09-13-2002, 01:00 PM
>> I CAN'T enjoy the show if I can't understand what is going on! Besides, there is no reason for any Anime show to have poor subtitles when there are a ton of fan-subs all over the net. <<
Sure there's a reason. There's tons of shows that never get subbed or even noticed because the anime output of Japan is still more than what even digisubbers can manage. Also, HK companies aren't under any obligation to use fansub scripts - by doing so, they make the market even more unscrupulous than it already is.
>> The occasional spelling mistake/grammar-error is something that I can ussually look past, but I doubt anyone could watch the 'Circle K' version of Cowboy Bebop (Horrible subs, but decent audio/video) and enjoy it. <<
Well, that's what the R1 DVDs are for. =P
>> Why should all of us lower our standards when the HK Anime producers could raise theirs? Obviously it is not impossible for them to produce shows with decent subtitles.. Berserk, Love Hina, Vandread 2nd stage are just a few titles that have fairly high quality subs. <<
Because I doubt that the HK companies are doing the subbing mainly for "our" benefit (us as in the people in the US who primarily communicate through English). While the quality of certain productions have been increasing, it's still not at a consistent enough level to indicate that they (the HK studios) consider us a major factor. It may get there soon, though, given where MI is heading.
But the problem with that statement is that you're assuming a group will take a show and go through the trouble of editing and placing it on DVD format with subs exclusively for an American audience. They're not. When they do, then you can bitch about subtitle quality. Until then, it'd be the same as cussing out the author of a French novel for not providing an adequate English version.
>> The main reason I started visiting this site was so that I could read reviews and avoid HK titles with poor subs. I don't want to get burned. <<
That's understandable, none of us do, myself included. =)
>> Because of sites like this one, more people are going to avoid poorly ripped titles and focus their attention on the quality releases. The HK producers will get the idea.. <<
One can only hope that 1) the producers can understanding enough English to read the reviews, 2) actually visit this site, and 3) give enough of a damn about their American market to change. If they make enough money selling to their Chinese audience, they're not going to bother.
[snip]
>> In closing, I would just like to say.. you can buy all the poorly subititled anime you want. however, I will wait until there is a either a better HK release, an R1 release, or I will just download some quality fansubs to tide me over until one of the above 2 happen. <<
Sure, but if you do one of the above you still have no right to complain about subs because you would have something better. =P
My idea is that instead of wasting time excessively complaining over how "so and so from whatever sucks, I hate them, they should do a better job, yada yada" just inform people it isn't a good set and move on. There's plenty of other options for most series, like the ones you mentioned above. For some, they aren't even available save for tiny clips here and there (I'm still looking for Crush Gear Turbo =P) so I'd rather have some form of the show than none at all.
-- Natsuki the Esoteric
Sure there's a reason. There's tons of shows that never get subbed or even noticed because the anime output of Japan is still more than what even digisubbers can manage. Also, HK companies aren't under any obligation to use fansub scripts - by doing so, they make the market even more unscrupulous than it already is.
>> The occasional spelling mistake/grammar-error is something that I can ussually look past, but I doubt anyone could watch the 'Circle K' version of Cowboy Bebop (Horrible subs, but decent audio/video) and enjoy it. <<
Well, that's what the R1 DVDs are for. =P
>> Why should all of us lower our standards when the HK Anime producers could raise theirs? Obviously it is not impossible for them to produce shows with decent subtitles.. Berserk, Love Hina, Vandread 2nd stage are just a few titles that have fairly high quality subs. <<
Because I doubt that the HK companies are doing the subbing mainly for "our" benefit (us as in the people in the US who primarily communicate through English). While the quality of certain productions have been increasing, it's still not at a consistent enough level to indicate that they (the HK studios) consider us a major factor. It may get there soon, though, given where MI is heading.
But the problem with that statement is that you're assuming a group will take a show and go through the trouble of editing and placing it on DVD format with subs exclusively for an American audience. They're not. When they do, then you can bitch about subtitle quality. Until then, it'd be the same as cussing out the author of a French novel for not providing an adequate English version.
>> The main reason I started visiting this site was so that I could read reviews and avoid HK titles with poor subs. I don't want to get burned. <<
That's understandable, none of us do, myself included. =)
>> Because of sites like this one, more people are going to avoid poorly ripped titles and focus their attention on the quality releases. The HK producers will get the idea.. <<
One can only hope that 1) the producers can understanding enough English to read the reviews, 2) actually visit this site, and 3) give enough of a damn about their American market to change. If they make enough money selling to their Chinese audience, they're not going to bother.
[snip]
>> In closing, I would just like to say.. you can buy all the poorly subititled anime you want. however, I will wait until there is a either a better HK release, an R1 release, or I will just download some quality fansubs to tide me over until one of the above 2 happen. <<
Sure, but if you do one of the above you still have no right to complain about subs because you would have something better. =P
My idea is that instead of wasting time excessively complaining over how "so and so from whatever sucks, I hate them, they should do a better job, yada yada" just inform people it isn't a good set and move on. There's plenty of other options for most series, like the ones you mentioned above. For some, they aren't even available save for tiny clips here and there (I'm still looking for Crush Gear Turbo =P) so I'd rather have some form of the show than none at all.
-- Natsuki the Esoteric
-- "Your victory will be our bravery."