Box Sets or Individuals?

[DeadlyMessiah]

Out of curiousity, what do you prefer when it comes to your anime DVDs? Do you prefer to have a complete series box set (or season if it is a series that runs more than 26 episodes) or to buy the volumes individually?

I personally would rather have box sets for several reasons. The first being the most important, I would get the entire series in one shot. I am just so sick of waiting anywhere from 10-15 months to get the entire series of something, only to have the biggest cop out of an ending. The Jp cannot write endings for crap, so I prefer to not take that long to see a series when the ending turns out to be a huge let down. My second reason is money. I just cannot afford to spend $25-30 on a 4 episode DVD anymore, especially on a series that will be 6-12 volumes long, if not longer, I can understand $30 for around 10 episodes, and $100 for 26, but anything less than that is just overkill. Then there is the fact that if you are patient enough, a box set will come out and be priced at a fraction of what you paid for each volume individually. I am kicking myself now for buying Speed Grapher, Death Note, and Trinity Blood as they came out, due to there being a complete series box set for two of them (as DN is the first half) that was equilvalent to three volumes.

My last two reasons can go either way with you, but in this day and age when there is less than a 1% chance to actually move up in the job market and get paid more, the cost is quite important. As for my first reason, like I said, I am tired of cop out endings the Jp love to write, and do not want to spend all of my money and time on a series just to have the last episode ruin the series to the point where it was not worth owning.

[EyeOfPain]

Usually depends on my interest in the show. For example, I would have gladly continued collecting singles for School Rumble, had FUNimation not decided to release the second season in boxsets.

[WTK]

I tend to prefer boxsets because in the long haul it will be more affordable. There are select series that I would prefer to see in singles. Overall if I want a series, I will get it regardless if it's in singles or season sets.

[ricecooker]

Generally boxsets would be the course I would take but sometimes the individual releases look too good to pass up. For Viz titles, I collected the individuals for both Bleach and Death Note knowing that boxsets will come out later. I do not regret buying them because I get the awesome R2 covers. Not a big fan of Bandai's complete collection packaging as well.

[J-Syxx]

I only buy boxes now for multi-volume shows. I usually just end up waiting untill the box comes out now. I stopped buying singles a really long time ago.

[Martinman]

It depends on what I can get cheaper, what is avaliable, and how much I wan the series. For something like Bleach that will have a billion volumes, I wait for the box. If it is an older series like Yu Yu Hakusho or Evangelion, I'll buy the box. If it is newer, and I really want the singles like Code Geass I get them. Sometimes it can be cheaper to buy the singles though; I just saved about $10 by buying the singles of Gilgamesh from Right Stuf instead of buying the box elsewhere.

[band20]

I prefer box sets simply becuase it saves space and typically is cheaper. As an example I pick up the box sets of Bleach and Naruto rather then buy the individual dvds. If however the singles are cheaper well I'm not above getting them or if it is a series that I really want. I bought the second season of Ah My Goddess from ADV simply because I wanted it after seeing the first season. Now though I'm interested in saving money and having that money I save going towards some other anime I have planned so I like the box sets.

[mike.motaku]

I loved singles when they were the only game in town but I gotta say I'm really loving the season/half-season/complete series boxes.

[Buckeye]

Box sets by far are preferable. It saves space, which is the biggest factor. I can watch it in one or two shots and I don't have to wait for subsequent volumes of a standard series. Not to mention it's cheaper (depending on when it was released). As for the taking a flyer argument for individuals, we have online rental sites for that.

[KudosForce]

I prefer getting box sets myself, although I must admit that I am not above collecting singles with a neat artbox (depending on the quality of the actual series collections, that is).

[fates]

Boxes/collections all the way.

[ArcticMech]

Without a doubt, box sets win out for me. The primary reasons include:

*no need to wait month(s) between volumes, which kills the momentum for me
*space saving (in most cases)
*lower total cost for a series
*eliminates the risk that a series will be canceled before its finished its run due to poor sales

The trend towards box set releases is one of the most important events of the past year and one that I'm obviously very happy to see. The one thing I'd like some box set proponents to reconsider is the use of cheap, essentially throw-away, thin cardboard/paper boxes. A little effort goes a long way, and I have absolutely no problems with paying a few extra dollars for it.

