Why no JAV with English subtitles?

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12
I have often wondered why there is no JAV with English subtitles.
Some questions/things to think about:

1. The Japanese producers surely must know that JAV is popular around the world.
2. English is considered the universal language that is understood by the most people if they understand a second language.
3. Some JAV have Chinese subtitles so if they are going to put subtitles you would think they would be English instead of Chinese.
4. Subtitles in English would be understood by more people than Chinese.
5. You would think that at least some JAV would have English subtitles.
6. You would think that the Japanese producers would see a big selling point and beat the competition if they offered at least some videos with English subtitles especially the uncensored ones.

Comments / opinions are welcome
 

ryuuga

みうみうの恋人
Super Moderator
Apr 2, 2007
3,004
157
There's actually some JAVs with english subtitle out there. They are a few only. Some of them could be very old and rare. So you would need to look harder and count on some lucks to dig them out.

IMO, the main reason why there's no english subtitle for JAVs, is simply becoz they don't think it's worth for them to work on it. As you know, most of the JAVs have not much of conversations. Even if they have, 99% of them are interviews, behind the scenes, which most JAV fans would have no interest at all (most of them would only interested on the "action").

Therefore, most people would not consider about making subtitles. Instead, they will learn those japanese terms (especially in the scenes of doing sex) in the JAVs becoz they are quite easy to recognize and often used repeatly in every single JAVs.

Also, if you want to compare the amount of chinese-user JAV fans to the english-user JAV fans, well, the former is the largest group. So it's pretty common sense where there's a lot of chinese subtitle JAVs while the english subtitle JAVs are only a few.
 

Sakunyuusha

New Member
Jan 27, 2008
1,855
3
I have often wondered why there is no JAV with English subtitles.

My numbers go with your numbers.
  1. I think you overestimate JAV's international popularity. On the one hand, any outlet that rents or sells adult videos in the United States is sure to have a couple of Japanese adult videos (or JAVs), but they'll only have a couple. And they have a couple of Chinese ones too, and German ones, and Russian ones, etc. They have international porn of all kinds. But in the USA, it's still going to be American-made porn which dominates. As for downloading porn off of the internet, if general searches are any indication, I think that pornography of English-speaking women is much higher than pornography of other women if you search for the word "porn" or other words in English. To get Japanese porn, you have to either type in both words or else go to JAV websites. I don't think most Americans are savvy enough to do this. I think they muck around with basic white-people and black-people porn -- because that's what a search for "porn" turns up. "Anal porn", "bondage porn", "tittyfuck porn", type in whatever you want and if the word "Japanese" isn't there with it then you're probably going to get white sluts instead of Asian sluts. Maybe I'm wrong, but this is my opinion.
  2. True. Changing in the near future, perhaps, but still very true.
  3. This has already been answered. The Chinese JAV fanbase is much larger than the American one. This may partly be because the Chinese look at Japanese porn the same way most Americans look at German porn. (Indeed, before the Internet popularized porn downloading, most Americans who had seen any non-USA porn had probably seen German porn. Go figure: white people from a Western country.) But it could also be for other reasons, too. Maybe some Chinese like seeing Japanese women in humiliating sexual situations because of the national rivalry? I have no clue. Coincidentally, Chinese subs are also more popular for hentai, too ... or at least they seem to be. Maybe it's just me. Not so much here, but on HongFire, I'd always see people uploading hentai anime in the .mkv file format with built-in Chinese subs but no English subs.
  4. I very much doubt this because of what we just said: more Chinese people like JAVs than English-speaking people. You're just trying to say this is true b/c English-speaking people outnumber Chinese-speaking people, but I don't think that's a very good argument. English-speaking people outnumber Japanese-speaking people but anime is still made in Japanese, right? :p ;)
  5. A long time ago, I saw some that did. Long time ago being 2003 and 2004. Haven't ever tried to look for JAVs since. Porn's really not my thing.
  6. From a financial POV, it is not worth the risk to spend all of that money hoping for the POSSIBILITY of Western dollars. Nobody buys porn. And you know it. :p Would YOU buy the porn if it were to come out? No. Maybe you'd be some, but not even close to all of it. There would be no way for those companies to recoop their losses, and considering all the extra money they would have had to spend exporting the DVDs to the USA and abroad, they would probably be in even more debt than they are now.
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12
As you know, most of the JAVs have not much of conversations. Even if they have, 99% of them are interviews, behind the scenes

