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Answerman - What Should We Expect from the Sony Pictures TV - Funimation Deal?

Anime online streaming/distribution has gotten CUTTHROAT.

The Crunchyroll deal probably isn't meant to last in perpetuity. Eventually, the time will come to decide whether to continue, and at that point, Sony might view CR and the companies that own it as competition. The partnership was created out of a mutual necessity (high licensing costs) that might not even be there later since Sony potentially gives Funimation a seat on production committees, and deeper pockets that can better afford other licenses. If there is nothing to be gained from working with another company in the same market, then they become competition.

Meaning, business has now discovered it, and it's not the property of garage fans starting their own startups.

Greed1914 wrote:

The Crunchyroll deal probably isn't meant to last in perpetuity. Eventually, the time will come to decide whether to continue, and at that point, Sony might view CR and the companies that own it as competition. The partnership was created out of a mutual necessity (high licensing costs) that might not even be there later since Sony potentially gives Funimation a seat on production committees, and deeper pockets that can better afford other licenses. If there is nothing to be gained from working with another company in the same market, then they become competition.

This would mean funi getting back into the sub game which doesn't make much sense and they still get physical release of subs. Also funi gains cheaper licenses and access to a ton of anime for dubbed streaming and physical release. Even if you have more money it doesn't mean they should waste it on more expensive licenses. Once again I'm not saying it won't happen I just don't understand the reasoning behind the article. It is an opinion piece and I'm sure he has better insight then me but I don't get how he could reach that conclusion from the reasons posted.

The TV branch has also generally always had their hands in some good big TV. Even cartoon wise they've had stuff that hit pretty big when those blocks really existed, like Jackie Chan Adventures. They seem much more consistent then the movie arm.

I wonder if any of Sony's older animation will make it over to FunimationNow. Jackie Chan Adventures, the Real Ghostbusters, and Men in Black: the Series were all popular back in the day. I wouldn't mind Funimation giving each of those series a disc release either.

I also don't expect much difference in how Funimation works outside of North America, since Sony Pictures doesn't have a huge distribution presence elsewhere either.

I expect some noteworthy anime titles in Sony Pictures' back catalog to get dusted off and get a new lease on life. The Cowboy Bebop movie, Memories, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika, Blood-C, Nodame Cantabile and several others would really do well with Funimation's treatment, and may get re-released.

Does this mean Blood+ will finally get a Blu Ray release??!?!?!?

They own a handful of smaller cable channels in the US, but internationally run Animax networks that are primarily anime focused (though in many areas they've been phased out).

Quote:

I expect some noteworthy anime titles in Sony Pictures' back catalog to get dusted off and get a new lease on life. The Cowboy Bebop movie, Memories, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika, Blood-C, Nodame Cantabile and several others would really do well with Funimation's treatment, and may get re-released.

Uh, FUNimation has Blood-C, and it's been out for like 5 or so years now, and they got the title from Production I.G (note the logo), not Aniplex nor any other part of the Sony conglomerate. Maybe you're thinking of Blood+ which Sony messed up with (that first box set going and staying OOP almost immediately after release, and the singles never going past that)?

FloozyGod wrote:

Does this mean Blood+ will finally get a Blu Ray release??!?!?!?

Given there is no Blu-ray release in Japan, no. And there's no reason for Aniplex Japan to do one, they only do Blu-ray Boxes for promotional reasons.