Top Five Things Anime Companies Have Done Right in 2008 [Archive]

Kirarakim

11-20-2008, 08:30 AM

FUNimation's rescue of the Sojitz titles, as well as the Geneon orphans has to rank pretty highly with me, but without question the one thing that ranks the highest this year for "anime companies doing something right" is Bandai Entertainment's licencing of Hayate the Combat Butler.

Seconding the Funimation rescues of the ADV and Geneon titles

Other things

Bandai releasing Gurren Lagann after we had no idea of its status with ADV (add to the fact that they released a sub only version extremely quickly and cheaply)

Funimation's 1/2 season sets

edit: I also want to add Bandai releasing many of their series 2 disks at a time such as Code Geass, Toward the Terra & the Gurren Lagann Dub/Sub release (with the option to purchase these individually or as a set)

edit 2: Funi putting series up on youtube and Hulu

Buckeye

11-20-2008, 08:44 AM

Here are my top five:

1. Funimation rescuing Geneon and Sojitz titles that had been in limbo for so long.
2. Companies releasing series in sets rather than in singles.
3. Bandai licensing Hayate the Combat Butler.
4. Bandai licensing Gurren Lagaan and broadcasting it on the Sci-Fi channel while offering those who don't want to wait the opportunity to buy subbed-only sets.
5. ADV licensing Clannad.

The Adventurer

11-20-2008, 08:47 AM

More Episodes for Less seemed to be a big trend this year.

Bandai's Sub-Only Gurren Lagann release was my favorite single release format in a long time. Not to mention a strong showing on new Anime Legends releases. Also their way of releasing two volumes taped together at a discount for new high profile series. Media Blasters in particular released a number of shows that I would not have picked up if it wasn't for the fact that I was paying peanuts per-episode. The trend of putting out Box Sets first, and not trying to string it out with Single releases, even if they are Sub-Only, is something I endorse whole heatedly and want to see more of next year.

kakitamike

11-20-2008, 09:08 AM

1/2 season sets is the only thing I can think of. I don't really give a nod to what got licensed, as I feel those aren't standout items for the year. If those shows came out in '09, they'd get licensed then.

That's not to say they've done a lot wrong. I only posted two items in the got wrong column, for two different companies.

tablesalt

11-20-2008, 09:14 AM

We're looking for some user feedback on this as we're prepping a piece and want to see what the readers think the anime companies have done right this year. It can be from any particular part of releases, strategy, communication, marketing, etc. What do you think they've done right?

Box set only releases. It really should have happened years ago, but it's something. It lets anime compete with other DVDs.

Sub only boxes. In principal, I like bilingual releases, but the sub only boxes have turned the clock back and allowed shows to be released in today's market that I thought would no longer have a chance.

Starting to release on Blu Ray. I think they should move faster, though, it's still early enough that you could slap anything on BD and the BD fans will buy it.

WTK

11-20-2008, 09:15 AM

FUNimation rescuing the Geneon & Sojitz titles
Bandai Entertainment licensing Gurren Lagann
Nozomi / TRSI licensing niche properties (Aria, Emma, Maria Watches Over Us)
ADV Films licensing Clannad
Studios releasing more season and half season sets

The Great Bear

11-20-2008, 09:22 AM

1. FUNimation's rescue of the Geneon and Sojitz licenses.
Nothing sucks more than not being able to finish a show once started.

2. The move to boxsets.
In a crowded retail landscape, and where the size of collections are causing problems for those of us with limited shelf space to begin with, being able to get more anime in less space, for a lower overall cost is a boon. Retailers are happier as well.

3. Making more shows available for legitimate preview through the internet.
With more shows now able to be seen legitimately through various methods on the internet, the companies are allowing people to get a real preview of upcoming releases and even some shows that do not have an R1 release announced yet. This can only help in the long term.

4. Continuing to dub shows.
With the market turndown and a near meltdown in some respects, it would have been all to easy for all of the companies to just turn to the cheapest methods possible of releasing shows. And that would be completely stripped down sub-only releases. So, I applaud those companies, especially FUNimation, who have continued to dub everything they release, in order to bring in as many new viewers as possible. Without growing the potential buyer base, the companies will never survive.

