Japan Asks America to Stop Illegal Net Releases of Anime

[Ms. Poe]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... s-of-anime

Old news to some I'm sure...But very interesting. Apparently it was part of a 53 page document in regards to trade between the US and Japan. This was on page 52 of 53. Very last minute, not ?

http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/usa/ke ... 7_yobo.pdf

Above in Japanese

[Krafty]

Yeah, you dirty Americans want everything for free and spoil it for everybody else. LOL
The fact is that if this goes ahead, torrent sites will be hosted outside the USA to get round this law. It can't possibly be quashed!

[Cenbe]

There's really got to be a good way for supportive and honest fans to pay for downloads of newly broadcast series. And also, it's not like the production companies don't benefit at all from fansubs. Yes, I might feel a twinge of guilt when I download the latest shows because I'm not directly supporting the creators, but on the other hand, I know what I'm going to buy when they are licensed, so it's pretty good free promo for them. I'll be first in line to pony up for the box sets of Dennou Coil, Ghost Hound, Sketchbook Full Color's, and others.

I definitely agree with Krafty though; there's no way the process can be stopped. The companies just have to find creative ways to turn it to their advantage. Ultimately, getting works distributed to as many people as possible should benefit them in the long run.

[iwakuralain16]

The Japanese companies would benefit if they were to subtitle the shows as they release them on TV and could have them for direct download. Or they could stream and people could pay a monthly subscription price to view Or something like that. That is really going to be the only way they are going to stop it. Even then people may not even pay but they would get some people to sign up. I know I would. They need to bridge this gap between US licensing and Japanese productions companies. Unfortunately that would put alot of people out of business in the US that just buy up licenses, dub/sub the anime and put it on dvd. Which they could still do it but if I could buy a DVD from japan and it already have subtitles on it? I would not buy an American release of a dvd because I do not like Dubbing. American companies would have to rely only on people who buy DVDs because of the dubbing or those who do not care to buy Japanese releases period.

I dunno. I am extremely tired so sorry for my rambling. I hope at least a tiny bit of this makes sense… ~_~

[Cordelia]

I agree with iwakuralain16. Part of the reason why there are rampant downloads is because of a market gap. The local DVD titles are not comprehensive, the releases are slow, the dubbing sucks and sometimes, the subbing is worse than what the fan-sub grps produce. The Japanese companies shd emulate the online fan-sub model and via the internet, release the episodes simultaneously with Japan's telecast. As with all online digital media, it's impossible to stop piracy completely but I think, at least some of us would pay. And if this service was available, I believe some of the fan-sub grps would stop.

On a side note, in Singapore, the local DVD distributor engaged a US torrent tracking company to nail the anime downloaders. Then they got the judge to reveal the names behind the ISP nos. Those caught had to pay up to $3000+. They even flew in the Japanese studio personnels for support. So there is definitely a means for the companies to take action if they want to.

Yea, if this goes on, then the hosting sites shd juz move to China where the combined forces of Hollywood and the music bigwigs failed to shut down Baidu.com

[transmet]

sometimes, the subbing is worse than what the fan-sub grps produce.

And therein lies my biggest gripe. Why would I want to buy an inferior product when I can download one that's done with the attention paid to the details, as well as maybe some background info for free. I will always hold onto my Champloos that I got from AF back in the day 'cause they still kick butt over anything Geneon ever released (and now Geneon's even gone!)

Whatever...

The thing about streaming sites is that they're almost all Flash-based like either BooTube or Googlevil. As of now, the quality of online Flash players and Flash-base websites are teh suk!

If I'm going to pay to watch something streamed online, it needs to be of similar quality as say Stage6, for example. Otherwise, give me downloads done by fansubber-types who are being paid by the studios to bring me quality product that I want, and therefore am willing to pay for. In other words, distributors on both sides of the Pacific need to stop producing crap wrapped in a pretty box!

And you think it's bad now - just wait until all of the new shows are released in either HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray only. It's coming... sooner that you think.

[Cloud]

I don't think now - just wait until all of the new shows are released in either HD-DVD andor Blu-Ray [he or she]only[he or she] is very healthy.

[miz ducky]

There's really got to be a good way for supportive and honest fans to pay for downloads of newly broadcast series. And also, it's not like the production companies don't benefit at all from fansubs.

The companies just have to find creative ways to turn it to their advantage. Ultimately, getting works distributed to as many people as possible should benefit them in the long run.

I know that the American companies are trying to work on this now. ADV has offered a pay per download/view type of service for a while now, and I know that other companies are working out how to do something that will work for them.

We'll just have to keep our eyes open, and then support the methods that arise. If no one supports their efforts and then contributes to the process, then we could lose a new method of acquiring anime.

Which they could still do it but if I could buy a DVD from japan and it already have subtitles on it?

