Forum - View topic

Interview: Gen Fukunaga on the status of Funimation

So, it's just a matter if the right buyer (for Funimation) with the right price (for Navarre) comes along. But if the right buyer with the right price doesn't come along, they'll just continue operating together and make the most of it.

For once, I really and I mean really hope I read that article wrong. Is Funimation going out of business? If so, this will seriously create a giantic impact on the anime industry and English audio dubbing.

Despite all the people being optimistic, I read the first reply (the sale) as "Funimation hasn't been doing as well as Navarre has been expecting, hence they have to sell to appease shareholders", which wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if true.

ArsenicSteel wrote:

I really doubt it. In fact the idea of my favorite Western game or book getting a Funimation produced anime treatment and then a Funimation dub is giving me a headache. Maybe a tumor. Funimation co-producing Western themed anime causes cancer! Joudan desu. Mostly.

Yep, I heard Afro Samurai and Witchblade both based on western properties and/or culture were two of Funi's worst sellers . People like me who like those titles have a reason to be excited. If that kind of thing isn't for you cool, but many people did enjoy those titles.

The Count wrote:

ArsenicSteel wrote: I really doubt it. In fact the idea of my favorite Western game or book getting a Funimation produced anime treatment and then a Funimation dub is giving me a headache. Maybe a tumor. Funimation co-producing Western themed anime causes cancer! Joudan desu. Mostly. Yep, I heard Afro Samurai and Witchblade both based on western properties and/or culture were two of Funi's worst sellers . People like me who like those titles have a reason to be excited. If that kind of thing isn't for you cool, but many people did enjoy those titles.

Afro Samurai was not a Funimation co-production nor an adaptation of some popular Western intellectual property or culture, unless you think having an afro and being black is enough to signify ones culture. It was a collaboratoin with Gonzo, Samuel L Jackson, and the mangaka. The voice track was not a Funi dub.
I have no problem with the title.

Witchblade is not a Funimation co-production either. I have not seen it so I don't have much of an opinion on it.

My biggest concern is the fact Funimation wants to be involved in the production of the anime. They are the ones that will pick what Western ips would be suitable for anime rendering and they will play a part in the creation process and then the dub process.

I don't have much respect for how Funimation adapts anime now as they mess up changing the target demographic age. So having them venture into adapting popular Western games and books just means it is another venue for them to FUBAR.

If they want Western ideas why even bother with getting an anime rendition? Just get it produced by WB or Cartoon Network or is it just about having an anime title for status? Or the non-union work?

So people like me that dislike Funimations adaptation tendencies have reasons not to be excited.

Yep, I heard Afro Samurai and Witchblade both based on western properties and/or culture were two of Funi's worst sellers . People like me who like those titles have a reason to be excited. If that kind of thing isn't for you cool, but many people did enjoy those titles.

I realize Funimation didn't co-produce either of those titles, my response to you was aimed at showing you that the east meets west idea can work.

As far as Afro Samurai goes. Black Lead, Hip-Hop/Rap soundtrack by American Musicians, mindless heavy violence, yeah I think that's more up Americas alley. No it's not based off western culture completely, but the influences are there more so than most other anime.

And I'm not trying to be rude but what do you mean by "I don't have much respect for how Funimation adapts anime now as they mess up changing the target demographic age"? If you are referring to their catalog then I've thought its been well rounded the past five years.

The Count wrote:

I realize Funimation didn't co-produce either of those titles, my response to you was aimed at showing you that the east meets west idea can work. As far as Afro Samurai goes. Black Lead, Hip-Hop/Rap soundtrack by American Musicians, mindless heavy violence, yeah I think that's more up Americas alley. No it's not based off western culture completely, but the influences are there more so than most other anime. And I'm not trying to be rude but what do you mean by "I don't have much respect for how Funimation adapts anime now as they mess up changing the target demographic age"? If you are referring to their catalog then I've thought its been well rounded the past five years.

The mangaka wrote it in English with every intention at having a black lead. A black lead isn't exactly borrowing from Western culture as that is rare even here, as noted by Samuel L Jackson and reason for his interest in the show. Mindless violence is not culturally indicative of the West either, even though the violence was not mindless or random.
The music was made by the RZA who is from a group that is inspired by old kung fu flicks, full circle, but seeing as the mangaka intended the language of the show to be English it was fitting. Also it is not like it is the first time that kind of music has been in anime or is culturally limited to America.

Afro Samurai is an interesting product that wasn't a case of East meets West because being influenced is not the same as being based on Western culture. It was an innovative product not something one will see replicated every year.

My issue with demographic retooling is how many of the anime Funi picks up could be classified as R-15 in Japan: intended for mature audiences age 15 and up but when Funi dubs it the feeling I get is they are trying to get a PG rating. The shows would be still rated at TV14 but the dialogue sounds PG to me.
Yes there are exceptions like RIN or Shinchan, I am referring to the bulk of their shows not the exceptions.

Yeah, it's never a bad thing when your worst case scenario is "everyone continues making gobs of money."

It's expensive, and some of the titles weren't in original HD. So it makes them pretty hard to release a lot of this stuff on Bluray unless we literally go through a very expensive process and digitally remaster them.

Fukunaga basically said they've given up on Japanese anime properties. If live-action stuff and American co-productions are the way of the future, then where does that leave anime? Why should we care if they're going to shift their business focus anyways?