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Interview With Viz Media's Evelyn Dubocq On Anime Piracy


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Mohawk52



Joined: 16 Oct 2003
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:34 am Reply with quote
Maybe this will put to rest some of the popular myths.
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marie-antoinette



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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:40 am Reply with quote
I certainly do see her point when it comes to piracy damaging the industry, but for me, it's definitely the opposite because if I didn't watch anime the I downloaded, I likely wouldn't buy any anime, because it's too expensive to really buy unseen. An exception to this might be something based off a manga I've read and enjoyed, but even then I like to check out the anime first before spending money on it, to find out if I feel that it's worth spending money on, because if I have the manga, I really don't need anything more.
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Mohawk52



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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:49 am Reply with quote
marie-antoinette wrote:
I certainly do see her point when it comes to piracy damaging the industry, but for me, it's definitely the opposite because if I didn't watch anime the I downloaded, I likely wouldn't buy any anime, because it's too expensive to really buy unseen. An exception to this might be something based off a manga I've read and enjoyed, but even then I like to check out the anime first before spending money on it, to find out if I feel that it's worth spending money on, because if I have the manga, I really don't need anything more.
But that's a part of the problem. You don't buy because it's expensive so you download, and because you download it's becoming even more expensive with less available. It's like loving a kitten but watching it starve to death because you can't afford to buy it food, but you still love it to death. What's the word for this? Wink
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Steventheeunuch





PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:18 am Reply with quote
Mohawk52 wrote:
marie-antoinette wrote:
I certainly do see her point when it comes to piracy damaging the industry, but for me, it's definitely the opposite because if I didn't watch anime the I downloaded, I likely wouldn't buy any anime, because it's too expensive to really buy unseen. An exception to this might be something based off a manga I've read and enjoyed, but even then I like to check out the anime first before spending money on it, to find out if I feel that it's worth spending money on, because if I have the manga, I really don't need anything more.
But that's a part of the problem. You don't buy because it's expensive so you download, and because you download it's becoming even more expensive with less available. It's like loving a kitten but watching it starve to death because you can't afford to buy it food, but you still love it to death. What's the word for this? Wink


I'd be more keen on buying certian products from Viz (Hikaru no GO, Full Moon), if they weren't going to take 4-5 years to complete and weren't at $25 US a volume. But of course, that thinking is backwards as far as these things are concerned, and how dare I have a budget.

I mean valid points and all, but it's not liek Viz are doing themselves any favours, really.
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therax



Joined: 15 Oct 2003
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:21 am Reply with quote
Evelyn Dubocq ,as the corporate spokes mouth for VIZ, cannot say anything good about an illegal copyright violation (Downloading Fansubs)

This would be like if the president of the United States said the 'War on Drugs' was ineffective.
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Zalis116
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Joined: 31 Mar 2005
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:34 am Reply with quote
I can see that Evelyn's PR training is extensive; she's mastered the art of "Avoid the Question, Repeat Information, Advertise Wherever Possible." Of course Viz doesn't need to look at fansub data (but realistically, most others probably don't, either) ; aside from Full Moon, most of their recent licenses and releases are Shounen Jump mega-popular series where there's no doubt and no risk. A good strategy, to be sure, but it won't get them very much of my money.
If fansubbing/piracy is such a concern, there are numerous series every season that don't get fansubbed--companies could easily license one of those, and use their own marketing and PR, keeping all rights contained. I'd be curious to know how well Samurai Gun did for ADV--they managed to keep it off the Net* (until the DVD-rips came out, anyway)...I don't recall anyone saying, "Oh, man, I've gotta go buy these DVDs! They've got stickers on them saying 'Perfect for fans of Samurai Champloo and Rurouni Kenshin'!" Rolling Eyes
Honestly, though, the whole "fansub -> buzz -> licensing -> good sales" chain isn't much better than chicken-and-egg speculation; Evelyn Dubocq makes some good points, and I agree that piracy is damaging if fans don't counteract it with $$$ support. I just gotta play devil's/fansubbers' advocate Evil or Very Mad

*Funimation's Desert Punk is another title to pay attention to, as fansubs were never finished for it. It seems like an all right series, but will it really prove the "less piracy -> better sales" connection?
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abunai
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:35 am Reply with quote
Mohawk52 wrote:
It's like loving a kitten but watching it starve to death because you can't afford to buy it food, but you still love it to death. What's the word for this? Wink

I think it's called "a simile strained beyond the point where it has any relevance to the topic".

