Funimation Panel
Adam Sheehan presided over this panel, and very quickly mentioned…
The anime industry is in a state of flux, not a downward spiral. There is a lull in DVD sales and in the overall economy. Funimation is looking at digital distribution and releasing full season boxsets – which the Japanese licensors are finally starting to agree with.
Funimation currently has 12 series on itunes & xbox live, the episodes are English dub only for $1.99 an episode and $38.99 a series.
Over at funimation.com (which is actually a usable site now) Episodes of newer series are Japanese sub only for $1.99, to shorten the gap between Japanese broadcast date and American dvd release date. The files are mpeg-4’s
A relatively new program for anime clubs was announced, Operation Anime. Featuring free monthly dvd previews for clubs and anime conventions, this program’s motto was “No con left behind.” Will have to wait and see if this works or not.
The Funimation channel will have more than just Funimation shows, and new Funimation shows, and audience members were prompted to (politely) harass their local cable company to get the Funimation channel on the air.
Older series are being re-re-released in cheaper boxsets – other wise known as the viridian collection. Also Funimation is being more environmentally conscious by using recycled materials in their box sets, a.k.a the Funimation Green initiative.
Getting into individual titles, Shuffle was the first order of the day. Funimation is overall quite satisfied with sales, after initially not knowing what to expect. They are considering releasing an “ender” box set.
Black Blood Brothers will be released on 3 DVD volumes
Funimation has the rights to “start from the beginning” for One Piece, and will be releasing the series in 13 episode season blocks, starting with S1 – uncut, unedited and with a “brand new Funimation voice cast!”. The upcoming “Adventures in Alabasta” DVD release will be uncut as well. The Season dvd boxsets will feature exclusive artwork, and during the convention Funimation was giving away One Piece film cell bookmarks (in limited doses).
Aquarion was the next order of business, and this is a title they’re experimenting with in terms of releasing season boxsets. The 13 episode season one part one boxset is out. The trailer makes it a cool looking series as well, and with Shoji Kawamori of Macross Plus and Vision of Escaflowne fame directing and Yoko Kanno (who also worked on those series) composing, this looks like a potential sleeper hit for this year. This series seems to be flying under the radar for a lot of people though.
DBZ was talked about… and it makes them money. Lots of money. Funimation will be releasing the DBZ movies Dead Zone and World’s Strongest, as well as the History of Trunks and Bardock in on Blu-Ray this summer.
The Baldr Force EXE will be released on one DVD.
Funimation has the rights to School Rumble Season 2 and the OVA’s
The xxxHolic series is in very high demand judging by sales at Anime Boston the previous week.
Vexille is a very good looking movie (done by the creators of Appleseed ex machina) and music done by Paul Oakenfold. At the premiere of the movie the panel room was packed, so interest at the very least is quite high for this movie.
At this point Funimation announced that is has the rights to the Claymore animated series, and is looking to start releasing the series “sometime in 2008”.
And with that the floor was opened up to questions…
Ouran high school host club will be released in late spring and uncut.
Funimation is looking at a lot of licenses including some of Geneon’s old catalog, the Tsubasa OVA, original Dragon Ball, and Gunslinger Girl S2, but nothing confirmed at this time.
IFC has added Speed Grapher to its lineup.
Funimation is releasing Ghost Hunt. When was not mentioned.
Funimation has no idea what Gonzo is doing with crunchyroll, but if it works good for them. Funimation itself is still looking at pulling stuff off of crunchyroll.
Overall, while many people seem to be predicting the “doom and gloom” of the anime industry, Funimation looks like it will be able to ride out the storm, and it looks like business as usual for them.
