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Bandai Visual to Focus on Blu-ray Disc in Japan, USA
posted on by Egan Loo
Bandai Visual USA President Tatsunori Konno has updated his blog after his company announced the delay of Shigofumi - Letters from the Departed, True Tears, and sola. He notes that the move is part of a larger strategic shift that affects Bandai Visual in both Japan and the United States. Both regional arms of Bandai Visual "are now rushing to reschedule all future releases, focusing on Blu-ray" for both new and old titles. Konno emphasizes, "It does not mean we will not release any standard DVDs at all, but we will concentrate on expanding our Blu-ray catalog." The company plans to reschedule the three delayed titles, but not before summer.
Konno adds that before the three titles were delayed, his company was "already in the progress of manufacturing the English versions along with the production of the Japanese releases. Some materials have already been printed. And some promotional planning started, and a detailed promotion plan had been developed for Sakura Con with many people involved." However, he says that the American anime market needs a revolution due to its worsening conditions. According to Konno, the decision to focus on Blu-ray was largely instigated by the staff in Japan.
Konno has also announced that he has been appointed General Manager of the Business Support Group overseeing both Japan and the United States, and therefore will be returning to Japan in May. Shinsuke Hori, the licensing manager at Bandai Visual in Japan, will be taking Konno's place in Bandai Visual USA.