But that's just me. You're probably saying something incredibly wise and over-my-head.

Carry on.

- abunai
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Mohawk52



Joined: 16 Oct 2003
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:43 am Reply with quote
abunai wrote:
Mohawk52 wrote:
It's like loving a kitten but watching it starve to death because you can't afford to buy it food, but you still love it to death. What's the word for this? Wink

I think it's called "a simile strained beyond the point where it has any relevance to the topic".

But that's just me. You're probably saying something incredibly wise and over-my-head.

Carry on.

- abunai
And what's the word for this?Wink


Last edited by Mohawk52 on Wed May 17, 2006 7:52 am; edited 2 times in total
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abunai
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:46 am Reply with quote
Mohawk52 wrote:
abunai wrote:
Mohawk52 wrote:
It's like loving a kitten but watching it starve to death because you can't afford to buy it food, but you still love it to death. What's the word for this? Wink

I think it's called "a simile strained beyond the point where it has any relevance to the topic".

But that's just me. You're probably saying something incredibly wise and over-my-head.

Carry on.

- abunai
And what's the word for this? Wink

Snarkiness.

- abunai
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Mohawk52



Joined: 16 Oct 2003
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:50 am Reply with quote
abunai wrote:
I think it's called "a simile strained beyond the point where it has any relevance to the topic".

But that's just me. You're probably saying something incredibly wise and over-my-head.

Carry on.

- abunai
Mohark52 wrote:
And what's the word for this? Wink
abunai wrote:

Snarkiness.

- abunai
So what's a "simile" when it's at home then? Wink
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vickeyv



Joined: 31 Jan 2006
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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:09 am Reply with quote
Viz and other Anime companies have to come up with a way to screen anime like fansubs, something with great range and less priceing and collectors value. THe only thing stopping them is the fact that the local anime market is very small.

Fansubbing is increasing the anime market. And in the futur trust me piracy of any sort will be very very very difficult to do. So i think its a pretty bright futur for all these companies if they can keep their head up high.
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Kouji



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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 9:08 am Reply with quote
That's an interesting article but it's to be expected from an anime company. However, there are a few things about this I wanted to point out.

"ACTIVE ANIME:
How have Inuyasha DVD sales been performing considering fans still manages to download the series online? Have sales been meeting Viz's expectations?

EVELYN DUBOCQ: INUYASHA has always met and gone beyond VIS Media’s expectations – it is one of our many outstanding properties."

So, despite illegal downloads on the Internet, the Inuyasha DVDs have still been selling extremly well. Doesn't this completely contradict what they say here?

"EVELYN DUBOCQ: Piracy is never good for anyone – again, it it continues and grows – it will affect the properties coming in from Japan, as well as ultimately affect the consumer at the retailers."

I'm not trying to promote piracy or anything. It's just something interesting I wanted to point out.
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Mylene



Joined: 07 Feb 2006
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Location: Indiana
PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 9:15 am Reply with quote
These two links seem like they'd fit well in this particular topic: CNN Money discussion of Anime Piracy and an interview with someone from ADV(dated but relevant).


(Yes, this has been edited many times...trying to find a nice, neutral way of posting in a type of topic where it's difficult to have neutrality.)


Last edited by Mylene on Wed May 17, 2006 9:41 am; edited 4 times in total
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Mohawk52



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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 9:15 am Reply with quote
Of course there will be exceptions. But how much of Inuyasha was fansubbed after it was licensed?
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Mohawk52



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PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 9:38 am Reply with quote
Mylene wrote:
Mohawk52 wrote:
Maybe this will put to rest some of the popular myths.


And this and this(dated but relevant) are food for thought that different companies choose to take different stances on fansub issues, stances which at least precariously uphold certain myths. However, the dated one chooses a slightly more Viz-like stance...which is odd, since both articles are about ADV, and the first one (newer) seems a bit more likely to support funsubs.
I see neither one of those links supporting fansubs. If anything the first one is pointing out how the Industry in Japan is trying to cope with it, and ADV's Mr. Williams seems to be saying the same thing as Ms. Dubocq but being a bit more diplomatic about it. Both are stating everyone in production and distribution wants it to stop but freeloaders can't read that.
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