ZOMG PIRATES.
...But...that's primarily focused at the English-language market. So I'm making an exception for this piece on the official Robotech website-- because it talks about the Spanish-language market. Anyone who's spent times looking for fansubs knows that there are a fair number in the Spanish language, and Divisa Home Video executive Juan Jose Redondo speaks out about how this is hurting the overall industry (albeit not so much his company, since Divisa focuses on dcumentaries and old silent films).
You may also be interested to know that Redondo doesn't rail against the fans so much as the government, which went on vacation before approving any new legislation to protect the market from piracy. I don't know what kinds of legislation were proposed, so I can't offer an opinion there...but here on a more R1-focused site, we don't hear much about R3 (Mexico, Central, and South America) issues.
But I know we have some Spanish speakers on the site. Anyone care to comment?
I've often made my opinions rather clear on certain aspects of the manga industry. Not going into fine detail here. There are series that I would really love to support in the US, but why should I spend what little extra money I earn on an inferior product? I also understand that they can't make things exactally like the Japanese versions, but they should strive to stay as close to the Japanese source material as possible. It's just a sad statement that often times these fan sub groups do a better job then people companies pay to do it.
There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the alterations they make. One series they hardly change. While on others they deform to the point where it's hardly even the same thing.
Speaking to the Spanish market. I've often found it odd how sites such as youtube remove English subtitled episodes in a flash from their site, but you can often find Spanish subs.
You seem to have had to deal with a lot more alterations to manga than I have-- I wonder if it's just a matter of what manga we read? I haven't picked up any Fullmetal Alchemist in a long time, for example, but as far as I can tell there have been no notable changes to my Sundome, my Monster, my Kaichou wa Maid-sama, etc.
That's why I said the DVD/anime market in the US is the one that gives the fans more options. I think that there has been a level of distrust between the companies and the fans. Your average internet fan is more often going to be your basic if not extreme otaku and not your casual TV viewer. The ones that are more often burned in the US market place.
There is the example of how they are more simulcasting One Piece now, but they keep some of the most ridiculous changes. I saw in the more recent episode of One Piece the company subtitled version I watched made this change. In the story the military of the world pretty much all wear clothing that says "MARINE" and "MARINE" is on the sails of all the ship. It's also printed on all the posters of the show's iconic Wanted Posters, but when the official company does a subtitle they call them "Navy". They purposely contradict what it literally says on the screen. This company also always removes the ending themes. People often really enjoy those songs. The way they do the openings. To the world of One Piece the word "nakama" also has a much deeper meaning then in the actual Japanese language. It's just part of the world. It's also a word official subtitle companies avoid.
The officially approved companies much more taking a casual shot in the general direction then really aiming for what their target audience wants. That's not meeting the demands of the internet market. It's throwing them a bone and expecting them to jump at it.
I haven't been watching pretty much any of this new Fullmetal Alchemist series. After how I was burned with that lackluster ending. I just don't know if I want to become emotionally invested again only to have another disappointing finale.
If the market is producing a good product then it is up to the fans to try and support them. It's why I buy DEL REY manga and recommend them to whoever I can get to listen. I'm not sure how long Crunchyroll has been around, but people often develop a relationship of trust with groups. I've never visited the site. Normally, if I want manga or anime I go to the sites I've always gone to. It may just take time for Crunchyroll to develop the relationship with the audience.
I more often use the internet to preview a series and see if I want to purchase when it comes to the US. Which is part of the reason why it's so frustrating when it comes to the US that the product is more often so 'flawed'. I support series like Negima! and Fariy Tail quite strongly. I follow the story online and when they are released in the US I buy the latest issue. I currently own all the Fairy Tail and Negima! that are published in the US. I'm currently waiting to see what Yen Press does with SoulEater.