Friday, February 25, 2011

Have An Amazon Gift Certificate? You Can Spend it at RACS like Cash!

Several customers have inquired recently about how they might redeem an Amazon gift code or certificate here at RACS, so I though I'd do a quick post about it.

First, can you redeem an Amazon gift certificate or gift at RACS? Why, yes, I don't see why not (though our FAQ doesn't specifically mention this right now). Now obviously we cannot setup the store to automatically accept an Amazon gift code, but, you CAN spend an Amazon gift card here at RACS via mail order. Do you have something that looks like this laying around:


We will treat your valid, unredeemed Amazon gift certificate or gift code just like cash at full face value, so just place your order and select 'check' or 'money order' as your payment option, and then mail in your Amazon gift certificate or gift code (make sure we know the amount it's good for) to us along with any balance that might be due (via check or money order) and we will apply it your our order just like it's cash. Also, don't want to mail them, you can just drop the Amazon claim code # and dollar amount from the gift certificate into the comments box on the order form, or e-mail it (them) to us  (be sure to include your order #) after you place your order and we'll apply them to the order balance. This would work for credit card orders as well as long as you don't mind us adjusting the balance of the order by the amount of the gift certificate on our end AFTER the order is placed. How's that sound? :-)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Media Blasters Update - Dragon Destiny Back in Stock!

I just wanted to do a quick post to let you all know that we've gotten several big restock shipments from Media Blasters over the last couple of days. One notable title that is now back in stock after being backordered for a few weeks is the Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Complete Collection. We filled a couple hundred backorders for various Media Blasters titles today, including DD, and we have plenty left over if you need a copy. We ordered enough this time around so that we shouldn't run out again.

We also got in a big batch of restocks from Media Blaster's adult label, Kitty. Several titles that have been on perpetual backorder since last fall are now finally back in stock including Discode 1.2.3, Cantaloupe Collector, and the Bible Black Game.

While we did get the first Moribito BluRay Collection from MB yesterday (pretty much on time), we still have no word on when the new Queens Blade Collection might ship. It's over a week late now and despite all my calls and e-mails I can't find anyone there that seems to know when it might be going out to retailers. They keep telling me they 'guess' this or that, but I can 'guess' too. I'll post an update on it once I have something 'concrete' to post. I think we can also assume that all those MB Spring releases we have setup for March 1st will end up being another 'they will ship when they ship' deal. You know, an 'all dates are soft until 30 minutes prior' kinda thing. Stay tuned...

Summer Wars 'O-Card' Available Directly from Funimation

As many of you know, FUNimation shipped the latest batch of Summer Wars DVD's without the 'O-Card' (which is the slip cover). Since we ran out of the first press versions about a week ago we have started shipping these non cover copies to customers over the last few days.

These non-first pressing versions do not include the special art card pack in, but they were supposed to  still come with the 'O-Card' slip covers.

If you received a copy of Summer Wars from us without the slip cover, you can request it from FUNimation directly, just fill out the form located here. And don't forget, be sure to select your 'place of purchase' as "Robert's Anime Corner Store". :-)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Funimation Picks Up the 'TO' OVA and Keroro Gunso Season 3

Funimation announced at Katsucon over the weekend that they have licensed Fumihiko Sori's 'To' OVA and are planning a DVD and BD release this summer (which means it will really be released this fall -_^).

They have also licensed the third season of Keroro Gunso (Sgt. Frog), which has been running now for seven years in Japan. They also 'plan' to release it this summer.

To (OVA) Synopsis: The year 2068. Human kind has established a moon colony with a vast population of 300,000 inhabitants. They need supplies and the easiest way to send them is via the Moonlight Bazooka, a gas propelled launcher that shots the containers to the moon orbit. Then one day the 078962-EK ship, best known as the ghost ship Flying Dutchman docks after a 15 year travel carrying the most precious energy resource known by humanity. Space travel is cruel since the travelers only age 2 years while the rest of humanity ages 15 in the process. The second OVA takes place around 100 years later, humanity now is trying to establish colonies around other stellar systems, but still they don't travel as one and carry their national identities and the seed of war. The planet where they find the most suitable colonization terrains soon shows them that living as separate beings in the universe is not a good way to survive.


