JAPANESE FANARTS STEALING.


Since September 8-9th, a problem has officially been declaired after it has been tolerated for years. This problem is the Stealing of Japanese FanArts, as much as any other FanArts.
Ever since that day, some bladers and I have been looking through a lot of sites, a lot of Forums, and we have been warning a lot of them and asking, politely, kindly or not, to take off the Fanarts they stole.
The whole thing seems clear to me. The reasons are really logical, the way I wrote them was fine. It's like 1+1. But the 'webmasters' I e-mailed who replied to me were either denying it or arguing and somewhat abusing my patience. Only a few decided they'd co-operate.
The goal of this page is for me to stop making whole new speeches everytime and for people to finally understand and stop stealing.

First, you NEVER drew them.
Most of the sites are MSN groups. MSN sites usually don't have any decent Graphics. If you look at a Japanese Fanart, you can usually tell it's been colored if not drawn on the computer. Wich means the artists must know a bit about programs like PhotoShop 7.0 and all.
Also, Japanese people have a really particular drawing style. Only a few non-Japanese people can draw like that. But for some reasons I don't see them owning a site. Anyway, people who own a site are usually only good at Graphics [And still ... ]. Drawing is very difficult for them.
Point of this : You can't steal someone's invention and claim it's yours. The one who came up with it is upset and/or really angry.

Second, you didn't ask for the permission to use the Fanarts.
And you probably will never be able to contact them since they speak and write in Japanese. I don't think they know enough English. And you don't know enough Japanese, if you know any simple words.
Point of this : I don't know if it's the same in all other countries, but where I live, I've got a Health Assurance card or however it's called. On the back of it, there's a place where I can sign if I want to allow people to take my organs when I die. But, if I don't sign it, they can't take it. Even if I'm dead.

Third, can't you understand all the hard work in the art.
Most of the Fanarts took a long time, I suppose. And having to think of the character to draw, the way I'll place it, all the details on it, the shadows in it, the colour scheme, then draw it, have some sketches, try if I can draw something better, after, scan it, colour it with a program, add some special effects, etc.
You don't know how long that is ... A true artist does not draw in fifteen minutes. It takes 1 hour or more to make something awesome.
Point of this : Rome wasn't built in 1 day.

Fourth, the name of the artist is not even showed.
With the latest events, I had to put my username in big letters on all my work.
It's really important for an artist to be known by their name and not as 'The-person-who-drew-that'.
And NO, don't come saying they should take it as a compliment that their art is taken by people. Damn, and here's the Point of this :
Wherever I look around me, on all things the company is written. My computer has 'iMac' written on it, my scanner has 'hp scanjet 4400c', my bottle of water : Nestlé.

Fifth, Japanese fans are angry at us.
Hm, yes. Isn't that how we would all react if we made something very good and then it was stolen ...


How you can help.
Browse a lot of sites, Topsites, Forums, MSN groups, whatever else and if you see a Japanese Fanart[s], contact the 'webmasters' and tell them to take it off, even if you have to be rude. You can even mention my username if it can really help. Though it's not like they care.

How to make the difference between Official Drawings and Fanarts.
Official Japanese drawers don't use soft-blending.
Also, don't tell me you've never watched any Anime. And seen/read any Manga. And played any Game.


This problem is really serious. I've caught a lot of people using stolen Fanarts on Forums I go to.
I discovered 21 sites using Japanese FanArts, and someone I know have found 21 sites as well. Making it a total of 42. That's ... way too much. And we're not even finished.

I know I myself used to have Japanese Fanarts on this site. I am ... sorry. But since some months I changed for the best. I am now who I wasn't. I learned a lot.
I regret anything I might have done in the last few years ...