Funimation News [Archive] - Gamerspride Community

Ranma4699

02-20-2008, 03:12 AM

Funimations Acquires One Piece Merchandising Rights

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Separately, Bandai shows new Dragon Ball Z, Digimon, Blue Dragon toys

FUNimation Entertainment acquired the North American licensing and merchandising rights for Toei Animation's One Piece pirate adventure anime series. Funimation already acquired the television and home video rights to the anime series itself and has been running the anime on Cartoon Network since last September. 4Kids previously acquired the North American rights in 2004, and Mattel licensed the rights to make action figures (pictured at right) and accessories in 2005 and 2006. The Mattel line has since been discontinued. Funimation is seeking partners in toys, games, collectible figures, and other categories. The One Piece: The Desert Princess and The Pirates: Adventure in Alabasta film ran in 98 theaters two weeks before today's DVD release, and the television series itself will get its first uncut North American DVD release on May 27.

Separately, Bandai announced that it is showcasing new Dragon Ball Z, Digimon, and Blue Dragon toys at the Toy Fair 2008 event in New York City this week. Last October, Bandai America announced that it is partnering with Funimation to release Dragon Ball Z toys for the first time since 2000. The Dragon Ball toy line will continue with the import of 2.5” Ultimate Spark and 4.5” Real Works Figures from Japan this spring. In the fall, there will be 2.5” Flash Changer Figures, 4” Extreme Dragon Figures, and 8” Power Boost Figures. Finally, Bandai America will release electronic, motion-sensing Kamehameha Wrist Bands and the interactive Energy Battle Set.

Bandai America will also release the Digimon Digivice Data Link role-playing toy, 1.5” Digimon character figures, 3.5” lightning Digivolving figures, and 5” ultra-Digivolving character figures starting this fall. This July, the company will release 3”, 4”, and 7” action figures based on the Blue Dragon anime, which itself is based on a Xbox 360 role-playing game.

Source: ICv2

Ranma4699

03-04-2008, 03:03 AM

Funimation Channel Adds MoonPhase, Peach Girl, Suzuka

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Black Cat, Shingu, Ninja Nonsense, Lodoss, Boogiepop Phantom also added

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The FUNimation Channel is premiering MoonPhase, Peach Girl, Suzuka, and Black Cat on American digital television on Monday. Four previously announced offerings — Shingu (March 3), Ninja Nonsense (March 8), Record of Lodoss War (March 8), Boogiepop Phantom (March 8) are also starting this week. Several other programs, such as Blue Gender, Dragon Ball, Kodocha, Pandalian, Spiral, Case Closed, Fruits Basket, Negima!, Haré+Guu, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Baki the Grappler, Slayers, and Kiddy Grade, are restarting from their first episodes on Monday or early Tuesday morning.

The channel is currently available over-the-air in California's Sacramento area, New York City, and Ohio's Dayton and Columbus areas. It is also available on the Dish Network satellite television service and Verizon's FIOS TV fiber-optic service. The channel is currently the only 24-hour/7-day anime channel in North America, although only New York's WRNN-DT3 station and FIOS TV carry the programming for more than two hours daily.

Ranma4699

03-13-2008, 01:41 AM

Funimation, Bandai Entertainment Responds on Crunchyroll (Updated)

Funimation "has been carefully monitoring activities of" video-streaming site

On Wednesday, the North American distributor Funimation Entertainment has issued the following statement in response to news that the Crunchyroll video-streaming website has recevied US$4.05 million in venture capital funding:

Funimation has been carefully monitoring the activities of crunchyroll.com for some time. Since 2006 Funimation has provided several letters notifying the site's operators of copyright infringement issues in connection with content that has been made available through this site. To date, crunchyroll.com has complied with FUNimation's demands to remove the applicable content.

The battle against unauthorized distribution of anime is a battle that Funimation cannot fight on its own. Without proactive and effective copyright policing and enforcement by those that control anime content, sites like this will continue to gain a reputation as outlets for free anime. If this happens, the entire anime industry will suffer, making the expensive and time consuming work of producing anime content for the U.S. market impossible. As we've stated before, we will continue to act in the best interests of our Japanese licensors — and that includes ensuring that our industry as a whole has a commercial future in the U.S.

Update: Another North American anime distributor, Bandai Entertainment, issued a press release just four hours later that said the company agrees with Funimation's stance:

Bandai Entertainment Inc. announced today that it echoes Funimation's concerns over copyright infringement by sites that illegally stream anime.

Bandai Entertainment Inc. also informed the website crunchyroll.com to remove content that infringed on its copyrights and furthermore has been working with licensors in Japan, educating them about the pervasive illegal downloading and streaming of anime that has negatively impacted the market. Bandai Entertainment absolutely agrees with Funimation's assertion that this is an epidemic that will undermine the future of the anime business in Japan and the United States.

Bandai Entertainment Inc. will continue to work with other U.S. companies and Japanese licensors to fight against downloading and its negative impact on the US anime industry.

Ranma4699

03-24-2008, 11:30 AM

FUNimation Entertainment's events manager Adam Sheehan hosted the Anime Boston panel of North America's largest anime distributor. Incidentally, Anime Boston 2008 is the 400th anime convention he has participated in as an attendee and industry rep.

As he has at other previous panels, Adam began by going over some of Funimation's ongoing sales and promotional initiatives. 12 different series are currently available for digital download on iTunes and the XBox Live Marketplace service, priced at $1.99 per episode or $38.99 for a full series, while subtitled episodes of Black Blood Brothers can be downloaded to own from Funimation's own website. Funimation is treating digital distribution first and foremost as a way to get fans interested in new series that they may not want to immediately buy DVDs of, and to introduce non-fans to different anime. Nonetheless, the end-goal of any digital distribution initiatives will be to drive the sales of the series DVDs. Funimation's website has also recently been redesigned, with features like an enhanced video section and a list of broadcast of Funimation titles.

The cable FUNimation Channel continues to feature new series from both Funimation and other companies. Funimation's Black Cat, MoonPhase, Peach Girl and Suzuka have recently premiered on the channel, with Ninja Nonsense, Record of Lodoss War and Shingu set to start screening in the coming weeks.

The company is also continuing to promote its Operation Anime club assistance program, the budget-priced Viridian Collection of $14.98-$19.98 single DVDs and $29.98-$49.98 full-series box sets, and the Funimation Green initiative. All DVDs featuring that logo feature packing that uses recyclable materials, printing technologies that use renewable energy sources and cleaner production practices, and paper from forests grown with sustainable techniques.

Of the shows Funimation is currently releasing, Sheehan highlighted Shuffle!, Black Blood Brothers, the One Piece movie, and Aquarion. That show is being used to test how the North American anime market will respond to releases of multi-episode sets instead of four or five-episode individual disks. If it works, Funimation intends to release other future series the same way.

