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NEWS: Bandai Cracks Down on Bootleggers at Anime Expo

The most common excuse I have heard from vendors is "But it's what the fans want." These are the type of fans whom also embrace the phrase "If it's not free it's overpriced.". I applaude your post beelzebozo.

And what of the plethora of OVA that are released in Japan. They don't get to see those on TV before they buy them. Maybe a trailer or something, which is what you will usually get to see here if you are buying legal releases, since one of the extras is usually trailers.

But the point about being able to preview shows is valid. This is why the most popular anime shows in the US are those shown on cable, because people can see them for free... minus the cost of cable, of course.

This why I always suggest retail anime shops should do rentals. It can be a pain, takes up lots of space, and there will always be stolen disks, but you are doing a great service to the fans and the community. It exposes lesser known anime and can help the sales of anime in general.

marcyu:

What does it matter if they whine about fansubs or not? They have a perfect right to be upset about fansubs of licensed series being released. And they have a right to whine about fansubs in general, although they can't do anything about those. For the most part, they don't whine about unlicensed fansubs, at least not officially.

Most companies have a pretty good idea that having fansubs of new, unlicensed material will help promote the series. They may get a bit perturbed when the whole series is fansubed, and like I said will get upset if their material is still passed around after licensing is announced.

Whiney people to me would be Hollywood companies and the music industry (whether they are right to whine or not)

Kazuki-san wrote:

marcyu: What does it matter if they whine about fansubs or not? They have a perfect right to be upset about fansubs of licensed series being released. And they have a right to whine about fansubs in general, although they can't do anything about those. For the most part, they don't whine about unlicensed fansubs, at least not officially. Most companies have a pretty good idea that having fansubs of new, unlicensed material will help promote the series. They may get a bit perturbed when the whole series is fansubed, and like I said will get upset if their material is still passed around after licensing is announced. Whiney people to me would be Hollywood companies and the music industry (whether they are right to whine or not)

These companies have no real outlet for promotion without fansubs if they don't get onto television (which is why Initial D was held up for a year - but Tokyopop never could get anyone to go for it - high school prostitution is something that won't be shown the CN anytime soon). They're so desperate for exposure, they're giving me free DVD's to give to customers. Of licensed materials, mind you. So I'd like for them to stop complaining about fansubs when they can't GIVE away their product fast enough.

And they still whine about unlicensed anime being digisubbed. And they complain to the hilt at every panel I've ever been to. These businesses have become gunshy. ADV used to really be courageous about taking chances on titles, but, as they've gotten bigger, they've lowered their risk plateau. My problem with domestic companies is that they are currently still considering fansubbed material a liability instead of an asset. I think they need to change their thought process a little if they want to stay competitive.

I have people begging for Naruto, Hikaru no Go, Full Moon wo Sagashite, etc. You've gotta spend money to make money, folks. Maybe I should round up some investors I know....

Well, last time I checked companies were advertising in Newtype and all the other Anime magz. They also give you trailers on the Newtype dvd and a free ep or 2. And if they're giving you free dvds to give away that would be spending money on marketing now wouldn't it? ADV is now going to start showing their series on Anime Network before they are released to dvd. Not to mention there is plenty of info on the net to be had on new shows. Anime companies are never going to be able and advertise on normal tv.

The reason that they copmain about fansubs is exactly the point you just made. Because lots of people will take free over having to pay any day. Why buy a dvd when you can download the whole series for free? That's the take a lot of people have on it these days.

As to ADV being "gunshy" that depends on what you mean. They continue to license shows that it's unclear what the potential sales will be (Happy Lesson comes to mind)

Even if they do "complain" as you say about unlicensed fansubs, I bet most of the complaining is actually about licensed shows still being fansubbed. Even if they really are complaining, they aren't trying to do anything about it. They know that fansubs help promote a series, so long as it's stopped being distro'd once it's licensed. In fact ADV used to have a fansub division.

Everything you've mentioned is not advertising. It's value adding. Consumers have to pay in order to get something - in this case it's a magazine or paid cable TV. They only give me DVD's because I sell the stuff, and it's the only way they can reach their target consumer and give them something for free. Of course anime companies can advertise on TV. That's what I do with my stores and we make money. But they don't understand the economics behind it yet. Most of them need to hire a real advertising firm.

Most people don't want them. The majority of my customers watch everything dubbed in English (yuck).

Let's take a look at the definition of advertising shall we...

"The activity of attracting public attention to a product or business, as by paid announcements in the print, broadcast, or electronic media."

Of course you have to pay for cable, but are you trying to imply that a person would signup for cable for the SOLE reason of watching anime?

As far advertising on TV, if we take what you have said above, then it's not advertising on TV either, because they had to buy their tv, and they have to buy a newspaper, etc.

Most people don't want them. The majority of my customers watch everything dubbed in English (yuck).

That may be what the majority of YOUR customers wants, be all you have to do is take a couple of minutes to look online to see how big fansubs are. You can't judge everything by the market you're in. A great deal of people download fansubs, and a great deal on them ONLY download and do not purchase the DVDs, because they're free. Just as has already been discussed on threads here recently, people also buy boots which contain ONLY subs, and bad subs at that. (and yes, I know people buy R1 boots as well).

And I have never seen a mainstream advertisement by an anime company in mainstream print or broadcast. If you include electronic media, you only strengthened my fansub argument.

Just because you see or read it online doesn't mean everyone is doing it. Remember, 99% of all purchases are made in brick and mortar stores, not online.

marcyu wrote:

And I have never seen a mainstream advertisement by an anime company in mainstream print or broadcast. If you include electronic media, you only strengthened my fansub argument.

I have, but then again I'm in ADV's hometown, so it may be a bit different for me. And no, I didn't strengthen your fansub argument, are you trying to say that a company should pay people to sub all of their stuff and then release it for free? That would be suicide, it might serve them to sub an ep or 2 and release, but the problem with that is 100 other groups have already subbed the whole series so what's the point? The whole series would be subbed before a company ever got the license.

The last really popular show in Japan that was fully digisubbed before coming into the US was Love Hina - the ICV2 2002 Anime Product of the Year. It is Bandai's best selling title to date besides Gundam Wing (which coincidentally had a run on Cartoon Network - something Love Hina didn't have the advantage of).