Comments on: Anime is a luxury… http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/ Mainichi Anime Yume Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:16:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mei http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-36697 Mei Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:18:43 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-36697 I would love to support the anime DVDs but the english subtitles is very bad in my country. That is why most anime lovers here prefer fansub than originals or they will just take up a japanese language course to understand japanese and watch RAW instead. In my country, the DVDs stated there is ''Originals'' but I doubted as the quality and the subtitles is totally crap. I bought 4 animes DVD and it is all the same... low quality video... bad subtitles. It is kinda dissapointing to waste money on something that is not worth it. Also, buying DVDs online is costing me a fortune... for a poor student like me >_> So i can only dream on.... @.@ I would love to support the anime DVDs but the english subtitles is very bad in my country. That is why most anime lovers here prefer fansub than originals or they will just take up a japanese language course to understand japanese and watch RAW instead. In my country, the DVDs stated there is ”Originals” but I doubted as the quality and the subtitles is totally crap. I bought 4 animes DVD and it is all the same… low quality video… bad subtitles. It is kinda dissapointing to waste money on something that is not worth it.

Also, buying DVDs online is costing me a fortune… for a poor student like me >_> So i can only dream on…. @.@

]]> By: Desu http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-31658 Desu Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:36:56 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-31658 I'd love to buy anime DVDs, but in my country only a few famous anime movies like Ghost in the Shell got licensed. There were also other titles that got licensed but are on VCD format instead (VCD sucks!) I bought a complete VCD set of ToHeart and it was dubbed!!! I like my anime in its original voice with subtitles, so I felt like I wasted a lot of money there (My country's dubbing sucks ass) and since it's a freakin' VCD there's no japanese audio track or english subtitles to switch to... I would really like to buy anime DVDs from online stores but the shipping cost would kill me. Shipping cost is around 15-20 USD!! I WON'T FREAKIN' PAY THAT KIND OF AMOUNT JUST FOR SHIPPING!! I’d love to buy anime DVDs, but in my country only a few famous anime movies like Ghost in the Shell got licensed. There were also other titles that got licensed but are on VCD format instead (VCD sucks!) I bought a complete VCD set of ToHeart and it was dubbed!!! I like my anime in its original voice with subtitles, so I felt like I wasted a lot of money there (My country’s dubbing sucks ass) and since it’s a freakin’ VCD there’s no japanese audio track or english subtitles to switch to…

I would really like to buy anime DVDs from online stores but the shipping cost would kill me. Shipping cost is around 15-20 USD!! I WON’T FREAKIN’ PAY THAT KIND OF AMOUNT JUST FOR SHIPPING!!

