More Funimation Delays

I told you that I thought Funi's February and March original release schedules were WAY to optimistic given the current economic environment, and it seems I was right because that schedule continues to come apart. Today we got word that four February releases have been jettisoned all the way up into the April schedule.

Here's the changes:

One Piece Season 3 Part 5 DVD Boxed Set (Uncut) - Feb 15 to Apr 19
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Anime) - Feb 22 to Apr 26
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Anime) (BLURAY) - Feb 22 to Apr 26
Dragon Ball Z Dragonbox DVD Set #5 - Feb 22 to Apr 26

Remember that Chobits had already been delayed once before (Feb 1 to Feb 22), so that makes a total delay (so far) of 3 months from it's original planned date. And these probably won't be the last. I think some of Funi's March releases will also ultimately end up as April or May or June releases too, and I hate to say it, but they probably should. While the other studios are still cutting back, Funi can't start dumping so much product on this market so fast - it simply can't absorb it and will only result in lower sales numbers for everything as too little fan money starts chasing too many releases.

Anyway, we'll find out over the next few weeks if anything else gets rescheduled.

Holiday Wishes

All of us here at the Anime Corner wish all of you a very happy holiday,
a wonderful and meaningful time with family and friends,
and a 2011 full of blessings, fulfillment and happiness.

How To Wrap A Cat For Christmas

We Never Get a Break Do We? [UPDATED]

Well, we were all set and caught up and ready to break for Christmas today, and then a truck showed up around 3pm with 3 pallets of new import figures. This shipment wasn't supposed to get here for another week, but I guess they expedited it out to us so they could get it off their books before year end - but dumping so much new stuff on us the day before Christmas Eve is really not cool. Yeah, they do it every year, but still...

Anyway, we're cutting off holiday shipping now since the UPS and FedEx trucks have now come and gone. We've done everything we could to get everyones stuff to them on time. We're all pretty tired, but still I think we'll probably work late into the night to try to get this shipment sorted out so we can take tomorrow off.

Now I better get some dinner ordered for everyone. Welcome to the Anime business! :-)

UPDATE (9 Hours Later): Post complete - I think it was worth it! That's it for us, Merry Christmas everyone, have a great holiday weekend and we'll see you on Monday!

Christmas Gifts

Hey, the crew over at Funimation sent me a box of their famous El Fenix's hot sauce and margarita mix for Christmas.

Those devils, how did they know I needed that?! -_^

Thanks Guys! But we'll finish shipping Christmas orders before we indulge... :-)

SAVE AT LEAST 20% OFF ALL IN STOCK FIGURES & TOYS THRU DEC 23rd!

Cash in with Holiday savings of at least 20% off our ENTIRE INVENTORY of In Stock Anime Figures and Toys! We've got more than 800 items IN STOCK to choose from, but the sale is valid only through midnight Dec 23rd - so don't miss out!

NO COUPON CODE NECESSARY

Be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to load up on some of those Anime figurines you've had your eye on! US customers can combine this offer with our super saver shipping option to save even more scratch!

Note: Valid for new orders of IN STOCK figures & toys only.
Offer expires at midnight EST on December 23rd, so get your orders in ASAP!

Condomania

In Japan, 'Condomania' is not about a speculative bubble in lower cost housing...


HEH. Hat tip to Sean for sending!

Solstice Lunar Eclipse - Begins at 1:33AM (EST)

Off topic, but if you're up, don't forget the step outside tonight to see the Solstice Lunar Eclipse. It's the first solstice eclipse in 456 years, and will be the only one that happens in our life times.

Per Nasa: The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST). At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes.

Just remember to dress warm!

Slight SNAFU With Postal Tracking for Holiday Shipments

I just want to make everyone aware of a problem with postal tracking that isn't really a problem, but has been a cause of concern for folks that are getting nervous about the shipping of their holiday orders.

