animevision | Saying farewell to yet another...

Well, I have to say that I'm sad that yet another anime company is gone. Central Park Media declared bankruptcy this week. Now granted they haven't released *anything* in years, but they've been around since *before* Funimation. And while some of their catalog was not that great, they did have a few titles that I either already own or would like to aquire (check their list here).

I've put a cut here becaus this gets a little lengthy...

I've read several articles on the subject, and the reason for their downfall seems to be a combination of bad business decisions-which were in their control-and some business decisions that were outside of their control (business deals that ended badly). I was hoping that they would be able to recover from these a few years ago, but it seems the economy dealt the final blow.

So, if you check out their list, what are some things that you've seen or would like to?

I have:

Birdy the Mighty
Black Jack (totally worth watching in my opinion!)
Darkside Blues (didn't care for this one)
Descendants of Darkness (yaoi fodder anyone? :)
Grave of the Fireflies (pass the tissue)
Guardian of Darkness (for some reason not on this list but has US Manga on the case-liked this one too)
Harlock Saga (Endless Odyssey is better, but Matsumoto reminds me a lot of Tezuka)
Heroic Legend of Arslan
Legend of Himiko
Night Walker (this is essentially 'Forever Knight' in anime version...for those of you who are OLD ENOUGH to remember that show!)
Now & Then, Here & There (believe it or not, haven't watched it yet)
Record of Lodoss War (if you haven't seen this, you need to-makes me think that if Tolkien had done an anime it would have been something like this)
Shamanic Princess (you know, I've seen this one, and I have the impression that it was okay, but really can't remember)

There are a few titles that I'd like to get, but I already know that some of them are expensive and hard to find. Just check out Amazon to see how much a set of Legend of the Dragon Kings goes for... I'm sorry that things didn't work out for CPM, and it's certainly hard to see one of the true anime pioneers go.

Just a note: I'm not going to claim to have the greatest taste in anime, but I do encourage people to take a look at some of the older stuff, because some of it is worth looking at. Now granted, some of it is junk as well, but still. I figure if I sit down, watch it and am entertained, then it's served it's purpose.

So what on this list do you have/have seen/would like to see?

-cypher

Currently Watching: Cardcaptor Sakura (classic:) , Desert Punk
Last Purchased: Shigurui (complete), Beserk (complete), Kenichi (season 1 part 1), and Flag (vol 4)

*reads last two lines again* How's that for variety? *shakes head at self*

edit: found a better link here that includes a ton of titles missing from the one above.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, I didn't realize that CPM needed to re-negotiate the contract. I actually don't read a lot of manga, though I am starting to, a little bit anyway. :)

I really like how Funi is releasing things now as well. It's much more economical for both them and the consumer. I don't mind things only being subtitled (it's about time someone else did this other than Anime Works) and I don't really need the fancy packaging either-though I'll admit that I don't think the new packaging is going to hold up as well over time as the old does.

(I will say that whoever came up with the idea for the Trinity Blood box deserves a promotion. I used to laugh at what was once called a 'collector's box'...then that was released and I found it truly was one...but I digress...)

I was more referring to Funi's timeliness in their releases. They were so focused on getting their newly acquired stuff out that they were very late in releasing some of their own titles, and when they released them, the complete set would be released quite closely after the final volume.

I know it was that way with Peach Girl--vol 6 came out in Nov and 4 months later the complete set was available at discount. It kind of irritated some people because they spent all that time and money collecting when they could have waited just a little longer and gotten it all at the same time and cheaper. I know that wasn't the only series that happened to, but it's the only one that I can think of at the moment.

My only complaint with Funi is that I was in the middle of a couple of ADV series, and when Funi acquired them they released the series in two parts, and didn't continue the single dvd releases. It just throws my set off. It would have been nice for them to either finish the individual releases or offer a trade in option (ie. I could send in my set-or maybe just the box-and get the other half of the packaging that would match).

Have you seen the Code Geass LE sets? They're amazing - about $50 for two DVDs, a volume of manga, a soundtrack, drama CD and info booklets. Absolutely fabulous. Bandai is doing a good job with their releases (I think Lucky Star and Gurren Lagann got similar treatment, though I just have the base GL set)... I look forward to S1 of Gundam 00 from them.

I've pretty much gotten to the point of just waiting for thinpaks/collections for series, KKM aside. Because I'd always get behind and then realize the thinpak was cheaper than getting the remaining single volumes... Though I can see where it would be annoying for anyone keeping current.

I have the first Code Geass LE set, after that I'm just buying the ind. dvd's to fill it-I'm currently short the last two vols. I did the same with Lucky Star as well, bought the first LE set and then the ind. dvds-though I still have four vols I need to finish that series. :)

If a series is long I'll wait for a box set to come out, if it's a 6-7 dvd set, it depends on the box and on how long I'm willing to wait to see the series. I like to have the entire series before I watch it, that way I'm not sitting on the edge of my seat going "I can't wait for vol x to come out in two months!" I did that with Fate/Stay Night. I bought the box and vol 1 about the same time Jester did and then collected the indvid. dvd's after that, but didn't watch past vol 1. Jester on the other hand watched everything as he bought it. I sat back and laughed as he complained that an every-other-month release schedule was a form of torture. :D

I'm actually going to come out and admit that I've never seen anything Gundam and just in fact bought my first Gundam series (Anime Legends Collection version). I remember reading reviews about Gundam 00 though. I think the character designer was the same guy that did the characters for Tactics, which I liked. The series looks good, do you know if it requires prior knowledge of the earlier Gundam series?

I still need the last Geass LE. I've been enjoying the audio dramas because I think it's so neat that they took the time to translate those into English, too. ^_^ A real treat.

Which Gundam series did you get? (I think a few of them are under the Anime Legends line.)

Gundam 00 is separate from any of the other series, and while there are little throwbacks and such for long-time fans, it's perfectly enjoyable on its own with no previous knowledge. At least the first season is. The second is a little rocky. ^^;

I picked up the first coll. of G-Gundam (it was on sale at the time).

I still haven't gotten Greenwood yet, but based on your rec, I did manage to pick up the *entire* Utena collection (including the movie!).

RL has been crazy lately, but I am going to start posting to the comm again, and wanted to start by replying to the posts that were left unanswered. But I am sorry that it took me so long to reply!

Saying farewell to yet another...

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sorry to take so long!