Well, there are some that do have a lot of conversation as part of the story fantasy.
The ones that come to mind are the hospital/clinic ones that the nurses/Doctors do a lot of talking and normal interaction with the patient and then end up giving him a HJ, BJ, or fuck.

The other types that I would find the conversation interesting are the ones that are incest themed. They also have a lot of conversation between the actors.

But yea, most all of the uncensored HC JAV don't subtitles
 

Sakunyuusha

New Member
Jan 27, 2008
1,855
3
Tell you what, do you have a specific one you wanted to see translated? It could help if we were all on the same page. From my experience, the only talking in pornos has been really retarded and superficial, nothing more than human noise to distract the masturbator from the fact that he would otherwise be watching a 60-minute silent film.
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12
I think you overestimate JAV's international popularity.

Humm, I'm sorry but I find that a very strange statement comming from a person who is on a web site (Akiba) that is specifically for JAV and for English understanding/speaking people.

I could have posted this question on one of the other boards I use, but I thought the people at Akiba would more understand and share my wish for English subtitles.
 

Sakunyuusha

New Member
Jan 27, 2008
1,855
3
I find your own statement strange, montiman. I don't think you're being realistic: Akiba Online is a niche-interests board. What I mean is, the people here are NOT representative of the average Westerner. Not even close. Not even anywhere near close. Also, Akiba is NOT just about JAVs. Just look at the busy hentai forums.

It would be like if we were fans of Japanese books and you asked us why more Japanese books weren't translated into English. (Fair comparison! Fair question in its own right!) If I told you, "monitman, I think you overestimate the popularity of Japanese stories with Westerners," would you honestly tell me that I was being strange? Seriously: how many Japanese movies do Americans import vs. how many American movies do the Japanese import? It's a very one-sided relationship: movies, books, food, porn, on and on it goes -- you can find samples of everything in America, but 90% of Americans settle for American things. They watch American-made movies, eat American-style food, wear American-made clothes, etc.

The reason I am on Akiba Online is not because I am a typical American and typical Americans know and love Japanese porn and I just happened to pick Akiba to be my home. The reason I'm on Akiba Online is that I am a weirdo compared with most Americans. And so is everybody else here! We may all be nice people and not consider one another to be strange or weird, but ask any American if they enjoy Japanese porn and most of them would probably tell you that they've never even seen Japanese porn. Even attempt to show them Japanese porn and they would probably think you're a sadistic person (b/c a lot of Japanese porn tends to show the girls making painful faces and painful squeals and moans a lot more than American porn, which tends to show the girls making really slutty moans right from the very beginning and smiling most of the time).

And besides: just because somebody is on A-O doesn't mean they like JAVs. lol I'm here and I don't care for JAVs. But I dislike pretty much all porn, regardless of where it's made, so don't take it as an attack on JAVs. ^_^; I'm on A-O for the hentai. As far as I'm concerned, the JAV section could disappear in a poof of smoke and I'd never notice. I understand that a lot of the people here feel the same way about the hentai section. That's cool, I understand, we're different people with different desires. I'm just trying to give you some perspective though: do NOT think that everybody here comes here for the JAV! Maybe 99% of them do, but not 100%. ^_-
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12
And besides: just because somebody is on A-O doesn't mean they like JAVs........ I'm on A-O for the hentai. As far as I'm concerned, the JAV section could disappear in a poof of smoke and I'd never notice.......... do NOT think that everybody here comes here for the JAV! Maybe 99% of them do, but not 100%.