5. The abandoning of the Bandai Visual USA approach.
Overpriced editions that provided even less content than a standard release from almost any other R1 company became the hallmark of BVUSA's business plan. While they might have had premium video quality (something which is not a major factor for many buyers who do not have high end A/V setups to begin with), their release strategy, had it succeeded, would have been counterproductive in the long term, as the larger casual buying public would turn to cheaper alternatives, and those who had to have anime, but could not (not just would not, there would be people who could not afford those prices) get them, would turn to illegal methods. Their demise was a move away from insanity and insular elitist exclusivity.

Suwako Moriya

11-20-2008, 10:29 AM

License Rescues of Sojitz and Geneon titles More legit preview methods Move towards lower priced collections Bandai's plan to release sola as an Anime Legends collections. Lucky Star being released.

Okay maybe the last two are too close to personal bias, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to mention and I need something to fill space.

something

11-20-2008, 10:36 AM

Well, sucks losing a big long post when I was about 95% done, but damnit, that will not stop me! Let's try this again!

I'm not going to include specific "X licensed Y!" things because that could count for the whole list, honestly. Instead I'll try to keep it higher level.

1) Making great strides towards dumping singles - This should have happened years ago, but finally it's happening now. It could easily be most or all of my top 5 if I broke it into its constituent parts, because it represents the most welcome and significant paradigm shift in release philosophy since the switch to bilingual DVD itself. In terms of cost, space saving, release speed, and peace of mind from knowing a show is less likely to be canned halfway, sets trounce singles in just about every area that matters. We get more, more quickly, and for less. There is no way that that's anything but a winning proposition.

x) Sojitz/Geneon rescues - I'm as happy about this as I was at the start. Even if they hadn't given a few of the shows the last singles it wouldn't matter, this is sheer win all around. It's especially notable because it enabled me to order or finish two of my top 5 all time favorite shows, Nanoha and Kanon. Whether ADV would have finished Kanon themselves or not is irrelevant to me - they didn't, and Funi did, and having the disc in my hand is what matters. I am thrilled at how this was handled in every way save the Shana OVA, which I don't really care much about.

x) Essentially closing own Bandai Visual USA - A great victory for love, peace, common sense, freedom, nekomimi maids and, of course, anime. While the Honneamise label lives on, it does so in a much less threatening and problematic form. They haven't licensed or released anything I've wanted in a long time, and if they do there's a chance a normal release will run parallel or follow after. And not only that, Sola and True Tears seem to be getting a real release via Bandai Ent, though it's been so long since we've heard anything that I'm getting slightly worried. I'll be commenting on that lack of communication in the other thread... But best of all, this just proves that you cannot sustain an R2 model in R1. I trust nobody else will be attempting this any time soon.

x) Willingness to release shows sub-only - This is, of course, not "I'm glad the shows aren't dubbed" but rather "I'm glad that perceived inability to support a dub is no longer a death knell". Knowing that there's a (small) chance that such a release will be considered for a show gives me hope that even some of my least likely license wishes may indeed see a release one day.

x) Love for great niche/otaku releases - Partially but not wholly tied to the above, I'm really happy that some top tier niche shows are getting releases. We can really put to rest all that silly "A/B/C series" talk now. And even better, that some seem to be doing pretty well! Visual novels are still scarce in R1, but things are improving: Higurashi got a second lease on life, Kanon and Otoboku got released in their entirety, Clannad is licensed, Shuffle was a surprise hit, True Tears got rescues. So too has Nozomi, currently my favorite R1 company if you disregard volume of releases, perfectly exemplified this with their gorgeous releases. Aria the Animation is still what I rank as *the* release of the year. they also finished Emma and have graced is with Maria-sama ga Miteru. Likewise, there's been a little bit of love for yuri/shoujo-ai fans with Simoun, Strawberry Panic, and the just mentioned Marimite. It's great to know that even as the same old same old dominates the Top 10 (sales) lists every quarter, there's still a small fortune in stellar niche releases to delve into.

