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Found in translation: Rethinking the relationship between fan translation groups and licensed distributors of anime and manga

2018; Intellect; Volume: 6; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1386/jfs.6.3.319_1

2046-6706

Alyssa Tremblay,

Hong Kong and Taiwan Politics

This article examines contemporary systems, both legal and illegal, of anime and manga translation and distribution to English-speaking audiences. Rather than lumping fan translation in with practices such as fanart, cosplay or fan fiction, this article argues for a different understanding of the particularized labour of fan-operated anime and manga translation groups. Specifically, the continued existence of fan translation groups is considered indicative of consumers attempting to fill a gap in service not satisfied by licensed industry players – and fan translation itself as a practice born of consumer desire and perceived necessity, rather than creative or transformative expression.