]]> By: Beef Rockfist http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-31655 Beef Rockfist Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:27:10 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-31655 Most people say this about fansubs: "They're legal providing the series isn't licensed in your country!" What they actually mean is this: "They're legal providing the series isn't licensed IN AMERICA" I don't live in America. I don't see why I have to go without my fansubs when some series gets licensed for America. I love how the whole goddamn internet is AMERICA. Not that I have anything against the place. It's very nice. I just think it's pig ignorant that people only ever tackle this debate from the point of view of Americans. The rest of us use the same fansub resources as you, you know. Some people would say "But if you leave them up on account of that, Americans could just continue to download them!" So what? There's nothing to stop a Japanese person hopping on a torrent and downloading something that's 'legal because it's not licensed in America', even though where THEY are, in Japan, it's obviously licensed six ways till sunday. As for people who think that DVD-ONLY IS THE WAY TO GO, I'm sorry, but no. Back when my little island only had VHS releases from ADV and Pioneer available, people were happy to buy into the idea that anime took a long time to translate and release. The speed of fansubs these days has proved that this is a load of garbage. Popular series have subs appearing within 1 or 2 days of the episode airing in Japan. Now, obviously anime publishing companies have the legal red tape to deal with, but once they've LICENSED a series, why do they take so goddamn long releasing it? I'm sorry, but if I watched up to episode 19 of a 26 episode series with the magic of fansubs and then the series gets licensed, I'm not going to sit around waiting for the company who licensed it to release episode 20 on DVD, AND THEN IMPORT IT FROM AMERICA. So now we have national borders and delays as issues. Two more. Next comes selection. Now, I'm aware that recently, anime studios have been asking more and more in license fees for popular series, leading to excellent shows sitting on the shelf for a while before a US company manages to cough up enough cash for it. This isn't the US market's fault, I appreciate the economic situation here. From an end-user perspective, however, it means we have to deal with a selection of shows which is, for the most part, trash. I wouldn't doubt that this is partially due to people in US companies having awful taste, but as I said, I appreciate the financial reasoning. Last but certainly not least comes pricing, the subject of this article. The article states that: "We all know that anime DVDs are more expensive than regular DVDs because of the cost of licensing, dubbing, etc,." I would like to say that I don't think this is the case at all. As we've said, licensing is an issue. And you're right, dubbing is an issue too. But consider how much money it takes to make an American feature film, and then consider how cheap the DVDs are. Now, the reason for this is obvious: A metric ton of people are going to want to buy the movie, but not many people are going to want to buy the anime. US anime companies seem to have responded to this by making the prices higher overall, so that they have to sell fewer copies to make a profit. Is this really working, though? I suspect that there are many, many people in the same situation as the person who wrote this article. Hell, I'm one of them, even if you discount my "I'm not in America" problem. We already know that massive amounts of English-speaking anime fans simply get all their anime through fansubs, and we also know that part of the reason is "I'm not paying that for that!" Anyone who's ever sold a product with any semblance of competence or sense can tell you that lowering the price often generates more profit. Look at supermarkets. In an attempt to snatch business from other chains, they consistently lower food prices to attract customers. Now, anime isn't quite the same, as inter-company competition isn't an issue - since only one company can hold a license at any given time. But the same principle applies to fansubs vs. dvds - sure, we're not talking necessities like food, but I bet if anime dvds were as cheap as regular dvds, we'd all turn our heads at them a lot more when walking through a store. In short, cheaper product = more customers = more profit despite cheaper product. This would also give US anime companies the money required to license decent series in a timely fashion. Couple this with them GETTING THEIR ACT TOGETHER WITH RELEASING QUICKLY, and actually bothering to invest in foreign English-speaking markets, and the whole state of the English-speaking anime community could be improved tenfold and made entirely more profitable. Unfortunately, this will probably not happen. Expect to see such "high quality" titles as Night Wizard on sale soon, with the last volume being released sometime in 2009. IN AMERICA. Most people say this about fansubs:

“They’re legal providing the series isn’t licensed in your country!”

What they actually mean is this:

“They’re legal providing the series isn’t licensed IN AMERICA”

I don’t live in America. I don’t see why I have to go without my fansubs when some series gets licensed for America. I love how the whole goddamn internet is AMERICA.

Not that I have anything against the place. It’s very nice. I just think it’s pig ignorant that people only ever tackle this debate from the point of view of Americans. The rest of us use the same fansub resources as you, you know. Some people would say “But if you leave them up on account of that, Americans could just continue to download them!” So what? There’s nothing to stop a Japanese person hopping on a torrent and downloading something that’s ‘legal because it’s not licensed in America’, even though where THEY are, in Japan, it’s obviously licensed six ways till sunday.

As for people who think that DVD-ONLY IS THE WAY TO GO, I’m sorry, but no. Back when my little island only had VHS releases from ADV and Pioneer available, people were happy to buy into the idea that anime took a long time to translate and release. The speed of fansubs these days has proved that this is a load of garbage. Popular series have subs appearing within 1 or 2 days of the episode airing in Japan. Now, obviously anime publishing companies have the legal red tape to deal with, but once they’ve LICENSED a series, why do they take so goddamn long releasing it? I’m sorry, but if I watched up to episode 19 of a 26 episode series with the magic of fansubs and then the series gets licensed, I’m not going to sit around waiting for the company who licensed it to release episode 20 on DVD, AND THEN IMPORT IT FROM AMERICA.

So now we have national borders and delays as issues. Two more. Next comes selection. Now, I’m aware that recently, anime studios have been asking more and more in license fees for popular series, leading to excellent shows sitting on the shelf for a while before a US company manages to cough up enough cash for it. This isn’t the US market’s fault, I appreciate the economic situation here. From an end-user perspective, however, it means we have to deal with a selection of shows which is, for the most part, trash. I wouldn’t doubt that this is partially due to people in US companies having awful taste, but as I said, I appreciate the financial reasoning.

Last but certainly not least comes pricing, the subject of this article. The article states that:

“We all know that anime DVDs are more expensive than regular DVDs because of the cost of licensing, dubbing, etc,.”

I would like to say that I don’t think this is the case at all. As we’ve said, licensing is an issue. And you’re right, dubbing is an issue too. But consider how much money it takes to make an American feature film, and then consider how cheap the DVDs are. Now, the reason for this is obvious: A metric ton of people are going to want to buy the movie, but not many people are going to want to buy the anime. US anime companies seem to have responded to this by making the prices higher overall, so that they have to sell fewer copies to make a profit.

