Ranting
I just want to rant about the BL community for like 2 seconds. Because I have recently seen a number of incredibly rude and unfortunate events happening to not just one group but several over the course of a couple days. More than one community has had their work shared without their permission (sensitive projects too), and another group is being bombarded by angry messages about double releasing.
I have translated and typesetted just my one project and translated one chapter free-lance, and I have to say it is incredibly time consuming. Not only that, but I almost feel like spending that much time on something ruins it for yourself. I have not gone back and reread Gosan no Heart since that summer even though I frequently reread Ogawa Chise's other titles and the whole reason I wanted to translate it to begin with was because I adored it. I have always known that the volunteered time scan groups donate to provide us with releases was not to be taken for granted, but you don't realize how much time and energy it takes till you actually do it.
Which brings me to rudeness of some fans. Groups are taking their own time and own money to provide you with scans to read in your language. As much as you may disagree with their sharing policy, it is not up for criticism. The only people legitimately allowed to criticize are their own staff. I understand that sometimes it is annoying, and I appreciate groups who are pretty open about access or sharing, but they are also the groups that are not scanlating sensitive Libre titles. And even if they weren't, a person that has literally contributed nothing cannot tell them who and how they should share their work. I don't even really think another scan group is allowed to criticize. You can feel differently, and choose to share your work differently, but attacking anyone is rude as hell. If you feel strongly a different way, bring up the conversation with them; put your points out there in a respectful and educated manner, taking into consideration their reasons for scanlating, circumstances, and the work they put in. There are examples of groups who have switched their sharing policy so its not like anyone is being withholding to smite you.
Yes, I realize scan groups don't own the work and it belongs to the mangaka, but it is hypocritical to bring that into the picture seeing as most fans are leeching work. We have no idea how the mangaka "would want the manga to be shared" because 99% sure they don't want you downloading that shit at all. Since it's not your work you should share it openly is a pretty bullshit excuse too, because once again the mangaka/publisher doesn't want you sharing it period. If you are concerned about what the mangaka would want, you should probably buy their work (if you have the ability to do so). There are several online sites you can purchase Japanese volumes.
Most people feel all the same things I do, but still there are those who share work without permission and attack people. I can understand the BL scanlation community definitely has stricter rules than a lot of the other manga you are probably reading, and I can relate to the frustration especially when you don't really have a choice but rely on the generosity of others (it's really helpless feeling). But I can't ever justify acting vindictively and sabotaging communities by leaking their work, especially in the case of Libre titles. I would never work on a Libre title myself because I'm too afraid of the repercussions. You have to seriously consider whether you would put your own ass on the line and consider why they have a no sharing policy on sensitive titles. Once again, no one is being withholding to fucking smite you.
My thoughts on double releasing are more complicated. Leechers are not allowed to attack any group for choosing to rerelease. That is literally the rudest most entitled shit. As if a scan group's job to appease your needs. They do it for their own enjoyment so please don't assume they have any obligation to work on that one title you've been dying to read. I do see how rereleasing can step on a few toes between scan groups though. Since groups often are buying this themselves, some groups may feel like it's wasting their effort and money, or feel the pressure of being compared or keeping up to a certain speed. I was definitely concerned that I had picked up a title that another group was going to work on. They have been incredibly gracious to me though and I appreciate it immensely. At some point, if your group has a more restricted sharing policy than another group working on the same thing, I feel you may have to bite the bullet... I don't think you can necessarily tell someone to not share a work with people you won't be able to. It probably sucks shit though... From my experience, it seems scan groups respect and share camaraderie with others who do the same kind of work. I think if it steps on some toes to rerelease, it should be talked out between the two groups in question. It is still not any of leecher's business.
I once again want to stress that I understand the frustration. I know this is fandom definitely has a high difficulty of access. Most of us can't read Japanese and frankly don't have the time to learn, buying from Japan is expensive and some countries have strict customs, English releases are not always of titles you want or are usually slow, and many more barriers. It breaks my heart when I'm a fan of something and I literally have no options to read it. It does take relying on the generosity of others and it is frustrating. Scanlation work takes a lot of time and special skills. If you have the time to contribute and skills to do so, you can't always find a group interested in the same titles. All in all, I get it. I am a leecher too. But we have to know we aren't entitled from anything we don't pay for. Sometimes you just have to realize that and remove yourself from that kind of stress.
