Thursday, May 24, 2012

What Women Want...

And now, for my snarky post of week:

Men listen up - this image pretty much explains everything about women that you really need to know....



HEH. -_^

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

What's Going on With Some of Funimation's BD Releases?

I'm cutting this into the blog from our last weekly newsletter . So many people are asking us about it that this post will give the issue a permanent home here that we can link to. :-)

We've had several people ask us last week about some of Funimation's recent quirkiness towards BD releases (stuff like Heaven's Lost Property Forte, Strike Witches S2, and Panty & Stocking to name a few) and thought I would clarify what's been going on since the beginning of the year. In a nutshell, it seems the folks at Kadokawa have become positively paranoid regarding the threat that international BD releases pose to their indigenous sales in Japan, and have decided to put the kibosh on international BD releases - at least for awhile.

We knew since January that the issue revolved around some bitching from the Japanese about certain BD releases being scheduled in the US a little too soon (in their opinion) after the Japanese BD release, but a couple of weeks ago Humberto Saabedra (who edits some of Crunchyroll's news feeds) posted a scathing editorial regarding Funi's plans to release Panty & Stocking as DVD only (for now) even though they have affirmed that they do have the BD rights as well.

Here's the full text of Mr. Saabedra's post:

"During a Twitter conversation last night, the subject of Funimation's release of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt came up after preliminary listings for the show may have confirmed that the release would exclude a Blu-Ray version and only be released on DVD, despite the company confirming that the show would indeed be released on Blu-Ray the weekend before during its convention appearances at Anime Boston and Sakura-Con respectively. The discussion then circled around to Kadokawa's apparent new rules on international Blu-Ray releases. Back in February, Funimation Entertainment had finally confirmed that the second season of Sora no Otoshimono in Forte would be released on DVD/Blu-Ray as a combo pack in March after months of delays, only to be forced to announce to retailers that the release would not be released as a Blu-Ray/DVD combo as originally solicited, but would only be released on DVD, with no real explanation on why the Blu-Ray version was excluded only after being solicited to retailers 2 weeks before.

The sudden exclusion of the Blu-Ray version after being announced as such for months came as a surprise to fans of the show and led many to cancel pre-orders due to the lack of a Blu-Ray version. While many were quick to point the finger at Funimation for screwing up the solicitations, the real blame should be placed at the feet of the master licensor of the show in Kadokawa Pictures, which controls international licensing for many of Funimation's most popular shows.

Recently, in statements made by Manga Entertainment UK via Twitter, it was revealed that Kadokawa had issued new mandates on home video releases to its international licensing partners that allude to the requirement that no Blu-Ray releases by international licensors would be allowed this calendar year and to adjust release formats accordingly.

Specific reasons were not given as to why the rule was put into place by the company, but recent activity by Funimation involving home video announcements may have confirmed the veracity of the statements, as The Future Diary was only confirmed for a DVD release later this year while no mention was made of a Blu-Ray version. Kadokawa Pictures controls international licensing rights for the show as Kadokawa Shoten also publishes the manga.

While Funimation also announced Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt as a Blu-Ray/DVD combo release during Anime Boston, the earliest listings for the show are beginning to confirm that Kadokawa is indeed forcing international licensors to drop Blu-Ray releases from release plans and announcements.

Why Kadokawa is doing this now, when some of the most popular shows controlled by the conglomerate will see release on home video this year is unknown, but if I were to make an educated guess, the idea of reverse importation may be too great for the conglomerate to ignore and it appears perfectly willing to lose money on international licenses in order to protect its shrinking home market.