Translation: The Japanese companies could be getting American dollars with out the American companies if they put English subtitles on their dvds.
(Is that right?)

That is a point that I wish they would figure out. Not everything is made available in the US, but since they don't even put english subtitles on their dvds, it would be of no use for us to buy their releases (which are easily twice the price of anything sold in America - if you think I'm wrong then you're not looking at Japanese imports). I think that we'll still see some good shows come to the US through American companies, but that would make some of the more obscure/less popular shows available to us with out having to buy HK pirated "imports" or downloads.

[iwakuralain16]

Which they could still do it but if I could buy a DVD from japan and it already have subtitles on it?

Translation: The Japanese companies could be getting American dollars with out the American companies if they put English subtitles on their dvds.
(Is that right?)

That is a point that I wish they would figure out. Not everything is made available in the US, but since they don't even put english subtitles on their dvds, it would be of no use for us to buy their releases (which are easily twice the price of anything sold in America - if you think I'm wrong then you're not looking at Japanese imports). I think that we'll still see some good shows come to the US through American companies, but that would make some of the more obscure/less popular shows available to us with out having to buy HK pirated "imports" or downloads.

Ah yes, that is what I meant. But really, from what I have seen I really like the way alot of the Japanese releases are set up. For example take the Ayashi no Ceres DVD releases. THey have awesome artwork out the outside, limited press came with cool art cards and the dvds are even pretty to look at. The americans get a ahold of it and what do they do? SLap on random pictures from the artbook as the cover and the dvds are nothing to look at and they think they can make up for it by puting in a mini poster which is retarded. I buy first press Drama cds from shows that I like and if the Japanese were to start putting fan subber quality subtitles onto DVDs I would throw down $40-$50 a pop. Especially if it is a series I like. I rarely buy DVDs now just because the subtitles are done poorly half of the time and I hate dubbed anime. I just spent a $10 giftcard at Best Buy on Paprika just because I wanted to get rid of the damn thing. It has a nice box that goes on the outside of the DVD. I open up the case and it has a DVD and that is it. Nothing else. Kinda feel ripped of after paying $19.99+ tax for a subpar packaged product. I love Satoshi Kon though so alas I Buy all of his DVDs. I am also getting the first press version of the region 2 as well though. o_O

Again with the ranting. They need to do something with the way the industry is handled or another Geneon will happen. Until then I will be happy with the investment I made in buying a region free DVD player and hope more and more studios release dvds with english subtitles in Japan.

[funshine]

for me i wouldn't want a pay per download as that could quickly add up, esp if you use it to determine what you want to purchase and want to see many different series.

i'd be all for a decent streaming service where you could view series from multiple creators/networks and that was a decent monthly/yearly/whatever fee as opposed to a pay per item fee. i don't care if you can keep the episode or not as i delete 99.99% of the fansubs i watch anyway (unless there's other interesting info. then I keep and buy the release when it comes out). perhaps there could even be two types of services - one where you keep the episode and one where you can view it for a week or whatever.

in any case, i think care and thought should be put into what to do in order to come up with a creative workable solution and they don't just hop on the let's sue or whatever bandwagon.

[darksuzaku]

for me i wouldn't want a pay per download as that could quickly add up, esp if you use it to determine what you want to purchase and want to see many different series.

I would gladly pay for downloadable episodes if the following requirements are met:
1- Price should be quite cheaper compared to a dvd release. For example if a DVD with 4 Episodes costs $20 ($5 per episode) i would gladly pay $1-2 for each episode.
2- The 1st 1-2 episodes of every series (depending on the length of the series) should be free for download, i don't mind if they are in lower stremeable quality. I mean something that allows me to preview a series with comodity and see if i like it.
3- They should also allow me to get the printed DVD version paying the difference in price. (As if the downloaded episodes were like prereleases of the actual dvds. If i like the prerelease they discount me the price i payed for them in the final retail price of the DVD).
4- No DRM and no ADS of any kind on the downloaded material. Their online store should be competitive enough to make people prefer to pay for the online episodes than searching the free fansubs.
5- I want my episodes released timely. I mean, if an episode is aired on day X i want my episode in 1-7 days available for purchase and download. If fansubbers can do it for free they can do it too.

[Keropi]

I got back from Las Vegas last night and I saw this headline on AnimeOnDVD's website:

Gonzo Sells Download to Own (08:24 AM EST): A new press release from GDH talks about their intent to sell to own online copies of their shows. There are only a few being talked about now and details are decent but sitll light regarding the copy protection and the like. The pricing is quite Japanese however in that they're selling individual episodes of Speedgrapher for approximately $9 to $14 depending on the quality level you want from it.

Press release link:
http://www.gdh.co.jp/english/news/20071226.html

Hmm...now I know why Gonzo began to directly send out cease and desist letters to fansubbers.