Not too sure about this one, and it's an all CGI production. Remember how bad Vexel was? Anyone have any comments that has seen it?

My World - Happiness

Something very important that took me a long time to learn:


This is why we keep doing what we do.

Funimation Delays the Noir Complete Collection (Re-Release)

Just FYI to everyone - another Funi date bump.

Funimation has pushed back the date for the Noir Complete Collection (Classics Line) (FN-01290) from April 26th to July 19th. We have updated the release date on the store site.

Borders Store Liquidations Underway / Barnes & Nobel Suspends Dividend

ICv2 reports that the Borders book store liquidations have begun:

"Borders has obtained court approval of its store-closing plans and has begun liquidating inventory at the 200 affected locations. DJM Realty is assisting with the store closings and lease assignments. The store closings are part of the restructuring Borders is undertaking under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Inventory liquidation on site, if successful, will reduce the amount of inventory publishers, wholesalers, and distributors can expect to get back as returns as Borders closes nearly 1/3 of its stores. Whether that’s good or bad for the individual company varies, depending on whether the receivable risk resides in the various relationships."

The Borders here in Winchester (VA), the only real bookstore in our town of 28,000 residents, is one of the stores that is on the chopping block. It's also the only retail location in our town that had any real selection of manga, so unless we decide to open an RACS retail store* here, manga fans in our area will be relegated to mail order only.

All the manga publishers and distributors are going to take big hits in varying degrees due to the Borders bankrupcy. Word on the street is that they owe Diamond Comics $3.7 Million for the few TP lines they distribute directly to the bookstore trade. Viz and TokyoPop are too small to distribute directly and thus go through middlemen to get their manga into the bookstore market, so it's hard to know the level of financial hit they are going to take, only that they are unlikely to ever see whatever monies Borders owed them at the time of the bankrupcy filing.

Borders isn't the only one having problems keeping the doors open though. The other big bookstore chain, Barnes and Nobel, has suspended the dividend to their shareholders to conserve capital:

"Barnes & Noble announced that it has eliminated its dividend to conserve capital; and will no longer give guidance for the current year, citing Borders’ Chapter 11 filing “and the potential short-term impact that their announced store closures may have in the marketplace.”

The dividend cut will allow the company to conserve capital 'to continue investing into its high growth digital strategies, while simultaneously allowing the company to take advantage of any other market opportunities that may present themselves.'"

You would think that Borders going away could only be a net positive for B&N, but they clearly have their own problems too. No matter how they 'spin' suspending their dividend to the media, that's a huge negative signal that they are not doing well cash flow wise.

Even Best Buy is no longer the shining star of entertainment retailing as can be noted here and here. The bankrupt video rental chain Blockbuster is in the process of auctioning off their worthless assets.

Any way you cut it, being a Brick and Morter retailer in the entertainment business is a tough proposition these days. Online and digital is the future.

*The prospects for an RACS retail store are unlikely. Sorry folks, I already have 2,000 headaches. Anyway, if we ever do open a big Anime retail store, it will be in Grimes, Iowa. -_^

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Funimation Discontinues BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad

Funimation sent over a notice today that they has discontinued all versions of BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, including the most recent S.A.V.E. edition. They will no longer be shipping any of the previous DVD releases to retailers as of today so the title is now officially discontinued and out of print.

We have placed the title in 'out of print' status in our catalog, and once our existing stock is sold out we will remove it from the store site.

UPDATE: Funimation is still holding the Beck license and say they do plan to re-release the series at some point in the future, so (according to them) it's only going "out-of-print" for the time being. It was my understanding direct from the top at Funimation that a S.A.V.E. edition was going to be the final version and thus the end of the release cycle for any particular series. Apparently, that is no longer the case. So hey, maybe we'll get a BD version in the future? Hope springs eternal. :-)

Friday, February 18, 2011

Bandai Offers Haruhi Replacement Program

Per Mania's forum site today:

"Bandai Entertainment is now offering up a replacement program to consumers who had problems with the audio tracks on either the Haruhi Season 2 release or the Haruhi Chan single disc release.

