AKIRA 4K BLURAY Replacement Program

Funimation has announced it is offering disc replacements for its release of the 4K remaster of the Akira anime film. Owners of the December 22 release of the Blu-ray Disc will receive the HDR (High Dynamic Range) Limited Edition version of the disc releasing in February 2021 free of charge. The December 22 release featured SDR (Standard Dynamic Range).

 

Owners of the older release can email Funimation for a replacement at akira4kreplacement@funimation.com for the United States and Canada and akira4kreplacementUK@funimation.com for the United Kingdom and Ireland with their details and a receipt of their purchase. The company details the method to request a replacement on its website.

Funimation Delays Ben-To Until Further Notice

As announced in last Fridays newsletter, Funimation has delayed the release of Ben-To (originally scheduled for July) until further notice with a new date TBA:

"We have realized that there are inconsistencies associated with the materials used to create the release. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause fans who are eager to see this series, but we want to ensure that the product we are releasing is to the highest standard that our fans expect. We will provide a new release date once it becomes available."

We're going to continue to leave the title up for pre-order with a TBA date, and we're also going to keep all existing pre-orders open for it for now, but I just wanted to let everyone know that the inside word is that Ben-To is now unlikely to be released this year, so please don't add it to a new order with other stuff as a hold expecting it to be circling back around in a couple of months.

And as always, if you already have an order in for it and want to make a change, just drop us a line and let us know.

Gatchaman BD Set - Unboxing

We have both the BD and the DVD sets in stock and available now !

Media Blasters Delays Release of Rio: Rainbow Gate into 2014

We finally got an official update from Media Blaster's distributor on the DVD release of Rio: Rainbow Gate. Looks like they are going to have to push it into 2014:

"Rio: Rainbow Gate was delayed due to manufacturing...originally a Sept street.  The title will be moved to '14 street tbd...but probably in 1st qtr."

So just FYI everyone, we're looking at an early 2014 release date now - probably sometime in the 1st quarter - to be announced at a later date. If any of you have a copy on pre-order with us and want to make a change in that order, just drop us a line.

NISA Offers Replacement for Daily Lives of High School Boys BD Vol #1

NISA has informed us of a slight defect that has come to their attention in the first pressing of the Daily Lives of High School Boys Premium Edition set.

It seems that the initial pressing of Episode #8 on BD Disk #1 has a small artifact that appears on the screen, and NISA wants to replace the disk for anyone who has a set with a disk asset ID of DLH1-BRD-US-DSC-1 on the first BD disk of the set.

See picture below for location of the asset ID on the disk.

If you currently have a Daily Lives of High School Boys premium edition and would like for them to send you a replacement disk, just click here and fill out the request form.

They expect the fixed disks to begin shipping out in around two or three weeks.

By the way, this is the correct way for a studio to handle a pressing or production problem (nudge nudge 'Funi' nudge nudge) ...

Funimation to Replace Edited Sankarea Discs on Request

Ahhh, a little SNAFU to report this fine Monday morning...

Apparently all of the Sankarea: Undying Love DVD/BD sets were done from masters that contained the Japanese edited broadcast version instead of the uncensored home video release version. This applies to both the DVD and BD disks in both the Limited and Standard edition boxes.

Funimation will replace the disks for any customers who want the uncensored home video version - which I imagine will be around 100% of us:

In regard to the release of the Sankarea DVD and Blu-ray content, FUNimation had originally released this set with the materials provided to us. We will be receiving additional home video masters. Customers who wish to receive the unedited version may do so by emailing sankareareturns@funimation.com along with a copy of your original receipt, and a physical mailing address (no PO Boxes please). Once the replacement discs are authored we will begin to process your request. Thank You.

Please don't ask me how something like this can happen. I assume the masters they got from Japan were the edited versions and no one at Funi noticed during the mastering process for the English release. Truly a face/palm moment for them I think.Also, at this point it looks as if we are supposed to continue to ship the version we have, and that anyone who wants the other will have to request it. I'm on with them now for clarification on that.

