Alright, I don't know why this is suddenly hitting the news now, as we've been under fire from companies many times. I used to - I retired just two days ago due to lack of time - fansub with the group Anime-Kraze. Usually as a part of the quality check team, but I've also done editing and timing from time to time. We've had companies come in to our IRC channel on a few occasions and either ask us to stop or threaten us with a Cease and Desist order.
Heck, Bandai came in once and asked that we stop subbing and distrubting various anime series that they had just aquired the license to. Now, unlike some groups we do respect the companies enough to stop at the first request, and this request required us to stop about 3 series, and stop distrubting another 5 or 6.
While, yes, what we technically isn't legal, and is a grey area as to whether or not it is illegal, the fact that we do this provides immense interest and advertising for the series that these companies wish to license. And while some people may be content with the versions we create, there are far more poeple who will buy a series based upon their experience with the fansub editions. I, myself, have bought 5 boxsets and about another 30 dvds based on this; for both the series that I helped to fansuba dn the series I've watched by other groups.
Truth be told, while the companies don't offically support us, and have the right to request that we stop providing fansubs to something that they hold the copyrights in this region, they unofficially are in favour of our endevours. It allows the general public a fair preview to something that they may not be inclined to watch otherwise, as well as encouraging them to buy it once it is available. I know that over half of the series and anime dvds I have bought I wouldn't have had I not seen a fansub version. I wouldn't be able to justify the price, nor would I likely have exposure to it since not many retailers around my area carry a large stock of anime. I purchase most of my anime online for just this reason.
Our coming underfire is nothing new, and will continue to be part of the work we do. This is partially because of some of the worse groups, some of you may have heard of a group called Anime-Junkies, well do anything and everything AND refuse to stop subbing it when the license owner asks. There are a lot of groups out there that take pride in their work, us at Anime-Kraze included. We put a lot of time and effort into our work, and most of the time it comes out just as professional if not better. We screen our versions three or four times before we release it, to make sure that there are no errors present, in either the video or subtitles. Since I started fansubbing I've noticed numerous errors in commercially available anime, errors that we made sure were not present in our works. So, if anyone tells you that all groups are only about speed and not pride in their work, they are mistaken. That's just a stereotype placed upon us by the reputation of the groups notorious for it.
Point in case, our "coming underfire" is nothing more than a publicity stunt. It draws attention to the fact that we exist, giving the masses access to some of the best marketing for their product, while at the same time keeping us in line. If you want to look into it a little yourselves, do a search on google for these groups: Anime-Kraze, Anime-Keep, Anime-Empire, Anime-one, Anbu. There are many more out there, but these, I have found, to be some of the best out there.
Ps: For those of you who may believe that we would rather you watch our versions over those commercially available, we actually encourage you to buy the shows you like and support the companies that create this wonderful shows. Without your support, companies like Production IG(best known for their Ghost in the Shell series), Gonzo(Kiddy Grade, Last Exile), Bones, Xebec, etc... wouldn't be able to continue providing such works for your enjoyment.
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Alright, I don't know why this is suddenly hitting the news now, as we've been under fire from companies many times. I used to - I retired just two days ago due to lack of time - fansub with the group Anime-Kraze. Usually as a part of the quality check team, but I've also done editing and timing from time to time. We've had companies come in to our IRC channel on a few occasions and either ask us to stop or threaten us with a Cease and Desist order. Heck, Bandai came in once and asked that we stop subbing and distrubting various anime series that they had just aquired the license to. Now, unlike some groups we do respect the companies enough to stop at the first request, and this request required us to stop about 3 series, and stop distrubting another 5 or 6. While, yes, what we technically isn't legal, and is a grey area as to whether or not it is illegal, the fact that we do this provides immense interest and advertising for the series that these companies wish to license. And while some people may be content with the versions we create, there are far more poeple who will buy a series based upon their experience with the fansub editions. I, myself, have bought 5 boxsets and about another 30 dvds based on this; for both the series that I helped to fansuba dn the series I've watched by other groups. Truth be told, while the companies don't offically support us, and have the right to request that we stop providing fansubs to something that they hold the copyrights in this region, they unofficially are in favour of our endevours. It allows the general public a fair preview to something that they may not be inclined to watch otherwise, as well as encouraging them to buy it once it is available. I know that over half of the series and anime dvds I have bought I wouldn't have had I not seen a fansub version. I wouldn't be able to justify the price, nor would I likely have exposure to it since not many retailers around my area carry a large stock of anime. I purchase most of my anime online for just this reason. Our coming underfire is nothing new, and will continue to be part of the work we do. This is partially because of some of the worse groups, some of you may have heard of a group called Anime-Junkies, well do anything and everything AND refuse to stop subbing it when the license owner asks. There are a lot of groups out there that take pride in their work, us at Anime-Kraze included. We put a lot of time and effort into our work, and most of the time it comes out just as professional if not better. We screen our versions three or four times before we release it, to make sure that there are no errors present, in either the video or subtitles. Since I started fansubbing I've noticed numerous errors in commercially available anime, errors that we made sure were not present in our works. So, if anyone tells you that all groups are only about speed and not pride in their work, they are mistaken. That's just a stereotype placed upon us by the reputation of the groups notorious for it. Point in case, our "coming underfire" is nothing more than a publicity stunt. It draws attention to the fact that we exist, giving the masses access to some of the best marketing for their product, while at the same time keeping us in line. If you want to look into it a little yourselves, do a search on google for these groups: Anime-Kraze, Anime-Keep, Anime-Empire, Anime-one, Anbu. There are many more out there, but these, I have found, to be some of the best out there. Ps: For those of you who may believe that we would rather you watch our versions over those commercially available, we actually encourage you to buy the shows you like and support the companies that create this wonderful shows. Without your support, companies like Production IG(best known for their Ghost in the Shell series), Gonzo(Kiddy Grade, Last Exile), Bones, Xebec, etc... wouldn't be able to continue providing such works for your enjoyment.