A few years ago Bandai Entertainment made statements at their convention panels that they were releasing Anime with subtitles over dubbing in order to bring these titles to us closer to the Japanese release. At the same time FUNimation was making a promise to fans that they would continue dubbing all of their media releases. Bandai Entertainment did not survive even with this new approach and it looks like we will not have Media Blasters around for much longer.
I watch most Anime series as it releases in Japan through streaming video. I am also an avid collector of Anime but unfortunately cannot collect streams. While I am grateful that FUNimation continues to dub the Anime they release on DVD/Blu-ray I think it may be time to make a change. There are a lot of titles that never see a media release in the U.S.A. because there are concerns that sales will not cover the cost of distribution, especially when adding a dub to the series. Just like the S.A.V.E. Editions and Anime Classic Series I think FUNimation should create a new collection for the purpose of releasing Anime which is subtitled only for those titles that do not warrant a dub. Creating a collection specifically for this purpose would not break that promise made years ago.
As a note, I attended both panels at Otakon those many years ago.
One of FUNimation's recent surveys had a question pertaining to this, I believe.
FUNi has stated they don't acquire home video rights series they don't believe can be profitable without a dub. For the time being, Section23 Films (Sentai Filmworks/Maiden Japan), NIS America, Nozomi Entertainment, Aniplex of America and Discotek Media can pick up the slack.
FUNi has stated they don't acquire home video rights series they don't believe can be profitable without a dub. For the time being, Section23 Films (Sentai Filmworks/Maiden Japan), NIS America, Nozomi Entertainment, Aniplex of America and Discotek Media can pick up the slack.
Yea,they had question on one of their surveys,and i think they got like somewhere between 85 to 95% of people saying they want a dub with most anime releases.so english dubs are still in high demand here in the states.
Funi may consider Sub-Only releases in the future but Dubs are their bread & butter, and with the way the economy is these days I don't see them changing that any time soon.
Sides Funi's not the only player in the game, Sentai, D-tek, Nozomi, NISA, they all pick-up titles as well as does Media Blasters, even though they are basically a zombie at this point XD.
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I wouldn't mind Funi skimping on dubs for niche titles, as long as they still release them in LE artboxes.
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I don't see why Funi would consider going with sub-only releases.
"When you truly care about someone, you don't need any specific reasons to justify your feelings. If you don't know why you feel the way you do, then you can't lose that which causes you to care."
Cost and time would be the major considerations.
Agreed, I'd buy Tatami Galaxy in a heart-beat dub or no dub *although I would prefer a dub just so I could watch the beautiful art witout having to read XD*
Same thing for older titles, or long running shonen would be nice to see them continue Case Closed, Shin-Chan & SGT. Frog even if they were Sub-Only.
But yeah I don't see Funi moving to sub-only releases anytime soon, but thats just me.
Isn't It Great To Different, Isn't It Great To Be Who You Are!? Once You Learn To Accept Yourself, You'll Become A Shining Star.
Don't get me wrong, I prefer to have Anime dubbed. It's just that there are titles that never see a DVD/Blu-ray release due to budget constraints. The competing companies are either releasing the newest titles or re-releasing titles they previously released or obtained from the fallout of Geneon and ADV.
There would be no profit for FUNimation to dub and release titles that were previously passed over. Creating a series for releasing subtitled only Anime might close the gap on profitability and allow FUNimation to bring these titles to a R1 DVD release. That would include newer titles that did not make the cut or even those older ones such as the sequel to Kiddy Grade...Kiddy Girl-and...or even the controversial School Days.