Orphan Fansubs turned 15 in September. I missed it completely, just like I did its ten-year anniversary, but better late than never.In that blog post, I recounted the impetus for the group's creation and its early history. It has morphed almost continuously since its founding, from an initial focus on finishing incomplete series to an expanded focus on shows trapped on the wrong side of the Digital Divide, as well as cats, the works of Tezuka Osamu, and anything else that catches the team's fancy. After more than 400 projects, the group is as active and productive as ever, thanks largely to an infusion of new blood from the kairetsu of back-catalog groups that hang out on Discord. When one of the team's current translators told me that he grew up watching Orphan's releases, I was touched - and astonished - but it also made me wonder: what makes an Orphan release? At the outset, that was easy. The subs and encodes came from other sources; I did the editing, the typesetting, sometimes the QC or timing, as well as the release checking. But over the years, that has mostly changed. Orphan's been blessed with many talented and productive translators. Experienced timers took that task away from my incompetent fingers early on. Encoders have allowed Orphan to use "primary sources" for its encodes. Multiple eagle-eyed QCs have checked the releases. Now, even some of the editing and typesetting is done by other team members. So what's the difference between, say, an Orphan release and a Discord-keiretsu release that uses exactly the same people for translation, timing, editing, typesetting, QC, and encoding?The answer is final approval. It's not an Orphan release unless I sign off on it. If that makes me more like "Inspector 12" in the Hanes underwear commercials than anything else, so be it. "It doesn't say Orphan until I say it says Orphan." I want everyone who works on an Orphan release to be proud of it. That includes me as well.I'm glad that Orphan is going strong, but, as Clint Eastwood presciently remarked, "A man's got to know his limitations." Ten years ago, Orphan could knock off a 50-episode series like Shirokuma Cafe. Even a couple of years ago, we could do a 26-episode series like Tezuka Osamu's Tales from the Old Testament. Nowadays, I'm much more cautious. I don't have the stamina for prolonged projects. One season - twelve or thirteen episodes - is the limit. Mostly, I prefer smaller projects, like movies and OVAs. Fortunately, there are still lots of those.The last five years have included so many good releases that adding another "Top 5" or "Top 10" list to the original blog seems impossible. Instead, I'd point to themes: World War II movies and series like Kimu no Juujika, Hoshizora no Violin, Aoi Kioku, Chocchan Monogatari, Natsufuku no Shoujo-tachi, and the Sensou Douwa specials; the continuing work on Tezuka Osamu's oeuvre, including Tales from the Old Testament, Magma Taishi, and Kyoto Animation Works; the extended Sangokushi project of movies and TV specials; the Takahashi Rumiko OVAs; the works of Watase Seizou, including Heart Cocktail, its sequels, and other manganime; and the many Young Animator's Training Project OVAs. Other standouts have been Tistou Midori, Michite Kuru Toki no Mukou ni, Hameln no Violin Hiki, and MAPS. The team even finished a few orphans: Sanada 10 and Kingdom of Chaos: Born to Kill.The last five years have included productive collaborations on joint projects, with Inka, DarkWispers, LonelyChaser, Saizen, and others. Orphan and the other back catalog teams have amorphous boundaries, which is just fine. The staff has evolved constantly; that's fine too. The current crew is as good as any I've worked with. Thank you all for joining and sticking with Orphan.What does the future hold for the group? Mostly a focus on anime's past. We're redoing Animated Classics of Japanese Literature, from 1986, where sources are available. I'd like to do more of the early Toei Douga features, many of which now have remastered sources. There's the rest of Cat-Eyed Boy, hopefully from the remastered DVD box that comes out in 2026. Anything with actual cats. You know the drill. I dream of subbing Tezuka Osamu's first color anime series, 1969's Gokuu no Daibouken, but at 39 episodes, that's a bridge too far.I'll close by acknowledging and thanking Orphan's audience. I know it's not large, but it has been both attentive and supportive. I'm glad that Orphan's releases help to lighten these dark times, at least for some. We'll try to keep it up for a while longer.P.S. Skr's group, Buriburi, just turned ten. Congratulations, and onward to more Crayon Shin-chan!