I'm not sure how long it will take for them to start shipping replacements , but if you have bought a set go ahead and shoot them your info so they can get you new disks out once they are ready.

UPDATE: As of Oct 1st, Funimation has officially recalled all remaining retailer copies of the Sankarea: Undying Love DVD/BD sets. We have pulled the title and it will be unavailable for order until further notice. If you have already gotten a set, please use the email above to request replacement disks from Funimation directly.

UPDATE 2: OK, today (Oct 2nd) our rep at Funi sent me an e-mail telling us that Funi is NOT handling the replacements for Sankarea: Undying Love DVD/BD sets directly and that customers will need to go to the retailer they purchased the set from to obtain replacement disks. So, if you already have a set from RACS and want your disks replaced, PLEASE E-MAIL US directly. We do not know at this point when the new disks will be available, only that a fixed version of Sankarea will be rescheduled for release later this year.

And yes, I think them laying off the time, effort, and customer service overhead onto the retailers for doing the replacements is pretty crappy, even if they do reimburse us for the costs. ~sigh~

NISA Reduces the Price for Our Home's Fox Deity

NISA sent over a note this afternoon letting us know that as of today they have reduced the price for their standard edition DVD release of Our Home's Fox Deity by 25% to $29.98 MSRP per disk:

Our Home's Fox Deity (Wagaya no Oinarisama) Standard Edition DVD Set #1 (Eps #1-12) NIS-011714

Our Home's Fox Deity (Wagaya no Oinarisama) Standard Edition DVD Set #2 (Eps #13-24) NIS-011721

We have reduced our regular price for the sets accordingly and they will begin shipping at the new lower price today.

Umineko: When They Cry Premium Edition Box Art Posted

NIS has finally gotten their art posted for the upcoming Umineko: When They Cry Premium Edition sets.

Here's what they will look like:

Both sets are due to street on December 4th.

Funimation Reduces the Price for Toriko

One day after sending out their January schedule, Funimation sent over an update to let us know that they have changed the price for the first Toroki boxed set.

The original MSRP was $64.98, but the new MSRP is now $39.98. Quite a price drop. We've reduced our pre-order price accordingly to $26.98:

Toriko Collection Part #1 DVD (Eps #1-13)

Since we just got it posted to the site last night I don't think there were any pre-orders that had come in before we changed the price this morning - but if there are we will automatically change your order to the new price. Not sure what happened there, but I guess Funi just had the wrong price on it in the original retailer mailer.

Upcoming Lain BD to be Native HD , Not an Upscale

A lot of people have been asking if the upcoming Lain BD from Funimation is going to be a native master or an upscale. I asked the product manager in Houston, and he gave us some good news this morning:

"We've been getting a lot of questions about the Lain Blu-ray, it's not an up-res, it is native HD. They actually went back and remastered the whole series, we even have a 24 page restoration booklet (along with a 320 page artbook) included with our release."

So the upcoming Lain set will indeed be Native HD. Sweetness! Bet you're glad you didn't pay $400 for the Japanese BD box... :-)

The set is due to street on November 13th.

Strike Witches 2 Scheduled / Bunny Drop Premium Sold Out

I've got two announcements to pass on to you this afternoon before we cut out of here for the weekend:

1) Funimation sent us a note letting us know that they are finally re-scheduling the Strike Witches 2 BD/DVD set. It's being added to the October schedule and is now setup to street Oct 2nd. At last! And yes, it will remain a DVD/BD combo set.

