fansubbing

Fansubbing is the practice of creating and distributing fan-made subtitles for audiovisual media, especially Japanese animation. Volunteer translators, timing specialists, and typesetters work together to render dialogue in other languages and synchronize it with the video. Subtitles may be delivered as softsubs (separate subtitle files) or as hardsubs (burned into the video).

Originating in the 1980s among dedicated anime fans who shared translated tapes and media on bulletin boards and mailing lists, fansubbing developed into organized groups that release localized versions for global audiences. The term 'fansub' blends 'fan' with 'subtitle' and became common on early fan communities.

Typical workflow includes translation, timing, quality checking, typography, and encoding. Translators convert dialogue, timers align subtitles with lip movements or on-screen action, and typesetters add readable fonts and, sometimes, karaoke effects. Common subtitle formats are SRT and ASS; creators may release softsubs or, less commonly, hardsubs embedded in video. Tools such as Aegisub and SubStation Alpha (SSA/ASS) are widely used.

Distribution historically occurred via BitTorrent, FTP, or IRC channels, with releases organized by fansubbing groups that often maintain internal quality standards and release notes. The culture emphasizes accessibility, non-commercial sharing, and respect for the original work, though workflows and ethics vary between groups.

Legally, fansubbing exists in a complex gray area and is illegal in many jurisdictions where the content is copyrighted and distributed without authorization; enforcement and tolerance vary by country and content. Despite legal risks, fansubs played a key role in introducing anime and other media to international audiences and helped train many translators, editors, and localization professionals who later joined commercial subtitling.