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Daisuki to Launch Premium Membership to Offer Simulcasts, Older Anime Titles
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Anime News Network's Anime Expo 2016 news coverage sponsored by Yen Press.
Anime Consortium Japan (ACJ) announced at its Anime Expo panel on Sunday that it will unveil a paid premium membership tier for its Daisuki service in North America starting with a beta service on Friday, July 8. The official launch date for the service will be later this summer.
The premium membership will have a monthly cost of US$5, and will allow access to simultaneous streaming for certain titles (as opposed to a time delay for standard free members), as well as streaming of older anime titles, and a lower advertisement frequency. The paid membership will also include "other special, member-exclusive goodies." While the service will launch in the United States and Canada, ACJ plans to expand the premium membership tier to other territories.
The anime series Daisuki will offer to premium members for this summer season include Tales of Zestiria the X, Love Live! Sunshine!!, planetarian, Tsukiuta. THE ANIMATION, Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., Scared Rider Xechs, and Time Travel Girl. These same titles will be available to free members and guests one week after the simultaneous streaming.
Older anime titles that Daisuki will offer to premium members include Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, Round Vernian Vifam (Ginga Hyōryū Vifam), Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene, and Vegetable Fairies N.Y. Salad (Yasai no Yōsei - N.Y. Salad). All of these titles except for Vegetable Fairies N.Y. Salad are available for premium members until August 31.
In addition, ACJ also announced that launched the ANIME NOW! anime information site. The site provides information on anime, including summaries and cast and staff member information, and also offers stories and articles showing behind-the-scenes information. The site also highlights legal streaming and distribution services for anime.
Daisuki is part of a joint venture between Asatsu-DK Inc., Bandai Namco Holdings and its Sunrise anime production company, Aniplex, Kodansha, Shueisha, Shogakukan, Kadokawa, Bushiroad Inc., Good Smile Company, and Toei Animation.