2) Just a heads up. NIS just sent over a note to let us know that the upcoming Bunny Drop Premium set is, after filling all retailer pre-orders, completely sold out at wholesale. We will be getting 100% of what we pre-ordered, but will not be able to get anymore after that in until September. This has been the most heavily pre-ordered title for us so far this year, and we currently have about 65% of our allocation already booked out to customers. The sets are on the way to us now and will arrive Monday or Tuesday, so if you haven't gotten one yet get your order in soon or you'll end up having to wait until September.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Persona 4 BD Succumbs to Irrational Japanese Re-importation Fears

We learned today that Sentai's September BD release of Persona 4 is the latest North American release to succumb to paranoid Japanese re-importation fears:

Sentai Filmworks has announced that its upcoming Blu-ray Disc release of the Persona 4 The Animation television anime series will include an English language dub but will not include the original Japanese language track. The company noted that the Japanese licensor required the change. The DVD release will still contain both English and Japanese audio tracks, and it will also include Japanese episode commentaries.

Sentai Filmworks has repriced the Blu-ray Disc release of Persona 4 Collection 1 to US$59.98 from the original price of US$69.98 to reflect the change. The price for the DVD release is unchanged.

Sentai Filmworks also noted that its release of the series is licensed for sale and use in the United States and Canada only; exportation of the release is prohibited. The company is using the original English voice cast from the Persona 4 PlayStation 2 video game for the English dub of the anime.

So in exchange for losing the Japanese track, the BD was reduced in price by $10 bucks and is now the same price as the DVD version which will still have both language tracks. ~sigh~

We have reduced our regular pre-order price of the BD to $39.98, and all existing pre-orders will automatically reflect this price reduction. If you already have this title on pre-order and want to make a change, just let us know.

Neurowear Necomimi Cat Ears - On The Way!

After pursuing the folks at Neurowear for almost a year to get their new Necomimi Cat Ears imported to the states, I'm happy to announce that our first shipment of the official North American version is on the way and will be in stock in a few days!

You can order your pair right here and we'll ship them as soon as they arrive next week!

Features:
• Move the ears with your emotions.
• Choose ears that fit your style.
• Based on safe brainwave tech.
• Easy to wear and simple to use.
• Totally safe! Only two light-touch sensors on your forehead and ear.

Details:
• 4 AAA batteries (not included)
• Ages 14+
• 10 oz.
• Conceived in Tokyo
• Designed in Silicon Valley
 
I have had a sample pair of these ears for a couple of months and I have to tell you that they really do work, though there is a 'break' in period while you get used to getting them to do what you want.

 
 
Many thanks to YouTube user 'twunks' for her most excellent review of the ears that she picked up at Fanime!

RACS is going to be a stocking dealer for Neurowear, and while the current white/pink model are the first ones they are going to make available, a black version will begin shipping later this summer as well as more styles to follow later this year. They are great fun! :-)
 
 

Current Anime BD Releases w/ Locked Subtitles

Each Japanese anime producer it seems has a different strategy regarding how to reduce BD re-imports and protect their market in Japan. Kadokawa's answer to the problem is apparently to prevent international BD releases all together. Other companies, most notably AniPlex (our personal favorite), are forcing their international license partners to lock the subtitles on BD releases as a way to make those releases less desirable to Japanese fans.

'Locked' subtitles, by the way, is when the subtitles display automatically on the Japanese dialog track and there is no option to disable them. Most people, I think, probably never notice this, but when someone does it's almost always an issue.

But since a few people have asked me recently, I thought I would post a list of current BLURAY releases that I am aware of that have 'locked' subtitles on the Japanese language track:

Arakawa Under the Bridge and Bridge x Bridge
Black Butler S1 and S2
Blood: The Last Vampire
Darker than BLACK S2
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Series and OVA
FMA: Conqueror of Shambala Movie
FMA: Sacred Star of Milos Movie
Katanagatari Part 1 and Part 2
Princess Jellyfish
Sekirei and Sekirei 2: Pure Engagement
Shiki Part 1 and Part 2

Again, remember this only applies to the BD version of these titles.

Also, the upcoming NIS release of Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up should be included in this list once it streets in September. I would like to note that NIS has always been upfront with fans about this issue, while Funimation, well, not so much. For Funi's stuff, even I usually don't know for sure until the title actually comes out.

If you know of any that I missed, please post them here and I'll add them to the list.