Suwako Moriya

11-20-2008, 10:50 AM

x) Willingness to release shows sub-only -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
x) Love for great niche/otaku releases -

Ah I can't believe I never mentioned either one of these. Separately and in some cases together they really do increase my confidence in some series being licensed. Sure the confidence may only be 20% in some cases, but that's much higher than the 0% it would have been in the past. I'm almost tempted to edit, but I'm not sure I want to pay you royalties.

LelouchLamperouge

11-20-2008, 10:58 AM

1. FUNimation releasing season/half-season boxsets instead of singles.
2. FUNimation grabs 30+ Sojitz/ARM titles, distribution deal w/ Geneon.
3. Nozomi doin' it right - sub-only, cheap, season sets. Quality extras. It's a formula for WIN.
4. Bandai Entertainment's sub-only release of Gurren-Lagann.
and just one of these, its so close to my heart...
5. FUNimation, after 2 years of my begging almost, picks up D.Gray-Man.

LordGeo

11-20-2008, 11:10 AM

Let's see...

1.Larger focus on boxsets and double-packs instead of singles by some companies
2.Bandai licensing Gurren Lagann and giving it a quick, sub-only release for those who wanted the show without any more waiting
3.ADV, after losing 30-some shows, deciding to return to basics and give their catalog titles re-releases, first-time collections, and even first-time DVD releases.
4.FUNimation distributing the "lost Geneon shows"
5.Tai Seng doing the impossible and bring some form of Ashita no Joe over here

I can't say that FUNi picking up the Sojitz titles is really a good thing still, since it's not all exactly supportive to the fans who already supported ADV's releases for some shows.

Hakaisha

11-20-2008, 11:17 AM

The rescue of series from other companies and the releasing of collections from the start of the series.

ArcticMech

11-20-2008, 11:23 AM

1. Simultaneous and near-simultaneous streaming and download-to-own availability of anime series currently airing in Japan (Gonzo titles, Shikabane Hime, etc.).
2. Move away from singles in favor of half-season and full season box sets.
3. Subtitled only releases due to reasons related to faster time to market (Gurren Lagann for example) or economic viability (Rocket Girls for example).
4. FUNimation arrangements with Geneon and Sojitz.
5. Making the first few episodes of new R1 releases available online as a means for consumers to sample the show (Darker than Black, Negima!?, etc.).

TalonG4

11-20-2008, 11:28 AM

1)Nozomi's licenses and releases. (even if sub-only) This is also on my bad list for the sub-only factor but Aria, Maria-sama, Emma are three of the best shows I've ever seen and I was really surprised and happy they were licensed in what was a year of anime recession.
2)Funi's rescue of Geneon and Sojitz titles. This is a no-brainer for a company like Funi which has enough liquidity to do this at (I hope) a bargain. Within a month, you made yourself the top of the anime world for R1 and rightfully so.
3)Gurren Lagann and Code Geass on TV. While I'm not watching it on TV, it's good to see anime on TV isn't quite dead yet.
4)ADV license of Clannad. This was a little shocking after the Sojitz debacle but I'm happy to see it done. Now only if ADV would turn back into the more fan-friendly company I remember it to be. Cast-guessing game for Clannad anybody?
5)Season sets, (or single cour-sets I should say) - It has the effect of making me not blind buy easily but with more episodes to see in one purchase, it makes it that much easier to be addicted. ;)

memyselfandi

11-20-2008, 11:53 AM

I'm not going to say any specific series being licensed as others have mentioned the ones that I would have already but the general things which I think have been done "right" this year are:

- Funimations rescuing of licenses previously released by Geneon or ADV. This allowed many people who had been told over and over again that such-and-such was a good series to finally be able to own it. It also meant that fans could finish off series they had been collecting.

- The move away from singles towards half or full season box sets. It's cheaper for one thing and you get more of a series at a time as opposed to having to wait for months before you had more than a couple of disks. Some series could still deserve single releases, e.g. Clannad, but maybe they should be given a better Limited Edition treatment like in the Japanese market ...

- The release of some licenses as sub only. Whilst it may limit the appeal in some quarters it does mean that licenses which may not be economic to release dubbed, or may have only a niche audience, can also get put out.

- Nozomi / TRSI continued to license and release less main stream licenses but in the process produce extremely well done releases. Long may they continue to do so. In particular they're use of multiple subtitle tracks to allow for Japanese honorifics on the Maria-sama release was a high point.