Spring plans include the May 20 street dates for the single-volume BALDR FORCE EXE Resolution series and the computer-animated movie Vexille. These will be followed on May 27 by the standard and Blu-Ray release of the Dragon Ball Z Dead Zone and The World's Strongest movies, packaged together in a single collector's tin. Both films will be remastered in high-definition, digitally restored and with a wide-screen transfer. On the same day, DBZ's Season 5, the complete Imperfect Cell and Perfect Cell sagas will also be brought out, with both Japanese and "newly revised" English-language dialogue. And for a one-two-three punch, the first of Funimation's DVD release of the uncut, Japanese-dialogue One Piece is scheduled for that date as well. One Piece, Season 1: First Voyage will be a two-DVD, 13-episode set, and further releases of the pirate adventure series will follow the same pattern of availability as sets only. The School Rumble OAV (scheduled for June 17) will be the last release of Spring 2008, and the second season of that series will be brought out over the second half of the year. The summer will also see the Blu-Ray version of the Dragon Ball Z: History of Trunks and Bardok specials.

With Sheehan's presentation taking up most of the panel's allotted hour, the audience questions at the end touched upon several older Funimation series. The license for Kodocha was not extended past episode 51, as the company chose to focus its resources on other, more popular series. On the other hand, while it did not work as well as expected in its Cartoon Network broadcast, more Case Closed season box sets are in the pipeline. Finally, while Funimation is extremely interested in acquiring the first 13 episodes of the original Dragon Ball, that license is not currently available.

Ranma4699

04-01-2008, 01:44 AM

Funimation CEO Discusses Anime's Future with Variety

Fukunaga acknowledges illegal downloads as one of several gauges of popularity

Variety.com, the website affiliated with the Daily Variety entertainment trade paper, discusses the future of the anime industry with CEO Gen Fukunaga of the distributor Funimation in a March 28 article. Fukunaga describes how his company attained its 27% anime DVD marketshare through market research and a willingness to adapt. "We look at Japanese ratings, sales of the manga (Japanese comics) and the DVD; fan polls in the various magazines. On the U.S. side, we look at the Internet chatter anecdotally, but there are ways of counting what people are downloading illegally. There are sites that'll rank the counts of downloads, and then we look at fan polls. So there's lots of data."

According to Variety.com, DVDs are still the biggest slice of the anime business, but Fukunaga expects that legal download sales will overshadow Funimation's sales of apparel, toys, and other merchandise. The article also quotes IFC channel's executive vice-president Evan Shapiro, who notes that anime companies offer their titles to television companies for relatively inexpensive rates, since television exposure boost DVD sales. CEO Milton Griepp of the ICv2 retail news source adds that anime is becoming more mainstream even as rapid industry changes are causing DVD sales to drop and smaller companies to totter financially. All three agree that the anime's relatively tech-savvy audience are pointing the way for the rest of the entertainment industry.

Ranma4699

04-02-2008, 01:53 AM

Funimation Named Best Independent Video Vendor

Trans World Entertainment, which operates over 800 retail music and media stores under the F.Y.E., Coconuts, and Suncoast names, has awarded FUNimation Entertainment the title of best independent video vendor of 2007. Trans World's DVD Buyer, Steve Paniccia, said that Funimation was chosen for the award because of its two-year track record of increasing sales and growth in overall profit percentages. The award ceremony was held on March 11 at New York City's Rainbow Room.

Ranma4699

04-22-2008, 02:15 AM

New York Comic Con
Funimation Entertainment

Adam Sheehan's Funimation Entertainment presentation was essentially a repeat of his panels at this year's previous conventions, Anime Boston and Katsucon. He did not announce any new acquisitions and instead, spent the panel highlighting Funimation's major titles for the first half of 2008, like the Dragon Ball Z season box sets and the XXXHOLiC television series. The first uncut One Piece box set is on track for May 27. It will contain the first 13 episodes of the series and will feature an original cover art as well as a “marathon play” option, which will roll all 13 episodes continuously, with no interruptions for the openings and endings. The School Rumble OAV is set for June 17, and Funimation will begin bringing out its second season soon after.

Ranma4699

05-13-2008, 01:30 AM

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Save Me! Lollipop

Funimation Adds Save Me! Lollipop Romantic Comedy Anime

Adapted from Michiyo Kikuta's Mamotte! Lollipop shōjo manga

Funimation announced that it has acquired the Save Me! Lollipop (Mamotte! Lollipop) romantic comedy anime from the Japanese publisher Kodansha. The story centers around a girl named Nina who *******s a Crystal Pearl after mistaking it for a lollipop. Two sorcerers from another world sudden appear to claim the Crystal Pearl as part of a critical trial. The two vow to protect Nina from other competing sorcerors until one or the other can safely retrieve the jewel and win the trial.

Director Noriyoshi Nakamura (Dragon Slayer, My Santa) adapted this anime from Michiyo Kikuta's Mamotte! Lollipop manga, which ran in Kodansha's Nakayoshi shōjo manga magazine. The anime aired 12 episodes in Japan in 2006. Funimation plans to release the series in one DVD set in late 2008.

Ranma4699

05-14-2008, 01:24 AM

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Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple

Funimation Gets Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple Anime

Adapted from Shun Matsuena's martial arts comedy manga

Funimation has announced that it has acquired the first 26 episodes of Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple, the martial-arts comedy television anime series. Kenichi is an ordinary student who has been bullied all through high school — until a girl convinces him to join her dojo and become a disciple of many martial arts styles. Director Hajime Kamegaki (Naruto Shippūden, Fushigi Yuugi) and the animators of TMS Entertainment adapted Shun Matsuena's manga of the same name, and the anime ran from October of 2006 to September of 2007.

Funimation will release the anime in two volumes starting in January of 2009. The original manga began in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine in 2002, and the 29th compiled volume is shipping this month in Japan.

Ranma4699

05-14-2008, 01:25 AM

Funimation Announces Kenichi

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple from TMS Entertainment, LTD.

Flower Mound, TX – May 13, 2008 – FUNimation® Entertainment today officially announces that it has acquired DVD and broadcast rights to 26 episodes (Season One) of the action-comedy anime series KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple from TMS Entertainment, LTD.

The Kenichi storyline was adapted from the Shijou no Deshi Kenichi manga series published by Shogakukan, Inc. The anime was directed by Hajime Kamegaki and produced by TMS Entertainment.

About Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple

Not every wimp gets a chance to change his fortunes. But Kenichi just might. The guy is a walking “kick me” sign. He's weakest among the weak and the bullies stalking his school remind him every chance they get.

With nobody on his side and zero self-confidence, Kenichi looks destined to bounce from fist to fist until graduation. Until he meets her.

