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Funimation Offers Replacement Re:Zero Blu-ray Discs

FUNimation Entertainment announced on Monday that it will offer a Blu-ray Disc replacement program for its first Re:Zero anime set. Those who wish to receive replacement discs can send a request between now and October 31, and Funimation will begin shipping the replacements in March.

To receive replacement discs, anyone who purchased the Blu-ray set must email funimationstore@funimation.com with "ReZERO" in the subject line, and provide their name, mailing address, and email address. They will then receive a return authorization number and an address to send their current discs. No receipt or proof of purchase is required, though Funimation will not provide funds for shipping returns. The program is only available in the United States and Canada.

Funimation also said that its release of second half of the Re:Zero anime, scheduled for Tuesday, does not have the same issues as the first release. However, the set's trailer does appear to have color banding.

The Re:Zero Blu-ray Disc sets released in the United States from FUNimation Entertainment and in the United Kingdom from Anime Limited in June both showed color banding artifacts visible in some frames. The frames where it is noticeable show bands of color instead of a smooth gradient.

At the time of the release, Funimation commented that it was using Blu-ray Disc uses materials approved by the licensor. In its blog post about its replacement disc program, Funimation commented, "After investigating with the licensor and Crunchyroll, we confirmed that there was a discrepancy between the materials we were instructed to use for the release, versus the materials that were actually intended for home video usage in our market. We have been discussing with the licensor and alerted them of the issue. We now have the correct materials in hand."

Anime Limited has not as of press time announced a similar program for its UK Blu-Ray Discs. Around the time of release, Anime Limited President Andrew Partridge said the problem does not fit "the common vernacular definition of defective" in order for Anime Limited to replace the discs.

The first part of Re:Zero shipped on Blu-ray Disc in the U.S. on Tuesday and is slated for release in the U.K. on June 25.

Source: Funimation

Thanks to jlaking for the news tip.

Update: Funimation updated its post to clarify that it is not funding the shipping of returns. Via WTK