Some people may disagree, but this is how I feel.
I have translated and typesetted just my one project and translated one chapter free-lance, and I have to say it is incredibly time consuming. Not only that, but I almost feel like spending that much time on something ruins it for yourself. I have not gone back and reread Gosan no Heart since that summer even though I frequently reread Ogawa Chise's other titles and the whole reason I wanted to translate it to begin with was because I adored it. I have always known that the volunteered time scan groups donate to provide us with releases was not to be taken for granted, but you don't realize how much time and energy it takes till you actually do it.
Which brings me to rudeness of some fans. Groups are taking their own time and own money to provide you with scans to read in your language. As much as you may disagree with their sharing policy, it is not up for criticism. The only people legitimately allowed to criticize are their own staff. I understand that sometimes it is annoying, and I appreciate groups who are pretty open about access or sharing, but they are also the groups that are not scanlating sensitive Libre titles. And even if they weren't, a person that has literally contributed nothing cannot tell them who and how they should share their work. I don't even really think another scan group is allowed to criticize. You can feel differently, and choose to share your work differently, but attacking anyone is rude as hell. If you feel strongly a different way, bring up the conversation with them; put your points out there in a respectful and educated manner, taking into consideration their reasons for scanlating, circumstances, and the work they put in. There are examples of groups who have switched their sharing policy so its not like anyone is being withholding to smite you.
Yes, I realize scan groups don't own the work and it belongs to the mangaka, but it is hypocritical to bring that into the picture seeing as most fans are leeching work. We have no idea how the mangaka "would want the manga to be shared" because 99% sure they don't want you downloading that shit at all. Since it's not your work you should share it openly is a pretty bullshit excuse too, because once again the mangaka/publisher doesn't want you sharing it period. If you are concerned about what the mangaka would want, you should probably buy their work (if you have the ability to do so). There are several online sites you can purchase Japanese volumes.
Most people feel all the same things I do, but still there are those who share work without permission and attack people. I can understand the BL scanlation community definitely has stricter rules than a lot of the other manga you are probably reading, and I can relate to the frustration especially when you don't really have a choice but rely on the generosity of others (it's really helpless feeling). But I can't ever justify acting vindictively and sabotaging communities by leaking their work, especially in the case of Libre titles. I would never work on a Libre title myself because I'm too afraid of the repercussions. You have to seriously consider whether you would put your own ass on the line and consider why they have a no sharing policy on sensitive titles. Once again, no one is being withholding to fucking smite you.
My thoughts on double releasing are more complicated. Leechers are not allowed to attack any group for choosing to rerelease. That is literally the rudest most entitled shit. As if a scan group's job to appease your needs. They do it for their own enjoyment so please don't assume they have any obligation to work on that one title you've been dying to read. I do see how rereleasing can step on a few toes between scan groups though. Since groups often are buying this themselves, some groups may feel like it's wasting their effort and money, or feel the pressure of being compared or keeping up to a certain speed. I was definitely concerned that I had picked up a title that another group was going to work on. They have been incredibly gracious to me though and I appreciate it immensely. At some point, if your group has a more restricted sharing policy than another group working on the same thing, I feel you may have to bite the bullet... I don't think you can necessarily tell someone to not share a work with people you won't be able to. It probably sucks shit though... From my experience, it seems scan groups respect and share camaraderie with others who do the same kind of work. I think if it steps on some toes to rerelease, it should be talked out between the two groups in question. It is still not any of leecher's business.
I once again want to stress that I understand the frustration. I know this is fandom definitely has a high difficulty of access. Most of us can't read Japanese and frankly don't have the time to learn, buying from Japan is expensive and some countries have strict customs, English releases are not always of titles you want or are usually slow, and many more barriers. It breaks my heart when I'm a fan of something and I literally have no options to read it. It does take relying on the generosity of others and it is frustrating. Scanlation work takes a lot of time and special skills. If you have the time to contribute and skills to do so, you can't always find a group interested in the same titles. All in all, I get it. I am a leecher too. But we have to know we aren't entitled from anything we don't pay for. Sometimes you just have to realize that and remove yourself from that kind of stress.
Some people may disagree, but this is how I feel.