Thursday, September 11, 2008

   My turn for a rant!
Seems like there's been a few essays popping up around here all about distrtibution, saving the anime in America, etc. Now it's my turn to speak my piece, even if no one will read it. =p

I obviously love anime. I wouldn't be on this site if I didn't. Has anyone here ever thought, though, that the industry is a rip off?

I couldn't tell you how excited I was when I found out that Tsubasa was finally going to come to America. I almost bought the first box set when it came out. $30, even on my tight budget, was doable. Five episodes for $30, though? Now, my math is shaky at best, but that would mean 10 different DVDs, and at $30 bucks a pop, $300. Not to mention some will be special art editions, so that's another $10-$20 right there. Sorry, I can't afford that. The other thing is, why would I even want to buy that when I can watch episodes and read the even better manga online for free? Hell, in a way the industry is even ENCOURAGING illegal downloading and manga scanlations because no one wants to pay those prices.

Now, that's not to say I'm not against paying for anime. I'm going to be driving for over an hour simply to buy the Ouran High School Host Club DVD when it comes out. I love the show so much, it doesn't matter the cost. I have plenty of anime DVDs and movies and at times I have to go to great lengths to get them. (Ordering one from China, being unable to find Porco Rosso in any place except Boston...)

"Wait, starry," you cry. "If you say you love Ouran so much you'll buy it no matter how much it costs, what's so wrong with Tsubasa Chronicles 10 DVDs?"

Shut up, I'll get to that in a minute.

I own box sets of Escaflowne, .hack//Sign, and Trigun, plus a handful of episodes from Kare Kano, also a few Miyazaki movies and Conquerer of Shamballa.

When I say box sets, I mean every episode in the show. All 26 episodes of Trigun on 4 DVDs. I'm buying Ouran because half of the show is being released at the same time. If Funimation wanted to pull the same bull that they did with Tsubasa "box" sets, 5 episodes at time, no way would you see me buying it. I would wait for one year? Two?

You might say that it isn't about the money, but it really is. The industry plays on our impatience to legally get the shows we love. "Well, I COULD wait for the show to come out when it'll be cheaper...but I really want it now!"

In short, thank you for releasing Ouran High School Host Club in such a sensible way, support the industry when it's not being stupid and mourn Hellsing Ultimate because Geneon shut down. And Hellsing Ultimate was Chuck Norris on stereoids after taking a level in bad ass.
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