Anime/Manga - 1 & Only License Rumors & Speculations Thread

Here is an unofficial thread of various rumors on possible future North America licenses (some of which are license rescues). Keep in mind that none of the listed properties are guaranteed to be licensed and/or released. And feel free to mention any errors, omissions, and worthwhile additions in this thread.

>>> Possibilities for FUNimation ??? <<<

A Certain Magical Index (Season 2) | 24 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation

Code:

via ANN AU (2/17/13)

- "...Season 2 will be released later in 2013..."

- "...USPHA does have the rights to the second season called A Certain Magical Index II but there is currently no release date it..."



Current FUNimation copyright for Season 1: "© KAZUMA KAMACHI/ASCII MEDIA WORKS/PROJECT-INDEX © KAZUMA KAMACHI / ASCII MEDIA WORKS / PROJECT- INDEX Ⅱ."

A Certain Scientific Railgun (OVA)
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation

Code:

via The Viewing Lounge (4/28/13)

- "The releases planned we have planned for the next few months are...Scientific Railgun OVA..."

Hellsing Ultimate (OVA 9 & 10)
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation

Code:

Licensed in Australia by Madman Entertainment (11/11/12)

- A third and final collection featuring episode IX and the extended 67 minute final episode will be released at a yet to be determined future date.

One Piece Season 6 (episodes 337 - 451) and One Piece Film Z
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation

Code:

via FUNimation Press Release attachment (clipped below) on 7/28/12 (of which FUNimation has yet to officially confirm)

- "Season 6 (Episodes 337 – 451) marks the beginning of the Thriller Bark Arc and follows the Luffy and the gang all the way to the end of the Impel Down Arc."

- "Fans can look for One Piece Season 5 to hit DVD in the summer of 2013, with Season 6 right behind it in the summer of 2014."

- "But that’s not all for One Piece fans! FUNimation Entertainment also announced the acquisition of two One Piece feature length films, One Piece Film: Strong World and One Piece Film Z."

- "One Piece Film Z is the upcoming feature length film set to be release in Japan on December 15, 2012 When a mysterious and deadly weapon of the Marines goes missing, it is up to the Straw Hat Pirates to chase down the man who stole it. Little did they know, they would be facing one of their most powerful opponents yet, former Marine Admiral “Z.”"

- "FUNimation Entertainment has yet to announce any information regarding the release of these films."

>>> Possibilities for NIS America ??? <<<

Toradora! (Blu-ray) | 25 episodes + 1 BD special episode
- Possible North American licensor: NIS America

Code:

via NIS America Industry Panel @ AX '12 (6/30/12)

14:49:53 <bay|AX|NISA> Q: When you first released toradora, and it was dvd only, but now there is blu-ray in Japan

14:50:00 <bay|AX|NISA> will you go back and re-release on blu-ray?

14:50:09 <bay|AX|NISA> A: That's what I'm thinking but I'm working on it

14:50:17 <bay|AX|NISA> (Think i heard that right)

Wagnaria!! Season 2 | 13 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: NIS America

Code:

via NIS America Industry Panel @ AX '12 (6/30/12)

14:51:42 <bay|AX|NISA> Q: Wagnaria S2?

14:51:45 <bay|AX|NISA> A; Pretty much likely

14:51:55 <bay|AX|NISA> Unless we make an official announcement

14:52:02 <bay|AX|NISA> I'm the official but I can't say anything right now

>>> Possibilities for Sentai Filmworks ??? <<<

Carnival Phantasm (OVA) | 12 episodes (14-min.)
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks

Code:

via Sentai Filmworks @ NekoCon '12 (11/2/12)

- "Looking maybe at Carnival Phantasm and World God Only Knows OVAs(It is selling well)"

Ghost Sweeper Mikami (movie)
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks

Code:

-via Sentai Filmworks @ AWA '12 (9/29/12) 

- "GSM movie - maybe"

via Sentai Filmworks @ AWA '11 (9/30/11) 

- "They are pursuing the GS Mikami movie"

The Familiar of Zero (Season 1) | 13 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks

Code:

via Media Factory 2012-2013 ActiBook

- "NORTH AMERICA

...The Familiar of ZERO, The Familiar of ZERO F,...

Broadcast Rights/DVDs/MDs/Digital Distribution..."

The World God Only Knows (OVAs) | Yonin to Idol (1 eps) & Tenri-hen (2 eps)
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks

Code:

via Sentai Filmworks @ NekoCon  '12

- "Looking maybe at Carnival Phantasm and World God Only Knows OVAs(It is selling well)"

You're Under Arrest (Season 1) | OVA: 4 episodes; TV: 52 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks

Code:

via Sentai Filmworks Industry Panel @ Anime Weekend Atlanta '12 (9/29/12)

- "YUA - asked at the panel. In consideration."

>>> Will it really be licensed or just another "Brave Story" license ??? <<<

009 RE:CYBORG (movie)
- Possible North American licensor: ???

Code:

via Anime Limited Facebook page (2/10/13)

- "We will be dubbing before home video but theatrical will be sub only."

- "For 009 RE:CYBORG, we will be working with friends at NYAV Post to create the dub. We'll look at UK options as an option when the circumstances arise though "



via Madman Ent. Facebook page (4/20/13)

- "We have just announced our second film for REEL ANIME 2013. 009 RE: Cyborg!"

Welcome to the Space Show (Movie)
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation, Sentai Filmworks,...

Code:

via Aniplex of America Industry Panel @ Anime Weekend Atlanta '12 (9/29/12)

- "Welcome to the space show - there are no plans too release it stateside."



Licensed in the UK by Manga UK.  Movie released on DVD and Blu-ray / DVD Combo with an English dub.