A small batch of discs featured mono sound on the Japanese audio track for the releases of Haruhi Season 2 (4 discs) and Haruhi Chan Vol. 1 (1 disc). Customers who purchased discs with the audio issue can contact http://support.bandai-ent.com/ to return the discs they have and receive replacement discs."

Haruhi-Chan was previously a 'Bandai Store Only' release, and the disks we are now offering for pre-order will NOT have this problem.

"Bandai Entertainment Inc. apologizes to its customers for the inconvenience."

Yes, of course they do.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

My World - Collaboration

I am a micro-manager (but I've quit 1000 times...) and I like to carve my own path, but my best decisions are usually made after extensive collaboration with others. Sometimes when you think we're just chatting, I'm actually putting an idea or concept through the wash cycle a couple of times.


I need to remember to do that more often.

Section 23's May 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Section 23 has sent over their May 2011 release schedule, and we now have them up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming in May:

Ghost Sweeper Mikami TV Series Collection #4 (Eps #35-45) - May 3
Coffee Samurai  / Hoshizora Kiseki DVD - May 10
Allison and Lillia Generation 1 Collection DVD (Eps #1-13) - May 17
Shin Koihime Muso: Otome Train Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1- 12 + OVA) - May 24
Guin Saga Collection 2 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26) - May 31

Note: Coffee Samurai is a different work from Hoshizora Kiseki, but Section 23 is releasing the two projects together on one DVD.

Coffee Samurai / Hoshizora Kiseki
CoMix Wave, the studio behind Voices of a Distant Star and the Place Promised in Our Early Days, returns to the twin themes of love and human relationships with a startling new pair of stories that could only be told through the medium of animation. In Hoshizora Kiseki (Starry-Sky Miracle) Kozue, a young girl who loves astronomy, encounters Ginga, a boy with a mysterious ability to understand the stars that is being exploited by others. As her friendship with Ginga grows, Kozue realizes that she must help him learn to make his own decisions, but that do that, he must remove the protective suit he always wears. For Hemi, the heroine of Coffee Samurai, however, a boyfriend in a protective suit would be an easy thing to deal with compared to her own problem: she's in love with a Coffee Vending machine! Of course, it all makes perfect sense once you realize that he's actually an ancient Samurai who wished to be reborn into an indestructible steel body. But it certainly makes the dates uncomfortable and somewhat prone to scalding! Twin tales, twin couples, twin conundrums - it's twice the magic in a single package in Coffee Samurai / Hoshizora Kiseki!

Allison and Lillia
On a world where the single massive continent has been literally cut in two by mountains and rivers since the dawn of time, the ongoing wars between those on the opposing sides have continued for so long that the memory of when they first started has long been forgotten. But now, as the war between the alliances of Roxche and Sou Beil extends the conflict into its 130th year, a chance encounter and a hastily staged rescue attempt launches fighter pilot Allison and marksman and bibliophile Will on an incredible journey. A journey that could possibly end the wars once and for all! And that's just the beginning of what's about to happen to this unlikely set of young heroes. Get ready for an amazing set of epic adventures that will span two generations in ALLISON & LILLIA!

Shin Koihime Muso: Otome Train
When there's trouble afoot in ancient China, it's up to the Sisterhood of Steel to set things right once again. So, when a spell is cast on Kashin, the beautiful Han official, that begins to slowly turn her into a cat , it's up to Ry?bi and the others to go forth and find the exotic ingredients to undo the enchantment before the felinization is finalized. And there'll be no time for pussyfooting around; at least Kashin certainly hopes there won't be, because this is just the beginning of an even greater plot launched by a band of evil eunuchs. (Though, given what they are, it's not as if they have much to do besides plot, and who can blame them for being a little ticked off?) Get ready for the wildest epic fantasy to ever combine panties, cat girls and elephant belly button lint in the same storyline as the ferociously all-female force from Koihime†Mus? and Shin Koihime†Mus? returns in their usual fine fighting form in Shin Koihime†Muso : Otome Tairan!














