Why do we pirate?

Seeing all the hoopla with n3wtoki being down, the threat of this site going down, apparently bato being down, it made me curious, why do we pirate?

Usually it’s a money issue, but sometimes it’s more than that.

For example, in my case, I read a lot more than I actually care to buy.
I only buy the ones I truly want to own.

Secondly, sometimes I really want to buy, but I hate the translation. That is especially true with Chinese series. I hate when they anglicize the characters names, but I also found it h jarring and quite frankly how everyone had a Korean names in Lost in the cloud except for the main characters. So due to that, I wouldn’t buy the series.

Thirdly- quality- Along the same vein as my point above with the name changes, sometimes it feels like the translation is too embellished or they’re trying too hard. I remember when Lack of Love was being published someone pointed out how lacking the translation was. If we’re paying for something, we are assuming we’re getting the best quality (isn’t is one of the digs to fan translations?) I’ve heard the translation for MDSZ is not as good as the one put out by ERS

4th- I don’t even know how to label this one- I just want to vent- so last august (2024) a certain small publisher announced the license of the Codename Anastasia novels. I’ve been wanting to read them in proper English (I haven’t been able to find a good fan translation for the first 4 novels). So they’re not very forthcoming with their communication. They released volume 1 in April 2025 then volume 2 in August 2025, so I figured, 3 months between releases is not too bad, but after volume 2, there have been no more announcements. These novels aren’t particularly long, and I’ve seen decent fan translations done in about a month’s time and these fans have lives outside of translating, the companies doing the translation you have to assume that’s all they’re doing. Anyway, if they’re going to take their sweet time, fine, but at least communicate with your customers. I know for a fact I’m never buying anything from them again. I can’t even be sure they’re going to deliver the rest of the novels (I just want them to drop 3-4 so I can be done with them).

So yeah, reasons?

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17

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

778145 11 hours

huge part of it because of money. People don't need to pay $50 to see if the work is good or not and then get disappointed when the author includes shit that they didn't like; it's not like they can refund it. Also, people can barely afford living these days, never mind paying for a manga, but they expect people to stare into a wall to be a "good S...... reply

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Why do we pirate? [Answer]

Vivianne 11 hours

well I'm broke asf and $2 adds up when you keep having to buy chapters almost every week most of the time there are no other options for people to get English translations some authors don't provide English translations or any international translations and it's kinda annoying especially if your waiting years for it, it is also annoying for people...... reply

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8

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

Mioro 11 hours

In the last few years the decline of the quality of translations in the anime and webcomic industries has increased to a point it ticks me off enough to drop series entirely. The companies are lazier by the day and keep hiring translators that either are not translating from the original material (like it happened w Netflix and the TSHD scandal) or...... 1 reply

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6

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

silent_wisp 11 hours

Uhmmmmmm not rly any good reasons personally A) i don’t wanna have smut ON MY BOOKSHELF or in my debit card history what if my mommy saw it bro?? B) guilt about consuming pornographic material bc I’m lame asf and paying to goon feels like admitting I have a problem. I like living in deluluville , the weather is always nice here and I don’t...... 1 reply

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5

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

Doctor House 10 hours

i make minimum wage, i cant be throwing money like that brochacho 2 reply

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3

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

Eva 9 hours

Isn't it obvious? Money. I also buy a lot of stuff to support my favorite authors, but I read SO much, both novels and manhwas/gas that it would be impossible for me to afford it otherwise reply

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2

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

heevean 11 hours

cus im a brokie reply

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2

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

chlorine 11 hours

i pirate bc i'm cheap asfk like if i don't have to spend money i won't idgaf reply

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2

Why do we pirate? [Answer]

Half-awake 10 hours

I'm a fan of old school manga but the print versions aren't always available ☹️ Also for convenience, not gonna lie... It's a good way to find and store manga in one place Yarrr reply

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Why do we pirate? [Answer]

Lemon Tart 10 hours

I'm a one piece fan. Also I'm broke and have a bad spending habit, if I start a collection of games, comics etc, I'd actually be so done financially, so it's actually a must for me to only get something if it changed my life, which is why I pirate a lot of things before maybe actually getting it. I'm especially pirating now because I have a feel...... 1 reply

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