[danth78]

I avoid singles like the plague. I waited like a year after the singles started coming out to buy Haruhi in box set form. And I wanted to see that bad. The box set is just the singles packed together in a cheap-ass box, but it was less than half the price of buying all the singles.

[kit-kat]

Depends on the show (well, with my money inflow atm, I can only buy boxsets). I really like the half season boxsets that Funi is releasing for some of their shows, and hope that they go that way. But when I do have the money, if it is a show that I'm highly anticipating then I definitely would buy the singles if that is how it is being released initially. Anything that isn't super high on my list or anything I but later on (after initial release) would be in boxset form or singles during a TRSI studio sale or something.

[meganly_chan]

Boxsets, definitely. In the long run it's cheaper, I don't have to wait a year before the whole thing is out, and there's less risk of the company cancelling on me :/ Plus it looks nice and takes up less room.

[Glamrgrl104]

I agree with Articmech about it that you need to wait month(S) for one vol. single dvd to come out that bugs me lol.
That's why boxsets are so much better at least to me. Granted when Rightstuf has a bargin bin sale of singles for an older show I have yet to collect I dip into there. Also if I bought the singles beforehand and haven't finished the series then I buy the singles.

Tsubasa being the only one I have yet to collect the rest of the single vols.
Bargin bin goodness only 6-10$ for each dvd!

Heat guy j complete series
Trigun complete series

[zidanetribal2000]

With me it can vary, if it is a show that really grabs my attention and I think it is worthy enough then I will spend the extra cash to buy the singles. Most shows I wait until all the singles are out and there is a sale for a box set to be released. But if I know that a box set has been stripped of extras, I will hunt down the singles.

[chronoclast]

I'm a collection only buyer. I have zero reason to buy singles do to how expensive they are and I have no interest in any of the extras like artboxes and what not. They also unnecessarily take up too much shelf space. I don't watch fansubs anymore so unless a show is shown on tv or is legally streamed online most of what I buy is a blind buy and that can obviously be risky on whether I'll like something or not.

Money is my main issue though. Even with shows being released in half season sets for 60 msrp like what Funi is doing it's still too much for me. I only buy shows anymore when they are released in complete collections at 30-40 msrp for half season and 50-70 for full season. 50 msrp for full season sets is the absolute sweet spot for me.

[wagr]

I switched to box sets early this year. Mostly due to price, but partly because of the troubles with finishing series. Since my backlog can be large, the delay doesn't mean much, and it is nice to watch an entire show in a short time.

I'm still buying singles of Tsubasa, Higurashi, and Rozen Maiden because they started before the decision to switch. And I decided to collect the LE of Lucky*Star. Also, because I'm not sure I can wait, I might get Clannad as singles.

[geotrio]

Depends on the show. I can see why people would prefer box sets but I sometimes prefer singles because they tend to use more of the r2 covers. Covers and cover art are important to me.

[joelgundam01]

Boxes/collections all the way.

Ditto!

[something]

Just check out the "What did anime companies do right in 2008?" thread and you'll see the move to cour/season/double disc sets in nearly every list. This is what the vast majority of fandom wants, and has wanted for a long time.

Now, if you're talking about a release that has only singles initially and a box later, I'll buy the singles if I want the show. I'll wait for the set if it's a blind buy. That simple.

[leongsh]

Boxsets for me. I have always preferred to purchase boxsets rather than individual DVDs. Failing which, individual DVDs with a box offer upfront or preferably, at the end, to reward those who pick up the individual DVDs.

Boxsets are not only economical but the main draw is that I am sure of getting a complete set of DVDs for the whole show and hopefully, a nice box to hold them all. Besides, I enjoy marathoning TV series - excluding those that are episodic by nature, e.g. Mushishi.

The recent move to releasing half-season and full season boxsets is one that I'm very happy with.

[a fist of JUSTICE!!]

Definitely boxsets. I really don't like singles- they're expensive, take up lots of shelf space (and look awkward among boxsets, if you ask me), and kill momentum of the series. The move to full- and half-season boxsets are a huge step in the right direction.

Though, if I really love the show and simply can't wait, I may pick up the singles.

