News

Alt.Ant/UCI Bookstore phases out Anime imports

UCI Bookstore, known to anime fans as alt.ant, has over the past five years, will become a leader in the field of anime imports, be it LD's or CD's. However, in a somber message to subscribers of the UCI Anime mailing list, UCI's Mike Killey announced his departure from the store, as well as their current way of doing business.

"Anime at UCI will continue in my absence, but in a different form. UCI's focus will be more local than global, and they will concentrate on selling existing stock to the anime community here on campus," said Killey in his statement. He also notes that UCI has no more plans for import shipments, and that the page will not be updated with new releases, with current lists frozen as they were in mid-October. (It will start having sales, and Killey encouraged readers to take advantage of them.)

"Well, this is very sad. At least, it is the end of sort of an era," said customer Slithey Tove on rec.arts.anime.misc. However, Killey's departure from UCI is one with potential: he is starting a new import anime web site, which will open on December 1, 1998. ("I can't wait to get started!" he said in a separate announcement.)

To be called Tokyo Pop, will offer imports of anime, J-pop, and video game CD's, LD's, and more. "If it can be imported from Japan and it's cool, or about to be...you'll find it at www.tokyopop.com. We aim to be the premiere Jpop 'infomerce' site on the net--we got the dopest info and the choicest shopping interface anywhere."

Visitors to the site will get a sneak preview of some of the titles Mike plans to carry.