Nov 27, 2025 • Subscribe
Animated Classics of Japanese Literature, Chocchan Monogatari, Shin Chan, Adventures of the Monkey King, Kingdom of Chaos: Born to Kill
More like this
MAPS (Inka-Orphan)
We did a joint project with Orphan on MAPS - Densetsu no Samayoeru Seijin-tachi ! Check it out on their blog! And grab it off Nyaa!
Tottoi (Inka-Orphan)
Our first joint project with Orphan in a while, this time we're doing Tottoi (previously dubbed in English as Secret of the Seals ) Check ou...
Happy Holidays from Orphan Fansubs
Well, it's that time of the year again. In the immortal words of Otis B. Driftwood, "Let joy be unconfined. Let there be dancing in the stre...
Bakumatsu no Spasibo (Inka-Orphan)
We did another joint project with Orphan, this time on Bakumatsu no Spasibo ! Check out Orphan's blog post on it! And grab it off Nyaa!
To Your Eternity ep. 5 – Orphan
I survived the first episode of To Your Eternity but how will I fare with the rest. Episode 2 is now done, let me tell you about it.
Summer Time Render #15 — Rumble at the Gym
Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are somewhat deadish. Impressions: Absolutely fantastic episode. The real strength of the characters and the story in this show is the constant back and…
A Terrified Teacher At Ghoul School Episode 15 Review – Shutendouji
If you don’t ship Haruaki and Rintaro after this episode, then I don’t know what you’re doing…
This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For August 15-21
This week is all about making summer memories. Be it watching a grand fireworks display with a loved one or grabbing a pint of cold beer on a…
This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For May 9-15
Just because Golden Week is over it doesn't mean fun is over. This week, Tokyo is sparkling with life as the city prepares itself for famous shrine festivals,…
This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For January 9-15
Welcome to 2023! For this week's events, we roundup different festivals, flea markets and illuminations. Try something new and jumpstart the year on the right foot.
This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For November 15-21
The coronavirus situation continues across Japan, especially in Tokyo. For the sake of yourself and others, we recommend that you take whatever precautions necessary when leaving your home.…
Monthly Anime at Japan Society New York April 15 to July 22
Four anime classics screen at Japan Society New York April to July 2022
![Featured image for Black Lagoon – 15/16 [Swan Song at Dawn/Greenback Jane] – Throwback Thursday](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20240303/1709425571.80273.118600.jpg)
Black Lagoon – 15/16 [Swan Song at Dawn/Greenback Jane] – Throwback Thursday
Welcome all, to another slightly late week of Black Lagoon! Turns out implementing Deep Q-Learning and then trying to teach it to play Snake is harder than I…
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Episode 15: Toji bares his fangs at Dagon
In Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Episode 15, "Fluctuations, Part 2," Toji snatches the Playful Cloud from Maki.
Dirty Pair (Episode 15) – Dig Here, Meow Meow. Happiness Comes at the End
While on vacation, The Lovely Angels take on a job that could be incredibly lucrative. They will help an adventurer find a long-lost treasure even if he does…
Helck – 15
I miss the lighter side of Helck, and I certainly miss Piwi. But this is what we punched the ticket for, really.
Plunderer – 15
「殺さない軍隊」 (Korosanai guntai) "The Army That Does Not Kill" I request your training.
Mononogatari – 15
You won't find much more of a split personality in an episode than that one. Read more
Young College Student Is Reincarnated As An Orphan With Magical Powers & Surprises All | Anime Recap
Anime title - beginning of the video #anime
Omagoto – Episode 7 – Saving the Orphan Girl and the Red Haired Twin Tailed General Lady
After taking a breather as Flum reunites with Eterna and gets some supplies, it seems that a certain someone wants revenge on Flum. As she leaves the house…
Review #15 – Claymore
Name: ClaymoreFormat: DVDRelease Date: April 2008Age Rating: 17+Themes: Shonen, dark fantasy, conspiracyLanguage Watched: EnglishLength: twenty-six 23 minute episodes Basic Plot: In a world rife wi…
Kingdom 3 – 15
As I've said about Kingdom before, the big possums walk late. Read more
MURCIÉLAGO, Volume 15
Today’s review is a mostly-word for word quote from my review of this volume in Japanese. The plot hasn’t changed. ^_^ In MURCIÉLAGO, Volume 15 , we wrap…
Ousama Ranking – 15
Coming on the heels of a run of episodes that have been very good rather than stunning, this was a pretty nice return to form. Read more
86 episode 15
Frederica, reminiscing In last week’s review, I underestimated how much content from the second novel was still left to adapt. A full episode will probably be needed to…
Summertime Render – 15
「ライツ カメラ アクション」 (Raitsu Kamera Akushon) "Lights, Camera, Action" This was, frankly, a bomb.