Is this really working, though? I suspect that there are many, many people in the same situation as the person who wrote this article. Hell, I’m one of them, even if you discount my “I’m not in America” problem. We already know that massive amounts of English-speaking anime fans simply get all their anime through fansubs, and we also know that part of the reason is “I’m not paying that for that!” Anyone who’s ever sold a product with any semblance of competence or sense can tell you that lowering the price often generates more profit. Look at supermarkets. In an attempt to snatch business from other chains, they consistently lower food prices to attract customers. Now, anime isn’t quite the same, as inter-company competition isn’t an issue – since only one company can hold a license at any given time. But the same principle applies to fansubs vs. dvds – sure, we’re not talking necessities like food, but I bet if anime dvds were as cheap as regular dvds, we’d all turn our heads at them a lot more when walking through a store.

In short, cheaper product = more customers = more profit despite cheaper product. This would also give US anime companies the money required to license decent series in a timely fashion. Couple this with them GETTING THEIR ACT TOGETHER WITH RELEASING QUICKLY, and actually bothering to invest in foreign English-speaking markets, and the whole state of the English-speaking anime community could be improved tenfold and made entirely more profitable.

Unfortunately, this will probably not happen. Expect to see such “high quality” titles as Night Wizard on sale soon, with the last volume being released sometime in 2009. IN AMERICA.

]]> By: SailorCardKnight http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-29250 SailorCardKnight Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:29:08 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-29250 Like you, I also have to result to fansubs instead of having to buy the DVDs because of the lack of money. Over the years ive managed to obtain some box sets. (theres even times where I got lucky and found my Angelic Layer and Magic Knight Rayearth S1 sets for $30-$40, for a whole series!) Like Rishi, I also buy alot of manga instead because they are cheaper. In fact, ive now gotten to the point where I would rather prefer buying manga over DVDs anyways. Manga you can take anywhere you go (makes a great way to kill time like at school or waiting at the doctor's office), but DVDs you're just limited to your TV or computer to watch them. But I still just wish these companies would lower the prices of DVDs for those of who who can't afford them and want to by them (like myselef). I know it costs money to import something, but it doesn't have to be THAT much! Like you, I also have to result to fansubs instead of having to buy the DVDs because of the lack of money. Over the years ive managed to obtain some box sets. (theres even times where I got lucky and found my Angelic Layer and Magic Knight Rayearth S1 sets for $30-$40, for a whole series!)
Like Rishi, I also buy alot of manga instead because they are cheaper. In fact, ive now gotten to the point where I would rather prefer buying manga over DVDs anyways. Manga you can take anywhere you go (makes a great way to kill time like at school or waiting at the doctor’s office), but DVDs you’re just limited to your TV or computer to watch them.
But I still just wish these companies would lower the prices of DVDs for those of who who can’t afford them and want to by them (like myselef). I know it costs money to import something, but it doesn’t have to be THAT much!

]]> By: Rishi http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-28892 Rishi Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:19:02 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-28892 You are right, Suguru-san. I will grow up and get a good job someday, but for now, I need to do what I can. I can't just wait till the futuer! Um, on another note.....Am I the youngest commenter-ish thing on the site.....? Wow, the eighties....I wasn't even nearly around back then..... You are right, Suguru-san. I will grow up and get a good job someday, but for now, I need to do what I can. I can’t just wait till the futuer!

Um, on another note…..Am I the youngest commenter-ish thing on the site…..? Wow, the eighties….I wasn’t even nearly around back then…..

]]> By: Suuichi http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-28750 Suuichi Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:19:50 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-28750 Another reason for fansubs: Licensed series like Shaman King (uncut not the edited version) which have only the first six episodes available on DVD in the US and no others. I'd love to own this show on DVD but they simply aren't available. So until they are, I'll keep my fansubs. Another reason for fansubs:

Licensed series like Shaman King (uncut not the edited version) which have only the first six episodes available on DVD in the US and no others. I’d love to own this show on DVD but they simply aren’t available. So until they are, I’ll keep my fansubs.