There's something about Miu. She's kind, she's pretty… and she's an incredible fighter who lives in a dojo with six powerful masters of the Martial Arts – a group of experts skilled in the ancient disciplines of hand to hand combat.

These elite warriors have dedicated their bodies and minds to the endless pursuit of perfect technique.

Now, Kenichi will be their student.

He will have to do more than just toughen up. Kenichi must become the mightiest disciple and learn to stand strong for the powerless… if the training of his six new masters doesn't kill him first.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the KenIchi anime series in two volumes in 2009.

Legal line to accompany art: Original Comic Books Created by Syun Matsuena. ©Syun Matsuena ∙ Shogakukan / KenIchi Project ∙ TV Tokyo. Under License to FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. Produced by TMS Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

NOTICE - CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION The information in this communication is strictly confidential and may be privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of the information contained in this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender of your erroneous receipt and proceed to permanently delete this electronic communication.

Ranma4699

05-14-2008, 01:30 AM

Funimation Hints at Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- Anime

No official announcement made on Gunslinger Girl sequel

The North American distributor FUNimation Entertainment's website includes a mostly darkened-out silhouette of the Triela character from Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- in a box reserved for a new title announcement. Funimation plans to make that announcement tomorrow. The silhouette can be seen by clicking on the "WHAT COULD IT BE?" icon on the website.

Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- is the sequel to Gunslinger Girl, which Funimation released in North America starting in 2005. The anime is based on the manga by Yu Aida and follows a group of cyborg girls who work as government assassins. Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- aired in Japan this year from January 7 to March 31.

Funimation has not officially announced the acquisition or release of this series.

Ranma4699

05-15-2008, 01:21 AM

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Funimation Licenses Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino-

Confirms yesterday's "hint"

FUNimation Entertainment has announced its acquisition of Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino-. The anime is the sequel to Gunslinger Girl, which Funimation released in North America starting in 2005. Both series are based on the manga by Yu Aida and follows a group of cyborg girls who work as government assassins. Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- aired in Japan this year from January 7 to March 31. The official English website is now online, after Funimation used its main company website to broadly "hint" at its license yesterday.

Unlike the first series, which was produced by Madhouse (BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad, Claymore), Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- was produced by Artland (Eyeshield 21, Mushi-Shi).

Ranma4699

05-15-2008, 01:22 AM

Funimation Announces Acquisition of Gunslinger Girl Il Teatrino

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- from

Marvelous Entertainment Inc.

Flower Mound, TX – May 14, 2008 – FUNimation® Entertainment today officially announces that it has acquired DVD and broadcast rights to the 13-episode action drama anime series Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- from Marvelous Entertainment Inc.

Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- is the sequel to the Gunslinger Girl series currently distributed by FUNimation. The Gunslinger Girl storyline is adapted from the manga Gunslinger Girl by Yu Aida. The anime was directed by Rei Mano (Ghost Hunt, among others) and produced by Artland (Mushi-Shi).

About Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino-

When the Social Welfare Agency investigates the disappearance of an operative, their inquiry leads them right into the lair of their rival, the Five Republics. The assassin Triela infiltrates the hostile organization, but her search is cut short when she finds herself staring down the barrel of a gun.

FUNimation Entertainment will release all 13 episodes of Gunslinger Girl -Il Teatrino- in one complete DVD release in 2009.

Stay tuned to www.funimation.com tomorrow for another announcement!

Ranma4699

05-15-2008, 01:40 AM

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Funimation Hints at Soukou no Strain Anime

No official announcement made on Studio Fantasia military robot series

The North American distributor FUNimation Entertainment's website features darkened-out silhouettes of the Sara Werec and Emily characters (as well as the STRAIN RAM-DASS unit) from the Soukou no Strain anime. Funimation plans to make an announcement of a new title tomorrow. The silhouettes can be seen by clicking on the "CHECK BACK TOMORROW" icon on the website.

Soukou no Strain is a military robot anime series from Studio Fantasia that aired in Japan from November of 2006 to February of 2007. The series nominally borrows from Frances Hogson Burnett's A Little Princess novel about a rich daughter named Sarah Crewe who suddenly loses her father and her family fortune and must work as a common servant. The anime centers around a 16-year-old girl named Sarah Werec who loses her military status when her brother seemingly becomes a traitor to her government. Sarah works back up the ranks as a common pilot to confront her brother.

Funimation has not officially announced the acquisition or release of this series.

Ranma4699

05-16-2008, 01:28 AM

Funimations Adds Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry

Robot anime based loosely on A Little Princess novel to ship in March 2009

The North American distributor Funimation has announced that it has acquired the Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry (Soukou no Strain) anime series. As it has for other title announcements this week, the company hinted at this license with a teaser image yesterday. The 13-episode military robot anime series will ship in English in March of 2009.

Director Tetsuya Watanabe (Rumbling Hearts, Zone of the Enders) and Studio Fantasia (Rumbling Hearts, Stratos 4) animated this series which aired in Japan from November of 2006 to February of 2007. The series loosely adapts Frances Hogson Burnett's A Little Princess novel about a rich daughter named Sarah Crewe who suddenly loses her father and her family fortune and must work as a common servant. The anime resets the plot in space in the distant future. It centers around a 16-year-old girl named Sarah Werec who loses her military status when her brother seemingly becomes a traitor to her government. Sarah struggles back up the ranks as a common pilot in hopes of confronting her brother.

Ranma4699

05-16-2008, 01:31 AM

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Funimation Teases with Shigurui Image

No official announcement made on Madhouse adaptation of historical manga

The North American distributor Funimation has again posted a darkened-out silhouette of a new title announcement on its main webpage. The silhouette of the Gennosuke Fujiki character from the Shigurui historical anime can be seen by clicking on the "OMG NO WAY" icon on the website. Funimation plans to make an announcement of a new title tomorrow.

In Shigurui, director Hirotsugu Hamazaki (Texhnolyze) and the animation studio Madhouse adapts Takayuki Yamaguchi's manga which is set in Edo-era Japan. The one-armed Fujiki and blind Seigen Irako fight a tournament match to determine the true successor to Kogan Iwamoto, Japan's greatest swordsman. The manga itself adapted Norio Nanjo's Suruga-jō Gozen Jiai (The Tournament at Suruga Castle) novel. The 12-episode anime series ran in Japan from July to October of last year.

Funimation has not officially announced the acquisition or release of this series.

Ranma4699

05-20-2008, 01:17 PM

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FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Shigurui: Death Frenzy

Flower Mound, TX – May 16, 2008 – FUNimation® Entertainment today officially announces that it has acquired DVD, digital and broadcast rights to the 12 -episode Edo period drama anime series Shigurui: Death Frenzy from MAD HOUSE, Inc.