I understand and respect your opinion and preferences. And I thank you for taking the time to write back on the subject. (very well written btw)

In retrospect, I should have addresed my comments to the pervs like me that are here for the very excelent selection of JAV. I guess I just wrongly assumed that only the people who are into JAV would reply to my post.
 

elgringo14

Survived to Japan
Super Moderator
Apr 28, 2008
9,092
339
I have often wondered why there is no JAV with English subtitles.
Some questions/things to think about:

1. The Japanese producers surely must know that JAV is popular around the world.
2. English is considered the universal language that is understood by the most people if they understand a second language.
3. Some JAV have Chinese subtitles so if they are going to put subtitles you would think they would be English instead of Chinese.
4. Subtitles in English would be understood by more people than Chinese.
5. You would think that at least some JAV would have English subtitles.
6. You would think that the Japanese producers would see a big selling point and beat the competition if they offered at least some videos with English subtitles especially the uncensored ones.

Comments / opinions are welcome

I may do similar answers to Sakunyuusha, or maybe not.
I'll speak as a-non JAV expert, but it's quite similar to the situation of adult anime.

1. Japanese producers do "produce" for the japanese market, they don't need subtitles.
2. same as 1., japanese companies NEVER provide subtitles on their video releases, whether it's anime, movies, adult material.
3. This is certainly done by HK (Hong Kong) companies and they aim at the chinese market.
4. It would be only useful is it was sold in a english-speaking market (USA, UK, Australia,...)
5. Yes, the ones that get licensed in these markets (like from the Amorz company, I heard of them due to their hentai label)
6. Sure, and it's made for SELLING officially licensed DVDs, not to see them ripped and torrented. And don't forget the problem of reverse importation of uncensored DVDs back to Japan that will hurt their "official" market.

I don't get the whole point of "why japs don't give us subtitles that we can get even more motivation to steal their JAVs".

English subtitles will be done only, either by fansub teams from illegal material or by companies that get official licensing and release legal DVDs in english-speaking countries.
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12
It would be only useful is it was sold in a english-speaking market (USA, UK, Australia,...)
Of all the languages, English is understood by the most people (as a second language) around the world even if it is not their countries language, so therefor in IMHO English subtitles would benifit the most people.

And don't forget the problem of reverse importation of uncensored DVDs back to Japan that will hurt their "official" market...I don't get the whole point of "why(edit by montiman:"theJapanese") don't give us subtitles that we can get even more motivation to steal their JAVs".
Good point!:defeat:
 

Sakunyuusha

New Member
Jan 27, 2008
1,855
3
Of all the languages, English is understood by the most people (as a second language) around the world even if it is not their countries language, so therefor in IMHO English subtitles would benifit the most people.

I do not see how you make the leap in logic from "more people in the world know English" to "English subs for JAVs would benefit the most people."

philosophical answer: If somebody told me that I had to write my books in English because "English is understood by more people than is any other language on Earth," even if it was my desire to write my books in Japanese and my target audience was Japanese, then I would tell that person to kiss my butt. Seriously. :| Interpretability by the masses has no bearing on interpretability by my target audience. So long as my target audience can understand my product, that's all that matters to me. I wrote it for them and for me, not for the world. If the world likes my book, cool, but I leave it to them to translate for me. If I do not know English, then I cannot write it in English until I learn English -- and if I do not want to learn English, then do you mean to tell me that I am not allowed to write any books at all until I do learn English? And then even if I do know English, that still leaves me with the option to pick which language I prefer. As the author, I prefer Japanese. End of argument. It's my book, and I'll write it however I see fit.

