Thursday, July 28, 2011

Taboo: Do you support bootleg/unauthorized anime localizations?

We're going in a bit of a different direction with this taboo topic, but I think it's a very important one to discuss.  For all the anime that hits North America, there's a lot more that never sees official localization here.  Sometimes that's just the way the cookie crumbles.  I don't like it anymore than you do, but some people decide to take things into their own hands when this happens.

I can understand that bootleg and unauthorized localizations come from a place of anime passion.  I understand that we're talking about fans that absolutely, positively want people outside of Japan to enjoy specific anime content.  At the very least, I can respect that kind of love of anime.  It may sound odd, but I believe a lot of those grassroots projects are coming from a good place.


While those people involved with putting those fan-subs together might mean well, it's the reactions to those projects that causes trouble.  There are indeed consequences for both viewing and purchasing bootleg anime.  Things get even worse when people fan-sub anime that is already being localized.  Sure, you can get a ton of episodes of an anime for a very cheap price and quicker, but you're only stealing money away from someone down the line.  Someone that was involved with creating the anime in the first place.  Along the way, someone is getting hurt.

Do I think that those that indulge in this type of anime viewing are terrible people?  I definitely don't, but I prefer to keep things legal.  I really hope I don't come across high and mighty in this post, because that's not what I'm trying to convey.  I just like to support official localizations.  We're talking about companies that do their best to bring anime here.  I just can't justify taking away from their hard work.

1 comment:

  1. " Sure, you can get a ton of episodes of an anime for a very cheap price and quicker, but you're only stealing money away from someone down the line."

    Well if you never planned on buying it if the fansub never existed, then how are you stealing money?

    ReplyDelete