[Mateo_home]

I prefer boxsets for just about every reason everyone has listed. Nowadays I won't even get singles if it shows up cheap in the bargain bin. Sure I save money, but it still takes up too much space. I'll only get singles for upcoming anime I love. Slightly below that I'm just waiting for the collection to be released.:P

[lorddream]

Box sets. They take up less space, and there's much less worry about whether a show will be finished.

[Prede]

I like box sets for a few simple reasons. Of course I also understand why people like Singles.

My reasons:


Cheaper
I can get a large amount/all of the anime at one time. No trying to find singles, no missing peices to my collection, no problems.
No wait time between releases

[CatQueen]

I usually collect the singles, but I like box sets too. They save space and money, and it's always nice to have the whole series with one purchase.

[Serial Experiments Nobue]

At least for me, singles for a series that I want to collect hasn't happened much lately. The last shows I collected as singles were Haruhi and School Rumble. Since then, almost everything I've added to my collection has been released in season sets. This works great for me, actually. Unless I see something on TV first, virtually every purchase I make is a blind buy, and I don't start watching a series until I have it all anyway. This meant that back when I was collecting series as singles, I wouldn't even start to watch it until a year after the release of the first volume, in the case of a 6 volume Pioneer release.

So what do I prefer these days? Box sets all the way. I can start watching them right away, since it's all there most of the time. In the case of something like School Rumble Second Term, I only have to wait for two releases instead of six, so I still get to watch it sooner.

[Zalis]

Without a doubt, box sets win out for me. The primary reasons include:

*eliminates the risk that a series will be canceled before its finished its run due to poor sales
Boxsets, definitely. In the long run it's cheaper, I don't have to wait a year before the whole thing is out, and there's less risk of the company cancelling on me
Box sets. They take up less space, and there's much less worry about whether a show will be finished.I have to say, I see an element of self-fulfilling prophecy in statements like these. If everybody holds off buying singles for fear that the releases will be canceled, that contributes to decreased sales and increased risk that the series will be...wait for it...canceled. And then there's no boxed set to wait for.

I try to buy singles when possible, especially for series previously seen via fansubs, but it was easier back in the days when I actually was employed. I like saving money on boxed sets as much as anyone else, but I like the look of artbox+singles on the shelves more than thinpacks and bricks. Funi's new 13-ep sets are great if they can keep the A/V quality from degrading, as they're like getting 3 standard single discs for the price of 2, assuming TRSI sale prices.

[something]

I have to say, I see an element of self-fulfilling prophecy in statements like these. If everybody holds off buying singles for fear that the releases will be canceled, that contributes to decreased sales and increased risk that the series will be...wait for it...canceled. And then there's no boxed set to wait for.
Yes, the often noted and frankly overstated Catch-22. Overstated, because it's not really so clear cut. If people don't like how something is released, the only thing they, as consumers, can do is not buy it. If they buy the things that get set releases and pass on the shows with single releases, that's the only way to send a clear message that sets = good, singles = bad. You know, maybe singles releases should fail. How else will companies, on both sides of the Pacific, get the message?

The companies dug themselves into this hole with all the cancellations and partial releases and unreleased licenses. For a lot of people, the extra expense and risk inherent in singles is not an acceptable or reasonable risk. I sympathize with that.

The only reason I buy so many singles is because I've seen the fansubs. In that case I feel obligated to buy a first release even if it gets canceled. But not everyone shares, nor so I expect them to share, that philosophy. And if someone is coming in blind, they don't even have that subjective "moral obligation" either. If I didn't watch fansubs I would never buy another single again. People coming in blind have every right to tell the studios to piss off until they offer the product the right way.

It isn't the consumer's responsibility to buy exactly what is being sold. It's the market's responsibility to sell things people want to buy. That's where I see the catch-22 falling apart in favor of consumer choice. Many people would rather own no release than an incomplete release (myself included, if I didn't see it all already), so it's not fair to expect them to take on the risk of singles if they don't trust the company. I put the burden squarely on the licensors' shoulders to build that trust back.

[ArcticMech]

I have to say, I see an element of self-fulfilling prophecy in statements like these. If everybody holds off buying singles for fear that the releases will be canceled, that contributes to decreased sales and increased risk that the series will be...wait for it...canceled. And then there's no boxed set to wait for.


This is irrelevant if we are talking about a straight to box set release as opposed to the traditional release strategy of a singles release first followed up by a subsequent collection. My statement was in reference to the former, though I guess it's also applicable to the latter.

