Evan reviewed Sword for Truth on Anime World Order!
Review: Eden of the East the Movie I – The King of Eden (Dub)
Review: Love Roma, Vol. 1 (Manga)
Ani-Gamers Podcast #037 – Spicy Wolf, Made with Real Wolf!
Review: Fate/Extra (PSP)
Hosts: Evan "Vampt Vo" Minto, Zac Bertschy, Sean Russell
Topic: The Anime News Network's editorial choice to cover fansubbed anime in their Fall Preview Guide
To wash down our long discussion of digital distribution last episode, this time we've got an interview with Zac Bertschy, Executive Editor at the Anime News Network, about a related topic: fansubs. Specifically, my questions revolved around ANN's choice to cover anime that has not been licensed or legally released in America in their Preview Guide a decision which necessitates the use by ANN's paid writers of illegally distributed fansubs. Sean Russell of Anime 3000 kindly recorded the discussion and contributed some of his own thoughts as well. If you've got an opinion on the issue, don't be afraid to let us know in the comments section or through email.
Next episode I'll probably post something that I recorded at New York Anime Festival: either the Yoshiyuki Tomino Question & Answer session or a brief podcast episode with Erin and Noah of the Ninja Consultant Podcast.
Show notes and links can be found after the break.
(Runtime: 33 minutes)
[0:00:00] Intro: Carl is a horrible, horrible person who will never find love in this world.
[0:00:10] Opening Song: "R.O.D Theme" by Taku Iwasaki (R.O.D. OVA opener)
[0:00:25] I apologize to regular listeners for the kinda long introduction stuff here. You gotta do what you gotta do!
[0:02:24] Discussion: Evan and Sean question Zac about the Anime News Network Preview Guide. Zac begins with his own description of how the guide got started, but quickly the discussion turns toward a consideration of what ANN and other anime outlets need to do to both accurately cover issues related to fandom and support legal methods of distribution. Some believe that news organizations need to report on content regardless of the illegality involved in attaining it, while others believe that, in order to remain a credible source, these organizations should completely shun illegal modes of distribution like fansubs. What do you think?
[0:32:39] Ending Song: "WORLD END (Instrumental)" by FLOW (Code Geass R2 second opener)
Iowa resident and manga fan Christopher Handley has been having a rather unpleasant two years. In May of 2006, Handley ordered a package from Japan containing "inappropriate" manga (namely yaoi and lolicon). When the postal inspector intercepted his package and applied for a warrant, Mr. Handley was followed home by police, who searched his home and found a handful of "obscene" images among his collection of more than 1,200 comics.
Now Mr. Handley, 38, is being tried in the Iowa court system for supposed violations of the PROTECT Act, which provides for up to twenty years in prison for obscenity violations. The Comic Book Defense Fund, known for their vigorous protection of the First Amendment rights of comic book retailers and creators, have agreed to help defend Mr. Handley in the first recorded case in which a private citizen has been accused of obscenity in the privacy of his own home.
Carl Gustav Horn (of Dark Horse) and Jason Thompson (of Otaku USA), two of the most respected names in the manga industry, contacted Anime News Network regarding Christopher Handley's trial. They have published two lengthy editorials begging manga fans to understand the implications of a guilty verdict in Handley's case and, if possible, to donate to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The articles are great reads for all manga fans who are interested in their industry's continued survival - which is hopefully each and every one of you. Please read these fantastic articles, and consider a donation to the CBLDF.
"20 Years in Prison for Buying a Manga" by Carl Horn"Manga, Censorship and Obscenity" by Jason Thompson
Surprisingly, Saturday at the New York Anime Festival was not as hectic as Friday was. With more panel time during the day and hence more time between panels, it was much easier for my bloggers-in-crime (Brad, Gia, Scott) and I to get from panel to panel and still have time for, you know, food and actually enjoying ourselves.