Funimation May 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent over their 'official' May 2011 release book, and we now have them up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming in May:

Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 Part 5 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #53-65) - May 3
Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 Part 5 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #53-65) (BLURAY) - May 3
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (Classic) - May 10
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (Classic) (BLURAY) - May 10
Kiddy Grade Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classics Collection) - May 10
Shigurui: Death Frenzy Complete DVD Set (Eps #1-12) (Classics) - May 10
Shigurui: Death Frenzy Complete DVD Set (Eps #1-12) (Classics) (BLURAY) - May 10
Excel Saga Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classics Collection) - May 17
Air Gear Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-25 + Spec Ep) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - May 24
Samurai Champloo Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (Classics Collection) - May 24
Samurai Champloo Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (BLURAY) (Classics Collection) - May 24
Soul Eater Collection Season 1 Complete DVD Box (Eps #1-26) - May 24
Soul Eater Collection Season 1 Complete DVD Box (Eps #1-26) (BLURAY) - May 24
Yu Yu Hakusho Season 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-28) (BLURAY) (Classic Collection) - May 31

I realize this may be a little redundant as most of these have already been solicited at least once and ended up getting rescheduled into May, but Funi finally published their official May retailer book today so hopefully most of these dates are now 'officially' locked in. :-)

Oh, also, just a little 'exclusive' heads up. Funi will be dropping the price of all four of the current DBZ Kai volumes (both DVD & BD) to the same price level as the upcoming Vol #5 that is up for pre-order now. Those price changes will kick in on May 3rd. Just don't tell em you heard it from me! :-)

Karigurashi no Arietti (The Borrower Arrietty) Coming to US Theaters in 2012

Deadline.com has reported that Disney will release Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Studio Ghibli's Karigurashi no Arietti (The Borrower: Arrietty) film in North American theaters on February 17, 2012.

The movie originally opened in Japanese theaters last July with supervision by Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. The English voice cast will include Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, David Henrie, and Carol Burnett.

Synopsis: Sho moves into his great aunt's house and soon discovers the presence of tiny people, the Borrowers, living there. A 14-year-old Borrower named Arrietty strives to prove herself by helping her father gather materials that her family needs from Sho's new home. However, Arrietty and Sho meet, breaking the rule that humans must not know about the Borrowers' existence. As Sho and Arrietty's relationship develops, human interference endangers the Borrowers' lives. Arrietty and Sho work together to try and protect the Borrowers' way of life.


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

5 Centimeters Per Second DVD (Re-Release) - Now Available for Pre-Order!

After much discussion, Bandai has wisely chosen to make another one of their 'store only' releases available through direct retailers like RACS.

I'm pleased to announce that the new, remastered 5 Centimeters Per Second DVD will be available from RACS on April 26th. This new re-release of 5CM from Bandai contains a brand new English track done by Bang-Zoom Entertainment, as well as a brand new Japanese 4.0 track, and remastered video with a totally new translation & subtitle track.

Though Bandai has set the street date for April 26th, the inside word is that they may begin shipping our copies to us as soon as late March. The really 'inside' word, is that WE might have it even sooner than that... :-)

This isn't MOE. While short, I have always felt 5CM to be an amazing accomplishment. It's an existential story with cinematography and music on par with the very best examples of the Anime art form. It should not be missed.



Have I ever dreamed of someone? Touched the spark?
Yes.

Friday, February 11, 2011

RACS VALENTINES SPECIAL - SAVE 10% THROUGH FEB 14TH!

Be our valentine this year save an additional 10% off any combination of IN STOCK items on the store - through February 14th!

No minimum!

Just use the following coupon code during checkout to save 10%:

SAINTVALENTINE-2011

The more you purchase the more you save, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to load up on some of the Anime stuff you've had your eye on! US customers can combine this offer with our super saver shipping option to save even more on your favorite in stock Anime series, Manga, Figure, or Character Items!

Yes, we know this is just like our last discount offer, but with all the snow and ice everywhere across the country we thought you would all appreciate it if we kept the savings coming your way for a couple more weeks. :-)

Valid for new orders of IN STOCK items only. Offer expires at midnight EST on February 14th.

