The Current State of Ecchi Fansubs
It might not be my place to comment on such things, but I’m very disappointed on what’s been going on in the fansub community when it comes to the latest season of anime. I remember that back in January groups were ripping each other apart to provide fans the best quality translations in the shortest time possible. Those following Air or Negima could relax knowing that they will be able to see the newest episode in no time at all.
But getting into the blog community this season, I’ve been introduced to many cute and ecchi series made for guys that I know will be thrilled to watch. Here’s what I’m looking foward to:
Ichigo 100%
Koi Koi Seven
Gokujou Seitokai
He is My Master
Futakoi Alternative
That’s five different series for me to watch this season! Now, of course I’ve been a fan of Ichigo for a while now, but the other four are completely new to me and I can’t wait to check them out.
Unfortunately because of my school’s firewall, I must get all my videos 2nd hand from my very lovely girlfriend. Since that is such a pain on her part and mine, I almost never ask her to get raws for me. So we hold out for fansubs because at least we can both enjoy them to the fullest that way. That means I just have to hold out for a couple of days until I can see them. I mean, these shows look like the kind of stuff that fans would eat up. Fansub groups must be ripping each other apart to get “all up ons” these shows, right?
Wrong.
All of those series have been out for over a week now, and only two of them (Ichigo and Futakoi) have been released by only one group each! I know that it takes some time for groups to sub it and that they don’t come overnight. But now the 2nd episodes of these series are starting to air, and I don’t even know if anyone will pick it up!
Sure a number of people released the Ichigo OVA a couple of weeks after that raw showed up, but I’m pretty sure that only one group will bother with the TV show. OVAs require a lot less commitment then TV series. Just look at how many people put out “Club ‘em to Death” Angel. But Ichigo has such a huge fallowing! Did you check out the stats on how many people are downloading it, or how many other blogs have started reviewing it? I even showed it to my anime club yesterday and it completely won over all the guys in the room. I would think that other groups would want a piece of this action.
But my biggest surprise right now would have to be “He is My Master.” This series has been very heavily promoted in the past couple of months. The main reason for this is because it comes from Studio Gainax, or as many anime fans would call it, Studio “Holy s***, this f****ing rocks!” Gainax. Look at its track record: FLCL, Mahoromatic, Abenobashi, Ebichu, His and Her Circumstance, Eva… This studio knows how to make the hits. So this new series has been out for a week now, and it wasn’t until the other day that I saw it appear on AnimeSuki…
… but it was just a promo…
シ—-ン
So maybe I’m just being impatient and all of these fansubs will be out in the next couple of days. But I just want to say that current state of fansubs for ecchi fans like me is just not like it used to be.
I never wanted to complain about subbing groups myself, because I relay on them…but that’s exactly the reason I’m sad. I want to see “He is my master” so much, but as you said, no group picked it up. It’s GAINAX. What’s up with you all? Dokuro-chan was total crap…I want GAINAX instead *sigh* I’m so looking foward to me attending university from octobre on…afterwards I can watch raws myself ^^
Comment by Mina — April 14, 2005 @ 12:54 pm
I can certainly understand your frustration. I was thinking about writing about this a bit myself, but thought maybe this was ‘normal’.
Thankfully I can follow the raws well enough that I don’t need to wait for subs..but with things the way they are now, by the time subs come out it’s hard to even justify downloading them - when I’ve already seen the next episode or two
I will point out a few things, though. Right now, exams are coming up (or have come up) for most university students in North America, and a new spring term is starting in Japan, so for those fansubbers who are students, in one form or another, it may take a couple weeks before they can fully devote themselves. (Or maybe they’re behind a firewall like you :p)
On a slightly happier note, it looks like there are at least a few groups working on Ichigo 100%, and there are groups at least planning on releasing most of the above. Can’t remember where I got this link (maybe even somewhere on this blog :p), but it might help assuage your fears.
Comment by Satoshi — April 14, 2005 @ 6:10 pm
I know that link and after reading this entry here yesterday I went there right away and saw at least a group is planning on “He is my master” ^^
As I said, I never want to be angry avout any subbing groups, because I need them and so glad they exist. So, go guys and make your exams…I can wait *sigh* ^_~
Comment by Mina — April 15, 2005 @ 1:52 am
Fansubbers don’t owe us anything so there’s really no point in making a ruckus. I understand that you want your anime fix, so do I. It is vexing not being able to see a show that you’ve looked foward to for a while. But blaming the state of fansubs is a misdirection of anxieties since they have no reason to cater to our desires. To cite an overused cliche, patience is a virture.
Comment by rixot — April 15, 2005 @ 8:36 am
[…] ril 15, 2005
The Current State of Fansubs Part II
It’s no surprise that my post yesterday caused up a little bit of a ruckus. Some people t […]
Pingback by Scott’s Anime Almanac :: The Current State of Fansubs Part II :: April :: 2005 — April 15, 2005 @ 2:07 pm
I’ve watched ep 1 and 2 of kore ga watashi no goshujin-sama. From what I can tell the series looks to be pretty good and is on the top of my list right now for the current season. Other than that, fansubbing is fun. I’m sure people (myself included) would sub more anime if they had the staff/time.
Comment by Misora — April 16, 2005 @ 1:06 pm