That makes a lot of sense! And i do agree now that there is definitely a difference. But, that doesn't change the fact that they're both illegal and like you said, its just a "justification" LOL. People who do illegal things justifying what they're doing and telling other people who do illegal things not to do illegal things. Do you see how thats somewhat problematic?
Also theres plenty of people who do support the author even if they happen to read a scanlated copy first. I've bought almost all of LIAI chapters even though they are translated on mangago as well. So i don't think anyone can speak for anyone else on "just wanting free things"... you don't know what I've bought/payed for and you don't know what goes on in everyones life
People who started scanlating took it into their own hands to "allow people to see more of whats out there" but im sure authors don't appreciate that either lol.
My comment on the "just wanting free things" is from seeing add for places like Renta which allow for people to legally buy the stories in their own language. I've seen many filled with comments about people complaining it shouldn't cost money and asking where to get the stories free instead.
I never said that was everyone, I just said that there were a lot of people who just want things free because there are a lot of people. Personally I'm one of those people who have bought manga after I've read it online because I loved the author. Or seeked out what there was of their works in English.
Its a fine line but the world isn't black or white, that was my overall point.
I get that and plenty of authors don't. Thats part of why scanlators take down their links when things are licensed. They are trying to be in that area that isn't actually taking sales because those people wouldn't be buying in Japanese. I agree, still illegal but I do think it has helped somewhat with getting people buying more books. Though some people will never buy anything but complain when its gone.
There is also the fact that it hopefully gets people asking the publishers to bring over more manga to the English market. The way it is right now is thst it hits the French market first. If it fails there we don't get it. So getting these publishers in the know.
Again, I agree its still illegal but that there is sort of line that sometimes left alone. There will always be someone who will be sharing scans. I highly doubt that will stop. So the scanlators try to reach a medium place where they stop when asked or the manga is licences.
You make a lot of good points but ofc we'll have to agree to disagree on certain aspects. I really appreciate your answer! You're very respectful and I appreciate that!! Just because we don't agree on everything doesn't mean we have to be hostile to each other and I wish everyone could understand that
I agree with you. There is a difference.
Personally, scanlation groups have opened many "doors" for me. There have been authors I knew through their scanlations and that when the editorial in my country brought these mangakas' works I could support them legally.
But I also understand that there are some people who won't support the authors even when there are official translations in their language, and that's sad. But at the same time it's almost impossible to prevent piratery in this age of internet; and the amount of manga titles that come out in Japan compared to the titles that make it outside the country is enormous, too. Where I live the manga editorials have to "fight" with the japanese publishing houses to buy the rights and such of the mangas; and not to mention the struggles if you're a third-world country with an unstable economy! According to the comments this editiorial made once, there are titles the Japanese publishing houses won't sell them just because of that. So, there isn't a lot of variaty in the genres we get to read. ┑(￣Д ￣)┍ In idk how many years, my country's main manga editorial has just tranlated 4 yaoi mangas (the other editiorials none that I'm aware of). The last one was Ten Count and I went to buy it as soon as it came out thanks to having read it through scanlations. Idk, I'm very thankful to scanlation groups because weren't for them I wouldn't know so many titles that i hope one day i can buy translated into my own language, legally. Or, buy them if i can manange to learn Japanese and even Korean some time in my life. ╮(￣▽￣)╭
The main thing about illegal translations is that the main justification is that its not available in their own language. especially with things like yaoi and it being a niche market in a niche market. (Manga is getting bigger in the west but its still limited.)
Scanlations allowed for people to see more of whats out there and hopefully buy that mangaka when they do become available. (or learn Japanese to read the originals.)
So for that side I do see a difference. At least for the people who are just reading things they can't yet get in their country and finding new mangaka to support. For them it would increase sales once people learn its in their language they will try and buy it. Possible even start buying the original books.
The main problem now is so many people just don't want to pay no matter what. Even when given the option of having it in their own language they argue it still should be for free. Someone said apps that have manga, like renta, should be free and then just have patrons to earn money. While I do think patron is a great service she used an example about how great that system was. 92 thousand readers, $800 a month. (300 ish patrons.) It just shows when you don't have something behind a paywall people just won't pay. I see it a lot when things get discontinued for lack of support. Tons of people say they love it but when asked no one has any of the merch. (I get not everyone has money to support everyone they like to but its still part of the problem.)
The patrons who release stuff early on patron or just extra shorts and such look to have much better numbers. (From the limited I seen I admit.) because people don't pay when they can get it for free.
I do agree they are both iffy, scanlation licenced and non licenced manga, but there is a difference. Scanlators know that when they translate from japanese they are not talking sales because most people, even those who buy manga, don't buy it in japanese. They are translating for a market that doesn't have access. It doesn't make it right or legal, but it does make a difference.
Keep doing what you're doing if you want, im not telling you to stop. I'm just saying their IS a difference.