The storyline is adapted from the manga "Shigurui" created by Takayuki Yamaguchi based on the novel “Suruga-jou Gozen Jiai” by Norio Nanjo. The anime was directed by Hirotsugu Hamazaki and produced by Mad House Studios (Gunslinger Girl, Claymore).

About Shigurui: Death Frenzy

The bloody tale Shigurui: Death Frenzy is based upon actual events of 17th century feudal Japan.

The story begins at the moment just before the end: Two disfigured opponents face off in a hidden tournament under the eyes of a deranged Shogun. Destined to fight to the death; the end result of the dark history which they have shared.

Only seven years before, these two students met within the walls of a renowned dojo. Learning the secret sword techniques of their master, they became warriors of the blade and competitors for the hand of their teacher's daughter… the very future of the dojo a prize to be claimed. Within a nation at peace, violence erupts around two rivals fated for one final duel.

FUNimation Entertainment will release all 12 episodes of Shigurui: Death Frenzy in 2009.

Please visit www.funimation.com/Shigurui to see video from the series.

Ranma4699

05-20-2008, 01:19 PM

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FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Highly-Anticipated Epic Anime Series Romeo x Juliet from GDH K.K.

Flower Mound, TX – May 17, 2008 – A young couple are star-crossed lovers in the latest acquisition by FUNimation® Entertainment. FUNimation announced today at Anime Central that it has acquired DVD and broadcast rights to the 24 -episode romantic action anime series Romeo X Juliet from GDH K.K.

Romeo X Juliet is an epic re-imagining of the Shakespearean classic tragedy. Now set in a dreamlike Verona of the future, the medieval beauty of the original drama is captured by director Fumitoshi Oisaki and produced by Studio Gonzo (Afro Samurai and Witchblade).

About Romeo X Juliet
In a world where the earth is barren, humans populate a floating city in the sky known as Neo Verona. For decades the city of Neo Verona enjoyed harmony and prosperity under the rule of King Capulet and the Capulet family. One evening the King's nemesis Duke Montague storms the King's palace and murders the entire Capulet family with the exception of one escapee, Juliet Capulet. A mere child at the time of her family's murder, she is hidden within the city and is raised with no knowledge of her noble lineage. As Juliet matures and realizes the hardships and cruelty imposed upon the people under King Montague's reign, she dons a red cape and mask to become the Scarlet Whirlwind, a superhero of sorts to the people of Neo Verona who rights wrongs and saves lives. While under this guise she encounters Romeo Montague, the only son of King Montague, and successor to the throne. As the mystery around Juliet's past and future becomes clear, they begin a timeless romance that is tested by loyalty, society and ultimately mortality.

FUNimation Entertainment will release all 24 episodes of Romeo X Juliet in two 12 episode season sets in Spring and Summer 2009.

O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, being in night, all this is but a dream, too flattering-sweet to be substantial....

Ranma4699

05-20-2008, 01:22 PM

Funimation Acquires Romeo x Juliet, D. Gray-Man

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Two new series from Gonzo, TMS Entertainment due out next year

At its Anime Central industry panel on Saturday evening, FUNimation Entertainment announced its acquisition of Romeo X Juliet, Gonzo's 24-episode science-fiction take on the William Shakespeare play. It will be released in two half-season boxes, with the first due out sometime in the spring of 2009. Funimation also confirmed that the release date for Ouran High School Host Club will be revealed during a special event on May 30.

At the same time as the panel was taking place, the Funimation.com website was updated with a splash page for another new license: D.Gray-man, which is also on track for a 2009 release.

Ranma4699

05-20-2008, 01:29 PM

Vexille to be Shown in Washington, D.C. on May 29

Funimation to release 3D CG science-fiction film on DVD on Tuesday

The Japan Information and Culture Center of the Embassy of Japan and DC Anime Club will screen Fumihiko Sori's computer-graphics Vexille film for free on May 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The film centers on a future Japan that shuts its borders in techno-political isolation, and an American special forces unit that infiltrates Japan to investigate a terrorist threat. The film will inaugurate the center's new series of showings based on anime and manga. Funimation will officially release the film on DVD on Tuesday.

Ranma4699

05-27-2008, 01:59 AM

Funimation Unveils Mobile Video-on-Demand Offerings

Galaxy Railways, MoonPhase available to AT&T users; more series to come

FUNimation Entertainment has partnered with Red Planet Media to begin distributing its shows via digital download to video-capable cellular phones. Episodes of Funimation's MoonPhase and Galaxy Railways are currently available for purchase via Red Planet's Jump In Mobile service. The episodes are available at 99 cents each, but limited to customers of AT&T Wireless. This will be the first step in an ongoing process, and the company plans to offer entire full seasons of its anime series via the service, while expanding it to other wireless providers as well.

Funimation has been a leader in anime digital distribution via Apple's iTunes, Microsoft's Zune and XBox Live, as well as its own website. Since late in 2006, ADV Films has been offering both clips from many of its anime to Sprint customers via Zoovision.

Ranma4699

05-28-2008, 02:26 AM

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D.GRAY-MAN

FUNimation® Entertainment today officially announces that it has acquired DVD, digital, licensing and broadcast rights to 51 episodes of the anime series D. Gray-Man from Dentsu. Japan's TV Tokyo has aired the series since 2006.

The D. Gray-Man storyline was adapted from the gothic "D Gray-man" manga series by Katsura Hoshino, first serialized in 2004 in Weekly Shonen Jump. The anime was directed by Nabeshima Osamu and produced by TMS Entertainment.

"D. Gray-Man is not only wildly popular in Japan, it is one of the most anticipated series by U.S. anime fans," said Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO at FUNimation Entertainment. "Fans have been speculating about this title for years and we are pleased to be the ones to bring it to them."

About D Gray-man
Allen Walker is a young boy who is a member of The Black Order; a secretive organization whose members are known as Exorcists. The Order's primary mission is to stop The Millennium Earl, an ancient being who intends to 'cleanse' the world by destroying all life on it.
Exorcists are specially chosen humans who are gifted with the ability to control and use Innocence, a divine substance created in ages past to combat the Earl and his minions.
The Millennium Earl is aided in his plans by The Noah Clan, humans who are direct descendants of Noah himself, and commands an army of demonic creatures called Akuma to do his bidding. Since Akuma can impersonate humans and blend in with society, Exorcists are routinely assigned to track down and eliminate them. Allen is the only exorcist able to see through the Akuma's disguise.
Japan takes center stage in this end of 19th Century set battle between the Millennium Earl and the Exorcists – who have God on their side.
FUNimation Entertainment will release the first volume of the D. Gray-Man anime series in early 2009.

Ranma4699

06-10-2008, 02:07 AM

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Funimation Starts Podcast, Announces 1st Ouran Voices

The North American distributor Funimation announced that it will start a podcast this Monday. The podcast's first episode will focus on the staffers of Funimation's adaptation of One Piece and Shin-chan. In addition, it will include trailers and a look at Funimation's localization process. Funimation also announced two of the English dub's voices for Ouran High School Host Club. Carrie Savage will play Momoka Kurakano, and Eric Vale will play Toru Suzushima.

