Epsilon Wrote:Let's accept the premise that the free scanlation sold you on Manga X (Negima, FMA, whatever) like has been brought up in this thread. Okay, you're sold now. You like Manga X enough to purchase the official releases. Why are you continuing to read the scanlations?
In most cases I'm familiar with, it's the same reason the scanslations continue to be made - because it will be months or years before the official release catches up to the material currently being released.
Quote:Your argument is that "free samples produce interest" which is true but meaningless. Once again, what you can do is encourage the NA published to provide free samples if you like them that much. Seriously, it works. It IS working. Funimation has all of FMA: Brotherhood, Soul Eater and other anime available for free. The industry is listening. If you support the official releases and don't leap to the pirates they can and do change their ways.
I'm not sure I *was* making that argument, but okay. What about series that aren't licensed? I suppose that's more relevant to this next bit.
Quote:Learn Japanese then? Or (shocking!) wait for the official English-version release.
Not everyone has the time or wherewithal to learn a new language for what is only a recreational activity. Setting that high a barrier of entry to people looking into a series that's not available in their language would pretty much ensure that things like the international success of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya wouldn't happen.
And if there never is an offical English release?
What if the original manga is out of print?
-Morgan.