Alright..
I think I have to post something here to get this forum started.
So for the first topic in this Anime & Manga forum...
Do you guys watch and read fansubs and scanlations? I know the debate regarding their legality is still not over but my stand is that fansubs and scanlations are illegal. But in my case, if I don't get fansubs and scanlations, I wouldn't have any access to good and new anime series at all. I don't have a credit card so it'll be hard for me to order stuff online and I still couldn't find a nice anime store around in our location that sells licensed and original anime DVDs and manga.
What about you?
I believe fansubs and scanlations are illegal as well, because it's simply infringing copyright. Although the anime folks would never attempt to claim rights over the work and always faithfully give credit where it's due, it stands true that no consent was ever given by the producers to use their work.
That said, some sins have to be overlooked, just like how some lies are said out of necessity. If anime and manga streaming were ever stopped, we'd be lucky if World War 3 doesn't start. Not only that, but anime and manga has become such a big part of our lives that any attempt at banning quick and easy access without much additional cost will be genocidal for the anime community. In a sense, it's the ultimate drug, and we totally let ourselves become hooked on it. Shame on us? Perhaps. But i don't think they have any program in rehab for going cold-turkey on 2D drawn characters of infinite awsomeness, so taking away our drug is out of the question. :p
If I don't watch fansubs.. and with the situation I explained in the first post of this thread.. then I'll be stuck watching re-runs of Yuyu Hakusho, Dragon Ball Z, Flame of Recca (oh God).. But since they will be airing Bleach on one of our local networks.. now that's something new. It hasn't started yet but I get the feeling the dubbing will suck big time.
True, fansubs and scanldations are indeed illegal, and there aren't many (if any) "if's" or "but's" about it. Despite that, it can lead to some powerful (or devastating) marketing. There are people out there who, after sampling a series through fansubs or a manga through scanlations, are encouraged to go out and buy the product. (Wouldn't you want to know how an anime is before you blow $30 on a DVD?) I think if everyone who viewed fansubs/scanlations was prepared to buy the series/manga in question, then there would be nothing wrong at all with the practice. It would actually be stimulating the market. However, there are many people who don't buy a series/manga simply because they already own it in fansub/scanlation form. Granted, there are people who simply don't have the finances or access to legitimately appreciate such a wonderful (and expensive) hobby. But you should be able to buy a DVD or manga once in a while to show that you are capable of supporting the makers. It's the people who say, "Forget buying it. I already have it downloaded!" that are really killing the market. I'm not too sure what the figures are, but I have a hunch that the latter group of people make up the majority.
Personally, since I'm heavily occupied with school and after-school activities, I don't have the time to get a job to make some extra money. (I'm trying to work out my schedule so I can, though) And the financial situation of my household doesn't put me in a position where I can spend a lot of money on anime or manga. Therefore, I fall in the group of 'people who can't always spend money on anime/manga but will buy it when able.' I bought the special edition of the Fullmetal Alchemist movie the other week even though I've already seen the movie last year because I love the series and because I do support the wonderful thing that the makers are doing.
I download fansubs quite avidly. I believe that it is a very kind thing that fansubbers are doing. They're spending their time to make series that we have no access to available to us. They don't ask for money; they do this out of kindness. I'm sure they know more than anyone how illegal this practice is. That's why they always (or most of the time, anyway) have a message that says "Please support the makerse by buying this series when it becomes available in your area" in their releases. I think this is the right idea, and I believe that we owe it to the makers and to the fansubbers to do our best in supporting the people behind this art.
I'm not going into a long write about how fansubs and scans are illegal. But I've bought my share of anime. I started watching it when I was 12 so it's been almost 13 years of collecting. Whenever I see something at a store, I'm all about purchasing it. But I rarely have time to go out, and even more rarely do I have money to spend on anime that isn't worth my time. I have a preference with most anime I watch. I usually go straight to the romance section. I find myself watching more of the gender bending stuff and they don't have a lot of that released in the US. I mean, if I waited to watch Ouran Host Club until it was licensed, I'd still be holding my breath. It debuted last April I think and a whole year later, I'd still be sitting on my hands.
My manga collection however is a lot more vast in comparison. Well, because, they put EVERYTHING out that I want and the price is reasonable for a book around 8 bucks is not bad for about a 5 chapter volume. Well not everything gets licensed. But I do delete things after they're licensed and I do buy most manga that I like that's licensed.
So I support fansubs because they do give me a bit of a heads up as to previewing anime. And in some cases, watching anime I'd prolly never be able to see otherwise because it might never hit U.S. shores. But if they don't start lowering the prices on the dvd or putting stuff like giveaways with their products, my manga collection will grow by leaps and bounds.
While I must admit fansubs are illegal, I treat them like they are not. As long as no good anime is brought to American television, and the ones that do get brought get edited to death, I will use fansubs as my "television". However saying that, I try not to download anything licensed (although, sadly, there are cases when my weak willpower is not enough).
Fansubs are a good marketing strategy because, at least in my case, if a series is really good I want to own it. Not just the files on my computer but the whole disk set, not to mention the official translations.
Almost all the animes I like are unlicensed so there you go. I can say I spend less than $15 on anime yearly (and even then it's usually just a birthday present for a friend). I'm so cheap
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I like fansubs and some scanlations are fantastic as well. However, I do buy anime and manga, too.
Technically, it's illegal. Do I care? Nope.
I use fan subs and scanlations as a preview. If I enjoy the series from start to finish, I'll buy it (eventually).
I don't watch subs and don't read manga on my computer. So no I don't watch,them enjoy or think their legal.(the last is for other reasons...)