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NEWS: Sony Pictures TV to Acquire Majority Stake in Funimation

Marvel did--Sony gave the character back to Marvel to use in their movies, but the legal RIGHT to make films titled "Spider-Man" still belonged to Sony. (Paramount's issues with Iron Man and The Avengers were already ironed out at the beginning of their deal.)
Same thing with Universal, as to why we haven't gotten more movies with Hulk.

We haven't gotten more movies with Hulk cause Hulk doesn't exactly put butts in seats.

RIP, after Mike DuBoise from Universal helped ruin things and make them sloppy, now Sony Pictures US is probably going to further make them a mess of a company I despise. The "FUN" in FUNimation which has been missing since a little before Mike even came in is probably never going to come back now.

On a different note, something I find interesting, Sony isn't buying FUNi for that much more than what Navarre bought them for.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Navarre+buys+FUNimation

And that was back when FUNimation wasn't one of the big boys, ADV Films and Geneon Entertainment were the kings back in those days until Geneon went under, ADV's Sojitz deal fell apart (which is one of the main reasons they declined), and FUNi got to get their hands on so many titles.

Also, Funimation has always been the largest NA anime distributor. To imply that Trigun, Tenchi Muyo, or Black lagoon (Geneon's most popular licenses) or Evangelion and Slayers (ADV's most popular licenses) were larger than Dragon Ball and Fullmetal Alchemist is laughable.

Blankslate wrote:

Also, Funimation has always been the largest NA anime distributor. To imply that Trigun, Tenchi Muyo, or Black lagoon (Geneon's most popular licenses) or Evangelion and Slayers (ADV's most popular licenses) were larger than Dragon Ball and Fullmetal Alchemist is laughable.

Funimation for a long time was just the people who brought Dragon Ball Z over, it wasn't until the big 3; Genenon, ADV and Bandai went away. That Funiamtion decame the biggest. Just look at ADV and how many titles they put out in their prime, compaored to Funimation at the same time.

Aniplex (and other true Japanese distributors) are out of their minds if they think that Americans are going to pay $60 for 2/3 episodes releases without dubs (this is why I don't have Kill la Kill and Mahouka in my collection).

Chichiryuutei wrote:

Aniplex (and other true Japanese distributors) are out of their minds if they think that Americans are going to pay $60 for 2/3 episodes releases without dubs (this is why I don't have Kill la Kill and Mahouka in my collection).

Kill la kill has a English dub.

Ontopic: I wonder how this will affect Funis relationship with AL, I would think Sony can release the discs themself.

What does AL means?

Funimation put up an FAQ post on their site. Pretty much a lot of variations on "Nothing is Changing Whatsoever!", but probably can put some fears on hold, at the very least.
https://www.funimation.com/blog/2017/08/01/funimation-agrees-acquired-sony-pictures-television-networks/#change

The American or NA Anime Community will keep going.. the sky is not falling people.

This happened in the early 2000's with Geneon (Pioneer)/ADV/Bandai and at the time Funimation was on a pariah level that rivals the current Aniplex/Pony Canyon levels.

Funimation survived that.. much to many peoples dismay..

It's too early to get all worked up about the fate of dubs and all that jazz.

This is obviously a desperation move to procure the various licenses Funimation controls so they can make adaptations.

Afraid, that's a typical PR move to reassure customers.

The reality begins a few months after the ink has dried, Sony begins making changes. It will likely start slow with Sony sending in "advisors" who will audit Funimation's finances and the managers (upper staff) will either get a nice early retirement or the pink slip. Then sometime in 2018, we start hearing news that Sony is moving Funimation to Los Angeles. At this same time, we hear news of Funimation talent being "let go", while the most famous/liked talent of the Funimation staff (like Chris Sabat), is moved to Los Angeles to join Sony's pool of voice actors.

BadNewsBlues wrote:

We haven't gotten more movies with Hulk cause Hulk doesn't exactly put butts in seats.

The way I understand it is Disney has the rights to make a solo Hulk film but Universal would have to serve as the distributor. Instead of paying Universal to distribute the film Disney has decided to have him be a side character.

I think some people are missing the forest for the trees. Aniplex USA level prices is not the worst that can happen if this deal goes through. Funimation might start producing less and less dubs, and they might stop doing disc releases. As a collector this last thing would terrible.