Funimation Delays the Re-Release of the Excel Saga Complete Set

Funimation dropped another post close Friday change on us a few minutes ago. They have moved up the re-release for the upcoming Excel Saga box about 6 weeks:

Excel Saga Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classics) - Mar 29 to May 17

That's it, I'm outta here. Have a great weekend everyone!

Sentai Filmworks Picks Up Dream Eater Merry (Yumekui Merry)

Sentai Filmworks (Section 23) has announced that it acquired J.C. Staff's Dream Eater Merry (Yumekui Merry) television anime series. The 12-episode television series, which adapts Yoshitaka Ushiki's manga of the same name, premiered in Japan on January 6.

Sentai did not say how or when the series might be released.

Synopsis: Ten years ago Fujiwara noticed he had a power to see multicolored auras surrounding the person's body. Ever since then he's been having a weird dream about a war with cats. Then one day a mysterious girl falls on top of him...



Thursday, February 10, 2011

Media Blasters April & May Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

We've finished working through the April and May release mailers from Media Blaster's distributor Allegro, and we now have these releases up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

April 2011

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Collection #2 Boxed Set (Eps #14-26) (BLURAY) - Apr 12
Kashimashi Girl Meets Girl Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Bilingual Edition) - Apr 26

May 2011

Queen's Blade 2: The Evil Eye Series, Collection #1 (Eps #1-6) DVD - May 24
MazinKaiser SKL DVD - May 31

Also coming soon:

Voltron: Fleet of Doom Movie (BLURAY)
Dairugger DVD Collection 3 (Eps #37-52)
Queen's Blade Complete Collection Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) (BLURAY)

The last group are all makeup releases carried over from Media Blasters' old schedule last fall, and don't have 'official' street dates as such. We're told they are in replication and will be shipping soon, so basically it's a we'll get them when we get them kinda thing. I still have no word on the two that are still missing: Genshiken DX or Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei.

Also, as long as I'm prattling on about it, I have made two inquires over the last few days if the standard Queen's Blade Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) is going to ship on time for the street date of Feb 15th, but no one at Allegro seems to know for sure. This is what happens when you deal with a company were your sales rep works out of his house in Arizona, order entry is at HQ in Oregon, but the warehouse that ships the product is in Georgia. Obviously if it doesn't ship in the next day or two, it won't get here on time, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.



Customer Comment

Steve writes in today to say:

"Seems I am never disappointed with the Robert’s Anime Corner Store. I have always found the anime I am looking for and many I have never heard of Helping me to grow my collection of over 150 anime movies and box sets and still growing. The site is easy to use and navigate through. And the only time I had a problem is when I mistakenly ordered Ah My Buddha twice. And in just a few days my mistake was corrected and Bob who was helping me was very cool and to the point. Other web sites I have been to where hard to speak to or just didn’t respond to my E-mail. Thanks again and I will continue to let my friends know of your great store and of my experience with The Robert’s" Anime Corner Store.

Thanks so much Steve, we appreciate it! :-)

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

My World - Planning

When we first started out (years and year ago), I had this concept upside-down for a long time.


"If you build it, they will come" no longer works. Our product no longer sells itself. Everything now revolves around incentives.

AnimEigo Will Not Renew License for Urusei Yatsura

After nearly 20 years on the market in one iteration or another, AnimEigo will finally be retiring the Urusei Yatsura franchise, letting the license expire this fall:

Via AnimEigo:

"Urusei Yatsura to go out of print on 30-September-2011

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce that we will be unable to renew our license for Urusei Yatsura. We will be unable to accept orders after the 30th of September, 2011, and individual DVDs will almost certainly become unavailable before that date as our stocks become exhausted.

So if you've always been meaning to complete your collection of UY, now is the time."


Of course, UY has actually been out of print since about 2006, it's just that there are so many DVD's still left in the supply chain it's remained available. We've had it on 'discontinued' status for a long time, but we certainly still have plenty of them left in our warehouse, and so does AnimEigo, which I imagine is the motivation behind this big announcement. AnimEigo won't be renewing any of their old Anime licenses once they come due, and no one else is going to pick them up afterwards.