>>> Higher Chance Possibilities for ??? <<<

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled (OVA) | 4 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation, Sentai Filmworks,...

Code:

Licensed in Australia by Madman Entertainment (8/19/12)

Gosick | 24 episodes
- Possible North American licensor [if truly subtitled only]: Sentai Filmworks,...

Code:

via ultimatemegax @ AX '12 (6/30/12)

- "Also sounds like someone else might have #gosick too."



Licensed in Australia by Madman Entertainment (series released in 2 subtitled only DVD sets).



via Madman Entertainment Facebook page (1/4/12)

- "Madman now that Bandai Entertainment is closing down will Gosick be sub only?"

- "If another company doesn't pick it up and release it with a dub, then yes. Both shows were originally slated to be subtitled only anyway."

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure | 26 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: ???

Code:

via Anime Limited Twitter (2/6/13)

- "Wish it were us, but we've no idea who it is in fact!"



via Manga UK Twitter (2/4/13)

- "why not try JoJo's Bizarre Adventure? It's a mix of everything AND has its fair share of graphic violence! ...I want it licensed :("

- " I hear that someone may be releasing that here later this year. It's not us BTW. >JM"

Nichijou (My Ordinary Life) | 26 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks,...

Code:

via Sentai Filmwork dealers room @ Anime Weekend Atlanta (9/28/12)

- "Could not confirm nor deny gosick and nichijou however he hinted at them having nichijou."



via NIS America Industry Panel @ AX '12 (6/30/12)

14:45:50 <bay|AX|NISA> Q: Can you bring over Nichijou?

14:46:08 <bay|AX|NISA> A: I can't say that.....

14:46:11 <bay|AX|NISA> I think I know who took

14:46:17 <bay|AX|NISA> I think it was taken by someone



via to_aru_Oni @ AX '12 (6/30/12)

- "Good news #Penguindrum and #Nochijou fans! Confirmed by @NISAmerica that current companies in the US do have them! #AnimeExpo2012"



via ultimatemegax @ AX '12 ( 6/30/12)

- "The same person also confirmed that someone has rights to Penguindrum and #nichijou (not Bandai)."



via Madman Entertainment Facebook page (10/28/12)

- "Hi, I was just wondering if you guys have any idea when Nichijou - My Ordinary Life is going to be released (or if it's ever going to be released for that matter). I've been waiting for news regarding that show for a long time and frankly, I'm starting to get a bit worried."

- "Hello, we are aiming for a March release at the moment but stay tuned for the official announcement."



via Madman Entertainment Facebook page (9/6/12)

- "Madman, I've seen that you'll eventually release Nichijou on DVD. Is there any possibility of a Blu-Ray release as well? I'd love to watch the animation at the highest quality!"

- "Unlikely since at the moment we're looking at a subtitled only release."



via Madman Entertainment Facebook page (8/29/12)

- "Hi Madman, can you please tell me when will you be releasing Nichijou?"

- "Not until next year at the earliest"



via Madman Entertainment Facebook page (1/4/12)

- "Do yous have a release date for this yet"

- "no we don't have a release date for this yet. We will know more in a few months time. If it looks like there will be no dub, then we will just release a subtitled DVD set as soon as possible."



via Madman Entertainment Facebook page (1/4/12)

- "Madman now that Bandai Entertainment is closing down will Gosick be sub only?"

- "Nichijou as well!!??"

- "If another company doesn't pick it up and release it with a dub, then yes. Both shows [Nichijou & Gosick] were originally slated to be subtitled only anyway."



via Madman Entertainment (6/23/11)

- "No details or firm release dates are set for these, however we will bring you more news as it becomes available."

>>> Possibilities for ??? <<<

Hunter x Hunter (2011) | ongoing series
- Possible North American licensor: FUNimation, Sentai Filmworks?, ???

Code:

via Viz Media Facebook page (5/17/13)

- "This is the reboot right? We put in an offer for it, but we didn't get the deal. The Japanese licensor doesn't have to let the people who didn't get it a notice of who got it, so we'll just have to wait for the announcement. Either way, who ever has it paid a pretty pretty penny for it..."



via Viz Media Twitter (9/23/11)

- "with the new #HunterXHunter anime premiering in a week, any word of a simulcast?"

- "ooo.. already? that doesn't look good for us. They would have told us Tweeps to blast it by now."

via HxH Podcast Twitter (7/1/12)

- "Talked to funi, they heard about the show but no plans for release."

Bakuman. | 25 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: Viz Media,...?

Code:

via Media Blasters Facebook page (11/1/12)



- "I believe it will go to Viz. We wanted to release it but the sales were not there."

Hyouka | 22 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: Sentai Filmworks, ???

Code:

via Sentai Filmworks Industry Panel @ Anime Weekend Atlanta (9/28/12)

- "He was quite a bit then went into a discussion about asking for titles they havent announced."

via Sentai Filmworks Industry Panel @ Anime Weekend Atlanta (9/28/12)

- "They might have hyouka but we'll see."

via Sentai Filmworks Industry Panel @ Anime Weekend Atlanta (9/28/12)

- "they said neither confirm nor deny on Hyouka."

Shin Mazinger Shougeki | 26 episodes
- Possible North American licensor: Discotek Media, ???

Code:

via NIS America Industry Panel @ AX ' 12 (6/30/12)

14:42:39 <bay|AX|NISA> Q: Now that you got enma, and the relationship with go nagai, have you thought about doing Shin Mazinger Shougeki

14:43:18 <bay|AX|NISA> A: It's pretty much it's kind of a licensing... i suppose that title was taken by someone already.. but not us (???) we don't have access, and we haven't seen it's available