Ghost Hound licensed by ADV/Sentai Filmworks?

[something]

If true, nothing I'm interested in, but well, anything from ADV is a sign of life I guess.

Now get me Clannad After Story damnit.

[Suwako Moriya]

Originally Posted by something

If true, nothing I'm interested in, but well, anything from ADV is a sign of life I guess.

More or less the same here. No interest in it either, but it would definitely be a positive sign.

Originally Posted by something

Now get me Clannad After Story damnit.

Hopefully they're planning to fulfill that destiny.

[hikaru004]

Well I'm interested in Ghost Hound. Thanks Sentai.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Originally Posted by Quarkboy

What exactly is the point of all these shenanigans? I'm no expert at US or Texas business law, but there really seems to me to be no honest reason for what sure seems like a single individual setting up 3 different LLCs all registered to the same address.

Perhaps these were backups in case ADV got sued into oblivion by someone last year when things got really dicey... Ledford could have quickly transferred some of the licenses/assets to these holding companies in an attempt to shield them from creditors (and splitting them up into different companies would be safer, perhaps).
But now that no one is suing anyone, maybe they're just leftovers. Only time will tell, but the tatemae of "Sentai is not ADV" is really getting old.

I would have to believe it's for the purposes of shielding their licenses (and any other related assets) from the ADV division itself, whether because there's an existing problem with ADV, or there might be the potential of one developing, or because they can send ADV into bankruptcy and shut it down but not have to cause a hiccup in business because the various new LLCs are already fully operating. Plus the benefits of reducing personal liability due to the basic structure of an LLC versus other sorts of corporate entities. I'm not sure what other logical reason there might be for doing what they've done. Especially when taking into account things like most recent re-releases having either been transferred to or renewed under Sentai rather than ADV. The ADV entity itself, at this point, is only responsible for, what, distribution? Besides managing the titles that haven't yet been transferred.

In the end, I'm glad that some of the familiar faces are staying employed, and that what used to be known as ADV is staying alive to give R1 another option and a greater selection of titles. Ultimately, that's the point: more domestically-available anime. It's just a strange situation, ideally one that would work out for the better rather than some sort of legal-maneuvering-based stopgap that isn't going to result in any long-term sustainability.

[hikaru004]

Also LLCs are used as a source of tax shelter depending on what the business does with them.

Besides it's best not to have all your eggs in one basket. You can cleave off a part if it comes to that with the main corp intact and relatively spared.

[LordGeo]

Just watch for it in Sentai/ADV's October solicitations... I'm guessing.

Either way I sent them my obligatory license request e-mail... It may not do anything, but it's better than doing nothing, especially when they have an e-mail address just for "licensing inquiries".

[Avatar]

This is purely speculation, but this is my opinion on the reasons for Sentai: Sojitz nearly sunk ADV with their pullout, but they still own a portion of ADV. By splitting off from ADV, they can minimize the amount of money that ends up going to Sojitz for these new licenses. Ledford obviously would have no love for Sojitz, so this would maximize profits for Ledford et al, and minimize the amounts paid out to Sojitz. Also, I do believe their is a Japanese investor as part of the Sentai LLC - at least I think there is based on the credits listed on Sentai releases. Just my 2 cents on this. I am hopeful that Sentai does have Ghost Hound, and I also hope they will eventually get back into the dubbing business as well.

[hikaru004]

Originally Posted by Avatar

This is purely speculation, but this is my opinion on the reasons for Sentai: Sojitz nearly sunk ADV with their pullout, but they still own a portion of ADV. By splitting off from ADV, they can minimize the amount of money that ends up going to Sojitz for these new licenses. Ledford obviously would have no love for Sojitz, so this would maximize profits for Ledford et al, and minimize the amounts paid out to Sojitz. Also, I do believe their is a Japanese investor as part of the Sentai LLC - at least I think there is based on the credits listed on Sentai releases. Just my 2 cents on this. I am hopeful that Sentai does have Ghost Hound, and I also hope they will eventually get back into the dubbing business as well.

I would have thought with the pullout they also got rid of their shares. Does anyone know if it's true that Sojitz still has a stake in ADV?

[quicksilver111]

If true this is great news. I didn't think Ghost Hound would ever get licensed. I don't really mind if it doesn't get dubbed even though I would like it to be as long as it gets a released on blu-ray.

What are the odds they actually release this on blu-ray if they do have it?

[Daimao Raki]

Originally Posted by quicksilver111

If true this is great news. I didn't think Ghost Hound would ever get licensed. I don't really mind if it doesn't get dubbed even though I would like it to be as long as it gets a released on blu-ray.

What are the odds they actually release this on blu-ray if they do have it?

Very low. There aren't many titles being released on Blu-Ray outside top titles.