Archive for September, 2009

Gearing up for New York Anime Festival 2009!

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

This month has been crazy for me personally, and I’m looking forward to a little R&R at NYAF ‘09.  For a little while anyway, before heading to work later. . .  I’ve had the Sunday pass pre-purchased, and sitting on my desk for the past few weeks.  I luv the idea of having an anime related convention in NYC, and try to attend every one of ‘em. . . Just wish we had more than NYAF and the NY Comic Con.

Anyway, I just checked the website, and it looks like I’ll just hit the exhibitor hall (and check out anime/manga goodies).  I could wait and get signatures from the Karekano gang (Rachel Lillis and Veronica Taylor) for my new Karekano thin-pak.  That would match the normal Karekano boxed set I already had them sign two years ago.  But I think I’m better off just hitting the exhibits when door opens at 11 am.  This way I can walk around before the place gets packed w/ late comers.

The chances of buying something high on my want list would be slim, because they’ll be sold out by Saturday basically.  But for unwanted and unsold merchandise, there will probably be some nice bargains.  Hopefully I won’t come home empty handed, like at last year’s NYAF.

Where will Dollar Stop Dropping Against the Yen?

Friday, September 11th, 2009

I did a double take when I saw where the dollar-yen rate settled at the end of trading today: 90.725 yen/dollar, or a one percent drop in one trading session.  There is speculation that the dollar will continue to drop, and threaten the 2009 low of 87.1 yen/dollar.   This will in turn cause the price of goods from Japan to increase even more.  ouch  >< It is certainly bad news all around for everyone.

AAA Anime.com gets ready for Halloween

Monday, September 7th, 2009

I saw something very interested when I dropped by anime and manga distributor AAA Anime.com.  In their pre-order section, AAA released a slew of costumes and accessories, all with September 15, 2009 pre-order deadlines, and streeting just 2 weeks later on September 30th.  In particular I noticed some very interest, non-anime related costumes from Ghostbusters for guys and gals.

I’m totally surprised to see AAA delve beyond their traditional anime and manga product lines.  But it’s totally understandable for them to try to get new business any way they can.  And Halloween is certainly a good opportunity to do so.

Sentai 23 Releasing Blue Drop, Polyphonica, Special A in November

Monday, September 7th, 2009

According to a press release from Sentai 23 Films, several anime shows will be released in N.A. in November: You’re Under Arrest Season 2 Collection 1, Special A Collection 1, Blue Drop Complete Collection, Little Snow Fairy Sugar Collection 2, Polyphonica Complete Collection, Tears To Tiara Collection 1.

Considering that this PR was totally unexpected, and coming on the news of ADV’s demise, it seems to me the company is trying to show consumers that nothing has changed and hot new anime shows will continue to be released despite the presence of Funimation.  As an anime fan, I’m thrilled to see Blue Drop and Polyphonica getting complete set boxed treatment.  It remains to be seen if these $40 releases will have dubbed track as well, or not.  We’ll find out soon enough! :)

Dance In the Vampire Bund Anime Promo released

Monday, September 7th, 2009

AnimeNewsNetwork.com reported that Dance in the Vampire Bund TV anime promo video has been posted on youtube.

From what I’ve seen, it appears the anime show follows the manga (four volumes released, with a fifth volume coming out in November) fairly closely.  Personally, I’m a fan of the manga, and I’m thrilled to find out an anime show is in the works.  Woot!!!

RIP A.D. Vision

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

AnimeNewsNetwork.com reported that parent company A.D. Vision has shut down after transferring its operations over to new companies.  The split goes like this: AE Sir gets programming rights from ADV film libray; Section23 Films takes over home video distribution; Valkyrie Media gets the Anime Network tv unit; Seraphim Studios gets the Amusement Park Media production unit.

I agree with ANN editor-in-chief Chris Macdonald’s take on the transactions as a corporate restructuring, to avoid problems with hostile shareholders and credit problems.  This take is further buttressed by the note at the Robert’s Anime Cornerstore Blog that the same people who did the distribution for ADV Films will now perform the same duties at Section 23 Films.  Talk about continuity!

However, Robert’s wondering-out-loud question regarding who’s calling the shots now (i.e. what shows to license, at what price, how many volumes, etc.) remains to be seen.  I think we will find out soon enough.  But in the long run, the question that matters to anime consumers is whether quality production of quality anime titles get released by Section 23 Films on a regular schedule/basis.

Tokyopop licenses for Kodansha manga expire

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

AnimeNewsNetwork.com reported that Tokyopop confirmed the expiration of licenses for Kodansha manga titles, including Chobits, Initial D, Love Hina, Samurai Deeper Kyo.  Some titles, including Initial D and Samurai Deeper Kyo are unfinished and ongoing.  However, the same ANN report notes that Del Rey will release volumes 35 and 36 of Kyo, and Dark Horse will publish omnibus editions of the expired CLAMP titles (Chobits, Magic Knights Rayearth, Card Captor Sakura).

These are certainly interesting developments.  Tokyopop was the dominant manga publisher in N.A., and now Kodansha is clearly having misgivings about TP.  While Del Rey and Dark Horse are lesser competitors, it’ll be interesting to see if Viz will get a piece of TP’s pie as well.  Additionally, TP’s market share for manga sold in N.A. will undoubtedly drop even more.  TP will need to make a splash in the upcoming months, perhaps with a new license of a hot manga title, in order to maintain its credibility as a major manga publisher.