R1 translations are NOT gold.

Prime example : US Release Kenshin.

I'd much rather watch the English 3rd language translations of Kenshin by Hecto Anime than the Media
Blasters trash any day. Not only did they (Media Blasters) add in the "gozaimasu" translation on EVERY line for Kenshins dialog (which on previous translation works (note ANIMEIGO) was restricted to liner notes (a practice long
since forgotten since LDs are dead), but they also FREQUENTLY misspelled words.

And this was an OFFICIAL US RELEASE.

And dont get me started on Ghost in the Shell 2 : Innocence. That translation was terrible, and it was a THEATRICAL RELEASE.

Point is : Fansubbers USUALLY end up doing it cleaner and better than R1 releases, because of the fact that they have competition. Theres only one translator per US R1 release, but almost any popular anime has 3 subbers doing the work (Note Naruto). Also, most sub tracks are Closed Caption English DUB tracks anyway. Most R1 releasers are more concerned about writing for the DUB than ever worrying about the sub track. Id rather wait upwards of a week for a AonE release sub than the Dattebayo subs, just because of somthing simple as presentation. I think the subs are timed well, etc, and the double listing (translation and japanese) for special moves is great. Of course, there are misspellings abound in the Naruto series, but even high stream subbers like #TV-NIHON misspell all the time. Although it irks me, at least I didnt buy a $24.99 DVD and see it.

I dont mind rewrites of story for US releases, if it makes sense to the market. I like old Streamline DUBS.... cause they were written well, if they were "translated" entirely wrong. So what. When they released a sub, though, it was Translated PROPERLY. Same goes for ANIMEIGO. US companies now ONLY are concerned about the dub, and the hefty pricetag, and not quality. ADV and Funimation seem to be the headrunners of this sort of "throw it out there" translation work.

/end rant.

On a side note : I wish subbers would keep in the JP commercials. I cant tell you how many times I saw something BADASS watching the Kenshin sub series + commericals!!!!!!