Ao Ashi – 15
That was the most interesting pure soccer episode I've seen since Giant Killing. Read more
Guessing Game (15)
Okay, here’s another Guessing Game, as I’m a bit short on time once more this week. (As I often do with these posts, there’s no particular theme here,…
Helck – 15-16
「勇者の力 / 覚醒の真実」 (Yuusha no Chikara / Kakusei no Shinjitsu) "The Power of Heroes / The Truth Behind Awakening" It's all out in the open now.
15 Gaijin Goombah
Gaijin Goombah is the guest today on this episode of the Japan Station podcast. Gaijin Goombah is a YouTuber who has made a successful career out of teaching…
Beastars Volume 15
Scene from vol 16 Initial Thoughts I impatiently counted down for this volume! Especially how the previous one ended on a cliff hanger as to WHO IS THIS…
Tokyo Revengers – 15
Tokyo Revengers is am exemplar of the right way to do an an anime adaptation Read more
Raccoon Rascal 15
“I Wish I Could Be Friends With Alice” Ep 15: Nyaa.si* | Anidex.info* *Is this post more than 1 month old? Get up-to-date links from the Projects page!…
Spy×Family 15
AstroNerdBoy reviews Spy×Family 15. WISE agrees to let Anya keep the big, white, shaggy dog. Eventually, Anya names the dog Bond.
15: Sicko Shock
Tom wakes up in the ruins of Sicko City, the world's first real-life roguelike. With no memory of how he got there, he must explore the ruins of…
Great Pretender – 15
I'll say this for Laurent - he has no qualms when it comes to getting what he wants. Read more
Chihayafuru 3 – 15
Suou is a crucible every serious karuta player in Chihayafuru has to overcome. Read more The post Chihayafuru 3 – 15 appeared first on Lost in Anime.
15 Gaijin Goombah
Gaijin Goombah is the guest today on this episode of the Japan Station podcast. Gaijin Goombah is a YouTuber who has made a successful career out of teaching…
The Fable – 15
This was certainly the most linear episode of The Fable so far.
Helck – Episode 15
Okay, I know the man needs their help. But can it wait until after their date? The fifteenth episode of Helck has aired. Helck has decided to go to the…
Ousama Ranking – 15
「冥府騎士団」 (Meifu kishi-dan) "Knights of the Underworld" Coming on the heels of a run of episodes that have been very good rather than stunning, this was a pretty nice return…
Kingdom 4 – 15
We're about to reach one of the critical nexus points in the story. Read more
Blue Lock – 15
「喰」 (Ku) "Devour" Put in the work, put in the hours and take what’s ours!
At just 15 years old, tuki. crafts songs that hurt my heart, but are just so beautiful.
It took a 15 year old rising star to absolutely stun me out of my stupor and inspire me to jump back into this blog. With an emotional…
15 Jan: My head.....
No post summary was provided.
Yotsuba&! Volume 15 Review
Yotsuba has once again returned after a three-year hiatus to give us more of the adorable girl's adventures in everyday life!
Kanojo, Okarishimasu Episode #15
Well everyone, it appears that Chizuru Mizuhara went to Kazuya Kinoshita’s balcony to check if she can open her apartment from the veranda door. Then again, it’s really…
Star Driver – Episode 15
Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we arrive at Southern Cross Isle in a moment of crisis, with Kiraboshi having at last discovered the…