Glamrgrl104

11-20-2008, 12:11 PM

I agree with all the above

I am glad they licensed geneon titles

The change to box sets is nice as well

Splitter

11-20-2008, 12:20 PM

1. FUNimation rescuing Sojitz and Geneon titles
2. Half-season volume releases becoming more common
3. Multiple and LEGAL online streaming platforms
4. Bandai's release plan for Gurren Lagann
5. ADV killed PiQ

Speedy Boris

11-20-2008, 12:26 PM

-The gradual switch to season/partial season sets
-FUNi's YouTube channel
-Geneon/ADV titles rescued and released by FUNi
-Continuing to license niche shows, not just mega hits
-The accelerated production schedule that allowed Gurren Lagann to debut on TV, as well as DVD in late 2008 as opposed to 2009 like they were originally planning

Kogepan703

11-20-2008, 12:33 PM

*Funimation rescuing Geneon titles.
*The move towards half-season or full season sets.
*Funimation listening to their customers and going ahead and releasing the final single disc of their ADV acquisitions.
*Nozomi licensing niche titles (Emma, Marimite) and releasing them in sub only box sets.
*More ways to access legal previews.

(Also, thanks Funi for licensing Baccano!)

Kellory

11-20-2008, 12:33 PM

1. Funimation releasing the last single volumes of ADV titles they aquired. Rescuing and finishing shows is one thing. Making sure those that faithfully started a series are taken care of is another. My final singles of Pumpkin Scissors and Welcome to the NHK thank you Funimation. It could not have been an easy decision, but doing it helped renew my faith in the industry.

2. Dubbing As much as I'm in favor of as much Anime coming over as possible, I still love my dubs. To me a sub only show is about as useful as a dub only show. Although, in my case it's one of choice as I could listen to Anime the way it was really meant to be watched...raw, watching the dub is a choice I make because i generally like them and it works well with my general lack of concentration. But whatever the reason, i do believe that most new buyers and viewers will start with dubs (even if they move over to subs eventually) and that only by continuing to dub shows will we replace those that leave fandom. With fewer shows on TV than in the past and few shows like Sailor Moon and DBZ on TV, Anime needs exposure now more than ever.

3. Season boxsets. I love my singles. I've got thousands of them. I'll always buy singles over boxsets even when the thinpack boxset is cheaper because I dont like thinpacks. That said, I also love watching shows in large chunks. Preferably all of it at once. The trend with Viz and Naruto boxsets (along with Prince of Tennis and Buso Renkin for starters) has been a godsend for me in many ways. It's less about the price (although that is important) so much as larger chunks of a show. Add to that Funimation's additions with Ghost Hunt and Aquarion and how Geneon is releasing Nanoha and Familiar of Zero and you have a happy Anime fan in me.

4. Studio's picking up more niche titles. Going a bit bi-polar here, I am also in favor of studio's like Nozomi and MB going for more niche titles that are released sub only. As much as I love my dubs and dont generally buy sub only releases, the simple fact is that these shows would never come over period with a dub. It's just going to be too expensive for the return. So it is nice to see whatever segment of fandom these shows appeal to have a legitimate release to be able to get. The realist in me knows we'd never have gotten Aria over here with a dub. So while I would not want to see sub only becoming a trend, it's nice to see in some of the smaller studio's who can specialize in these sorts of things. Just dont expect to see me picking most of them up. ;)

5. Bandai boxes. Not a lot of love for Bandai here in recent times, but I still do love the boxes that they've been putting out. Over the years, starting with Escaflowne and ..Hack\\SIGN, Bandai has generally put out some of the best boxes out there. I've sold more people on Code Geass based on the box alone than almost any other show recently. Add to that making sure that the Lucky Star box matched the Haruhi box was a really nice touch by Bandai. Although now I dont know whether to put Lucky Star next to Hauhi for aesthetics, or keep it under L. But even as we've seen cutbacks and fewer titles, it's nice to see things like solid, unique, and nice boxes still being sold.