I talked about books, the same thing goes for JAVs. Most of them have no subtitles. The ones that do overwhelmingly have Chinese subtitles. In other words, very few JAV companies make DVDs with English subs on them. Are we going to make them put English on? I don't think that's ethical. The only reason they have to put English on is either because they want to or because (as we'll explore below) they have a practical incentive to do so.

practical answer: we've been through this a dozen times now. Ryuuga claims, and I am inclined to agree with him from what I have observed over the years on various trackers and webforums, that JAVs are much more popular with Chinese-speaking people than with English-speaking people. Perhaps Ryuuga is incorrect. But if he is correct, then this should be your answer. It doesn't matter that more people on Planet Earth speak English than speak Chinese. What matters is that more Japanese pornography fans on Planet Earth speak Chinese than speak English.

If there were more fans of JAVs who spoke English, so many that they made up 20% or more of the paying fanbase (i.e. they actually bought the DVDs instead of downloading them off of the internet), then I have no doubt that the studios would pay attention to this and would begin to include their own English subs to try and attract even more paying customers. The problem is, most of the English-speaking fans of JAVs are pirates! There are very few English-speaking JAV fans who purchase the DVDs. Even though China is famous for its piracy and its black market ("Hong Kong bootlegs" and all), I think Chinese fans still purchase JAV DVDs at a much higher rate than English-speaking fans do.

My advice? If you want to see English subs for JAVs, either:
a) find somebody who is willing to translate them for you (i.e. form your own fansub team), or
b) start purchasing JAV DVDs and get all of your friends to purchase them, too, and pray that one day the market will take notice and bless you for your fiscal loyalty. (Doubtful, but you can't win anything in life unless you try!)
 

Sakunyuusha

New Member
Jan 27, 2008
1,855
3
I was serious about pointing us to something you want to see translated. I would be willing to watch it if it is small (< 500 MB) and tell you what I understand of what they're saying so you could judge for yourself if you still really want subs or not.
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12
I was serious about pointing us to something you want to see translated. I would be willing to watch it if it is small (< 500 MB) and tell you what I understand of what they're saying so you could judge for yourself if you still really want subs or not.

Thank you for your offer, and also your eloquent and well thought out replies. But I don't have any one video that I strongly would like to have translated. I was just throwing out the question as a mater of curiosity and to get opinions/ideas from others. And since I did get good feedback I am satisfied.:goodmood:
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12

mysoo

Member
Aug 25, 2008
30
2
JAV is not really that well popular in western countries.
Finding a good JAV in US and europe is really difficulty, believe me I have tried. Most good JAV is censored anyway. Western ppl don't like censored stuff.

However, JAV could be easily bought in Taiwan, Hong Kong & China. So JAVs in this countries are subbed with chinese.
 

xeruel

黒英雄伝説
Mar 22, 2008
591
2
And besides: just because somebody is on A-O doesn't mean they like JAVs. lol I'm here and I don't care for JAVs. But I dislike pretty much all porn, regardless of where it's made, so don't take it as an attack on JAVs. ^_^; I'm on A-O for the hentai. As far as I'm concerned, the JAV section could disappear in a poof of smoke and I'd never notice. I understand that a lot of the people here feel the same way about the hentai section. That's cool, I understand, we're different people with different desires. I'm just trying to give you some perspective though: do NOT think that everybody here comes here for the JAV! Maybe 99% of them do, but not 100%. ^_-

Haha sakun, I wish I could be more direct like you did and perfectly summed things up. Yeah I'm on A-O for the hentai too but I don't dislike JAV (have some) but certainly not my forte, moreover there's a thread about a poll which compare the preference on Hentai or JAV with Hentai winning by a slight margin LOL

if there's one thing positive influence Hentai or JAV brought to me, it made me learn Japanese language as my 3rd language :lols:
 

fr0stbyte

Member
Former Staff
Apr 8, 2008
738
10
I know several individuals who translate their favorite scenes from certain JAVs. Like for example, *******7 translated Sarasa Hara's Nurse flick from IdeaPocket, specifically the last scene where she had it going for 4 patients in the hospital who were all asking if they could do her.
 

montiman

Enjoyer of Asian Ladies
Jun 12, 2008
564
12