But I'm still wondering what has caused the most problems the past two to four years?

1. Fansub video qualities are higher since there are HD broadcasts and better codecs than before (Less incentive to buy R1 DVDs?)

2. Is the percentage of people buying commerical DVDs going down?

3. Have people gotten so used to seeing anime quickly that they feel less like buying the commercial DVDs by the time it's out?

4. Someone mentioned about R1 DVDs getting discounted so frequently that people are now waiting for the discounted before buying stuff?

I have no idea. I'm buying more anime than I used to.

[funshine]

not sure either. i don't think we'll ever get an answer though to the why/what's going on though because it's too hard to determine since noone knows all the facts.

i know i'm also buying more than i did before too. however, while i always waited for deals/boxes/etc, i think i am waiting for boxsets more now unless there is something i really want le wise - like the last exile les or the price is so cheap to begin with (fantastic children).

[eddiefb3]

I just want to throw out my opinion so please nobody be offended.

I believe downloading fansub anime should only be done if you have no legal way of getting the anime.

I always by the R1 dvds, because that is how you support an anime. And most newer ones have both Japanese and English with English subs.

So if you don't like dubs there is nothing forcing you to watch it with a dub.

I don't think bashing companies is the way to go. We need to support anime by buying the dvds legally.

Most modern US anime companies do a lot better work then they did a long time ago. Funimation does a great job dubbing their anime, and they do a great job subbing it as well. They even use Japanese honorifics.

When you download an anime you are not only hurting the anime but you are hurting the distributor, and the Japanese companies.

You are even hurting the Japanese population. They pay lots of money to watch anime on TV. Its not free like it is to downloaders. They have to pay for it like everyone else.

Another thing is we have great dvd releases. We don't have to pay $40-$50 for 2 episodes on a dvd. We get to pay $20 for 4 episodes. And we get original Japanese with Subs as well as an English dub.

As for stuff in the dvd boxes. Well what do you want? A lot of companies have places for you to give suggestions.

My ROD the TV dvds(from Geneon) got cool looking boxes. And they all came with pencil boards, and one with a figure. Thats more then I ever asked for.

My Eureka Seven DVDs came with Tshirts CDs and Mangas. Special editions of course. but they arent that much more if you want it.

My Uncut Naruto dvds from Viz came with full storboards from an episode.

And they have 13 episodes, under $30. I bet you cant get anything like that for that price in Japan.

I don't need or care for anything extra because I am buying anime not a pencil board, or a tshirt, or a manga. A chapter list would be cool But I could live without it.

We have it so good here and all we can do is complain. We should be thankful for what we have. Companies will keep making dvds for a wider audience. Because thats how it gets support for the series.

There is also stuff available for downloads already. Viz has been offering Subbed episodes of DeathNote as it was still being released in Japan for download. I know because I bought them.

ADV also has a downloading service. I've used it a few times too.

Funimation has some anime on Itunes, its only English dub though. But it would probably be hard to read subs on an Ipod.

My point in all this is you need to support anime, or else we won't get anymore.

Everyone suffers from obtaining anime illegally. The licensor suffers by losing money and eventually stops making DVDs. Then anime fans here not in Japan resort to downloading fansubs.

How fair does that sound to Japanese people? They pay $50 for a dvd and whatever they pay for TV to watch anime. And you download it for free. Thats not fair. If they started downloading their anime fansub style. Then anime companies would stop making anime. End of the World! Fansubs are bad!

If you really want to do something to stress your opinons, go to distributors websites whether its American ones or Japanese ones.

Write them letters! Emails! Show them that you care. Buy the DVDs or the legal downloads. Watch it on TV. Do whatever you can to support your anime before its gone forever.

[Cordelia]

I don't think bashing companies is the way to go. We need to support anime by buying the dvds legally.

You are even hurting the Japanese population. They pay lots of money to watch anime on TV. Its not free like it is to downloaders. They have to pay for it like everyone else.

My point in all this is you need to support anime, or else we won't get anymore.

If you really want to do something to stress your opinons, go to distributors websites whether its American ones or Japanese ones.

No offense taken, eddie. I agree that we shd support the anime industry by paying for anime. The animators put in a lot of effort and they too have families to feed. I juz wish that they would improve the product/ service. I think that is part of the reason why there are such rampant downloads. If they could address the issues stated previously e.g slow releases, lack of titles etc, then the problem would be certainly be lessen.

Strangely, the distributors and studios are well aware of what is lacking becoz fans, at least from where I come from, have feedback before. But yet they are slow to make changes despite that it makes gd business sense to do so. On a brighter note, some countries are starting to have tv telecast of anime on the same week as Japan, although it's juz a selected few titles.

Do Japanese pay to watch anime on tv? I thought most of the anime are on national tv channels. How I wish I could have access to those channels, with subbing.