rooboy

11-20-2008, 01:24 PM

#1 The move to sets - I think hands-down the biggest improvement has been the move to season sets. Welcome to the 21st century, anime industry! One interesting thing is that this has caused my TV on DVD budget to shrink rapidly as I've been "reappropriating" those funds for anime boxsets instead.
#2 Digital initiatives - Personally I think this has been great, though I admit that I have a low threshhold of interest in digital offerings anyway. Personally I'm more interested in the DVD, but I like knowing that there are previews and such out there for pretty much any series these days.
#3 Funimation (and Media Blasters and ADV) rescuing titles going out - Regardless of how you may feel about Funimation rescuing the ARM titles from ADV, special consideration needs to go out to Funi, Media Blasters and ADV for rescuing Geneon shows in general. It's reasonably apparent that Geneon was not a particularly profitable company. To take on their releases is the kind of thing that could have been suicide, the easier decision would have been to let them all disappear and pick up newer stuff.
#4 Tailoring releases to expected profits - I like that I can buy shows like Emma now. I like a wide variety of stuff, and I like that a wide variety of stuff is available. From thrillers like Ghost Hunt, to period pieces like Emma, and even eroge-inspired romance shows from Otoboku to Kanon, the variety of different kinds of anime available is the greatest I can ever remember.
#5 Staying in Business - I think in the current economic climate it would be significantly easier to just close up shop and move on, but thank you to companies like Funimation, Bandai and ADV for believing that its possible to release anime profitably in the US.

TornadoTatsumaki

11-20-2008, 01:38 PM

Well, I want to keep this as appropiate as possible so please bear with me. I hope I'm doing it right and not violating any rules.

5. Funimation agreeing to temporaraily distribute Geneon USA's abandoned titles.
4. ADV licensing Clannad,and a few licenses(now all they have to do is partner up with Pony Canyon so CPM's hard-to-get VHS titles can get a never-before release on DVD.)
3. Anime companies agreeing to more panels at conventions helping spike attendance.
2. Funimation rescuing Sojitz/ARM titles from doom.
#1. ADV abandoning Sojitz/ARM long before ARM's collapse of last month. It's like ADV was inside a burning house and escaped it before being engulfed in flames. I agree with LordGeo, hopefully ADV will focus more on getting older rare anime titles re-printed.

Daimao Raki

11-20-2008, 01:54 PM

1. Funi doing the distribution deal with Geneon.(NOT the Sojitz part. I'm all for people finishing their favorite series, but the way this was done to ADV makes me sicks).
2. Releasing more collections so poor folks like me can afford them.
3. ADV not going under and staying the course.
4. Bandai pushing to show anime on a channel that isn't CN(we need more of this).
5. Funi doing the singles for Welcome to the NHK,Red Garden,and Pumpkin Scissors.

something

11-20-2008, 02:02 PM

5. Funimation agreeing to temporaraily license Geneon USA's abandoned titles.
Distribute, not license.

#1. ADV abandoning Sojitz/ARM long before ARM's collapse of last month. It's like ADV was inside a burning house and escaped it before being engulfed in flames.
That's certainly an amusing interpretation of events. :sd:

LordGeo

11-20-2008, 02:07 PM

TornadoTatsumaki

11-20-2008, 02:08 PM

Njr Scrawl

11-20-2008, 02:19 PM

1) Emma, Maria & Aria from Nozomi
2) Yawara! release finally started
3) Media Blaster's yuri series (Kashimashi, Strawberry Panic, Simoun)
4) Geneon & ADV titles taken on by Funimation
5) Bandai's cheap 13 episode sub-only sets

kit-kat

11-20-2008, 03:33 PM

1) Funimation saving the Geneon and Soljitz titles
2) The move to half season boxsets
3) Continuing to dub shows
4) Companies working with Japanese companies to get things on-line quicker. I don't personally use those, but it will hopefully curtail fansubbing and such.
5) Continuing to pick up and release good shows

Martinman

11-20-2008, 03:45 PM

Bandai's awesome boxes
Funimation putting stuff on hulu
Bandai getting Adult Swim to give Code Geass a remotely decent timeslot
"budget" sets such as those for Yu Yu Hakusho from Funimation.

