Fanous: A New Ecosystem Model to Legalize Anime Fansubbing and Combat Piracy

Abstract

The ”Fanous” ecosystem model aims to legitimize fansubbing and combat piracy by integrating unofficial fansubbers with legal streaming services. The model enhances the viewing experience and provides fansubbers with opportunities for sustainable income, contributing to the growth of a legal anime ecosystem and helping reduce piracy globally. Positive feedback indicates the model’s potential to combat piracy and support legal fansubbing. The model has received strong support from fans and fansubbers, despite the need for some improvements. Distributors and streaming services are optimistic about collaborating with fansubbers under more regulated terms, while intellectual property holders have expressed openness to working through intermediaries to ensure quality and compliance. Despite its potential, the model faces limitations such as resistance from piracy site users, web browser-only support, and advancements in AI translation. Addressing these limitations involves future works to improve ad-free alternatives to attract users, integrate the model with streaming services, and research on using AI to enhance translations while preserving the role of human fansubbers.