Bandai Entertainment has put out its latest round of solicitations, this time for February 2010, and once again it's leaving fans really wondering what exactly is going on. First, let's talk about Kurokami. Originally set for a June release to time well to the Japanese release, it's been pushed back to February and been given a Blu-ray release to go along with it which is a good idea. The DVD has been changed from containing two discs with eight episodes to a single disc with six episodes, moving it from a three set release to a four disc release but reducing the price from $39.98 to $29.98.
That's unpleasant enough, but it's the Blu-ray fans who are getting the shaft here. The Blu-ray release will contain only four episodes, making it a full six disc release, something that's incredibly rare at this point. On the plus side, they're pricing it at $24.98. Where they completely screw themselves over however is that they're emphatically listing it as ENGLISH LANGUAGE ONLY. This is likely due to licensing issues, but really, is a dub-only new show on Blu-ray going to be a draw for a lot of high definition fans?
The Blu-ray fans do get a bit of extra love when it comes to the release of the Eureka Seven movie, which does arrive in February after being originally planned for late January. The difference? The Blu-ray release is the one that gets the Making Of Featurette that ran after the theatrical showings while the DVD only gets the trailer and the TV commercials.
But wait! It wouldn't be a Bandai solicitation mailer without a bucket load of delays!
Toward the Terra [Anime Legends]
Street Date Revision:
Old: 11/03/2009
New: 12/01/2009
My-Otome [Anime Legends]
Street Date Revision:
Old: 11/17/2009
New: 12/01/2009
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Part 2 (& Part 2 Special)
Street Date Revision:
Old: 11/17/2009
New: 12/01/2009
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 1 Part 3 (& Part 3 Special)
Street Date Revision:
Old: 11/17/2009
New: 12/01/2009
Hayate the Combat Butler Part 3
Street Date Revision:
Old: 11/17/2009
New: 12/01/2009
Hayate the Combat Butler Part 4
Street Date Revision:
Old: 01/04/2010
New: 02/09/2010
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Part 3 (& Part 3 Special)
Street Date Revision:
Old: 12/01/2009
New: 01/19/2010
And here's what the formal new solicitations include:
| Cover Art | Title | Release Date | Runtime | Price | Studio | Format |
 | Eureka Seven -good night, sleep tight, young lovers- | 02-09-2010 | 117 mins | $39.98 | Bandai Entertainment |  |
 | Eureka Seven -good night, sleep tight, young lovers- | 02-09-2010 | 117 mins | $24.98 | Bandai Entertainment |  |
 | Kurokami Part 1 | 02-09-2010 | 150 mins | $29.98 | Bandai Entertainment | |
 | Kurokami Vol. #01 | 02-09-2010 | 100 mins | $24.98 | Bandai Entertainment | |
Is it just me, or has Bandai USA started to give up on the U.S. anime market?
Seriously. Between delaying multiple titles (again) and releasing Kurokami on Blu-Ray dubbed-only, I have to wonder if they're intentionally running themselves into the ground (much like they did with Bandai Visual USA).
I am buying a lot of these titles regardless of delays. That seems to be standard order of business with anime right now. As long as they get it to me and don't pull a Kanon or When They Cry on me.
I'll end up getting Eureka seven when it finally does come out.. I bought the 2 part series set when it was relased that way and loved it. It doesn't surprise about some delays here and there despite the fact they are notorious for them. They remind me of image comics when they first started out. With all those massive delays with their titles. Hopefully things will get back to normal again sooner than later.
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The Code Geass Part 2 and Gundam 00 Part 3 delays are kind of a moot point, as online retailers already have it in stock. : /