The postal folks at our local sort center here in Winchester, VA are so busy (or so under staffed) this year that some of our parcels are coming off our truck and going right into local sort and loaded into outgoing trailers without getting scanned. Since the post office really only offers 'delivery confirmation' anyway instead of real tracking, it's OK for them to skip this step to save time when they have to, but it does mean that some of our tracking numbers for priority mail and standard mail shipments will come up as 'invalid' online even though we've shipped them out. I expect this to continue through next week, so don't be too concerned if you get a shipping confirmation from us and the postal tracker shows 'invalid' for a couple of days.

Don't worry, we really did ship it (every shipment here goes on the truck the day the tracking number is generated), it's on the way, and it will pop up in the Postal Service's tracking system the first time it gets scanned somewhere in route - or when it gets delivered, which ever comes first.

Inside a Japanese Brothel

Pictures of some of the various fetish rooms in a Japanese brothel.

Come on, you know you want to look...

Is There Anything They Can't Do?

Japanese Water Fountain:

Customer Comment

A recent comment from one of our customers that ties into that little Amazon post I made awhile back:

To whom it may concern,

I recently purchased the 2008 Naruto manga box set from your store on amazon, and I just wanted to write to let you know how impressed I am by the care and professionalism displayed by your business. I was very pleased with the speed at which my order was processed and delivered; and just as your description read, the set was in mint condition still with original shrink wrap around it. Even before I opened it it was clear just from the way it was packed that great care was taken to insure my order was properly protected. But what really made the difference to me (as simple a thing as it may be) was the fragile handle with care sticker on the box. Something I'm sure wouldn't be there if I had received this same package from amazon directly. It's small things like that that matter to me, and distinguish the difference between a vendor who is simply going through the motions to make a profit, and one who genuinely cares about their customers. So on summation I say thank you for your consummate professionalism. It was truly a pleasure doing business with you and I will most definitely look to do business with your store again in the future.

Sincerely,
Dean D.

Thank you very much Dean, and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

RACS HOLIDAY SEASON SALE - EXTENDED!!

By popular demand, we're celebrating the final shopping days of this years holiday season with great savings - now for 3 additional days! So you can continue to save up to an additional 10% off any combination of IN STOCK items listed on the store - now through Monday, December 20th!

To save 5% off any IN STOCK order (no minimum) just use the following coupon during checkout:

HOLIDAYSEASON-SAVE5

To save 10% off any IN STOCK order over $250 just use the following coupon during checkout:

HOLIDAYSEASON-SAVE10

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

Note: Valid for new orders of IN STOCK items only.
Coupon codes expire at midnight EST on December 20th so get your orders in ASAP!

Have Yourself An Elvish Christmas!

Long time RACS customer Janet, aka Ðrusilla, sends us Christmas wishes with Elvish pictures!

She writes:

"Hey guys! For all your hard work and dedication, I just wanted to wish you all a safe and happy holiday and put a smile on your face! I've attached some pictures of me dressed as an elf, which I've been wearing to work this season (I work in a grocery store).Can you believe I've actually had grown adults ask me if my ears are real?? XD Hilarious! Happy Holidays to all of you, and I look forward to getting more of my anime goodness from you in the New Year! -Janet"

I believe it - those excellent ears certainly get my attention! :-)

Thank you so much Janet! Keep up the good work, and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

PS: Janet got her ears here, and the ultra cool contact lenses here.

Evangelion 2.0 You Can [Not] Advance US Theatrical Schedule

Cinema Asia Releasing, Eleven Arts and Funimation have announced the release schedule of the second of the Evangelion film series in the U.S. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can [Not] Advance opens on January 21, 2010 while there are a few exceptions.

Some theaters will also show the first chapter, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone, prior to the release of the second feature.

