Bandai Entertainment has announced that it will no longer publish new manga, DVD, or Blu-ray titles as of February 2012. The company will be restructuring, taking its dedicated staff down from five to three, and will entirely change focus. Instead of new releases, the Bandai Entertainment will shift over solely to merchandising, broadcast licensing, and digital distribution.
The move is not too surprising considering that the company closed its online store in late December. Though they company will continue to distribute its existing titles, it’s unclear whether or not it will keep those existing titles in print. Given the company’s new focus, it doesn’t seem likely.
That said, this could be a smart move for the company. Platform Nation points out that Bandai Entertainment has struggled in the face of competition from Viz publications and FUNimation. These moves would place Bandai Entertainment in a position where they could still make money — arguably much more money than before — without the overhead involved with producing a physical product. Though perhaps that is looking for a silver lining in the midst of a shutdown.
The following titles have been canceled, according to the Anime News Network:
Anime DVD/Blu-Ray
- Gosick
- Nichijō
- Turn A Gundam
Manga
- Code Geass: Renya (Code Geass: Shikkoku no Renya)
- Gurren Lagann volume 7
- Kannagi volumes 4-6
- Lucky Star Boo Boo Kagaboo (spinoff by Eretto)
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00I
- Tales of the Abyss: Jade’s Secret Memories volumes 1 and 2
Here are the titles currently slated for 2012, according Toon Zone:
January 2012
- Star Driver Part 2 will be released on 1/17/12 on DVD ($39.98) and Blu-Ray ($49.98). Running time 300 minutes, with English subtitles
- Tales of the Abyss Part 2 will be released on 1/3/12 for $29.98 ($34.98 for the limited edition with volume 2 of Tales of the Abyss: Asch the blood). Running time 175 minutes, with with English subtitles
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Space Volume 4 will be released on 1/17/12 for $29.98. Running time 150 minutes, with English subtitles
February 2012
- The following titles are all currently solicited for 2/7/12:
- Akira on DVD for $19.98, running time 124 minutes
- Mobile Suit Gundam Complete Collection 2 for $49.98, running time 500 minutes
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn part 2 on DVD, running time 120 minutes
- Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Season 1 and 2 for $49.98 each, running time 625 minutes for both
- Tales of the Abyss part 3 and 4, both $29.98 each. Running time 150 minutes for both
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Collection for $49.98, running time 625 minutes
(Anime News Network via Siliconera)
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