I had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A with fiberOptiC, head encoder for LunarAnime and a Server Administrator on the
popular IRC network Rizon. Lunar is a core group in the anime fansub scene, and well respected in the community. I caught up with
fiberOptiC in Lunar's IRC channel on the eve of the release for Lunar's subbed 50th episode of Bleach...
How did Lunar start out?
Well, Lunar started with a few people about 3 years ago - just a few friends that wanted to work on some stuff. Lunar died for a
little bit when they went to Anime-Keep - differences caused them to leave and jump start Lunar again.
So were you the founder?
Nope. I came in about 2 years ago. We are a fairly large group, but most of us have been around for a long time. Our staff hasn't
changed much in 2 years. People have come and gone, but a core group of us have stayed. DameDame^_^ is one of the founders, a
very good guy. He doesn't work on much anymore but still hangs around. He's a translator.
How old is the Lunar team?
Well, most of us are in college. A few are older and a few are younger.
So, how long have you been involved with Lunar?
I've been head encoder for about 2 years now
What sort of encoding machine have you got?
[Shows computer's specs] I've got a P4 2.8Ghz w/HT and a gig of RAM. I need an upgrade, but have no money.
I could use a new just about everything, but [Shows: Total Disk Space: (188gb/801gb - 23.5% Free - 7 Drives)],
I do have a lot of HD space though.
How much anime do you watch??
Not a lot, I don't have tons of time. I'm currently watching Bleach, Ai Yori Aoshi, and stuff for class.
Is there any anime you're looking forward to on the horizon?
There are a few coming Lunar's way, and a few I was looking at - but that's all I'll say ;) I read a fair amount of manga,
but mostly in raw form.
What's your favourite manga?
Aishiteruze Baby. Kokoro <3. Oh and I'm liking Ai Yori Aoshi right now.
What's the biggest challenge in running a fansub group?
Finding good translators, and keeping them around. You can always find people that say they can translate, but then they try
and run away. When you get a good one that stays, you've struck gold. Translation is hard work. I've tried some myself, and
I can't do much. It also depends on what you are translating - if it's an easy kids show or an advanced samurai show with
archaic language.
Well, it seems that anyone with a computer, broadband connection, and Japanese-English dictionary
can be a digisubber these days.
Well, not a translator though, that takes a little more skill; but there are many, many, subbers nowadays.
They can always make up the subs!
Some groups do that. Well, it can be hard at times. I know that our translator for Bleach, who is really good, had to
research stuff for episode 50. You also have to remember that things can be translated in many different ways.
How does Lunar decide what anime to sub?
The translators pick what they want to work on and drop what they don't. Unlike many groups, our translators tell us what we do.
Makes them happier if you ask me. Plus, our translators have good taste. The next hardest thing is just getting everyone together
to work on stuff - working around schedules.
[Q&A disrupted by individual seeking to download the unreleased Bleach 50 - and is subsequently banned from the channel
by fiberOptiC.]
Oh, another thing that's hard - dealing with Bleachers.
The masses that fill #lunaranime eh?
At times. I'm really not a bad guy. I just rule with an iron fist.
What's your opinion on the future of fansubbing?
Hmm... the future of fansubbing... Well, it has changed a lot since I joined Lunar - but everyone says that. I see a trend towards groups
that don't hold the "old school" mentality, meaning most new groups couldn't care less about licensing. I've seen this channel
change a lot. We used to be on mircx.org before it died. Then moved to Rizon, with a channel that had around 200 users on average.
Now, we average around 1400. I think its sad that so many groups must compete nowadays. Look at all the speedsubbers of Bleach.
If they devoted their energy to subbing stuff that wasn't subbed, more stuff would be available. That's the way it was in the past.
Now, more often than not, groups are looking to find the most popular show, and, I'm sorry to say, make money at it.
Make money by fansubbing?
Take a look at Bleach-Portal. They are not subbing, but they are making lots of money off their site. It's unfortunate because
many shows go unsubbed.
[Interjection by spectator: "They are getting a lot of donations from people - Bleach-Portal is making money by linking all the
torrents from subbers for Bleach."]
[Q&A disrupted by individual seeking to download a licensed anime - and is subsequently banned from the channel by fiberOptiC.]
I'm afraid with the increase of subbers ignoring licensing, companies will start to crack down on fansubbing much more. Who knows
what will happen. I won't sit here and tell you I'm an ethical subber - I get licensed shows like many people - but I don't work on any.
It's just an interesting trend that I have noticed since I joined the subbing scene. When I started, most groups followed licensing.
The only one I remember that did not was AonE. It wasn't the norm to ignore licensing. Now it is. I think Lunar is one of the few
remaining groups that follows licensing.
Alright, thanks for the Q&A.
Sure. I'm on a lot. Stop by again.
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