Ranma4699

06-19-2008, 01:47 AM

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Funimation Acquires Big Windup! Baseball TV Anime

Anime adapts Ookiku Furikabutte manga about high school pitcher's rise

Funimation has announced that it has acquired Big Windup!, the 26-episode baseball television anime known as Ookiku Furikabutte in Japan. The series adapts Asa Higuchi's manga about Ren Mihashi, a losing pitcher who quit his middle-school baseball team after his teammates harassed him — they think he only became a pitcher because his grandfather ran the school. At high school, Ren is forced to become a pitcher again, but he and his new team eventually recapture the spirit of the game.

Tsutomu Mizushima (XXXHOLiC, Kujibiki Unbalance, Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan) directed this anime with Aniplex's newly formed A-1 Pictures studio. Yousuke Kuroda oversaw the scripts after working on Honey and Clover II, Ring ni Kakero, and Saint Seiya: The Hades Chapter. The manga has been running in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon since 2003, and the anime ran from April to September of last year. The manga won the 10th Osamu Tezuka Cultural Awards' New Hope Award in 2006 and the 31st Kodansha Manga Award in the General Category in 2007. Voters chose it as one of their 100 favorite manga titles in the Japan Media Arts Festival's 10th anniversary celebration in 2007.

Ranma4699

06-19-2008, 01:50 AM

FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Big Windup! from Kodansha Ltd.

Flower Mound, TX – June 17, 2008 – FUNimation® Entertainment today officially announces that it has acquired rights to the 26 -episode competition anime series Big Windup! (known in Japan as Ookiku Furikabutte) from Kodansha Ltd.

The Big Windup! anime storyline is adapted from the manga "Ookiku Furikabutte" by Asa Higuchi. The manga won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize for best creative work in 2006 and the Kodansha Manga Award for general manga in 2007. In order to create Ookiku Furikabutte, Higuchi collected data for 10 years on high school baseball!

The anime was directed by Tsutomu Mizushima (XXXHOLiC series, movie, and OVA) and produced by A-1 Pictures, Inc. (a subsidiary of Aniplex). The music composer, Shiroh Hamaguchi, also composed the music for One Piece, Kiddy Grade, and Ah! My Goddess TV series and movie. He also did the music arrangement for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.

About Big Windup!
Ren Mihashi was the pitcher for his middle school baseball team and could never win a game. After being bullied by his teammates, who believed the only reason Ren was allowed to continue to pitch was because his grandfather ran the school, he quits baseball and transfers to Nishiura High School. Ren reluctantly takes the mound again when forced to join his new high school ball club. With the help of catcher, Abe Takaya, and his teammates, maybe Ren can regain his self-confidence and lead the team to victory.

Ranma4699

07-01-2008, 02:10 AM

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Funimation Adds Heroic Age Anime

Trailer posted online for mythological science fiction tale by Fafner team

The North American distributor Funimation has announced that it has licensed the Heroic Age television anime series from the Japanese media company Kodansha. Tow Ubukata (Fafner, Le Chevalier D'Eon, Mardock Scramble) created this science-fiction story about the struggle of the Iron Tribe — humanity — against the technologically advanced Silver Tribe that has ruled space ever since the ancient Gold Tribe disappeared. A man named Age (Hiroshi Yazaki) and princess named Deianeira (Yui Ishikawa) are the answers to Gold Tribe's prophecies that bind all the races.

Funimation is streaming a trailer of the anime on a new official English website. Fafner producer Takashi Noto and Fafner episode director Toshimasa Suzuki oversaw the animators at Xebec on this 26-episode series last year. Funimation plans to release the series on DVD in 2009.

Ranma4699

07-03-2008, 01:58 AM

Funimation, YouTube Set Up Branded Online Channel

Blue Gender, Slayers, Peach Girl, Mushishi, Kiddy Grade episodes to be added
The North American anime distributor FUNimation Entertainment has announced that it has set up a branded channel on the YouTube video-sharing website for trailers, promotional videos, and eventually full episodes of Funimation's titles. Funimation plans to add full episodes of Blue Gender, Slayers, Peach Girl, Mushi-Shi, Kiddy Grade, and other titles every week starting this month. A number of Japanese companies have set up similar channels on YouTube and other websites, but Funimation says its effort is the first such channel by an American anime company.

Ranma4699

07-03-2008, 02:01 AM

FUNimation® Entertainment and YouTube Strike Content and Advertising Agreement

Leading Anime Company to Distribute Programming through New YouTube Channel

FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS – July 2, 2008 – FUNimation Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Navarre Corporation, and YouTube,™ the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos, established a content and advertising relationship to provide greater visibility for FUNimation titles on a YouTube branded Channel. This is the first time a US anime company establishes a branded Channel on YouTube and FUNimation Entertainment plans to offer the YouTube community a wide variety of video programming.
Starting this month, the FUNimation YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/funimation) will have newly added video content from the company's most popular series, including full-length episodes of “Blue Gender”, “Slayers”, “Peach Girl”, “Mushi-Shi”, and “Kiddy Grade”, as well as many upcoming titles. New episodes from the series will be available every week and will remain on the Channel for a limited time. Program excerpts and extended previews will also be available on the Channel, as well as promotional content and special YouTube-only features.
“There is no doubt that YouTube is one of the fastest growing new media platforms out there,” said Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO at FUNimation Entertainment. “We look forward to connecting existing fans with their favorite programming from Japan, faster than ever before, while introducing a new audience to quality anime series.”
"We are excited to present FUNimation's unique and creative content to anime fans all over the world," said Cliff Samaniego, YouTube strategic partner development manager. "FUNimation's Channel already contains a wide variety of quality clips tailored to our community and we are waiting to see what's next."
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.

