I was extremely disappointed to discover that the subtitles and audio tracks are locked on the Blu-ray discs contained in the impending-but-already-shipping Combo Pack, continuing the unfortunate trend of licensing issues resulting in reduced functionality on some FUNimation products (see also: titles like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Darker Than Black: Gemini of the Meteor). It used to be pretty reliably Aniplex-licensed titles that would be handicapped in this fashion, but Princess Jellyfish was licensed from Fuji TV, so it all seems kind of up in the air now.
It may be futile to ask, but is there any way we could get a heads-up beforehand if future Blu-ray releases are going to be similarly crippled? NISA has begun doing so, so it would be much appreciated if the same information started coming from FUNimation.
Why exactly is this a problem? Note: I am not trying to attack you, argue that this ISN'T a problem or anything like that. I really don't understand what this is an issue.
If you are watching the English dub, then unless you want to see what the difference is between the track translations, you don't need the Japanese subbing. If you are watching in Japanese, unless you are fluent, then you need the English subbing. So really the reasons why you'd need to have the Japanese subbing on the English audio or to turn off the subbing on the Japanese are not major reasons, at least in my opinion.
Are you planning to rip the video or something?
Again, I really just don't understand why this is a problem exactly. And if the Japanese demand this be done so that there can be a release over here on Blu-ray, would you rather the release was DVD-only? Or that there was no release at all?
At least in my opinion, this is a non-issue and I'd hate to not have an English dub much more than this but if you'd explain why this is such a big deal, maybe I could understand your perspective a bit better.
English dubs rule! Spread the love, raise the profit, get more anime.
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I think the main issue here is that they're forcing it on you. Maybe I would like to watch the Japanese version w/o distracting text on the screen every so often, I'd at least like to know that I can choose my own viewing experience in my own home without someone choosing it for me with me having no say in the matter. This, in my opinion, makes it an issue.
I can understand that. I agree with it too.
The locked subs is probably part of Japan's "we don't want Japanese fans to import cheaper overseas releases" reverse-importation worries. Since Japan and the US share a Blu-ray region, and the Blu-rays cost so much more over there, it's a concern for them.
Locked subs is better than a massive price increase like Aniplex USA does right?
English dubs rule! Spread the love, raise the profit, get more anime.
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I can at least mention to Marketing about giving people a heads up about it. If NISA is letting people know, then we probably could too.