| So this thread is to see which you prefer, and if you can find the pro's and cons with a licensed series subbing and fansubs. As for myself, I actually prefer fansubs over licensed. This is due to that the subbing for the DVD's I've bought seem too rigid(same fonts etc) and some don't romanize the Japanese language(eg. the -san's, -chan's, sempai). Of course, there are a few cons to fansubbing as well(eg. mistakes in grammar, etc) but it's not something I see as too big an issue. |
| Personally, I prefer the liscened version. I mean, fansubbed are good for before they are liscened and I really appreciate them, but I trust DVD more. |
| I'll admit, I tend to prefer fansubs. I think some R1 companies do better subs than others for sure, but fansubs seem to have more vibrant English dialogue in them, and when you're doing translations, I'll take a pretty but somewhat unfaithful sub to a very faithful but far uglier one. I think fansubs actually tend to strike that balance better than a lot of R1 companies. Not that any language translates straight to another one anyway, so you might as well be a little unfaithful and get a better read out of it in the end if you ask me. |
| Fansubs. |
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| I'll go with the licensed subs, primarily because I can't stand grammatical errors... |
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| Fansubs, in general. |
| I feel like having written this several times before... Anyway, it depends: Licensed subs tend to have many localizations, but usually have more accurate TL especially in complicated, crucial dialogues, and also tend to have better wording for these parts as well so I prefer this for complicated shows like GitS for example, and for shows that are not situated in Japan (since the subs would better fit the atmosphere with the localizations). Fansubs are more prone to TL mistakes especially in complicated, crucial dialogues, and may have awkward wording in those parts, but they tend to have less localization, so I prefer this for light shows that don't have many complicated dialogues and situated in Japan. |
| I generally prefer fansubs mostly due to them tending to be less localised. Also, I've found fansubs are more likely to translate things other than just the dialogue. Things like signs can sometimes be really important and I've seen licensed DVD subs that don't translate them at all. |
kokocho said: Also, I've found fansubs are more likely to translate things other than just the dialogue. Things like signs can sometimes be really important and I've seen licensed DVD subs that don't translate them at all. that's another thing that pisses me off with some licensed DVD's....when it comes to reading kanji, for the most part most don't even bother translating them another would be translating cultural meanings.....whilst most fansubs will at least have a translator note stating what they mean, most licensed anime won't...a good example would be Exel Saga which I remember buying a few years back and was disappointed that I didn't get some of the inhouse jokes or what they meant |
| Fansubs all the way, I can't stand licensed anime subs. They change most of it to fit a western style of understanding. And thus leave out many of the slangs and greetings. I am not saying that fansubs are perfect, but they are light years better than licensed. |
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| I go with fansubs since i have seen enough anime that i can understand cultural references without it having to be localized. Also there is a variety of fansubs for many series so you can find one to fit your taste. Fansubs do have grammar mistakes more often, but unless it is really bad i hardly notice them. |
| At least Funimation romanizes honorifics. I prefer fansubs. Sometimes they can be a little hard to read or inaccurate though... |
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| As an owner of many hundreds of DVDs, I have to say fansubs. The styling is better and the translations are more lax, generally. DVD subtitle limitations are a bother (fonts, colours etc) but the removal of Japanese from the scripts is often over the top, I think. Or the translation of honourifics in to terrible things (eg -chan = dear or little) but it depends. I've seen plenty of bad fansubs, but prosubs make mistakes too, plus the general industry standards aren't my kettle of fish. A simple matter of preference. |
| When fansubbing is done well it makes the anime better- like when they put annotations and notes to go with dialogue so you can have a better understanding of what's going on, and Japanese culture as well. I also like it when the text is outlined in a colour for each character, it can make it easier to follow. My fansub version of Higurashi is like that. Excellent to watch. |
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| the good thing about fansubs is that you have more then one fansubbing group to choose from with most anime....unfortunately with licensed anime, your stuck with their subs and even if another company decides to re-release that series, it's not like your going to go out to buy the whole boxset again just to get better subs |
| I like fansubbed a little more than prosubs depending on how they translate a series.Fansubs are free,fansubbers usually used stylized fonts and fansubbers sometimes include translation note and if a series is pretty popular there is a variety of translation styles to choose from. I also kind of feel that is a series is licensed then it should be dubbed. I do not think Fansubbed translations are superior to licensed anime translations.Its because of the fact fansubbers are hobbyist and are not professionals while anime licensing companies hire professional translators. The fact that some may leave out the Japanese honorifics or keep them does not make one translation superior to the other. If anything Japanese honorifics are a waste of time in the english translation seeing how they have no use in the speaking world. |
| Fansubs: 1. Sometimes the only way to ever watch rare anime or out of print DVDs. 2. Most of the time better then official subs especially on older anime. 3. Better styling, then the usual yellow blocky letters 4. On soft subs you can actually go in and correct or change them your self if you want to and know how to. 5. And they are free. |
| It doesn't think, it doesn't feel, it doesn't laugh or cry..... All it does from dusk till dawn is make the soldiers die. |
| I can go with either one. |
| For me, it's really decided on more of a case-by-case basis than in general, but I more often side with the fansubbers. This is mostly because fansubbers are often more dedicated and go further in translating words or phrases from third languages and explaining things (Shinsen's endnotes are an excellent example). I've also noted an occasional tendency for official subbers to throw away the best translation for a phrase just to differentiate themselves from fansubbers, and they've also been known to do similar things with names for licensing, localizing, or differentiation reasons. Both of those are things the irk me. On the other hand, the official subbers may have access to material that fansubbers don't, and on (rare) occasion have pretty good translation notes themselves. I'm not too picky on other aspects, even though I will admit that I do prefer softsubs due to the ability to manipulate them. |
| Licensed. I can't watch a lot of anime on my com screen because it hurts my eyes after an hour or two. With dvds I can watch all day long and not be bothered. |
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| I prefer fansubs as well over the licensed subs only due to romanization. I hate when certain things get westernized in a licensed sub(which happens to be over 75% of my dvd anime collection) and I know its due to a broader audience but it just doesn't feel sound...for a better word. ..but like OP mentioned, there are also disadvantages of fansubs which I also hate such as incorrect grammar and guess work on some of the dialogue |
prismheart said: I can go with either one. I'm in the same boat. |
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