Ranma4699

07-07-2008, 01:30 AM

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Funimation Announces Ouran High School Host Club Cast

Series to ship in 13-episode boxes starting in October
The North American anime distributor Funimation has announced its full English dub cast for Ouran High School Host Club at the anime's panel in Anime Expo at Los Angeles, California on Friday. The company also said that it will be releasing the series in 13-episode half-series boxes starting in October. The English dub cast is as follows:

Caitlin Glass as Haruhi Fujioka
Vic Mignogna as Tamaki Suou
Greg Ayres as Kaoru Hitachiin
J. Michael Tatum as Kyoya Ohtori
Luci Christian as Mitsukuni Haninozuka
Mike McFarland as Ryuuji "Ranka" Fujioka
Patrick Seitz as Umehito Nekozawa
Todd Haberkorn as Hikaru Hitachiin
Travis Willingham as Takashi Morinozuka
Aaron Dismuke as Yasuchika Haninozuka
Brittney Karbowski as Hinako Tsuwabuki
Carrie Savage as Momoka Kurakano
Cherami Leigh as Kirimi Nekozawa
Christopher R. Sabat as Ritsu Kasanoda
Eric Vale as Toru Suzushima
Jamie Marchi as Chizuru Maihara
R Bruce Elliott as Kasanoda's Father

Ranma4699

07-07-2008, 02:22 AM

Anime Expo 2008
Funimation Entertainment

Panelist: Adam Sheehan

Funimation started the panel with their take on the state of the anime industry. As Sheehan made the audience chant in unison, their mantra was, “Don't Panic!” He went on to talk about how Funimation was responding to the changes, such as marketing to the “non-anime market” by selling 13-episode season boxsets of new shows. They're also trying to embrace new technology by releasing select titles on Blu-Ray and offering digital downloads.

Two new shows will be added to the iTunes store in late July—Aquarion and Witchblade. Each episode will be dubbed, and can be bought for $1.99 per episode. Funimation is also offering mobile downloads of anime for video-capable AT&T and Sprint phones. Viewers will be able to buy either Gunslinger Girl or MoonPhase episode packages for $4.99 a month. With either package, the first season of Galaxy Railways will be included for free. The episodes will be split into five minute chapters.

Funimation is in a partnership with Youtube to provide full length episodes of Blue Gender, Slayers, Peach Girl, Mushi-Shi, and Kiddy Grade. More series will be added later.

Sheehan then went over a few recent and upcoming releases. Several titles are available on Blu-Ray, including Afro Samurai, two Dragon Ball Z double features, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, SHINOBI (live-action), and Vexille. The next few months will also see boxsets of Case Closed s.1 and Yu Yu Hakusho s.1. One Piece s.2 part 2 will be released in September, with the sixth season of Dragon Ball Z coming later in the year. Dragonball GT s.1 will be released in late 2008. Other titles for this winter include Ouran Host Club and Darker than BLACK.

A slew of new acquisitions were announced, all of which had been mentioned in previous press releases. Funimation has the rights for several shows, including Save Me! Lollipop, Kenichi, Gunslinger Girl: Il Treatrino, Strain: Strategic Armored Infancy, Shigurui: Death Frenzy, Romeo X Juliet, Heroic Age, and Big Windup!. They will also be marketing and distributing several Geneon titles. Geneon will be finishing the production of the shows, including the dubbing. The shows will be completed on individual discs, but will eventually be released as boxsets.

Funimation has also acquired the distribution rights for over 30 titles previously held by ADV Films. According to Funimation CEO Gen Fukanaga, they are in talks to have ADV finish the production of the series.

Ranma4699

07-09-2008, 02:15 AM

Funimation's First Releases from Geneon Deal Scheduled

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Black Lagoon, Gelade, Karin, Kyo kara Maoh!, Hellsing Ultimate, Higurashi, more
Funimation has scheduled the first anime DVD releases from its distribution deal with Geneon Entertainment (USA):

August 19: Black Lagoon season 1, Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage volume 1, Elemental Gelade volume 1

September 2: Karin volumes 1-4, Kyo kara Maoh! season 2's volume 1-7

September 9: Shakugan no Shana series box

September 16: Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage volume 2, Fate/stay night
series box, Hellsing Ultimate volumes 1-4, Rozen Maiden series box

September 23: Kamichu! series box, Paradise Kiss series box

September 30: When They Cry - Higurashi volumes 1-4

Funimation announced at Anime Expo 2008 on Thursday that it had agreed to manufacture, sell, and distribute selected DVD titles from Geneon Entertainment in North America. Geneon Entertainment had ceased in-house distribution of its own titles last September.

Source: Anime Nation, Right Stuf, Robert's Anime Corner Store

Ranma4699

07-10-2008, 02:25 AM

Full Seasons of the Best Anime from FUNimation Channel Launch on JumpInMobile.TV – The New Mobile Video-on-Demand Service from Red Planet Media

Three of FUNimation Channel's most popular anime series, MoonPhase, Gunslinger Girl and Galaxy Railways, are now available on over 30 million cell phones across the U.S. JumpInMobile.TV from Red Planet Media, Inc. is an entirely new generation of longform, on-demand mobile video that can be accessed any time, any place. Sprint and AT&T Wireless subscribers can try out the service by texting the words "go funimation" to the number "22646" or by pointing their cell phone browsers to http://jumpinmobile.tv/funimation

Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) July 9, 2008 -- Red Planet Media, Inc. announced today the launch of the FUNimation Channel on JumpInMobile.TV, the wireless industry's newest and most dynamic mobile video-on-demand service. The FUNimation Channel contains full seasons of MoonPhase, Gunslinger Girl and Galaxy Railways, with each title consisting of up to 26 half hour episodes. The FUNimation Channel on JumpInMobile.TV represents the largest selection of on-demand anime ever offered on mobile phones and is compatible with an estimated 30 million AT&T and Sprint phones including models from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and the Apple iPhone. AT&T or Sprint customers can point their cell phone browsers to http://jumpinmobile.tv/funimation or can send a “go funimation” text message to 22646 to receive a link to FUNimation Channel's JumpInMobile.TV home page. There, fans can learn more about the service, view free trailers and sign up for the channel.

FUNimation is the leading provider of top quality anime content aimed at young adults with dozens of the most popular titles including Dragon Ball, Slayers, and Spiral. The linear FUNimation Channel is available on a growing list of independent television systems across the nation. With the launch of the FUNimation Channel on JumpInMobile.TV, FUNimation's vast anime catalog can now reach a mobile phone audience estimated at over 30 million people.

"This new partnership shows our commitment in providing innovative multi-platform content that is also a rich interactive experience for our fans," said Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO at FUNimation Entertainment. "We also expect that the promotional value of this mobile content will increase awareness about our series and ratings for our linear TV channel."

OlympuSAT, a leading distributor of independent television channels throughout the U.S., manages the distribution and marketing of both the linear TV and the JumpInMobile.TV FUNimation Channels. In support of the launch of the new mobile channel, OlympuSAT is developing an advertising campaign consisting of television, print and web.

JumpInMobile.TV is an on-demand service for owners of Sprint and AT&T video-capable phones. Consisting of a growing number of channels including FUNimation, Cine Mexicano and Noti Mobile, JumpInMobile.TV turns long form content such as full seasons of FUNimation and full-length movies from Cine Mexicano into easy-to-manage on-demand chapters navigated with the phone's Internet browser. Subscribers to the channel have unlimited access to all the chapters in the channel each month and the cost of a monthly subscription is conveniently added to the consumer's monthly bill.

