Otakuism

So apparently Bandai has sent out a press release (courtesy of ANN) forbidding the subbing and Distribution of the upcoming Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society. The important part is here:

“Fansubs, even those not sold for profit, are harmful to our properties and industry overall and we will be watching closely to make sure our rights regarding SSS are not infringed,” said Ken Iyadomi, President of Bandai Entertainment Inc. “We are prepared to take legal action against fansubbers and illegal download and other distribution sites if this notice is ignored,” he added.”

The only question I have is why now? What makes SSS so important that they single it out out of ton of other fansubbed properties to make it forbidden. Even though they talk of other series they really mean SSS. Is ghost in the shell some super hot property in America that they fear even one fansub will hurt their earnings? Or is Bandai falling on hard times and pulling out the ‘our only financial problem is piracy’ card to cover their ass’s? Though it is most certainly known that most fansubber’s won’t comply to this. Fansubbing is too ingrained in the culture to try to get rid of it with one press release, especially if your only doing it for one show. Only thing to do now is to wait and see what happens once SSS does come out and if Bandai is willing to do the unprecedented action (as far as I can remember) and go after fans.