[Cyber Inviso]

Kind of a mixed for me. I do like individuals DVDs with the artbox more since I love the artwork on them. Mostly don't buy the individuals DVDs at first until all of them are released, so I could watch all of them at once. If they only released the box set for that series, then I'll get the box sets instead.

[Classical]

I prefer boxsets a lot more to singles. The advantages of boxsets are what are so appealing to me. They're cheaper, many of them tend to save space, and you can acquire the series all in one go. The only time I would even consider buying singles would be if it's a show I must absolutely have, like Clannad.

[JINROH]

Dpends on the series.

With some,I want all singles and a killer snazzy chipboard artbox (Shigurui,Code Geass,Moribito,Champloo,etc,etc)

Speaking of which,damn I hope Birdy,and 'Daughter of'...get picked up R1 side,and get the royal treatment !

And with others I want a Premium type release all in one,available (right away),like what Geneon used to do.


What I hate,is the cheapy Viridian type sets.Or ultra thinner packs.

[Suwako Moriya]

As of current I am trying to reduce the amount of series I buy as singles and focus more on collections. The reduction in cost and space will ultimately benefit me in the long run. If for no other reason that it increases the amount of series I can buy over time. Singles are reserved for the following thre scenarios.

First, I'm wrapping up a series I'm already in the middle of collectiing anyway. Take Strawberry Panic for example. Ordering volume 5 on the basis that I already own volumes 1-4 just made perfect sense to me to do. I mean I already had other volumes and it's not like I had any intention to drop the series.

Second, it's a very special series to me. Since I've been going Limited Edition all the way in regards to Lucky Star, I'd consider that probably the best example to use right now.

Third, the singles end up being potentially the better deal. For example, if I'm correct the amount I paid for the Piano ~A melody in a young girl's heart~ singles made it cheaper than what the collection would have been.

So I guess you could say collections are mainly for the following situations. Series that are straight to collection. It's not like I can buy the singles of those. Series that don't meet the criteria of being special enough to get the singles. If I have my way then few series will meet this criteria. Series where by the time I got around to them the collection is already out. This is actually how I ended up getting some shows as collection.

[Njr Scrawl]

Singles. If there are glitches etc. or improvements to be made, a studio can halt releases &/or change replicator partway through.

Take Bandai for example. The Anime Legends set of My Hime is all good, but it is 2nd time right. As (for subtitle translation) was Zeta Gundam.

My Hime singles release was not so good for the first 4 volumes, but the last 2 used a different replicator, & were much better. If all MH had been released initially as a set, they would all have been like #s 1 -4.

Now, if Bandai had released a dual language Gurren Lagann set at the beginning, we might not be getting the DVD version of ep.11, & the replicator issues might not have had a chance to be corrected for later releases.

Having said all that, I like sets. But don't pre-order them as I need reviews & opinions to make sure the larger amount I'm splashing out for a show in the first instance, is for the quality I want. Buying anime DVDs should not be a gamble!

[parakiss]

I liked the singles when they released because i got more cover art. but i like the box sets to. if i had to the choice i would probably just got box set cause even though i like the singles for the cover art. if it a series I'm really into it seems like forever to get the whole show and actually sit down and watch it without having to wait for the next dvd.

[dragonrider_cody]

I generally prefer singles. I don't have a lot of time during the week to watch series, so marathoning them is usually out of the question. Not to mention, there are very few series that I actually would want to marathon, like Chrono Crusade, Abenobashi, and Ghost Hunters. Usually, I prefer watching just a few episodes at a time.

Also, singles let me juggle several shows at once. I really miss taking $60 to Best Buy and grabbing the most recent singles of 3-4 series, as opposed to just buying one or two box sets. I could get a small dose of several different shows, and would have something to fit whatever mood I was in. This also kept me from building up much of a back log. If I wasn't caught up on a series, I just waited to buy the next single. Not to mention, I'm a sucker for a nice art box. (Though stand alone singles bug me.)

