Anime Expo 2008

The Right Stuf International/Nozomi Entertainment

Panelists: Shawne Kleckner, CEO, The Right Stuf International

Mr. Kleckner opened the panel with a DVD presentation with clips of some Nozomi Entertainment releases, including Maria Watches Over Us, Aria the Animation, and Emma: A Victorian Romance.

Kleckner announced that season one of Maria Watches Over Us will be released on July 29th, and that production on season two, scheduled for release this fall, has been completed. Customers who pre-order the show via rightstuf.com will be able to get a limited edition cell phone strap as part of their order. The first season of Aria the Animation is scheduled for release on September 30th, and season two is currently in production. Kleckner announced that the second season of Emma will be released on October 28th.

In the category of new releases, Kleckner announced that remasters of both Irresponsible Captain Tylor and the original Toward the Terra movie will be released in the near future. Kleckner also announced the acquisition of Gakuen Alice, which will be released as a series set at a “low price.” He mentioned that preorders for the series can be made on rightstuf.com right now.

Also coming this fall, the company will be releasing another set of Haruhi t-shirts, as well as another series of T-shirts for both Ninja Nonsense and Gravitation. Kleckner announced a series of “otaku” themed apparel.

One fan asked what kind of extras would be included with the second set of Emma; Kleckner answered that an “episode zero” will be included the set, but that other special materials for the release have not been finalized yet.

The concept that Kleckner mentioned as key for his company is aiming for titles that fans find appealing while keeping in mind the limitations they have as a smaller company.