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NEWS: Sentai Filmworks Adds Penguindrum, Ninja Scroll Film, Letter Bee

Fencedude5609 wrote:

Key wrote: That's not the Western mentality about it, which has instead always emphasized access over collectability. And I think that that mentality is long-term detrimental to the market. If you just want to watch shows, it has never been easier to do so, legitimately. You can watch something like 80% of the currently airing shows via some sort of legit stream. There is no reason to buy the discs for every single show you want to watch.

I'd be inclined to agree.

Until anime becomes mainstream (Considering it's not even mainstream in Japan, the chances of that happening are next to zero), or people get used to paying more (Basically accepting Aniplex's pricing on items that are not direct imports (Remember people, only Fate/Zero and GOS were priced that high with Aniplex. If the show is not getting a BD box in Japan, the chances of a direct import is basically zero as would they really do direct imports of SAO singles for example if those had English subs?)), catering to collectors is the better tactic. The mentality of getting everything for cheap isn't going to work out in the long-run.

I also agree that in the long run the current trend of $40-50 for one cour series will be detrimental to the R1 anime industry. Cheap anime is nice, but distributors take a gamble every they bring a series over here, especially if it is being dubbed.

What is wrong with watching anime through legal streaming sites and buying fewer home releases at $7-10 per episode?

angelmcazares wrote:

I also agree that in the long run the current trend of $40-50 for one cour series will be detrimental to the R1 anime industry. Cheap anime is nice, but distributors take a gamble every they bring a series over here, especially if it is being dubbed. What is wrong with watching anime through legal streaming sites and buying fewer home releases at $7-10 per episode?

I think it's wrong to compare Japanese prices to American prices when Japanese prices for home media is more expensive across the board...not just for anime.

I like to watch anime on streaming sites, but I like to own my favorite series too and I don't want to pay ridiculous prices for them.

I am not saying I need my anime super cheap but I don't think $50-$60 for one season of anime is super cheap. It's still certainly more than I would pay for anything else at the moment.

If people want to get the very collectible Japanese releases well then they can always import or buy Aniplex Fate Zero release and the more power to them.

Also if people are forced to buy less series because of more expensive prices that would mean we would get even less variety than we already get over here.

People will have to be more selective with what they buy after all and only certain series will sell at the high prices (and it's not necessarily because they are the better series). I can think of a lot of great but more niche series that wouldn't sell at all.

I mean looking at what I bought this year I would have a hard time choosing between those series. I don't want to have to make that choice because prices go beyond what I can afford. Now I am able to buy every series I really enjoyed.

edit: And yes there might be some series I would be willing to pay more if they ever got licensed (Rose of Versailles for one) but in general it's not the series that I don't think is worth that type of money but the physical media itself (which is not even ever lasting).

Maidenoftheredhand wrote:

Also if people are forced to buy less series because of more expensive prices that would mean we would get even less variety than we already get over here. People will have to be more selective with what they buy after all and only certain series will sell at the high prices (and it's not necessarily because they are the better series). I can think of a lot of great but more niche series that wouldn't sell at all. I mean looking at what I bought this year I would have a hard time choosing between those series. I don't want to have to make that choice because prices go beyond what I can afford. Now I am able to buy every series I really enjoyed. edit: And yes there might be some series I would be willing to pay more if they ever got licensed (Rose of Versailles for one) but in general it's not the series that I don't think is worth that type of money but the physical media itself (which is not even ever lasting).

And what would be wrong with being more selective? Having a choice is fine, but personally, If, say, FUNi announced that next year they would sell only 3 shallow, ecchi series instead of 10, I will not be sad at all.

And what would be wrong with being more selective? Having a choice is fine, but personally, If, say, FUNi announced that next year they would sell only 3 shallow, ecchi series instead of 10, I will not be sad at all.

I only collect what I like a lot. I don't buy anime just for the sake of buying.

angelmcazares wrote:

And what would be wrong with being more selective? Having a choice is fine, but personally, If, say, FUNi announced that next year they would sell only 3 shallow, ecchi series instead of 10, I will not be sad at all.

You don't get it. If the ecchi series are what sells the best for Funi now (and I would imagine it's so looking at what they license now). What do you think is going to sell the best when those prices increase?

There will be some high quality popular shows that will probably also sell. I am sure Madoka wouldn't be hurt by this. But those smaller wonderful series, they wouldn't have a chance.

But if they went the niche, high price route, they would probably make a profit, especially if they did not dub everything.

angelmcazares wrote:

But if they went the niche, high price route, they would probably make a profit, especially if they did not dub everything.

If the same amount of people are buying at those higher prices then yes they would do much better. However if less people are buying then those higher prices would not really help.

I think its true some series would benefit, other series would not. It's the other series that would not that I am concerned with, but it's all conjecture at this point.

From my personal point of view I am happy with how the prices are now.

E-Master wrote:

A Blu-ray on Ninja Scroll is a must have right there. Thank you Sentai Filmworks for giving the cult anime film a high def treatment.

I hope Discotek can fully make that jump. If they were able to get their hands on some negatives, it would be a great boon for fans of older things. But I can't see that happening unless they hit pay dirt somewhere.