]]> By: suguru http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-28324 suguru Sat, 22 Sep 2007 05:18:14 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-28324 Good post...I don't have a lot of respect for fans who could afford the DVDs, but choose not to buy anything at all because "fansubs are free, so people who buy DVDs are idiots wasting their money." That "I'm entitled to everything for free" attitude just really grates on me. But I think you raise a very good point, that there are a lot of people watching fansubs who can't afford to buy the DVDs, or can't afford to buy *everything* they watch. Personally, I watch 8-10 series a season fansubbed, but I'll only buy the 1-2 that I think have a lot of rewatch value on DVD. I don't think that's any different than what Joe Otaku in Japan can do, watching anime on free broadcast television, and then deciding which of the series they like enough to take the DVD plunge on. It kills me when ADV and the like try to equate every fansub downloaded with a sale lost, because that's simply not true. When I was in high school (this was back in the 80s) my allowance was two dollars a week, and while back then I didn't know what anime was, if I had my budget for anime would have been next to nothing. But all those high school kids who can't afford it now will grow up, get better jobs, and if even 1 in 5 stay anime fans into adulthood, then when they can afford it they *will* buy DVDs, and it's that exposure to anime through fansubs that the anime companies can thank. Anyway, that's my $0.02 ^_^ Good post…I don’t have a lot of respect for fans who could afford the DVDs, but choose not to buy anything at all because “fansubs are free, so people who buy DVDs are idiots wasting their money.” That “I’m entitled to everything for free” attitude just really grates on me. But I think you raise a very good point, that there are a lot of people watching fansubs who can’t afford to buy the DVDs, or can’t afford to buy *everything* they watch. Personally, I watch 8-10 series a season fansubbed, but I’ll only buy the 1-2 that I think have a lot of rewatch value on DVD. I don’t think that’s any different than what Joe Otaku in Japan can do, watching anime on free broadcast television, and then deciding which of the series they like enough to take the DVD plunge on. It kills me when ADV and the like try to equate every fansub downloaded with a sale lost, because that’s simply not true.

When I was in high school (this was back in the 80s) my allowance was two dollars a week, and while back then I didn’t know what anime was, if I had my budget for anime would have been next to nothing. But all those high school kids who can’t afford it now will grow up, get better jobs, and if even 1 in 5 stay anime fans into adulthood, then when they can afford it they *will* buy DVDs, and it’s that exposure to anime through fansubs that the anime companies can thank.

Anyway, that’s my $0.02 ^_^

]]> By: Rishi http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-27940 Rishi Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:10:56 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-27940 Yeah, I agree. I'm just in high school--I can't even get a frickin' job for another half a year or somthing. I am an anime fan, but I really have to turn to manga for my passion. With my measly allowance, I'm able to get one, maybe two manga every couple of weeks.....I love anime, and watch it whenever I can, but manga is cheaper.....Seven to twelve dollars is a big differance. I don't get acess to YouTube, so it's either save up my money or turn to manga. Being the freak that I am, I turn to manga....Plus there are some manga out there that havn't even been lisenced yet. I'll just leave it at that....I don't want to leave a rant comment.... ^^' Yeah, I agree. I’m just in high school–I can’t even get a frickin’ job for another half a year or somthing.
I am an anime fan, but I really have to turn to manga for my passion. With my measly allowance, I’m able to get one, maybe two manga every couple of weeks…..I love anime, and watch it whenever I can, but manga is cheaper…..Seven to twelve dollars is a big differance. I don’t get acess to YouTube, so it’s either save up my money or turn to manga. Being the freak that I am, I turn to manga….Plus there are some manga out there that havn’t even been lisenced yet.

I’ll just leave it at that….I don’t want to leave a rant comment…. ^^’

]]> By: Fujiwara http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-27897 Fujiwara Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:42:14 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-27897 Should I ever have money like that to spend on anime, I'd buy dvd's. Untill then it's fansubs and keychains. Nice article, very insightfull Should I ever have money like that to spend on anime, I’d buy dvd’s. Untill then it’s fansubs and keychains.
Nice article, very insightfull

]]> By: Knez http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury/#comment-27892 Knez Mon, 17 Sep 2007 08:20:03 +0000 http://animeyume.com/blog/2007/09/16/anime-is-a-luxury-for-those-who-can-afford-it/#comment-27892 In my country there are no licensed anime (except for some ghibli movies). That means the fansubs are the ONLY way to watch anime. That also means that until few years ago, when we started getting faster internet, there was almost no anime fans. If licensed anime ever appears here it will have a market only thanks to fansubs. In my country there are no licensed anime (except for some ghibli movies). That means the fansubs are the ONLY way to watch anime. That also means that until few years ago, when we started getting faster internet, there was almost no anime fans. If licensed anime ever appears here it will have a market only thanks to fansubs.

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