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Hey, Answerman! - Licentious Licensing

It's not like NIS can license Higurashi, doesn't Funimation hold the rights to that?

I still don't see why people are clamoring for Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei from Media Blasters. Sure, it's a good show and all, but MB's minimalist subtitling approach is simply not going to do the series justice. It'd be better to hope that someone else mysteriously winds up with the license, as seen with Ikki Tousen Great Guardians.

The simulcast is just like a TV airing. I don't see why everyone NEEDS to be able to own everything when its easily viewable at any time through the simulcasts. Having it be a "premium option" for the most hardcore fans, like in Japan, is probably the way the Japanese companies would make the most money.

RyanSaotome wrote:

The simulcast is just like a TV airing. I don't see why everyone NEEDS to be able to own everything when its easily viewable at any time through the simulcasts. Having it be a "premium option" for the most hardcore fans, like in Japan, is probably the way the Japanese companies would make the most money.

Right. This really bizarre idea that the only way to watch anime is by buying DVDs/BDs is one of the reasons the R1 market it so screwy.

I think Sony is starting to give into companies about that policy. The latest Record of Agarest War 2 got a disc release without a dub.

Fencedude5609 wrote:

RyanSaotome wrote: The simulcast is just like a TV airing. I don't see why everyone NEEDS to be able to own everything when its easily viewable at any time through the simulcasts. Having it be a "premium option" for the most hardcore fans, like in Japan, is probably the way the Japanese companies would make the most money. Right. This really bizarre idea that the only way to watch anime is by buying DVDs/BDs is one of the reasons the R1 market it so screwy.

That may not be the only way to watch anime nowadays, but it's still the only way to own it. For those of us that grew up collecting DVDs, there's a definite appeal to having a physical release to display in one's library and knowing you will always have that title to rewatch in the future.

But if you're only interested in watching a series once, then I understand.

neocloud9 wrote:

Fencedude5609 wrote: RyanSaotome wrote: The simulcast is just like a TV airing. I don't see why everyone NEEDS to be able to own everything when its easily viewable at any time through the simulcasts. Having it be a "premium option" for the most hardcore fans, like in Japan, is probably the way the Japanese companies would make the most money. Right. This really bizarre idea that the only way to watch anime is by buying DVDs/BDs is one of the reasons the R1 market it so screwy. That may not be the only way to watch anime nowadays, but it's still the only way to own it. For those of us that grew up collecting DVDs, there's a definite appeal to having a physical release to display in one's library and knowing you will always have that title to rewatch in the future. But if you're only interested in watching a series once, then I understand.

That's not the point though. The fact of the matter is that R1 fans need to move away from the blind-buy/buy lots mentality since so much new anime is streamed these days that allow them to watch before they commit to owning a show.

That may not be the only way to watch anime nowadays, but it's still the only way to own it. For those of us that grew up collecting DVDs, there's a definite appeal to having a physical release to display in one's library and knowing you will always have that title to rewatch in the future.

But if you're only interested in watching a series once, then I understand.

neocloud9 wrote:

That may not be the only way to watch anime nowadays, but it's still the only way to own it. For those of us that grew up collecting DVDs, there's a definite appeal to having a physical release to display in one's library and knowing you will always have that title to rewatch in the future. But if you're only interested in watching a series once, then I understand.

I own a lot of DVDs, so its not like I don't understand.

That being said, a lot of R1 fans ARE still in the mindset that the "real" way of watching a show is on disc, which is insane.

Broadcasting licenses are a flat fee as broadcast times are agreed before signing. It's merchandise that brings in the brass after that, and that includes DVD, and Bluerays, but that can't happen if those are not available. They can't whinge that no-one's buying discs when they aren't making them available, or try to take advantage of that by making just a few and then try and gouge the buyers, I'll never play that game.

neocloud9 wrote:

That may not be the only way to watch anime nowadays, but it's still the only way to own it. For those of us that grew up collecting DVDs, there's a definite appeal to having a physical release to display in one's library and knowing you will always have that title to rewatch in the future. But if you're only interested in watching a series once, then I understand.

I own a lot of DVDs, so its not like I don't understand.

That being said, a lot of R1 fans ARE still in the mindset that the "real" way of watching a show is on disc, which is insane.

I sometimes wonder how Western anime fans would deal having to live in Japan, where everything is 400-450 dollars per series.