The current confirmed schedule includes:

2011/1/19 1 day TX, Austin Alamo Lake Creek
2011/1/21 2 days AK, Anchorage Bear Tooth Theatre
2011/1/21 1 week AZ, Phoenix, Tempe Valley Art Theatre
2011/1/21 1 week CA, San Francisco New People
2011/1/21 1 week CO, Denver Denver Film Center/Colfax
2011/1/21 2 days FL, Tampa Bay Clearwater Cinema Café
2011/1/21 1 week GA, Atlanta Plaza Atlanta
2011/1/21 1 week HI, Maui Maui Mall Megaplex Cinemas 12
2011/1/21 3 days IN, Indianapolis Georgetown 14 Cinemas
2011/1/21 1 week MO, Kansas City Screenland Crossroads
2011/1/21 1 week NC, Greensboro Carousel Luxury Cinemas
2011/1/21 2 days NM, Albuquerque The Guild Cinema
2011/1/21 1 week NY, New York Big Cinemas Manhattan
2011/1/21 1 week TX, Dallas/Fort Worth Southlake 14
2011/1/21 1 week WA, Seattle Grand Illusion Cinema
2011/1/28 1 week CA, Los Angeles Downtown Independent
2011/1/28 1 week OR, Portland Living Room Theatre
2011/2/8 4 days HI, Honolulu Doris Duke Theatre
2011/3/18 2 days OK, Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Museum of Art

A few more theaters will be added shortly, and Canadian release locations will be announced in January. The film will be released on DVD and BD in March.

Funimation Lowers the Price on the Trinity Blood BD & Love and Honor

Funimation has reduced the MSRP on both the Trinity Blood BD set and the Love and Honor Live Action film.

Trinity Blood Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (BLURAY) - From $69.98 to $49.98
Love and Honor DVD (Live Action) - From $24.98 to $14.98

We have lowered our regular price of the Trinity Blood BD to just $34.98, and the Love and Honor movie to just $10.98. Both are in stock and shipping today at the new price!

Queens Blade 3 Could Arrive Next Week... Maybe

As Allegro continues to get ramped up as Media Blasters new distributor to retailers, we've been working with them to try to get ETA's on come of these long time backordered MB titles. I was told today that old catalog inventory continues to arrive in their warehouse daily from Media Blasters, and will probably continue to do so for several weeks, so they are filling backorders as inventory becomes available.

Anyway, I was told today (by Mr. Anonymous) that Queens Blade 3 'might' be arriving at Allegro's warehouse shortly and 'might' even be arriving here as early as next week. Now, I take these Media Blasters things with a grain of salt these day, but maybe - just maybe, we might be shipping QB 3 before Christmas. Stay tuned...

Every Anime OP Ever Made in Four Minutes

Well, almost...


Derek Lieu clearly has too much spare time on his hands...

Bandai Announces February 2011 Releases

Bandai has given us their spectacular February 2011 release schedule, and we now have it available on the store site for pre-order.

Ready - well, hold onto your hats, because here's what's coming:

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Anime Legends)

Hope you were sitting down.

In addition to the one new release, they have also bumped the release of My-Otome 0 ~S.fir~ DVD from January 4th back to January 18th.

That's all for now.

Funimation Discontinues Several former Geneon Titles

Funimation just sent over a grocery list of discontinued items, all former Geneon licenses. The following have been discontinued as of December 10th and are now limited to stock on hand:

Black Lagoon Season 1 & 2 Complete DVD Boxed Set GN-08318
Ergo Proxy Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Re-Release) GN-08662
Gungrave Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) GN-08653
Hellsing Ultimate (All regular and LE volumes)
Kamichu Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) GN-08441
Karin (Chibi Vampire) Complete DVD Boxed Set GN-08741
Kyo Kara Maoh Season 1 Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-39) GN-08665
Kyo Kara Maoh!, Season 2, Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #40-78) GN-08664
Law of Ueki Complete Series Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-51) GN-08301
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) GN-08697
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) (Eps #1-13) GN-08557
Paradise Kiss Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set GN-08692
Rozen Maiden + Traumend Season 1 & 2 Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set GN-08744
Shana (Shakugan no Shana) Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) FN-08355
Tales of Phantasia DVD GN-08551
The Familiar of Zero DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) (S.A.V.E. Edition) GN-08695
Story of Saiunkoku Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) GN-08693
When They Cry: Higurashi, Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set GN-08743

Some of these will probably be brought back later under Funi's new 'Classics' label, but will likely end up being sold out and unavailable for an extended period of time between when these sell out and any are re-issued.