I know singles tend to more expensive, but with the employee discount I get, the price difference is fairly negligible. I prefer to spend a few bucks more over the course of a series, to get it the way I want it. Especially when I see how cheap some of the new box sets are. I wouldn't be surprised to see Funi start shipping discs in paper slips ;)

This is all not to say that some series aren't best done in box sets. I think anything longer than 26 episodes should be in boxes. It's just a pain collecting singles to for several seasons of a show. How many singles of InuYasha were there for instance? I use to love Kyo Kara Moah, but I lost track of where I was and may never finish the show. This wouldn't have been a problem if it had been done in half or full season sets. I think the full first season set of Kiba for $39.99 is the perfect example of how these should be done. It's very reasonably priced, and you get the full first season all at once. I think some of these other shows being released in sets are a bit overpriced, Shattered Angels for example.

[something]

I generally prefer singles. I don't have a lot of time during the week to watch series, so marathoning them is usually out of the question. Not to mention, there are very few series that I actually would want to marathon, like Chrono Crusade, Abenobashi, and Ghost Hunters. Usually, I prefer watching just a few episodes at a time.
I've seen this sentiment a few times and could never wrap my head around it. What about a boxset implies "must marathon" any more than singles? Sure, the episodes are there but you don't have to watch them right away. They'll get watched as quickly or as slowly as you yourself decide. Has nothing to do with singles vs sets.

[Suwako Moriya]

They'll get watched as quickly or as slowly as you yourself decide. Has nothing to do with singles vs sets.

Exactly there is a huge difference between "I'm able to" and "I have to". Heck come to think of it, some people who buy singles end up waiting until they have all the volumes. Other times people get all the volumes at once. In other words if people are capable of watching a series all at once in spite of the release being spread out then the opposite should be possible as well. Spreading out watching the series in spite of having it all at once.

[a fist of JUSTICE!!]

I generally prefer singles. I don't have a lot of time during the week to watch series, so marathoning them is usually out of the question. Not to mention, there are very few series that I actually would want to marathon, like Chrono Crusade, Abenobashi, and Ghost Hunters. Usually, I prefer watching just a few episodes at a time.
So, uh... just watch a few episodes at a time? There's nothing forcing you to marathon the entire series just because you own it. Just pace yourself. I tend to watch an entire disc every day or so (which is only about an hour and a half) and finish the series in about a week, and I don't consider that rushing through it.

[Suwako Moriya]

I tend to watch an entire disc every day or so (which is only about an hour and a half) and finish the series in about a week, and I don't consider that rushing through it.

I've actually followed the one disc a day strategy with at least a few series.

[Draneor]

What about a boxset implies "must marathon" any more than singles?

Just like some people will not put a book down once they started reading it some people won't stop watching until they are forced to. Part of me is glad, for example, that Wheel of Time and Harry Potter were released over many years rather than all at once. Because I literally do not go to sleep until I get to the last page of a book. I've done that every time I've read the Lord of the Rings triology, for example, and for certain manga series (I's, Kimagure Orange Road, Love Hina, One Piece, Negima, Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura, etc). A sleepless week of Robert Jordan would have killed me. While it's never nice to run out of material, it can be nice to be forced to stop. In hindsight anyway.

Or think of MMORPGs. Some people can just play a few hours and quit any time. A lot of people can't quit until it ends (I can't, which is why I never play them). Since the game never ends, it consumes their life.

[mighty_vespa]

When I decide I'm going to buy a series in one fell swoop, I'll just wait for the boxset to be released.

However, in recent months, I've been buying complete series in singles. If a bundle of singles are far cheaper than the set, then I'm buying the singles. Pretty simple. TRSI's most recent 'Bargain Bin Blowout' is a good example of why I'd pass on a set, when I can get singles for FAR less cheaper. Since I also occasionally buy used DVDs, the same thinking applies.

Shelf space isn't an issue, since my collection is rather modest. As a matter of fact, out of the seventeen or so complete series I own, only THREE are actual collections; the CowBe box, Dai-Guard and Lain lunchbox.

[something]

Just like some people will not put a book down once they started reading it some people won't stop watching until they are forced to.
So it's called have some self-control. It's not a valid complaint about boxsets as such in that case.

[Draneor]

So it's called have some self-control. It's not a valid complaint about boxsets as such in that case.

As I am sure you know, people have different values and preferences and respond differently to different situations. While it's not a valid complaint for you, it is for some people. Anyway, I don't know dragonrider_cody's rationale, but we don't all have to value the same things.

