Streaming Anime

[Sleet]

Recently, companies such as Viz have taken a more proactive step in curbing the "piracy" of anime through fansubs as well as pushing their own content out quicker. This has come in the form of streaming anime episodes, with their own subs, on various video sharing websites such as YouTubez and CrunchyRoll. These are uploaded regularly and keep fairly upto date with the anime's release in Japan (generally a week or so behind).

We've seen various anime undergo this method of release, such as Shikabane Hime and now the ever popular Naruto series (though why you'd watch all those fillers, I don't know), and it seems to be gaining popularity, if not only with Viz. This is seeing a big shift in the anime community, moving away from the old tradition of fansubs and changing the way fans consume their anime.

One could see this as the "commercialisation" of the anime community, taking power away from the community and placing it in the hands of the various licensing companies. With anime being such a large, vibrant and vocal community, it could be said that taking such measures may damage not only a company's reputation, but also turn a large portion of the community away from anime.

But on the same token, this helps legitimise the various translation companies whilst also feeding more growth into the anime industry itself. The main issue with having a company such as Viz or Tokyopop or ADV is that their DVDs sales suffer due to the prevalence of fansubs. This also feeds back into the anime industry in Japan, who aren't getting their due for the work they've produced.

Now with all these different factors playing into affect, where do you stand on the issue?

[Pirate Pete]

So they're subbing it themselves, and putting it up for free? Haven't ever used the sites you mention, so I'm assuming it's free...

I really don't pay enough attention to the commercial-ness of what I enjoy. As long as I get to see it, I'm usually happy. But still, if it affects groups like our clubs, it's definitely a bad thing for everyone. I'm gonna go with the indecisive answer on the poll...

[Sleet]

Here are the two I mentioned above:
Shikabane Hime
Naruto

And yes, they're free.

[Pirate Pete]

Dear god, I just tried watching something I'd already seen on one of those sites(Hadn't seen the 'free' confirmation, and decided to check), and one of the ads kept making the "windows error pop-up" noise. So basically, the anime companies are now in league with every browser with ad-blockers...not really a bad thing.

[Roa]

I don't see how this could be bad, it should've been done a long time ago.

Hopefully this will be successful and show the Japanese companies that it can work, and we don't have to wait years and years for a release.

[Schmole]

have yet to take a look at the way the subs flow - so shall refrain from voting atm

but i think its a step in the right direction most certainly.

[imek]

I don't see how this could be bad, it should've been done a long time ago.

Hopefully this will be successful and show the Japanese companies that it can work, and we don't have to wait years and years for a release.

Agreed.

I also don't see this as affecting the whole community of anime fans, rather only fansubbing groups. And even then what's going to change from the way they respond C&D letters that were sent out before subs were being made online officially.

[Jayzilla]

I don't see how this could be bad, it should've been done a long time ago.

Hopefully this will be successful and show the Japanese companies that it can work, and we don't have to wait years and years for a release.

Agreed.

Pretty much all that needs to be said,

Also, it may be worth noting that this may be in repsonse to falling sales in local markets. hence the move to expand and hit untapped markets. To the average anime watcher, hittinf up a streaming website is a lot easier than picking between sub groups and torrents. also less fansubbing drama = win

[Sleet]

Also, it may be worth noting that this may be in repsonse to falling sales in local markets. hence the move to expand and hit untapped markets. To the average anime watcher, hittinf up a streaming website is a lot easier than picking between sub groups and torrents. also less fansubbing drama = win

Fansubbing drama is bad. Like Dattebayo being retarded with their jokes.

[Roa]

Actually, most drama about illegal stuff is bad and sad.

[Schmole]

Also, it may be worth noting that this may be in repsonse to falling sales in local markets. hence the move to expand and hit untapped markets. To the average anime watcher, hittinf up a streaming website is a lot easier than picking between sub groups and torrents. also less fansubbing drama = win

Fansubbing drama is bad. Like Dattebayo being retarded with their jokes.

no way - their trolls were awesome as! the constant idiocy of people is awesome

their "naruto 92" which was just Pipopapo Patrol-kun - tricked ~250k people. now thats just freaking hilarious!