soatome

11-20-2008, 04:00 PM

- The release of budget box sets such as Yu Yu Hakusho
-The move towards half-season or full season sets.
-Funimation listening to their customers and going ahead and releasing the final single disc of their ADV acquisitions and releasing titles with Geneon.
-Nozomi licensing niche titles (Emma, Marimite) and releasing them in sub only box sets.
-More ways to access legal previews. Especially now that Newtype USA is gone.

stfram

11-20-2008, 06:17 PM

1. The distribution agreement that Funi and Geneon signed.

2. The beautiful season boxsets that Nozomi is producing.

3. The completion of the singles for Pumpkin Scissors, Red Garden, and NHK, along with Kanon and Devil May Cry.

4. The absorption of BV-USA into Bandai Entertainment.

5. The full exit of Sojitz/ARM from the domestic anime industry, and the transfer of ownership of those licenses over to Funi. Good riddance!

dragoon

11-20-2008, 07:01 PM

1. Japanese and American companies waking up, trying new things... embracing online distribution to meet consumer/fan demands and at least monetize their properties rather than letting it just go around the net without their control. Now if they could collectively expedite releases from Japan to other regions...

2. ADV managing to survive, its renewed and diversified business strategies and licensing Clannad. Now let's have more consumer relations ADV, like in the past... Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater due to a few trolls. You have fans and consumers buying products and waiting for more info.

3. Funimation's distribution agreements with Geneon (not with Sojitz though as I have issues on how that whole thing went down), and at least listening to customer demands to complete the most demanded ADV/Sojitz titles in singles format.

4. Continuing to offer English Dubs.

5. Reducing prices for DVD sets and releasing half season/full season sets.

martod

11-20-2008, 07:34 PM

1. The Funi/Geneon deal. It was good for the fans since the shows got finished, it was good for Funi since they got to sell some popular shows without having to pay for their production, and it was GREAT for the industry. After getting a steady stream of bad news and ominous statements from the industry for the first half of the year, this deal finally sent a message of hope and optimism.
2. ADV licensing Clannad, showing they were trying to recover, even though everyone had left them for dead.
3. The Funi/Sojitz deal, for nipping what could have been another Geneon situation in the bud, and kudos to Funi for finally trying to get Sgt Frog off the ground.
4. Funi continuing to put great dubs in all of its shows, and Bandai in many of its shows.
5. Bandai licensing Hayate. By far the biggest license of the year for me.

bci110

11-20-2008, 09:40 PM

My Top 5:

1. The distribution deal between FUNimation and Geneon.
2. The gradual switching to complete/half-season sets in lieu of singles.
3. The licensing of Hayate the Combat Butler, even though we have to wait until next year to buy it.
4. TRSI/Nozomi licensing and releasing EMMA and ARIA in season sets (most especially ARIA).
5. ADV pulling the plug on PiQ before it got a chance to breathe.

joelgundam01

11-20-2008, 09:54 PM

1.) The move to sets! - I think everyone has this on their list.
2.) Cheap slim collections/sets! - It's nice to see several older series being re-released out in cheap slim collections. I can get them for the price of one single DVD during a sale and I don't have any problems with the packaging. I can pretty much live with anything (brick, digipack, thinpak, ect...).
2.) The release of more niche shows. - Granted, I'm a dub fan myself. It's still nice that to see these series releasing up here.
4.) License Rescues! - Funimation rescuing both Geneon and Sojitz titles put a smile on many faces. :)
5.) BEI absorbing BVUSA! - I don't think this one needs any explanation.

mk2000

11-20-2008, 09:58 PM

1. More efforts from the japanese to reach out directly to English users with legal alternatives for watching the newest anime

2. More efforts from american companies to receive revenue from people who would never buy anime (at least in a physical format) by streaming them in ad based method

3. More efforts from the japanese to release ultra high quality hi def releases in America at somewhat mortal prices (honneamise)

4. Funimation releasing lots of Blu-ray anime. Pleasing AV Nerds and hopefully leading an example for American companies

5. ADV having good taste and releasing a trio of the best visual novel adaptions ever created

band20

11-21-2008, 12:43 AM

1. Funimation grabbing the Sojitz titles and reaching a distribution deal with Geneon.

2. Move to complete or half season sets instead of singles which makes anime more affordable for everyone.

3. ADV starting to come to life again and picking up some series including one I'm really looking forward to in Clannad.

4. Nozomi and their way of handling niche titles. I have to admit it is well very impressive.

5. The releasing of singles for some of the Sojitz titles that Funimation picked up. I really like the fact that they released Kanon volume 6 and Welcome to the NHK volume 6, it was a nice move.