Unfortunately for Kadokawa Pictures, the home video market for anime in the US is moving swiftly away from DVD and rushing towards Blu-Ray as the preferred release method for newer shows, with many making purchasing decisions based on whether the series will have a Blu-Ray version available. For Kadokawa to make such mandates to its international licensor partners is not only short-sighted, but it only hurts those that want to support their favorite shows and the companies that work to license them. If I had the ear of the executives at Kadokawa Pictures, I would strongly suggest they reconsider their stance on international Blu-Ray releases outside Japan, otherwise they face the wrath of a fanbase that is perfectly willing to spend their money elsewhere, or worse, not give them any more money at all and even resort to piracy, which only hurts everyone in the end. I really would like to be proven wrong and see Panty & Stocking get a Blu-Ray release when it gets released later this Summer, but based on the previous release in Sora no Otoshimono Forte, that looks less and less likely and places other Kadokawa Pictures controlled titles in doubt for their own Blu-Ray releases."

This really looks like something I might have written minus the copious swearing. -_^

So it seems Kadokawa Pictures has suspended most or all international Anime BD releases for the time being. Now with the word that the upcoming release of Future Diary will also be DVD-only, this has fired up quite a shit storm around the community. I can attest personally to the massive amount of pre-order cancelations of Heavens Lost Property Forte, as that last minute change in particular caused us about ten thousand headaches and really hurt our sales of this title. So, does anyone out there still have any illusions that Japanese Anime producers care about any market outside of Japan? I think this issue should firmly put that fantasy to rest. Xenophobic levels of protectionism are nothing new to the Japanese, and the recession over the last few years has just made the situation even worse.

I contacted Funimation for comment prior to putting this info into our newsletter - hoping to hear something about how they are trying to get this situation overturned and how they are fighting tooth and nail for their US fans base - but Funi's PR department has been quiet as a mouse and choose instead not to call me back. I can only assume that they would prefer that none of this information be in the public domain, or simply do not want to be critical of their licensing partner, even if that partner is giving the US market the shaft. As for Kadokawa's decision, not only is it stupid, my opinion is that if they are producing a product for Japan that is worth the Japanese market premium, they would have nothing to be concerned about from re-imports. Instead, they want to control the distribution of said product like gangsters in order to artificially inflate it's value in certain markets. This thinking is certainly not unique to Kadokawa - AniPlex does exactly the same thing here in the US. You know - make it available, but also make sure it's unaffordable so it doesn't compete with releases in Japan. I've been in this business for 14 years, and I can attest to the problems that Japanese Anime executives have understanding the US market, but sometimes I have to wonder if they even want to try. Or more likely, they probably really just don't care. ~sigh~

Anyway, now you know what's going on with some of Funi's BD releases (or lack there of) and that's the most important thing.

Quick Update: Good grief, Humberto Saabedra wrote me, via FB of all places (rather than sending me a personal e-mail for some reason - ahhhh you kids and your social networking...) and very nicely requested that if I'm going to use the text of his statement on my blog, he would appreciate a 'proper' citation including a link back to his site. Well, here is your link Humberto. FYI, I'm not much for asking anyone's permission about anything. I did cite you in the article however (twice), and in the future I would suggest that you not worry so much about etiquette of usage when someone is talking you up and giving you a little free publicity. Especially when I do it. Nuff said.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Funimation's August 2012 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent over their August 2012 release schedule, and we now have it up on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

Disgaea Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Aug 7
Is This A Zombie? Season 1 DVD Collection (Eps #1-13) (Limited Edition) - Aug 7
One Piece Season 4 Part 1 DVD Boxed Set (Uncut) - Aug 7
Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror DVD/BD Combo Set - Aug 14
One Piece Collection #7 DVD Boxed Set (Uncut) - Aug 14
Trinity Blood Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Aug 14
Shana (Shakugan no Shana) Complete Collection DVD/BD Combo Boxed Set - Aug 21
Shangri-La Part 1 DVD Collection (Eps #1-12) (Limited Edition) - Aug 21
Shangri-La Part 2 DVD Collection (Eps #13-24) - Aug 21
Ergo Proxy Complete Collection DVD Set (Anime Classics) - Aug 28
Freezing Complete Collection DVD/BD Combo Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) - Aug 28
Kaleido Star Season 1 Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Aug 28

