I have a dilemma and figured I'd turn to the Salon for guidance...OK here's the thing...I've downloaded Anime online before. A lot of Lupin III stuff that isn't and might never be released in America. But also series that were in the midst of being released in America. BUT, I'd always buiy the American release later down the road (Suzuka is such a series for me).

But just last night I watched through this 14 Episode series called "Rumbling Hearts" (That's the title Funimation gave it)...I liked the series, it was good but the ending left my pissed. So I liked the series, but I didn't LOVE it. Now I don't feel like I want to buy this series now knowing that I wasn't in love with it.

Now with that happening I want to watch so many other series online knowing that I simply don't have the cash to support buying them. Shuffle, School Rumble, Speed Grapher, and many others. I want to watch them online and I don't want to buy them unless I wind up LOVING the series.

I'm only 18 and I don't have a job. So my budget it limited and I need to save my money for the series that I know that I love (DB/Z/GT, One Piece, Death Note) among other shorter (24 ep) series that I really like.

I fee; that I am now turning into that class of people who only buy A-Rank series and some Upper B-Class but Mid-B and lower just download. I didn't want to do this a while back...But as I'm seeing more and more series that I want to watch and realizing that I CAN'T because I don't have the money Im turning to downloaing.

I have to admit I feel bad like I thought I would. Just confused about what to do.

So...what should I do? How many of you guys here download?

I just want to say one thing in my defense...It's not really fair, in Japan basically every single one of these series air on TV first and everyone has a chance to watch it for free. Then if they lovedit they can buy the DVD's. Us American's (among other countries) don't have that...We're expected to buy $20 DVD after $20 DVD. You're average 24 Episode series runs about 6 DVD's...That's $120 per series minimum. So it really isn't fair at all.

Dont worry, cos you're not the onle one in this situation, trust me.

I've downloaded the entire Farscape collection (4 series and 2 mini series eps) I did that because I absolutely adore Farscape, but can I afford to buy it on DVD? The last I checked it cost over £500. Do I have the money? Nope. If I did would I spend that much on a dvd set? Nope.

If it came down to a reasonable price then I would, but...

It's all about profit for them, they don't realise that peeps aren't made of money, so the next best thing is downloading.

I feel bad downloading because I know people put time and effort into making it and deserve to get something back, BUT, until the day comes when I earn thousands a week, (yeah right) and can afford to pay £15 for a CD or £20 for a DVD, then... :|

If I watch I show online, and I feel I would watch it again (even if I don't LOVE it), I will buy it. UNLESS the only thing I can buy is bad quality. I would never in a million years buy the trash that 4kids made out of One Piece (Even though I would watch that show again and again). I will buy it now that Funi has done it some justice, and will be including the uncut sub.

As for not having enough money and not wanting to join the 'dark side', you are just going to have to prioritize. Save your money and buy what you adore guilt free, or turn to rationalizing why you download for free but feel bad about it (The feeling won't last. You will eventually rationalize and justify your conscience away!! :lol: )

Just think of your first watch of the download as your free-on-TV watch of it. Don't feel bad about wanting to see what you are getting before you commit to buy. Anime is expensive! And I get a little ticked when I see free fan subs that have more put into them, better translations and cooler effects. One is done for the love of the show, the other for the love of the profit. But, I digress. That is a different thread altogether! :lol:

Whew. I think this is the most I've written in weeks. I need a nap!!!

:hug: <---- for Gozar. I don't see you enough anymore!!!!!!

You might also try ebay. That's where I get a majority of the stuff not released in the US. I just look for the ones with subtitles.

I pretty much already have XD

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Thanks guys, I thinki I feel better ^_^

*Puts on Auntie-Bdie hat*

This provides you with a nice, two-fold lesson on life. One: To not judge a man until you have surfed a mile in his webspace... or walked a mile in his shoes... something like that... and Two: How quickly we can change our position on things when it suddenly directly affects us.

Oh, and Three: Don't charge an arm and a leg for anime. It aint cool. If I have to shell out a twenty for ever dvd, I want to put the money directly into Chris Sabat's pants, k? :biggrin:

:vegeta2: : Gods, if you could do that, you'd waste more money on anime than you do know.

B°: ... quiet... you... :biggrin:

:nappa: : You are not supposed to be excited about being overcharged for television...

B°: .... quiet... you.... :biggrin:

:vegeta2: : If you insist on being so disgusting, at least take off the hat. It's disturbing.

B°: .... *takes off Auntie-Bdie hat*

:vegeta2: : Thank you.

B°: *Puts on Yaoi-Author-in-training hat*

:vegeta2: : sh*t.

:goku2: : Did someone call me?....

:bulma: : Forgive her. She's tired. :lol:

Gozar, I would say that in your situation, there is nothing else than can be done. I mean, the stuff is out there to watch for free and it is a big temptation... at least you are supporting the anime you truly love and that's what's important.

bdegrees: :lol: , you're so funny.

:vegeta2: : *growl* Don't encourage her!

B°: Encourage me! Encourage me! I need all the help I can get!! :hug: :hug:

Well you could rationalize it like taping something off regular TV. I used to do that all the time when I watched Dr. Who on Public TV. I have a BUNCH of eps on tape and would watch them. When I could afford to later on I bought the video tapes. So I felt like I was 'giving back'. But since it was public TV and I or my parents were supporting the shows in some way...

Someone had to pay something somewhere to upload it I figure. And you can always like you said go back and buy the DVDs later.

But years ago when Anime wasn't as widely distributed a guy I dated bought videotapes of DBZ that were copied by americans who went overseas. I didn't think much of that at the time... Plus they were sold at local comic book stores and they wouldn't have sold something like those illegally if they would have a huge lawsuit slapped on them.

Orr... you could look at it like a lending library. Once you've downloaded the thing, just erase it if you don't like it. I'm not sure how this all works since my downloading capabilities are NIL on a slowdem...

:hug: I hope this helps somewhat Gozar.

Auntie B...You're simply priceless. :lol: And so right.

Thank you, it did. You're right.

Hurray! I'm glad! :)