2007 January archive at Fantasy Dimensions

Archive for January, 2007

Fansubbers, is a week too long?

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at January 29, 2007 in Editorials and Fansubs. 0 Comments

Free anime, or fansubs, have been around for a lengthy period of time. Even before the Internet there was college students utilizing their time to sub over VHS tapes with their broken Japanese to English translations. With the invent of the Internet, subs became more and more popular and anime was released quicker and quicker. Oh sure, maybe it took a month for an episode to get down after its release in Japan, but it was getting closer and closer as time came on.

Now, sub groups like dattebayo are able to get their anime out within 24 hours of release. That is translated, TIMED, quality checked, and released. Generally speaking, it’s normal for your average fansub group to get anime out within 3 days after its release in Japan.

Really though, should we expect this of all fansubbers? If you look at the process in which anime fansubing takes, you first have to obtain a high quality RAW from someone in Japan (usually someone who works for the group and lives in Japan). Then, they have to get someone to sit down and translate word for word what is going on. This process can be sped up with more translators.

Then comes the timing, after the entire process of translation (which in itself requires some quality checking). Someone has to time the translation to the screen and have the words come up long enough to be read but also go along with whats happening on the screen. Again, more people assigned to this the faster it goes.

Next comes the encoding. I don’t know much about this other then it involves a guy using some kind of computer to mux together the subs and the video and compress it without losing quality. THEN comes quality check (people watching it over and over for errors). After that, comes release.

Considering a lot of this sounds like horrible grueling work, I personally don’t think we should expect instant turn around on subs. Although I do feel that there is a certain amount of responsibility for sub groups to get things out in a timely manner. Apparently there is some kind of “FANSUB CODE OF HONOR” in which one fansub group can only sub one anime at a time and if another shows up on the scene they have to start from the beginning of the series. So, if you’re they are going to be slow, there better be a damn good reason.

I think, all in all, I have yet to feel angered with any fansub group. The fast subbers always pickup the popular series, although there are times where I could shake my fist into the air that Code Geass isn’t coming out fast enough.

Pizza Hut brain washing has taken effect.

AIM Icon Page Launches (Gintama and Code Geass)

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FDimension

at January 29, 2007 in Code Geass and Gintama. 0 Comments

Due to some recent stat tracking, I’ve decided a few AIM icons should grace the website. They are nothing to clap or celebrate about, but some anime don’t really have that raving fanboyism going on so I figure for some newer series and older ones I’ll attempt to make some AIM buddy icons every now and then. Right now I have 4 Gintama and 3 Code Geass aim buddy icons and I’ll be adding some more shortly, probably a few animated ones like the animated Orange-kun on the Orange-kun fan page.

Like I said, they won’t be anything super special, but they shouldn’t look like TOTAL garbage. You can view em right over here at this Internet webpage.

Aim Icons

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FDimension

at January 29, 2007 in Aim Icons. 0 Comments

The following are a few AIM buddy icons I have created. Not the best of the best AIM icons on the Internet, but they can do if you’re like me and like to change often.

Gintama

Assorted Gintama AIM buddy icons: (low quality):

Code Geass

Assorted Code Geass AIM buddy icons (low quality):

Series 1

Series 2

Bleach

One Piece

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge Episode 13

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FDimension

at January 27, 2007 in Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. 0 Comments

You can download it right here although, to be honest, this episode wasn’t that interesting. Maybe it’s the reused plot, maybe it’s just a slow episode, or maybe it’s how much I loathe maids in anime. I don’t know, I didn’t care for it.

Code Geass Ep 15 Preview

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FDimension

at January 25, 2007 in Code Geass and Episode Preview. 0 Comments

Episode 15 is out in Japan and boy, let me tell you, if there was a rating scale of 1-10 for this episode, I’d have to give it a 15. While I’m sure you’re curious as to what happens, you’ll have to click read more to find out (since, well, I’m not going to spoil it on the front page ha ha).

Basically this episode includes 2 things. The defeat of another Geass user and some nudity. Orange-kun’s sidekick goes topless this episode for roughly 3 seconds. Outside of that, the new Geass user gets finished off this episode.

Honestly, really, I’m not spoiling it past that. There is just too much awesomeness not to spoil.