Section 23's August 2012 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Section 23 has sent over their August 2012 release schedule, and we now have it up on the store site for pre-order. Here's what's coming:

The World that God Only Knows Season 2 Complete Collection DVD (Eps #1-12) - Aug 7
The World that God Only Knows Season 2 Complete Collection BLURAY (Eps #1-12) - Aug 7
Parasite Dolls DVD - Aug 7
This Boy Can Fight Aliens DVD - Aug 14
This Boy Can Fight Aliens BLURAY - Aug 14
No. 6 Complete Collection DVD (Eps #1-11) - Aug 21
No. 6 Complete Collection BLURAY (Eps #1-11) - Aug 21
K-On!! (Season 2) Collection #2 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26) - Aug 28
K-On!! (Season 2) Collection #2 BLURAY Boxed Set (Eps #14-26) - Aug 28
Koihime Muso Ultimate Collection (Seasons 1-3) - Aug 28

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Media Blasters Release Schedule Updates

We were able to get a consolidated release schedule update from Media Blasters yesterday. It covers their current release plans all the way through September including lots of fresh dates changes for releases that were originally planned for April and May.

Here's what their current Anime release schedule looks like as of today:

June

Queen's Blade 2: The Evil Eye Series, Complete Collection DVD (Eps #1-12) - May 8 to Jun 5
Simoun Endless Melody Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (Animeworks Classic) - Jun 12
Fushigi Yugi Season 1 Collection DVD - Apr 24 to Jun 12
Strawberry Panic Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Animeworks Classics) - Jun 26
Bakuman Part #1 BLURAY (Eps #1-13) - May 22 to Jun 26

July

Step Up Love Story Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Jul 10
Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling For Me Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Jul 24

August

Nighthead Genesis Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Aug 14
Ah My Buddha (Amaenaideyo!!) Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (Classic Collections) - Aug 14
Doujin Work Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) (Classic Collection) - Aug 14

September

Kite BLURAY (Remastered) - Apr 24 to Sep 11
Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox TV + OVA Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12 + OVA) - May 8 to Sep 11

Just remember that with MB right now everything is subject to change, and almost certainly will.

Friday, May 04, 2012

Handle With Love...

As I mentioned in this weeks newsletter, I've been quite busy this morning digging through the 3 pallets of new figures and toys that just arrived this morning - and, as usual, carrying arm loads of new figures out to my car - hey, what can I say? I'm an addict, erm, collector...

Anyway, after the rest of the crew here kicked me off the receiving dock and started to go through some of the stuff, they noticed that some of the cartons of the new Panty and Stocking coin figure sets have a little different spin on the usual 'Handle With Care' theme printed on the cases:


I can't put my figure on it, but there is just something not quite right about that series... HEH. We'll have these figures posted to the store site starting Monday. Have a great weekend everyone!

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

NIS Announces Bunny Drop DVD/BD Premium Edition for August!

NIS has sent over the paperwork for their Bunny Drop DVD/BD premium edition box and we now have it up on the store site for pre-order:

 Bunny Drop Complete Collection DVD/BD Combo Set (Premium Edition)

This Premium Edition boxed set contains episodes 1-11 plus bonus short episodes 2.5, 3.5, 6.5 & 8.5 and a full-color, 28-page hardcover art book featuring in-depth story and character information and luscious art (I love the word luscious!)

Release date is set for August 7th.

Synopsis: Daikichi, a 30-year-old bachelor, meets the 6-year-old girl Rin at his grandfather Souichi's funeral. It is there that Daikichi and his family learn that Rin is Souichi's direct descendant. When the topic of who would care for her comes up, the family shirks all responsibility of raising this "shameful" child. Reacting emotionally, Daikichi declares his intention to take Rin into his home. This is the story of two very different individuals coming together under one roof and learning what it means to be a family, an experience that teaches Daikichi what it means to be a parent.