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Hey, Answerman! - True Fans

Reverse importation is a serious problem, whether its a year or two later or not.

Assuming "entertainment industry" means "Hollywood", home video sales are pretty much nothing but gravy anyway - a production's already succeeded or failed by then.

Polycell wrote:

Assuming "entertainment industry" means "Hollywood", home video sales are pretty much nothing but gravy anyway - a production's already succeeded or failed by then.

Blanket term encompassing any media. Not just Hollywood.

It doesn't really matter if reverse importation is a problem or not. This is one of those situations where perception is reality.

You can use all the logic and statistics you want. However unless you can change the beliefs of the Japanese executives who make the decisions, reverse importation will be a problem for the US.

Enough fans in Japan practice reverse importation for Japanese companies to be worried. That is all there is to be said.

dandelion_rose wrote:

Enough fans in Japan practice reverse importation for Japanese companies to be worried. That is all there is to be said.

Yep. Here's Amazon.co.jp. Now search "K-On" and "Clannad". Look at what the first results are. Gee, I wonder why Japanese companies might have huge fears about Japanese buyers importing from overseas. Note that that K-On! volume isn't even out yet and is not a third-party seller but being sold directly by Amazon.

Is it so outrageous to think that otaku who once bought those expensive Japanese discs might have found a goldmine in importing American ones, and they tell their other otaku buddies? It's only easier when BD is involved, since there's zero concern over region coding or conversion.

walw6pK4Alo wrote:

Is it so outrageous to think that otaku who once bought those expensive Japanese discs might have found a goldmine in importing American ones, and they tell their other otaku buddies? It's only easier when BD is involved, since there's zero concern over region coding or conversion.

I have trouble believing that Japanese Otaku, who seem to be proud of owning all ultra expensive limited editions of anime releases, would turn into dirt cheap buyers.

angelmcazares wrote:

walw6pK4Alo wrote: Is it so outrageous to think that otaku who once bought those expensive Japanese discs might have found a goldmine in importing American ones, and they tell their other otaku buddies? It's only easier when BD is involved, since there's zero concern over region coding or conversion. I have trouble believing that Japanese Otaku, who seem to be proud of owning all ultra expensive limited editions of anime releases, would turn into dirt cheap buyers.

Even otaku have limited money, and would rather be able to buy more anime to make a bigger collection. The DVD Rankings for these imports is about all I need to know to see its a big problem. These things are ranked as high, if not higher, then many other actual Japanese releases. Thats a big problem.

RyanSaotome wrote:

angelmcazares wrote: walw6pK4Alo wrote: Is it so outrageous to think that otaku who once bought those expensive Japanese discs might have found a goldmine in importing American ones, and they tell their other otaku buddies? It's only easier when BD is involved, since there's zero concern over region coding or conversion. I have trouble believing that Japanese Otaku, who seem to be proud of owning all ultra expensive limited editions of anime releases, would turn into dirt cheap buyers. Even otaku have limited money, and would rather be able to buy more anime to make a bigger collection. The DVD Rankings for these imports is about all I need to know to see its a big problem. These things are ranked as high, if not higher, then many other actual Japanese releases. Thats a big problem.

I would be willing to buy this argument with concrete numbers. If you have them, I would like to see the numbers. Without figures, all we can do is keep speculating and guessing.