AnimeDemand Network

What are Fansubs?

A fansub is a work of anime that a private party has subtitled, usually a fan, as opposed to a domestic anime company. This fan subtitled video either is then kept for one's own private enjoyment or is distributed to other fans for the common enjoyment.

Fansubs? Why? In recent years, several companies have begun to buy the rights to various works of anime and to release subtitled and/or dubbed versions to English-speaking markets. However, there is only limited interest in many titles and genres, so they go untouched. Those who are interested in seeing such titles can buy imports, but these are in Japanese only. Thus, fansubs exist for two reasons: (1) to make the work more enjoyable by providing an understanding of the dialogue, and (2) to promote awareness of a title so that it will be picked up for domestic release. The subtitlers do it to spread anime, which they love.

Distributors: There are many fansubbing groups and distributors who maintain web pages.

Is the anime industry aware of fansubs? Yes. The Japanese companies who produce the anime currently don't care about fansubs. American companies who release domestic versions are aware of fansubs as well. In fact, some of the people involved in the industry were previously fansubbers themselves. For example, Dave Fleming of SV2 once fansubbed the Patlabor movies, and now works for Central Park Media to translate and subtitle the commercial release of Patlabor. Employees of Software Sculptors have been known to be members of TAFMAL and have even traded with people there. Fansubs are openly shown at anime conventions.