Retail News and Sales

There was some shakiness to the start of the 2008 New Year, so let’s get the bad news out of the way first:

Viz Discontinues MAR Anime Series

Viz Media has discontinued DVD releases for the MAR anime series after volume 4. This was originally reported by AnimeOnDVD and later picked up by ANN. When ANN questioned Viz Media, their public relations department gave them the following answer:

“As in the case with all entertainment companies, we are constantly evaluating the titles we release and how they are released, and at this present time these titles are under evaluation. We do however still have the license to produce these titles, and they are still available for viewing on Toonami Jetstream.”

However, only half the episodes have been dubbed and it is uncertain if Viz will have the remainder dubbed.

The other title referred to in the reply is the strategy game series Hikaru no Go. ANN has reported that some retailers have said that the series would no longer be released on single DVDs, which means there is still a chance that Hikaru no Go will be released exclusively in a boxed set. Viz has released some titles in this manner including The Prince of Tennis and Buso Renkin.

ANN Story: Viz Responds to Questions about MAR, Hikaru no Go DVDs

Here are a couple more pieces of bad news, but at least they have a silver lining:

Bandai Makes Up For Defective Disks

Earlier this month retailers Right Stuf and Robert’s Anime Corner Store reported issues with some releases from Bandai Entertainment. The affected titles are Gundam Seed Destiny Vol. 12 regular and special editions, Eureka Seven Vol. 11, Flag Vol. 2, and My-Otome Vol. 4. On January 9, Bandai Entertainment issued a press release which confirmed the defective discs. It described the problem as “a result of a duplicator’s error which created playability issues on some DVD consoles and personal computers“. The titles have been recalled from stores and replacements will be shipped when they become available. For customers who already purchased defective discs, the press release states:

“A special link on the www.bandai-ent.com site will be active beginning 1/17/08. Customers who purchased the above mentioned titles and are experiencing difficulties should click on the link and follow instructions for the replacement program. This link is only for replacement discs of the above listed titles.”

ANN Story: Bandai Entertainments Confirms Recall on 4 DVDs

Newtype USA Ceases Publication; PiQ To Take It’s Place (!)

Also earlier this month, ADV contacted retailers to let them know that Newtype USA would be ceasing publication after the February issue. ADV had licensed Newtype USA from Kadokawa Shoten who publishes the original Japanese Newtype magazine. The first issue was the November 2002 issue (not counting the “0″ issue released at Anime Expo 2002). ADV is planning to replace Newtype USA with a new magazine called PiQ. In an email sent to subscribers who were concerned about the status of their subscriptions, ADV wrote:

“We will be launching a new magazine that will be on sale in mid-March. Titled PiQ, the magazine will cover anime, manga, video games and other aspects of pop culture of keen interests to you. All existing subscribers will have their remaining issues fulfilled at a two-to-one ratio, meaning you will get double the number of magazines delivered straight to your doorstep! We hope you stick with us and give the new magazine a shot. We’re sure you’ll love it!“

As to why they are ceasing publication of Newtype USA, the email ADV sent to retailers mentioned (according to AnimeOnDVD.com, January 10 listing) “the changes…relate to licensing needs that go back to Japan.” Additionally, AOD noted that this decision was also “likely the result of the changing landscape in the US market“. AOD pointed out, “Anyone who has a copy of the magazine can tell easily where a good chunk of their advertising came from when you notice just how much Geneon Entertainment pushed their goods there“.

ANN Stories: Newtype USA to Cease Publication; A.D. Vision to replace Newtype USA with PiQ in March

Okay, let’s move on to some better news…first up a freebie of sorts:

Sci Fi Channel Doubles Anime Programming Blocks

Good news for US audiences…the Sci Fi Channel will be doubling their anime blocks. In addition to their Ani-Monday block (11pm – 1am ET), Sci Fi will start a 2-hour block on Tuesday nights in the same time slot. Okay so that amounts to just another 2 hours per week.

Still, this is a promising development. If Sci Fi is planning to try to compete with the first two hours of Adult Swim’s weeknight block, then they will eventually strip their anime programming Monday thru Friday.

The new block…yet to be named, though Ani-Tuesday doesn’t have the same ring as Ani-Monday…will start in February.

Here is what will be shown on Ani-Monday in February:

• Feb. 4 – Ninja Scroll
• Feb. 11 – Tactics/Noein
• Feb. 18 – Tactics/Noein
• Feb. 25 – Tactics/Noein

Here is what will be shown during the Tuesday block in February:

• Feb. 5 – R.O.D. (Read or Die)
• Feb. 12 – Appleseed
• Feb. 19 – Kai Doh Maru
  
• Feb. 12 – X

It looks like Mondays will primarily be used to show series and Tuesdays will primarily be used for movies.

Starz Edge Adjusts Anime Block Schedule

In another bit of TV related news, the cable premium channel Starz Edge, is moving its Animidnight block to Mondays at midnight (i.e., Tuesday morning). Here is the upcoming schedule:

• Jan. 28 – Desert Punk, Episodes 21 & 22
• Feb. 4 – Desert Punk, Episodes 23 & 24
• Feb. 11 – Hellsing Ultimate, Episodes 1 & 2
• Feb. 18 – Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society
• Feb. 26 – Black Lagoon, Episodes 1 & 2

Two points of interest…first the parent company of Starz Edge is Starz, LLC. Starz, LLC also owns Manga Entertainment which supplies the majority of Sci Fi’s Ani-Monday offerings. With this move, Animidnight will be aired at the same time as Ani-Monday and Sci Fi’s Tuesday anime block.

Second, Starz Edge was originally going to air Hellsing Ultimate, Episodes 3 & 4 on February 18. However, Geneon USA (not dead yet) has told ANN that “episode 4 will not be ready with an English-language track next month“. Another issue was the fact that episode 4 is not scheduled to be released in Japan by Geneon Entertainment (Geneon USA’s parent company) until February 22. It will be interesting to see when and if an English dub of episode 4 will be available for broadcast…and if it will ever make it to DVD.

ANN Stories: America’s Sci Fi Channel Adds Anime on Tuesdays; Hellsing Ultimate 4 Unavailable for Starz Edge Next Month

Now on to the sales…

Big Anime Sale at Amazon.com

Amazon.com is having a sale they call the Big Anime Sale. You can save up to 50% on a select list of over 225 DVDs. No end date is listed for the sale.

AnimeNation’s New Year’s Sale

AnimeNation’s current sale is called their New Year’s Sale and it is essentially a continuation of their Overstock Sale.

You can save up to 60% on a select list of items. There is no end date listed for the sale.

RightStuf! Savings On Viz Media Products

RightStuf! has a new sale called Take Note: Savings That Rule. You can save on products from Viz Media.

You can take 33% off the retail prices of all books and graphic novels. You can take 40% off the retail prices of all DVDs. This includes pre-orders. The coupon code is takenote and it expires on January 20 at 11:59 pm CST.

Borders Bookstores Coupon

Borders is offering a printable coupon for 20% off one item when purchased at a Borders store. Read the fine print for the exclusions. The coupon expires on January 21, 2008.