Drgnfuel

11-21-2008, 02:45 AM

1. The move to box sets/Half season sets
2. Funimation distributing Geneon titles
3. Free streaming of Anime online
4. Funimation saving Sojitz titles./releasing the final single for NHK
5. ADV surviving!!

E-Arkham

11-21-2008, 10:09 AM

My number one is: FUNimation swooping in to rescue Geneon titles. FUNimation for the win.

Number two is the attempt by most companies to release licenses faster, even if it's only streaming online or downloads (which I must admit isn't always ideal -- much prefer DVD quality in the original Japanese). In fact, if FUNimation hadn't rescued a couple of my most-wanted titles, I'd have made this my number one. Bravo.

I'm of mixed feelings on the season box sets, as I've always been an artbox junkie. Yes, the season box sets are cheaper and make more sense all around, but alas no artbox. I'm still going to put this in the top list as it shows that R1 companies are finally paying attention.

I really haven't paid close enough attention to what the industry is doing to have two others; just been buying the titles I want and noticing the big news/changes, so I'll leave my list as a Top Three. They're each major points in the right direction, however, so count big time in my book.

Kep

loplop

11-21-2008, 10:22 AM

1) More Sub-only titles in the R1 market place.

2) Kanon(2006) finally released in the US, even with the ADV/Sojitz hick-up delaying the last disk a few months.

3) Nozomi licensing niche titles that I never thought I would see R1.

4) PIQ suffering a quick death.

5) Bandai's re-release of Agent Aika (It was a highlight for me, heh)

bci110

11-21-2008, 11:17 AM

5) Bandai's re-release of Agent Aika (It was a highlight for me, heh)

Damn, I knew I forgot something when I posted my list :P.

Danime

11-21-2008, 03:04 PM

Geneon releasing most shows the way they're meant to be released.
Funimation licensing some really great properties, and releasing things in a very clever way (business wise), but this is a negative for collectors as noted in the other thread.
Bandai licensing some incredible shows (but well and truely messing them up authoring-wise).
(I never thought I'd say this, but...) Viz releasing Naruto the best way it could be released, likewise for Bleach and Death Note, although there could be vast improvements in all aspects in all their releases.
Bandai Visual taking the initiative and trying simultaneous worldwide releases (but not really anything that counts (i.e only stuff that's already been released-ish (Freedom (bar 7), Akira, Gunbuster))).

Online distribution would be on here, but it still leaves a massive amount to be desired, so it'll stay off. Maybe next year though.

Isuzu Inugami

11-21-2008, 07:53 PM

The industry's attempts to find new release patterns to stay viable in a changing market. I don't know if the half-season releases will ultimately work (I think they will, as I just picked up Rocket Girls, a show I would have passed on in singles), but new ideas are being tried.

ADV's steadfast refusal to die. Truly, they are the Jason (or is it Freddie) of anime. Go ADV!

Funimation's distribution of abandoned/lost titles from Geneon and ADV. Never was opportunistic cutthroat capitalism so sweet.

Bandai's sub-rosa lines of communication to fans, via "hidden" webpage messages. Even when you can't say much, you say it amusingly.

Licensing across a broad spectrum of genres and styles. Given the market shrinkage, some of us expected anime to shrivel to nothing but Shounen Jump shows and fanservice fests. Yet instead we're seeing some of the most diverse offerings ever.