Still, the permanent retiring of the UY franchise ends an era. AnimEigo, a flagship company in the early days, no longer does Anime releases (Yawara! was the last Anime title they did), but they are still hanging around doing a Live Action flick from time to time. It's a little sad really, but the sort of titles that AnimEigo published no longer appeal to today's Anime fan. In fact, I doubt there are many younger fans that even know what 'linear notes' are as related to Anime, or care. Most everything AnimEigo did used to have those. They were truly the 'class act' of the Anime business.

Average Transit Times - Various Postal Delivery Methods

I was looking over some of our aggregate delivery statistics for the last 30 days and wanted to give you a glimpse of what delivery time averages look like taken over a couple thousand shipments.

Here are the time in transit averages for RACS packages to all destinations:


This sample represents about 1,760 postal shipments made over the past 30 days from our warehouse in Winchester, VA. Not bad really considering all the recent weather events we've had. The anomalous 'maximum' packages, which are less than 1%, are probably stuff that got stuck during one of the big snow storms in January. Those parcels can be delayed by other things too, like when a customer gives us an incomplete address, so it's not always the post office's fault.

The 'International' tab reflects Airmail and Air Parcel Post shipments. 6-9 days is pretty good, but not quite as good as the Post Office would have you believe. This is why we recommend FedEx International, which is 1-3 days and is fully trackable.

'Priority Mail', billed as a 2-3 day service by the post office, is not actually quite that good, with 'First Class' mail actually having a slightly better time in transit ratio. This is why we use first class mail for all postal shipments under 16 ounces. When the post office is concerned, you don't always get what you pay for.

'Package Services' covers the mail classes we frequently use for economy and super saver shipments. As you can see our super saver shipping option, free over $50, is an awfully good value proposition as far as time in transit is concerned. Often the difference between 'free' super saver and $12 or $14 for Priority Mail ends up being only 1 or 2 days in transit. Of course, that's all the difference if you are ordering on Wednesday and want the stuff for the weekend, isn't it? :-)

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Rurouni Kenshin Complete TV DVD Box (Eps #1-95) - Back in Stock at Last!

After being sold out since last fall, we FINALLY got a small shipment of the complete Rurouni Kenshin TV Series DVD sets in from Media Blasters today.

This is the BIG 22 DVD set that has all 3 TV season boxes inside it's own paper box sleeve. It covers all 95 episodes of the Kenshin TV series.

We only got a small shipment of these, and who knows when (or if) we'll get anymore, so get em while they last!

Funimation Lowers the Price of the Evangelion 1.11 Movie DVD & BD

Funimation has reduced the MSRP on the Evangelion 1.11 Movie DVD & BD today:

Neon Genesis Evangelion 1.11 You Are [Not] Alone Movie DVD (SE) - Now $19.98 MSRP
Neon Genesis Evangelion 1.11 You Are [Not] Alone Movie DVD (BLURAY) - Now $24.98 MSRP

We have lowered our regular price for these to $14.98 and $16.98 respectively.

Both are in stock and shipping at the new price today!

Funimation Pushes Rosario (Again) and the Season 1 Soul Eater DVD/BD

I'll be glad when I get to stop reporting date pushes for Rosario - they seem to be coming every 3 or 4 days now. Here's the changes they sent over today:

Rosario+Vampire Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) - Aug 30 to Sep 27
Rosario+Vampire Capu2 (Season 2) Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26)
 - Aug 30 to Sep 27
Soul Eater Collection Season 1 Complete DVD Box (Eps #1-26) - Apr 12 to May 24
Soul Eater Collection Season 1 Complete DVD Box (Eps #1-26) (BLURAY)
 - Apr 12 to May 24

Sorry folks, I'm just the messenger.

Monday, February 07, 2011

The Only Way To Fly

Now this is my idea of air travel:


Who will be first to guess the characters correctly in order from left to right? :-)

Now where do I buy my ticket??...  (hat tip to Sean for sending)

GETTING SOCIAL WITH RACS IS EASIER THAN EVER!

Just FYI folks, we've made it easier than ever to get social with RACS! You can use the following easy to remember links to find us on Twitter, Facebook, or our official blog:

To find us on FACEBOOK just use:
www.animecorner.com/facebook

To follow our TWITTER feed just use:
www.animecorner.com/twitter

And of course, you can find our official BLOG anytime at this address:
www.animecorner.com/blog

Be sure to share these links with your friends too - THANKS!

