are necesarally made up of bad people... just peopel with differing views. Views I don't agree with, mind you, but they are entitled to them.

So, the final answer: Yes and no. That's all you'll get outta me.

[Anlushac11]

It seems also some companies see what fansub titles are popular with teh anime fans and liscence those. Its like the fansub groups and anime fans are a giant litmus test. (sp?)

[RootHubController]

This is resurrected every three months now. Ever hear of the search function?

[Otohiko]

Um, no. I actually have to admit that in my 1.5 years here, I haven't seen a thread of this exact nature, and I'm here rather regularly if you notice. Besides, better to make a new thread then necropost

As far as companies liking fansubs... well, we don't know what they're thinking, really. I certainly hope they're seeing a positive value to fansubs as tests, and I haven't heard any complaints on their behalf yet. But I guess since I hear someone as big as ADV started out as a fansub group, that's not entirely surprising...

[blackdragongod]

Anlushac11 I would have to agree with you I find a lot of anime that is licensed now was at one point big with the fansub groups and plus I think it helps out the companies to licensed an anime while it still being fansub, cause then the fansub groups would stop subbing them or (least the good ones) and then your going to buy the anime or try to see the anime one way or another to finish it. Ya I have seen it done couple of times witch makes me mad to have to wait to see the end of a show.

[Moonlight Soldier]

I watch a couple series' on fansub, namely since they aren't available otherwise, I prefer watching dvd quality though

[Garylisk]

Oh yeah, it's very obvious that companies use fansubs to see what's popular. Do you honestly think that something as weird as Azumanga Daioh would have gotten licensed if it weren't for the fansubs? Rest assured, the anime companies are looking at what fansubs are popular, lurking in forums, keeping their eye on BT tracker numbers, etc...

blackdragongod: I have a distinct feeling that Bandai did that on purpose with Kaze no Yojimbo. The fansubbing stopped right before the last episode. Anyone who had watched fansubs up to that point were obviously peo9ple who liked the show, and were obviously hooked by then... so Bandai goes "Yoink!" and snatches up the audience, who are still on the edge of their seats waiting for the ending.

Eh, I dunno if that was intentional, but it DID happen that way

[DTJB]

Oh yeah? Well I think the fansubs are deleted! *<b>DELETED!!</b>*

Hmm. Is that a reference to Strong Bad?
I myself enjoy fansubs, the only problem is that I get mine the old fashioned way, on VHS through the mail. And most of the shows I get are no longer distributed that way. God I need a new computer.

[blackdragongod]

Garylisk: Ya you are so right about Azumanga Daioh I laugh so much while watching that series but ya the anime company would not of taking a second look at it if it were not for fansub.

[J-0080]

I've only watched a few episodes via fansubs, and by few I mean seven from three different shows. The only reason I watched those was because someone recommend them...otherwise I probablly would never of seen any. As I wouldn't care to leave bit torrent open for days at a time getting random stuff.