Prede

11-21-2008, 08:11 PM

1. FUNimation's rescue of the Geneon and Sojitz licenses
2. ADV rescue of a bunch of old lost titles (from Geneon, Urban Vision, and Media Blasters)
3. More and More Box Sets (cheap too!)
4. Bandai Entertainment and CPM getting their titles on Sci-Fi Channel !
5. Funimation releaseing the last singles of the Sojitz Titles (Red Garden, Pumpkin Scissors, Welcome to the NHK)

Solid Slap

11-22-2008, 11:29 PM

1. Funimation distributing Geneon's titles (oh if only Geneon would start licensing again)
2. The move to half season and full season sets.
3. Despite all this gloom and doom shit, a good number of nice niche titles being licensed and released.
4. Bandai's little project and licensing a number of titles I am most interested in
5. Funimation saving the titles from the ADV/Sojitz fallout.

henneko

11-23-2008, 06:52 PM

I've got three:

The absolute number one thing for me would be getting Geneon and Sojitz titles finished up, even if the fans had to club Funi until singles popped out.

Second would be half/full season sets (especially Nozomi's awesome, awesome Emma and Aria sets).

Finally, sub-only shows for shows that couldn't afford a release with a dub (especially since many of these released so far were on my wishlist, so I'm totally biased here). Hopefully these are doing well enough that more shows with small audiences can find a way over here.

ricecooker

11-25-2008, 11:03 AM

- The biggest thing was FUNimation rescuing Geneon and ADV titles that didn't see a complete release in the first place.

- The shift towards half-season boxsets. Cheaper and more tolerable than waiting every 2 months for 4 episodes.

- Nozomi releases. I've only collected Emma from them as a recent title but the quality (sans the mono issue with season 1) and packaging is top class.

- Accelerated release schedules. The boxset method really makes things more tolerable and you get more episodes at once. The only downside to this is the time it takes to dub said episodes (i.e. Ouran and One Piece).

- FUNi releasing One Piece. Of the current holy trinity of Shonen Jump titles, One Piece was my favorite to read and having the anime release makes me happy. I hope FUNi will have good things in store for future releases.

davesimmons

11-25-2008, 01:22 PM

Nozomi continuing to release good titles I don't expect to like, but do. From Tylor to Shingu to The Third to Aria, I read the description and think "this isn't going to work for me: gondoliers on Mars!?" Then I watch the disc and say thanks for bringing me something fresh, original and fun.

Tyrenol

11-25-2008, 08:54 PM

The top five things anime companies have done right in 2008:

Funimation
Viz Media
Kitty Media Blasters
Best Buy
Crunchyroll, unfortunately.

blinx01

11-30-2008, 02:20 PM

1. FUNi rescuing the Geneon and ADV titles which were in R1 limbo.

2. The move to boxset releases from the majority of companies.

3. Providing a legal option to watch recent shows subbed on the internet.

4. Sub-only releases for certain shows, meaning a quicker release for us, a cheaper price and a higher profit for the company for what's most likley niche shows.

5. More anime on Blu-Ray.

Darkseid

12-01-2008, 05:06 PM

*Media Blasters for keeping old-school mecha releases coming. I just finished watching the final boxsets of Golion and Gaogaigar and I've never been happier.

*Funimation for rescuing the titles formerly distributed by ADV and Geneon, which keeps them in the public eye for the foreseeable future. Hellsing Ultimate and Black Lagoon were particularly enjoyable.

*Bandai Ent. merging with Bandai Visual which allows more titles from each brand to come over.

*Bandai Ent. for showing Sword of the Stranger at cons. This was a big fave for me. Looking forward to grabbing an official copy next year.

*Warner Brothers and (I think ADV Films) for releasing Appleseed: Ex Machina. This kick butt action flick is one of the reasons I consider 2008 a strong year for genre films.

mitamaking

12-02-2008, 12:41 PM

1.Digital Distribution-Starting with Tower of Druaga and Blastreiter to now whith Crunchyroll going legit next year it seems that poor anime fans will be able to watch anime and ad support will get the anime companies some money

2.Box Sets-Pretty simple, I wouldn't have give Sousei no Aquarion a second thought but I bought it on the idea of what it represented, and it was good.

3.Sola going to Bandai Ent.-Yeah no sub but it is afforable and I will but it whereas Bandai Visual would have been a no-buy for me.

4.Funimation rescuing the Geneon orphens-I have spent about a year wondering if I would ever get the chance to finish Rozen Maiden and now I can

5.Crunchyroll going legit-I have actually been avoiding Crunchyroll which is a bummer because I wanted to see the Toei shows and starting next year I can, this is also good because I think Tower of Druaga will probably only be on Crunchyroll.