[something]

As I am sure you know, people have different values and preferences and respond differently to different situations. While it's not a valid complaint for you, it is for some people.
This isn't really a situation where playing the "everybody is different, respect different values~" card applies, honestly.

[HyperDuel]

Boxes take up less space.

[Draneor]

This isn't really a situation where playing the "everybody is different, respect different values~" card applies, honestly.

I think it is, to a point. I think, perhaps, you're looking for universal, rational reasons why people don't want what you want or, perhaps, trying to at least understand them. The truth is there aren't any either for or against singles. It comes down to valuing different things, and no two of us are the same in that regard. There are plenty of people who do prefer to watch and/or read as much as they can in one sitting. If they have the time, they may prefer boxsets for that reason. If they do not, they might want the releases paced so they do not feel the need to stay up to 4 AM (i.e., a forced breaking point). All of this is purely hypothetical because I do not know why dragonrider_cody wrote what he did. The reason only needs to make sense for him, however.

Still, I was addicted to Harry Potter each time I read it, and I'm glad it didn't all come out at once for that reason (it's not an issue for me with anime, for the record).

[something]

There are plenty of people who do prefer to watch and/or read as much as they can in one sitting. If they have the time, they may prefer boxsets for that reason. If they do not, they might want the releases paced so they do not feel the need to stay up to 4 AM (i.e., a forced breaking point).
The point is it's not a problem with the season/doubledisc/cour model, it's a problem with the individual. I keep reading comments about being "forced", as if the box comes with someone who puts a gun to your head and says you have to watch it at a faster pace than you'd like, else your brains get plastered on the wall. To me it's no different from people saying they can't buy things with a dub because they'd feel "forced" to watch it even though they don't like dubs, or even though they don't have time to watch it in both languages. Or feeling "forced" to watch extras just because they're there.

Or more to the point it'd be like me saying I can't buy singles because I'd feel "forced" to watch at 4ep/2month intervals, even though that's not how I like to watch my anime.

[Draneor]

The point is it's not a problem with the season/doubledisc/cour model, it's a problem with the individual. I keep reading comments about being "forced", as if the box comes with someone who puts a gun to your head and says you have to watch it at a faster pace than you'd like, else your brains get plastered on the wall.

To a large extent, external factors (or the environment) do influence our behavior to a large degree. But, most importantly, we do not all respond the same way (see behavioral economics among other fields). Although, truth be told, my understanding is the reasons we act certain ways are not always the reasons we think we do.

For me, at least, when I'm addicted to a new game, it's not so much that I play the game more than I want to. No, it's I'm not doing the things I should be doing because I'd rather keep playing the game. Like laundry or sleeping. Thankfully, most games end after a few days of hardcore playing.

Anyway, everyone has their reasons. As long as they don't expect others to have the same reasons, I don't really see what the issue is.

Or more to the point it'd be like me saying I can't buy singles because I'd feel "forced" to watch at 4ep/2month intervals, even though that's not how I like to watch my anime.

A lot of people do wait until they are all released because (at least partially) incomplete series annoy them. Heck, I've done it myself.

[something]

A lot of people do wait until they are all released because (at least partially) incomplete series annoy them. Heck, I've done it myself.
Well, in terms of fear of an incomplete release, that is a very concrete thing. Waiting is the only way to be sure you avoid that fate. I wouldn't blind buy a Viz series in singles because of their track record, for example.

As for waiting until the singles are all released, that's entirely logical, if you don't actually intend to watch until you have it all. Other than that I feel it supports the releases a little more, I don't actually have a reason for preordering singles piece-by-piece when I probably won't watch them until long after it's complete. But that's the thing, I can buy piece by piece but not watch piece by piece. Having the singles on my shelves doesn't mean anything.

The benefit of quicker releases via boxsets is that both types can have their way. People who want to pace themselves can, on whatever schedule works for them - with more flexibility than singles, in fact. People who want to have it all before watching can (generally in one or two releases - long series kinda skew the conversation).

It's pretty win-win, in that sense anyway.

[Draneor]

Well, in terms of fear of an incomplete release, that is a very concrete thing. Waiting is the only way to be sure you avoid that fate.

It comes down to how much risk someone is comfortable with. Even with all that has happened, I still trust that the industry will release what they started. Certain Manga companies--not so much.