JumpInMobile.TV uses the mobile phone's native video player and does not require the download of a separate application, making it compatible with an estimated 30 million mobile phones in the U.S. The content adaptation and playback capabilities are powered by QuickPlay Media, the leader in mobile TV and video solutions.

“Premiering JumpInMobile.TV with the FUNimation Channel is an exciting showcase for all the partners involved in this project,” said Dean Fresonke, President of Red Planet Media. “Rather than the minutes a week of fresh mobile video on a handful of phones available from virtually every other provider, the FUNimation Channel and JumpInMobile.TV are bringing hours and hours of the top anime titles to millions of mobile phone owners. This is just the beginning of an entire family of JumpInMobile.TV channels that are simple to access and compelling to watch.”

About Red Planet Media

Red Planet Media, Inc. connects people to their desires and empowers them to better their lives by extending the capabilities of cell phones far beyond voice. JumpInMobile.com allows people to “Get Social on Your Cell” by enabling them to interact and transact across town or across the globe. JumpInMobile.TV is a mobile phone video-on-demand service that brings engaging entertainment and personal enrichment to a vast number of mobile phone viewers. Learn more at www.redplanetmedia.com

About OlympuSAT

OlympuSAT, Inc. distributes top independently owned and operated digital networks on individual transponder platforms and currently represents more than two dozen diverse channels through their Hispanic, OlympuSAT I Digital and Faith & Families Packs. A turnkey service provider, OlympuSAT facilitates technical related services for the transponder along with affiliate sales services. An affiliate of Ocean Communications, OlympuSAT is based in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving homes nationwide. www.olympusat.com

About the FUNimation Channel

The FUNimation Channel was conceived as a vehicle to expose a wider audience to the unique storytelling style and graceful animation inherent in the Japanese style of animation. In addition, it provides anime and entertainment fans direct access to FUNimation® Entertainment's exclusive portfolio of leading anime titles as well as top titles from other U.S. anime companies. FUNimation Channel in partnership with OlympuSAT offers video providers across the nation the FUNimation Channel linear feed as well as top syndicated & multiplatform transactional programming. For a full list and descriptions of these series and others, or for more information on the FUNimation Channel, its availability or how to get it, visit www.funimationchannel.com.

Ranma4699

07-16-2008, 03:23 AM

Funimation, BONES Anime on PlayStation Video Service (Update 2)
Funimation in tonight's launch; BONES' Xam'd to be exclusively online

At its E3 2008 press conference on Tuesday, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has announced that Funimation will be providing anime titles for the tonight's launch of the PlayStation Store's video download service for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PSP consoles. Users can download videos onto the PS3 via the PlayStation Network, and then watch the videos on the PS3 directly or transfer the videos onto the PSP portable console. Standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) television episodes will cost US$1.99, while movies will cost US$2.99 to US$5.99 for renting or up to US$14.99 for purchases.

SCEA's corporate parent Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI) has also announced that Xam'd: Lost Memories (Bōnen no Xamdou, pictured at right), the new anime from the BONES studio (Fullmetal Alchemist, Eureka Seven) that has yet to premiere in Japan, will be part of the store's "original exclusive content." Sony Music and SCEI are collaborating with BONES on the anime's production, which will be presented on the store in SD and HD. The story follows a boy named Akiyuki who is heading to school with two friends when an explosion occurs. In the mysterious light from the explosion, Akiyuki transforms into a creature called Xam'd. Xam'd goes on a rampage which is only stopped when a red-haired foreign girl appears.

Source: G4, Video Business

Image © BONES/Xamdou Production Committee

Update: The PlayStation Network is now hosting a new downloadable trailer for Xam'd: Lost Memories. Thanks, bahamut623.

Update 2: The PlayStation Store is now live. The following Funimation series are available for downloading in standard definition at US$1.99 an episode:

* Afro Samurai season 1
* Basilisk season 1
* Burst Angel season 1
* Desert Punk
* Gunslinger Girl
* Kiddy Grade
* MoonPhase
* Samurai 7 season 1
* Trinity Blood season 1

The first two seasons of Sony Pictures Entertainment's 2003 Astro Boy series are also available for the same price as above.

The following BONES series is available for renting in standard definition at US$2.99 and in high definition at US$3.99 for the first episode:

* Xam'd: Lost Memories

The following Funimation feature is available in standard definition at US$7.99:

* Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles

Ranma4699

07-22-2008, 12:27 AM

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Funimation Licenses Baccano! Anime

Aniplex's adaptation of Ryohgo Narita's light novels set in the early 1930s

The North American distributor Funimation has announced in its Monday video update that it has acquired the Baccano! anime series. Funimation's official website for the series is streaming the first English-subtitled episode for users who type in the anime's featured train (Flying *****foot) as the password. Takahiro Omori directed this Aniplex adaptation of Ryohgo Narita's light novel series about immortal alchemists, thieves, and killers whose paths meet in the United States during the Roaring Twenties.

Update: The light novels and the anime are mostly set in the 1930s. Thanks, Andrew Cunningham.

Ranma4699

07-22-2008, 12:29 AM

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Funimation Offers Subbed Downloads of Jyu-Oh-Sei

Entire series available before any North American DVD plans are announced

The North American distributor Funimation has posted downloads for all 11 English-subtitled episodes of the Jyu-Oh-Sei science-fiction adventure anime series. In this adaptation of Natsumi Itsuki's manga, two twin brothers must fend for themselves when they are deposited on a untamed planet after witnessing their parents' deaths. While Funimation announced its acquisition of this anime at last year's Anime Expo, it has yet to announce DVD plans for it. Funimation's in-house video download service effectively requires a computer running a Microsoft Windows XP or higher in the United States. Each episode costs US$1.99, and the entire series costs US$16.99.

Other English-subtitled series that Funimation's video service offers include Black Blood Brothers, Rumbling Hearts: KimiNozo, Shuffle!, Trinity Blood, and Witchblade. Tokyopop announced its acquisition of the original Jyu Oh Sei manga at last year's Anime Expo also, and it will release the first volume at the beginning of next month.

Ranma4699

09-09-2008, 11:28 AM

Funimation Tallies 1/3rd of North American Anime Sales

Distributor's share in 1st half of 2008 may be even higher if Wal-Mart is included

The ICv2 retail news source reports that Funimation commanded 32.7% of North American anime sales in the first half of 2008, according to data from the Nielsen VideoScan service. VideoScan's statistics do not include sales from the Wal-Mart retail chain, for which Funimation may have an even higher share of the market. This increase in Funimation's share does not include the recently announced acquisitions of former ADV titles and relicensed Geneon titles, both of which began shipping in the second half of 2008. ICv2 has also announced the release of the ICv2 Guide #59: Anime/Manga book, which includes more information on the North American anime and manga markets. The guide includes ICv2's lists of the top 50 anime and manga during the first half of the year.

