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NEWS: Anime Sols to Stream, Take DVD Pledges on Black Jack TV Anime

On a semi-related note, that's why I sincerely hope that the original Casshern series does eventually go to Discotek rather than Anime Sols; as at least I can buy such DVDs from Amazon, etc. Those harsh realities go both ways.

blaizevincent wrote:

I understand that's why what bugs me is why not license for the UK and AU/NZ.

As another UK fan, I totally sympathise, but by now it's clear the trouble going the extra length to cover the UK and Australia/New Zealand markets is not offset by the likely return, otherwise Toei, et. al. would have sanctioned their streams to be worldwide long ago.

I too would dearly love to contribute towards any solid media release of classic and classic-themed series such as Black Jack, but at this point all we can hope for is a private proxy industry to develop to overcome the latest round of regional licensing restrictions and allow us to purchase any DVDs through that route.

It's hardly ideal, but I don't see there being much other choice if you want such shows in English on disc?

On a semi-related note, that's why I sincerely hope that the original Casshern series does eventually go to Discotek rather than Anime Sols; as at least I can buy such DVDs from Amazon, etc. Those harsh realities go both ways.

Once our anime DVD box sets are created, any left over from the original print run will be sold at normal online stores like Rightstuf/Amazon, so even if it's Anime Sols if it meets the goal you will probably be able to import it.

^ Do you think its likely that successful shows will have much left over? Isn't it likely they would mostly be sold out upon the show being funded?

Hey Sam, I didn't have time to listen to the podcast and I didn't see this question asked anywhere else, so perhaps you could clarify for me.

Have you guys considered adding "stretch goals" for titles that fund completely rather quickly? Such as adding special features or - MAYBE - producing an English dub? I know dubs can be expensive, but I think it's worth a shot to offer the option if the fans want it bad enough.

Personally, I don't mind most of the really old shows being sub-only, but in the case of Black Jack, I'd really like to see Kirk Thornton reprise the role, as it's one of my favorite performances by him.

I know it's asking a lot, but I do hope that you will consider it as a possibility.

blaizevincent wrote:

It's just so annoying as a Fan of Anime outside of America sometimes. We constantly get forgotten about and in the case of AnimeSols then i don't see why they didn't put the UK into the picture at the beginning. I would pledge the hell out of some of these shows but I'm blocked out. I get so frustrated by this happening all the time. I was very excited for this but no I wasn't born in north America so i can't be a part of it.

Just to correct, but Anime Sols is not licensing these shows. The rights holders are the Anime Sols LLP partners, so it's licensing them to ourselves.
The issue isn't the availability of UK or AUS rights, but rather the legal and tax liabilities from collecting funds from there for the purpose of producing a DVD.
By doing so we would be tacitly confirming that the DVD box sets are at least partially meant for sale within the UK/AUS, and that means we'd be obligated to go through all the approvals and ratings board requirements of both the UK and Australia or risk being in trouble with those governments. In addition we'd have to register our business in those countries as well and/or establish local branches which also would require us to file taxes in those countries
This costs a lot of money and man power we don't have at the moment. To say you've been forgotten is really not the case, I've done significant research into launching in all english speaking territories and we simply didn't have the budget for it to start. This isn't a project with a ton of money, or even much money at all to be honest .