So, since you did click read more and only found out the vague plot information, here is a screencap of CHEESE-KUN:

Code Geass Episode 14 Available

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FDimension

at January 23, 2007 in Code Geass. 0 Comments

Downloadable right here. I’ll review it tomorrow because that is something I am really enjoying. However, with Pizza Hut closed and no way to enjoy Pizza Hut while it’s going I’m just going to bed.

I don’t think there is any Orange-kun in this episode either. He’s been gone a few episodes, HE NEEDS TO RETURN TO US.

Orange-kun Aim Icon

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FDimension

at January 23, 2007 in Aim Icons and Orange-kun. 0 Comments

Not a big Orange-kun updated, but I have added this (horribly constructed but awesome anyway) AIM icon available for download. Should you use it, like I am, then you will come to spread the joy that is Orange-kun to all of your friends in the form of Orange-kun randomly jerking about in joy!

Ike Orange-kun, IKE!!!

Death Note Blues

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FDimension

at January 21, 2007 in Death Note. 0 Comments

Rarely do I wish to rant on my disappointment in anime, but after Death Note becoming liscensed I do not think I’ll be following it anymore. Afterall, I read the manga and the anime was really really only good those first 8 or so episodes. It’s not worth the trouble to hunt down new episodes.

That said, I hope it does well with the Misa arc and all, but if you really really really want to enjoy Death Note then go get the manga. I think it’s for sale at any major retailer.

Gintama Episode 1-17 Review

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FDimension

at January 21, 2007 in Episode Review and Gintama. 1 Comment

Gintama is an anime about, well, a samurai. A samurai with a HEART OF GOLD. Okay no, it’s about a samurai who is really lazy, badass, and has a rag tag team of other eccentric characters. I figure I’d write up a quick review of the first seventeen episodes that are available at Shinsen Subs. Review as follows (read more).

Final Score: 7 out of 10 (Enjoyable anime, not for diehard anime fans)

Gintama is a series about well, a samurai named Gin. It takes place during Edo Japan (during its Fuedal era). The differnce between your normal Edo Japan (Kenshin) and Gintama’s Edo Japan is, well, without a doubt aliens. That’s right, aliens!

Story goes that aliens (the Amanto) attacked Edo Japan and the noble Samurai were able to resist for years until the shogun sort of gave over Japan to them. From there they took over Japan and made it one of their lovely tourist/trade destinations. They took away all of the samurai’s swords except the Shinsingumi’s.

Gin, the hero of the story is your calm going Shounen hero and has two friends who work with him at his “do anything” business there is a lot more to ramble on about, but it’s pretty much an anime that involves Gin, his friends, and his enemies in random hilarious exploits.

The appeal to Gintama, is without a doubt, it being yet another fine Shounen Jump series. Shounen Jump series generally range in quality based on taste. For instance, someone could find One Piece to be one of the best anime ever and hate Bleach, even though they have nearly the same premise (differnt settings and character of course).

As far as the episodes go, it’s something like a mixture of Excel Saga and the various Shounen Jump archtypes. Gin is kind of your Luffy’s pure of heart, Zoro’s swordsmanship, Ichigo’s justice, and Goku’s badassery. He’s a swordsman with a wooden sword, full plot armor (you know, hero, immortality, etc.), the Shounen Jump philosphy of no one dieing, and a mysterious background.

Through the first seventeen episodes a lot of plot is shown. Even if it’s like Excel Saga (random episodes that don’t link with each other that much) it’s still got a good story going along with it.

Overall, I’d give these first episodes 7 out 10 (random Internet hilarious thing for stars). It probably should be lower, but it was very entertaining. Not a show for your diehard anime fan but it’s VERY enjoyable to watch.

There is currently almost forty episodes out in Japan. Shinsen has the first 17 (as of right now), at their website.

Code Geass Episode 14 Preview

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FDimension

at January 18, 2007 in Code Geass and Episode Review. 0 Comments

I just watched Code Geass episode 14 before it’s been fansubbed and where we last left off, Lelouch was in quite a pickle! To find out what happens before it’s subbed (or at least a general idea) click read because I don’t want to put spoilers where you can see ‘em.

Well, looks like C.C. saved Lelouch. From there Lelouch has some happy go lucky wander around and school fun time with a ton of talking. Then the mystery person with the visor makes Shirley remember (past C.C.’s mind wipe). Then he gets Lelouch on a train, plays chess with him then tells him about the Geass. From there Shirley tries to kill Lelouch only to wimp out and C.C. then saves Lelouch again. Hooray!

Pictures: