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Siren Visual to Stream Anime on Anime News Network

Siren Visual has just announced that they are entering into a partnership with Anime News Network to provide an online anime streaming website for Australian and New Zealand anime fans. The service simulcasts anime titles to coincide with their broadcast dates in Japan and will build a catalogue of titles over time.

The first title will be Tiger & Bunny, a reality TV action spoof produced by Sunrise. Tiger & Bunny's first episode will be made available today (9th of April) and the second episode will follow on Sunday morning (10th of April), five hours after its Japanese broadcast. The series will be available ad-free for the first 48 hours and the remainder of the series will continue at one episode a week alongside the Japanese broadcast.

Their press release states that fans using the service will be offered two subscription models.

• Standard: free viewing in standard definition with ads, the first two episodes of any catalogue title will be free, extra episodes for $.99c.
• Premium: $3.99 per month, high definition streaming, ad free, one full catalogue series of choice and additional titles at $.99 per 13 episodes. Will also include exclusive deals on DVD and merchandise

The CEO of Siren Visual, Eric Cherry, said on the topic of partnering with ANN for online streaming:

"Anime has been heading in an online direction for some time now. Siren addressed this trend initially by creating DVDs that are of the highest quality available, while releasing them into our market as efficiently as possible. This initiative with Anime News Network is an extension of the same principals. ANN has an industry reputation of providing an excellent streaming service and through simulcasting Australian anime fans have a legitimate means to find more of what they want."

ANN CEO Chris Macdonald followed with:

"Working with Siren Visual to realise this project is a landmark event for both Anime News Network, and Australian anime fans as well."

When questioned about the future of the service, Chris replied:

"We're working to leverage our 3 streaming platforms together. United States, United Kingdom and now Australia. Although shows are licensed independently for each territory, Siren Visual, Kazé SAS and Anime News Network are working together whenever we can to bring the same titles to all three markets."

A limited free beta of the premium service will be made available through the Siren Visual Facebook Page. The first episode of Tiger & Bunny on Anime News Network Video can be found here.

UPDATE: Siren Visual also announced at Supanova that the second simulcast title will be C (TV). Unfortunately due to the earthquake in Japan it will be slightly off schedule, they will have further information available on monday.

Image © SUNRISE/T&B PARTNERS, MBS