Update: Retailer AnimeNation's John Oppliger, who has access to either the full ICv2 Guide or the actual Nielsen figures, notes in his store's blog that the other major companies' shares of the North American market for the same period are Viz Media: 15.9%, ADV Films: 10.5%, Bandai Entertainment: 7.7%, and Media Blasters: 5%.

Ranma4699

09-09-2008, 11:30 AM

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Funimation Acquires Kaze No Stigma from Gonzo

24-episode supernatural action anime to be released in summer of 2009

The North American distributor FUNimation Entertainment has announced the acquisition of the Kaze no Stigma television series from the Gonzo anime studio. The anime adapts Takahiro Yamato and Hanamaru Nanto's supernatural action light novel series, which has 12 volumes so far. The story centers on Kazuma Kannagi, a man who was banished his family of fire magic users by his own father after he was defeated by his cousin Ayano. Four years later, Kazuma is now 22 and has become a wind magic user after a contract with the spirit of wind. Kazuma returns to his former home and faces Ayano again.

The anime version features director Jun'ichi Sakata (Card Captor Sakura, DNA²) and series script supervisor Mayori Sekijima (Angel Sanctuary, MoonPhase). Funimation will launch the 24-episode series on DVD in the summer of 2009.

Ranma4699

10-29-2008, 07:43 AM

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FUNimation Sues CA Retail Sites over Alleged Bootlegs

Suit over Fruits Basket, Dragon Ball, DBZ, DBGT, Fullmetal Alchemist DVDs

The North American anime distributor FUNimation Productions is suing a group of related companies in Southern California for allegedly selling counterfeit DVDs of its licensed anime on a website. FUNimation is alleging that a California resident named Hae Yong Ro and four affiliated businesses — N Trading, Inc, Discount Anime DVD, BuyDVD.com, and DOES — infringed on FUNimation and its licensers' copyrights and trademarks by selling unauthorized copies of Fruits Basket, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragonball GT, and Fullmetal Alchemist. Some of the DVDs are said to have included English dubbing.

FUNimation stated that it first became aware of the defendants' activities around 2006, and it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the defendants in February 2008. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants received the letter "but failed and refused to respond or to cease the advertising and distribution of the works." After FUNimation informed the defendants' website hosting company, the hosting company suspended the defendants' website in April. The defendants allegedly promised to remove the infringing content to have their website restored, but "instead failed and refused to remove all of the infringing DVDs." Once notified of this, the hosting company shut down the website. "Within 36 hours, [the] defendants' website was posted again with a new website host based in Korea," and the new website "continued to advertise, offer for sale, distribute, and sell the works." The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants have been manufacturing and selling unauthorized DVD copies since March of 2002.

Funimation's legal representative filed the lawsuit in August. The suit is still active, pending a scheduling conference between all parties that is set for November 17 in a Los Angeles courtroom. The lawsuit is requesting the seizure or destruction of all DVD copies, as well as "all plates, molds, matrices, masters, tapes, film negatives, or other articles" used in the copying under the United States copyright law. The suit further asserts damages in the range of US$23.7 million, not including US$80,000 in legal fees. FUNimation is also requesting that the defendants "notify all customers who purchased [an infringing] DVD" … "that said DVD is an unlawful copy, and may be returned for a full refund, including shipping" to be paid by the defendants. FUNimation is asking for an additional US$5,005,000, and compensation for more legal fees, for the infringement of TV Tokyo, Square Enix, and Shueisha's trademarks.

According to Exhibit A of the lawsuit, the defendants sold "Fruits Basket Perfect Collection DVD (English Dubbed)" with 26 episodes, "Fullmetal Alchemist" with 24 episodes, and "Dragonball GT Prologue (DVD Box Set, English Dubbed)" with 16 episodes. Exhibit A also lists "Dragon Ball Z DVD Part 03" with episodes 55-81, "Dragon Ball Z DVD Part 06" with episodes 136-148, "Dragon Ball DVD Part 4" with episodes 79-104, and "Dragon Ball DVD Part 5" with episodes 105-130. In all, the DVDs included 158 episodes. (Under the United States copyright law, each episode is considered a separate work.)

BuyDVD.com was officially affiliated with Anime Nuts, a brick-and-mortar store that operated in the Southern California city of Anaheim until October 12. Ro, who also goes by the name Richard Ro, is the administrative contact for both BuyDVD.com and DiscountAnimeDVD.com. BuyDVD.com is listed under the company name of N Trading, Inc. N Trading, DiscountAnimeDVD.com, and BuyDVD.com all operated out of the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Fe Springs. The websites of both DiscountAnimeDVD.com and BuyDVD.com have been down this week.

Anime Nuts' brick-and-mortar store did not carry unauthorized DVDs on its shelves during its store-closing sale, in which all items were marked 50% off and eventually 60% off. Items that sold out in the physical store were immediately listed as sold out on both BuyDVD.com and DiscountAnimeDVD.com. An employee told customers that the store owner had said that the store's closing was due to the worsening outlook for the anime retail field.

Ro and the other defendants have denied the allegations in their answer to the legal complaint. The defendants also gave ten lines of defense, including the claim of "the doctrine of fair use," their "good faith belief that such products were authentic and authorized by [the] plaintiff for resale," and the statute of limitations.

FUNimation gave the following statement to ANN: "We can confirm that we have discovered the unauthorized sale of counterfeit DVDs of FUNimation titles through DiscountAnimeDVD.com. As a result of this discovery, we did file a complaint in Federal District Court against N Trading, Inc., the owners/operators of the site. We feel that exercising our rights in this manner is sometimes the best way to protect the creative contributions of everyone involved in such collaborative endeavors." Ro, BuyDVD.com, and Anime Nuts did not respond to multiple requests for comment via email and telephone.

Ranma4699

11-03-2008, 01:38 AM

Funimation's Revenues Drive Navarre 2Q Financials

Licenses, digital pacts behind 6.5% sales rise for Navarre's publishing segment

Navarre Corporation, the parent company of the anime licensing and distribution company FUNimation, has announced that second quarter net sales for all of its units grew 18.5% from the same period last year. The total figure for the three months from July to September was US$170.3 million, compared to last year's US$143.7 million.

Navarre CEO Gary Deacon said that there were "significant increases in sales of anime content" within Navarre's publishing segment that includes FUNimation, Encore, and BCI. Net sales for the segment were US$28.8 million, up US$1.8 million, and FUNimation accounted for most of the increase. This was driven by the acquisition of a number of new licenses, as well as the rights to distribute series previously licensed in the United States by other companies, such as Hellsing Ultimate and Devil May Cry. FUNimation's aggressive pursuit of deals to make its series available for digital distribution via YouTube, Joost, iTunes, the XBox Live service, and other channels also had a positive impact. Year-to-date sales, however, stood at US$56.2 million, somewhat below last year's US$56.7 million.