The benefit of quicker releases via boxsets is that both types can have their way. People who want to pace themselves can, on whatever schedule works for them - with more flexibility than singles, in fact. People who want to have it all before watching can (generally in one or two releases - long series kinda skew the conversation).

It's pretty win-win, in that sense anyway.

On that point, I agree.

My issue with boxsets has always been they're cheap (as in made--not price--I'll gladly pay hundreds less than I would have). I value aesthetics far too much to buy what FUNimation and BEI have put out so far. I have a few of Nozomi's and ADV's, on the other hand, because they're generally well made. Also, habit and a dislike of change.

[something]

My issue with boxsets has always been they're cheap (as in made--not price--I'll gladly pay hundreds less than I would have). I value aesthetics far too much to buy what FUNimation and BEI have put out so far.
Yes, that's a reasonable complaint. It's very concrete. Liking singles better because of more art or liking keepcases better as packaging and such, fine. I don't share the sentiment, but it's impossible to deny the logic behind it.

After all, if singles never get released, then choice is diminished. That's sort of my criteria for what is a reasonable complaint: provably diminished consumer choice. In some cases, I don't think the choice was a good one from the start, or it's one I don't have much interest in, but it's still recognizable as an actual lost choice with no reasonable workaround. Like sub only releases. *I* love them because I get benefits (niche shows, lower price) but there's no denying they result in a lost choice (English dubbing) with no workaround available. If that was an important choice to someone, then they have a reasonable complaint.

[Steve_the_Talking_Pie]

I am just so sick of waiting anywhere from 10-15 months to get the entire series of something, only to have the biggest cop out of an ending. The Jp cannot write endings for crap, so I prefer to not take that long to


This is a poor, broad generalization. I won't bother touching this, but there are many examples for the contrary.


I guess I would have to prefer boxsets as they are cheaper and provide the show all at once as I like going straight through shows. If I buy singles I tend to wait till I have the complete show or I buy it as a bundle.

[Darkex]

It depends. Series which have great single cover art or when the singles contain bonus stuff I will get in singles. Shows which are not very high on my priority list or when a show is too long and I can't afford the singles, I will buy in box sets.

[Daimao Raki]

I prefer boxsets. But if the boxsets don't have extras I'll get the singles if I can.

[dragonrider_cody]

I generally prefer singles. I don't have a lot of time during the week to watch series, so marathoning them is usually out of the question. Not to mention, there are very few series that I actually would want to marathon, like Chrono Crusade, Abenobashi, and Ghost Hunters. Usually, I prefer watching just a few episodes at a time.
I've seen this sentiment a few times and could never wrap my head around it. What about a boxset implies "must marathon" any more than singles? Sure, the episodes are there but you don't have to watch them right away. They'll get watched as quickly or as slowly as you yourself decide. Has nothing to do with singles vs sets.

I wasn't saying that I had to marathon a show, or felt the need to. But I've seen many people use this as a reason for preferring box sets, and I was merely responding to that. While that may be a good reason for some people, it just isn't one for me. So the ability or want to marathon a show really has no effect on me.

BTW, I do tend to pace myself when watching a box set, and often watch them no faster than if I had been collecting the singles. So the time frame around the releases also has little effect on me.

[something]

I wasn't saying that I had to marathon a show, or felt the need to. But I've seen many people use this as a reason for preferring box sets, and I was merely responding to that. While that may be a good reason for some people, it just isn't one for me. So the ability or want to marathon a show really has no effect on me.
Okay, that makes sense, i.e. that it's "not a benefit" as opposed to "is a detriment". I've just seen people claim the latter, that it actually hurts them somehow, which is what's strange.

[Swordbreaker]

As a general rule I prefer box sets, but in the end it varies by series. most shows I'm content to wait for a set but there are some that I buy as singles, higurashi and lucky star being the 2 primary ones at the moment. Also Gurren Laggen and Code Geass but those are coming in mini sets so to speak so that's what makes then worth getting now as they come out. Other then those shows, I'm waiting on box sets or half season sets at the minimum to get.

[Funkatron]

As a rule, I've gone exclusively multi-disc sets. I love that a lot of the studios are going this route, Funi and Bandai especially. Singles just aren't cost effective and most of the series I want to buy I've already seen a chunk of, so no blind purchases for me. If I do want to try a series before I buy, netflix FTW