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Tron Legacy Coming as a 3D BD / BD / DVD / DC Package - Wow!

Just as a follow up for my recent post about Tron Legacy, they have finally announced the DVD / BD release for April 5th (I think).

I've been curious as to how this big Hollywood release was going to be packaged, and the great minds at Disney's media sales division have not disappointed us - at least in their creativity for taking our money.

It looks like we will have 5 choices:

Tron Legacy DVD - $29.99 MSRP

Tron: Legacy (Two-Disc BD Blu-ray/DVD Combo) - $39.99 MSRP

Tron: Legacy (Four-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy) - $49.99 MSRP

Tron: Legacy (Five-Disc Combo Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy + Tron: The Original Classic Special Edition Blu-ray) - $79.99 MSRP

Tron: Legacy Limited Edition (Five-Disc Combo Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy + Tron: The Original Classic Special Edition Blu-ray) - $99.99 MSRP

Wow. And some fans complain that Anime releases are too expensive?! OK, let's see - regular DVD @ $30 bucks, then the lowest price economy BD/DVD option @ $40 MSRP. Then we have a 4 disk pack that includes every conceivable version someone might need @ $50 bucks MSRP. The next step adds in a very desirable BD version of the original Tron movie - but @ $80 bucks MSRP (about the same price as buying it seperately), and then finally we can choose the glorious 'Limited Edition' version in special packaging for $100 bucks MSRP.

OK, they've already fleeced $34 out of us to see it in 3D at the theater, and another $8 for the excellent Daft Punk soundtrack. So am I going to pay up again and buy it on BluRay? Of course I am. Now must... resist... buying... 3D TV set... ugggggg!

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Funimation Changes Date (Again) for Rosario / YuYu Hakusho BD

Ugggg, what can I say? Today we heard that Funi is moving Rosario out even further on the release schedule. Here are the date changes they announced today:

Rosario+Vampire Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) - Jul 19th to Aug 30th
Rosario+Vampire Capu2 (Season 2) Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26)
- Jul 19th to Aug 30th
Yu Yu Hakusho Season 1 Box (Eps #1-28) (BLURAY) (Classic Collection)
- Apr 26th to May 30th

It seems like the release date for Rosario has become the ultimate moving target. In the last 45 days it has moved from Mar 29th to May 19th to Jul 19th and now to Aug 30th. Seriously folks, I hope this is the last change because if it moves out any further the light from it alone will take millions of years to reach us...

Funimation Lowers the Price of Claymore on BD & the Dragon Ball S1 Set

Funimation has reduced the MSRP on the Claymore BluRay Collection and the first Season DragonBall box today:

Claymore Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) (BLURAY) now $54.98 MSRP
Dragon Ball Season 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-31) (Uncut) Now $34.98 MSRP

We have lowered our regular price for these to $38.98 and $24.98 respectively. Both are in stock and shipping at the new price today!

My World - Focus

Some things you can change, and some you can't. Some activities are productive, and some aren't. In times like these Focus is really, REALLY important.


In the Anime business, unlike most other businesses, we have the unenviable task of having to compete with 'free'. So you have to focus like a laser beam on what works.

This goes a long way to explain why we do some things, and don't do others. Sometimes we just don't have the luxury.

Weather Alert - Expect Time in Transit Delays

We have managed to dodge the bullet so far here are RACS HQ with only ice out of this last big winter storm, and it has not effected our daily operations too much. In fact the problem hasn't really been getting orders out, as much as getting new stuff in from the vendors. For example, even though Funi is in Texas, all their product ships out of Navarre's warehouse in Minnesota. Think about that.

Anyway, because so much of the country is getting slammed by so much snow, ice, and blizzard conditions, especially to the North and West of us, I thought I'd better post a little something about it. So here it is:

Due to severe winter conditions in the Mid-West and North East region of the US, some delays may be expected during the usual in transit time of your orders. Please allow extra time for the delivery of your orders, even if you live in an area not effected by the winter storms. Because of the scope and extent of the storms, it's likely that freight schedules will be effected nationwide.