Media Blasters
Joe Chagan and Merideth Mulroney from Media Blasters began their panel with two points; points which would become the center of their entire message:
- We're still in business!
- We have an announcement, but our boss won't let us tell you.
Other than that, the two friendly representatives opened themselves up for questions, giving surprisingly candid and telling answers that you can only get from Media Blasters and their unique marketing style. First off, on Media Blasters' solvency in the dangerous climate of today's anime market, Merideth reminded us that the company is "holding our own because we're feisty." The "big announcement" was hinted at being something involving a new title (i.e. NOT retro) that will make you go "holy crap, THAT ONE?"
When asked about a Blu-ray release for MB's remaster of Berserk, Merideth reminded us that regardless of high-def quality, "16mm is 16mm." She also clarified that the main reason for Seirei no Moribito's DVD release delay is that she still doesn't have all of the original artwork for the show after six months of waiting. Finally, the reps also plugged MB's new online card game Alteil (preview coming soon), and let us know that the company is/was interested in picking up Cream Lemon, Turn A Gundam, and Black Lagoon.
Media Blasters denies any plans for a unified anime channel with other companies due to the immense costs of running a television channel. They also say that a burn-on-demand plan will not work for a small company like Media Blasters until someone else makes a system that they can adapt for their own needs.
Del Rey
Unlike AnimeNEXT, at this Del Rey panel the company was up a proverbial creek without a not-so-proverbial Dallas Middaugh. Del Rey's charismatic Associate Publisher was unable to come to the convention due to previous engagements (i.e. his honeymoon), so standing in for him was the equally (if not more) charismatic Ali T. Kokmen. Del Rey, friend of the press, gave us the new announcements rapid-fire at the beginning of the panel, without all of that annoying suspense of other industry panels.
- Del Rey is teaming up with Cartoon Network, bringing Ben10 and Bakugan film comics and light novels to stores. Cue Bakugan trailer with terrrrrible theme music. "Fight for what's right before it's gone! This is Bakugan!"
- The first Bakugan film comic is in December 2008, and the second is in March 2009. An original manga is coming in Summer 2009.
- Ben10 is getting the first film comic release in April 2009, with the original manga in November of 2009.
- Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture in Fall 2009 - It's about cute bacteria. And it's apparently educational. AWO complained that it wasn't licensed. TAKE THAT!
- Tsubasa Character Guide 2 in Summer 2009 - Yeah, it's another one. It covers volumes 8-14.
- Amefurashi in July 2009 - From the creator of Haridama: Magic Cram School and Venus vs. Virus, it looks alright.
- Maid War Chronicles in May 2009 - The illustrator is from Mao-chan. It's about fighting maids. You know you want it.
Most of the rest of the panel was spent answering questions and throwing squishy gavels at the audience to promote Del Rey's new Phoenix Wright manga license. Trust me, you had to be there for some of Ali's lines. Why is Del Rey so gosh darn awesome asks Japanator reader KuronoK? "Diet and exercise." We love you Del Rey.
Anime News Network
[EDIT: Gia let me know during Podtoid-san today that this was previously announced. Oops!] Quite ironically, there was also some news out of the center of anime news themselves, Anime News Network, during their (self-)celebratory 10th Anniversary panel. Namely, the web site, which has already pursued some mode of video presence on the web, will now be working to license new series from Japan and provide them online. There will be free, low-quality videos streaming on the web site, and $3 high-quality (presumably DRM-free) episodes, in a pricing scheme suspiciously similar to that of asian media site CrunchyRoll.
The only shows that will be on the service as of right now are three Media Blasters titles: Girls High, Kite Liberator, and Ramen Fighter Miki. While I'll admit my personal skepticism on their ability to pull this off, New Media Director and Founder Justin Sevakis says, regarding release dates, "simultaneous is our goal." Subbing before the show comes out? I think that requires a bit more leverage than ANN has over Japanese companies. Maybe I'm wrong.
