The Official R1 Anime Industry Topic

[Sheleigha]

(I didn't have enough room in the title to fit everything in!)

Anyways, looks like those who missed out on the Garden on Sinners blu ray import (you know, the one that ran for around $400) and/or the Oreimo LE, are in luck! Looks like Aniplex USA will be releasing standard editions of them!

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-04-06/aniplex-of-america-to-release-oreimo-garden-of-sinners-on-dvd

I'm a little sad that Garden of Sinners will be DVD and not on blu again, but I'll take what I can get! Also, this brings hope for other releases for Fate/Zero... even if you might have to wait years for it, eventually it looks like it might!

Of course, the releases will still be pricey compared to say, FUNI's releases, but it's better than Aniplex Japan! (I know Oreimo was released by Aniplex USA, but just the fact that it sold out...)

[Nyekun]

No Blu-Ray for Kara no Kyoukai? What is this madness?

For Fate/Zero (Note the price)

Spoiler:

According to their official press release, Aniplex of America has confirmed that they will release the first 13-episode Blu-ray box set of Fate/Zero on March 7th in North America, the same date as the Japanese release for the set.

The set will include English subtitles as well as a translation booklet for the Japanese production material. Extras such as unaired footage and and the first original soundtrack will be included. Retail price of the set is US $498.98, however, Right Stuf is offering the set for pre-order at US $369.98.

Source: Aniplex USA Press Release / MyAnimeList

[Sheleigha]

No Blu-Ray for Kara no Kyoukai? What is this madness?

There's several speculations behind that. Some people think it's because of reverse importing, others think it's so the people who did buy the LE wouldn't be pissed (although, it is an LE...) Still, an affordable release is better than a $700 markup, right?

Also regarding Fate, the reason it IS so expensive, is because it's an import product: you're paying the price people in Japan pay for it. If it was any cheaper, Aniplex would fear for reverse importing (and I really wonder how often that even happens, anyways?)

[Daverost]

I'm betting it's because of the reverse importing.

I'd say I'd buy it if it's priced competitively, but this is Aniplex we're talking about and they are, for lack of a better and more politically correct word, retarded.

[Nyekun]

/not sure if this is off topic or not but Aniplex USA also announced they licensed Bakemonogatari.

Aniplex of America announced at its panel at Sakura-Con on Friday that it will release the Bakemonogatari television anime series in North America. Aniplex did not specify if it will release the series digitally or on home video. Aniplex will premiere the series' first episode at Sakura-Con on Saturday.

The 15-episode anime series adapts NisiOisin's Bakemonogatari light novels. The short stories in NisiOisin's two volumes of Bakemonogatari deal with a high school boy named Koyomi Araragi and strange students he encounters. ("Bakemonogatari" is a wordplay on the Japanese term bakemono for supernatural creatures and the term monogatari for stories.) The series originally aired in Japan in 2009.

Source: Animenewsnetwork

Now... to wait for the price... lmao.

[Daverost]

Bakemonogatari license? Best news.

[LAMV]

Bakemonogatari finally announced! But...

- Aniplex USA

FUUUUUUUUUCK! GOD DAAAAAMN IT!

[vampko]

Can't wait to pay hundreds of dollars for Bake : D

[LAMV]

Can't wait to pay hundreds of dollars for Bake : D

Yep. I bet they'll give us aweesome deals such as a 2-episode DVD for $200.

[Sheleigha]

Aw c'mon you CAN be more positive with the regular edition stuff! I mean, $70 for an Oreimo LE wasn't a bad price for them, especially since it is an LE... It just... depends on the show... Madoka come with tons of goodies in their LE too! And the different tiered releases for Madoka aren't that bad...

[Daverost]

No, every Madoka release is bad. $40 MSRP for 4 episodes on DVD is an archaic pricing structure. $50 MSRP for 4 episodes on blu-ray is stupid. $95 MSRP for 4 episodes of an LE is

for lack of a better and more politically correct word, retarded.

[kanade2]

Aw c'mon you CAN be more positive with the regular edition stuff! I mean, $70 for an Oreimo LE wasn't a bad price for them, especially since it is an LE... It just... depends on the show... Madoka come with tons of goodies in their LE too! And the different tiered releases for Madoka aren't that bad...

I don't see what there is to be positive about it since the prices are still way high for the normal editions .

The goodies are there to really just there to bait you in without realizing you're only getting 4 eps per box set.

[Sheleigha]

I guess why I used Madoka, is because the standard, DVD editions are around $30. To be honest, Bandai was still charging a similar price for their singles for quite a while. Maybe because I'm still used to that model, that it isn't AS bad. The LE and stuff would only really be for collectors, of course (and they do look nice!)

Besides, I come from an era of collecting anime when boxsets WERE $100. I know we're getting spoiled now by the low low prices... Still, NO REGRETS for my Sailor Moon boxsets!

[LAMV]

Besides, I come from an era of collecting anime when boxsets WERE $100. I know we're getting spoiled now by the low low prices... Still, NO REGRETS for my Sailor Moon boxsets!

Yes, they *were* that expensive years ago. That doesn't mean they should always be that way. Publishers know better now. Or rather, they're supposed to.

[Sheleigha]

Yes, they *were* that expensive years ago. That doesn't mean they should always be that way. Publishers know better now. Or rather, they're supposed to.

I think we're just at a tough spot right now... Back then, there weren't as many fansubs floating around. People bought these expensive sets just to watch them. Not much of a choice, or maybe they didn't know about downloading stuff. As time went on, fansubs flourished, and the prices went lower to well, be competitive and to follow current economy trends.

Now, there are still limited editions being made to cater to fans, and technically, buying boxsets day 1 are STILL pricey. It IS still around $40 for a boxset, or $80 if you want the full series. More cheaper, but still pretty pricey (and I'm using FUNI's half boxsets as an example). Older rescued titles are pretty cheap though, running at around $30 for the full show. These numbers though, are based off TRSI prices, which are already reduced.

It's more if you wait for a big sale are they really that cheap, or a re-re-release. Don't get me wrong, for many titles I do wait for sales to purchase. Aniplex USA is still not AS bad as things used to be, really. Not all of their titles are Japanese day 1 releases at Japanese prices...
Once again: we are SPOILED right now with current price trends. Things can change, but don't take it for granted either, or expect these prices all the time. Economies change.