NIS Changes Kimi ni Todoke to DVD/BD Combo Set, Delays Release to January

NIS sent over an update package this morning to let us know that they have decided (in a rather last minute decision) to change the upcoming premium edition release of Kimi Ni Todoke from a DVD set to a DVD/BD combo set. This is great news! We also have new box art - see below.

The bad news is that this means the release of this set is being pushed back from Oct 25th, 2011 to Jan 10th, 2012. The other bad news is that NIS is increasing the MSRP on the set from $59.98 to $69.98. This means we had to raise our pre-order price to $48.98, which leaves us in a bit of a pickle - the $10 increase puts our new cost slightly over the old street price we were selling it for.

I have e-mailed NIS to see if they would offer us price protection against the pre-orders we've already booked. This would allow us to honor the old $44.98 price for existing pre-orders that have already been placed. If they do not, we'll have to either get approval for the price increase from everyone who has already pre-ordered or cancel those orders. Once I hear back from NIS I'll post back here regarding what we are going to do.

PRE-ORDER UPDATE: The folks at NIS have been kind enough to put a deal together for us that will allow us to share the cost of the price increase and thus keep everyone's existing pre-order for Kimi Ni Todoke booked at the original price of $44.98. So all 'existing' pre-orders for this release will automatically be upgraded to the new DVD/BD combo set at no additional cost. Thanks Mitsu! :-) New pre-orders will be offered at the slightly higher price of $48.98 based on the new higher MSRP.

Kanokon TV Series DVD - Back In Stock at Last!

Just an FYI to everyone today - both the Kanokon TV Series DVD and the Kanokon OVA DVD are now back in stock. The OVA was only out of stock for a couple of weeks, but the TV series DVD (in typical Media Blasters fashion) has been on hiatus and out of stock since May.

Just a hat tip to everyone who has been waiting several weeks for being so patient. Thanks! All backorders are in the process of shipping now and will be completed tomorrow, so if you have been waiting your copy should be in your mailbox in a few days.

Wagnaria Premium Edition DVD Boxed Set Final Pressing - On It's Way!

Just a heads up everyone! After several irritating delays from NIS, the final batch of Wagnaria Premium Collections are now complete and have shipped to us from the NIS pressing plant in Georgia. Transit time to us from there is about 2-3 business days.

So the trucking company should have them on our dock tomorrow or Thursday, and we will immediately begin filling all those backorders for the sets as soon as they arrive and are unloaded. Since just about all the Wagnaria backorders have already been pre-processed here at our warehouse, our shipping staff should be able to turn the entire batch around in one day.

So don't despair, your Wagnaria box will be in your hands before you know it! And if you had previously gotten inpatient and canceled your order or have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for them to come in, we do have a few left out of this batch that are not yet spoken for, so get your order in ASAP before they sell out completely!

UPDATE (6/14 Afternoon): Our shipment has arrived and we will commence shipping backorders immediately to hopefully be completed by close of business tomorrow.

Hey Nice Package! - Ga-Rei-Zero Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack

Packaging preview of Funi's new Ga-Rei-Zero - Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack:

Hey Nice Package! - DBZ Kai Part 4 & Black Butler S1 Part 2

The folks at Funi finally got around to putting together a preview of the new DBZ Kai Vol #4 and the 2nd Half of Black Butler:

NIS America Offer Replacements for Fox Deity #2 Box Art

NIS America announced a replacement program today for the less than perfect box art that came on the 2nd Our Home's Fox Deity (Wagaya no Oinarisama) Premium DVD box (NIS-011134). They blamed a 'manufacturing error' for the less than pristine box art image quality on the premium collectors box. The box contents and DVD's themselves (nothing wrong with the actual DVD's) are not effected by this, only the box art.

If you have purchased this set and would like a reprinted art box at no cost, just fill out NIS's replacement form here. NIS says the reprinted boxes will be available to ship to customers who want them in about 4-6 weeks.