Yeesh, I couldn't allow a whole month to go without noting some kind of anime-related content! Especially not one as massive as this...
:Fri.04.18.08: Bandai Ent. Begins Its Licensing Spree...
Bandai Ent. had been flying under the radar somewhat for most of the year, doing nothing terribly unusual, until Friday, April 18, when a cryptic webpage appeared on their site talking about "Nebula Project 2008" and a "new era" coming, along with a timeline of the distributor's title licenses and accomplishments over the years. As it is their tenth anniversary, this sort of celebration might have been expected, but what wasn't was the parade of surprises announced at two conventions that weekend and its website via a few well done slideshows. Gundam 00 was picked up [Link 1] [Link 2] (no surprise given that it's Gundam and it was a pretty popular series, though great news nonetheless), but afterwards, Gurren-Lagann was announced [Link 1] [Link 2] [Link 3] to the shock of many. It was originally an ADV Film's license, but recent troubles at the company (it disappeared from their release schedule along with other shows, but unlike most of those, it was never relisted), and eagerness to get the show to the fans in reasonable time, led to Bandai Ent. scoring a major coup. It and Aniplex, the show's producers, aim to quickly release G-L in a rather unorthodox, though certainly pleasing, fashion, with a three-part, no-frills, sub-only release over the summer and early fall ($29.98) and a bells-and-whistles dual-language release at the beginning of 2009. Another surprise came in the form of the movie Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence [Link 1] [Link 2], formerly released in horrible fashion by Go Fish Pictures (Closed Captioning in place of subtitles, no English dub, hideous cover art). Nearly completing the GITS animated franchise under their belt (the first film belonging to movie producer and TV series' co-licensor Manga Ent.), the film will not only see a more proper release on DVD, but it will also serve as Bandai Ent.'s first Blu-ray release. And as further proof of the shift in DVD distribution tactics across the industry, Code Geass will be seeing a three-tier style release: a special limited edition that will contain the first two DVDs, a season box, and the first volumes of the manga, soundtrack and sound drama ($79.99); a bundle with just the first two DVD volumes ($39.98); and the usual individual volume release (at $24.98) (Ghost Slayers Ayashi will also see a similar release style).
With more news on the horizon, as claimed in the site's source code (a la Haruhi Suzumiya) with an equally cryptic sci-fi-ish "story" going on (Geneon license rescue?), it is suffice to say that Bandai Ent. is certainly ruling the year of 2008 so far. The G-L release format and CG's own will undoubtedly make them a great deal of money, especially with the very nice prices attached (the former will most likely see a lot of double-dippers and the latter has a very attractive value pack that will go over well with the show's many fans). I'm very glad to see Innocence getting a rightful release (in both disc formats, no less--it will surely look spectacular in hi-def), though I hope they choose a better cover then what Go Fish had. Curiously, both it and G-L will be getting new dubs, despite one existing from the international release of Innocence (which, even more oddly, will be re-acted the same cast for the new U.S. release) and an incomplete dub done by ADV for G-L (the new dub cast is unknown at this time). Ayashi getting the CG treatment is puzzling, though, considering how poorly it did in Japan (originally for 50 episodes, cut down to 25) and how little an impact it had with U.S. fans (I suppose it probably has to do with a deal they have with BONES, who did the series). It would be great to see Gundam 00 get that sort of release, on the other hand.
Bandai Ent.'s just getting rolling with their big anniversary plans. Signals from their site code (which at times appears to be watching some of the forums, like AnimeOnDVD.com's, for reactions and kicks) indicates that the next show(s) may be beginning with an "H" (going the Geneon route: Hellsing Ultimate? Higurashi no Naku Koroni--aka "When They Cry"?). Personally, I'd really like to see them go down to the letter "M", as a Macross Zero or Frontier licensing would be music to my ears. Also, it would be great if Anime Village left its long-stated "transition period" and relaunch its BandaiChannel-esque video streaming service. Regardless, there will sure to be fun times to be had from the company throughout the year...
—One of a -very- few blogs that discusses about anime, boxing, and a little bit of randomness…
No comments:
Post a Comment