PA #86: Editorial

The Need for Fansubs

People who read my editorials are often used to seeing me speak out against fansubs. I frequently state that many of the old raisons d'être for fansubs no longer apply. You don't need fansubs to preview anime (That's what TV and rentanime.com are for), and most anime arrives in North America pretty quickly so its no longer a matter of fansubers making available something that might not otherwise become available. But this time around I'm going to make a case for the continued existence of fansubers and scanlation groups.

Most anime is adapted for the North American market faithfully, even titles like Ghost Stories get faithfully translated subtitles. The problem is that sometimes no faithful English translation exists. Sometimes even the best companies make the mistake of fixing a script that they think could use some improvement, in the case of manga there is no option for a faithful subtitle track, and in the case of some anime, sometimes the "fixes" are even made to the subtitle track. Other times some companies unabashedly edit a title with no remorse or apology. In the case of certain anime companies a subtitled version is never released (or takes years to be released) and all fans have available are heavily altered English adaptations that don't meet up with their standards. There's no need to name the companies doing this right now, just to recognize that it is being done.

So what is a fan to do? For most people there are only three options, go without, accept the altered version, or turn to fansubs and scanlations. True, anime and manga aren't staples of life, for the most part they aren't even high art or literature, so people don't have any sort of right to enjoy them whatever the cost. The most ethical decision is clearly the first; to go without. So while I can't encourage the use of fan translations as an alternative to commercial releases in this case, I certainly understand why many fans would chose to go this route.

If they have the means, I strongly urge fans in this situation to buy the original Japanese versions to go along with their fan-translated versions. At least that way they are supporting the original creators.

Of course, just turning to fansubs doesn't change the situation in the long run. When companies ruin a title for you, let them know. Send them a polite letter telling them that you were looking forward to that title, that you would have bought it but didn't because of the poor translation. Explain that you've instead bought the Japanese version and are enjoying that in conjunction with fan provided translations. Send them a copy of the Japanese bill to prove that you've actually spent money. You can also go to a store, buy the American adaptation and return it the next day telling the store why you don't want it. Trust me, when applied by an organized group of people, tactics like these are much more effective than placing your name, along with 10,000 others, on some lame e-petition.

Perhaps through a mixture of boycotting and activism, we can get companies to stop butchering these titles. But remember, if a company gives in and releases a proper version, buy it. If you don't, they won't bother next time.

Well, that's all I have to say on the subject right now. Comments? Send them to comments@protoculture.ca.

Issue 86 is our second 80-page issue in a row. We hope you like the format and enjoy the articles.

Christopher Macdonald
Publisher -- Protoculture Addicts