Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Bandai pulling out of the DVD, Bluray and Manga market in the US

Hayate the Combat Butler


This may be different from what happened to Tokyopop when it was closed at the end of May 2011. Bandai Entertainment is downsizing and for that, they will be pulling out of the DVD, Blu-Ray, and manga market, focusing only on licensing.

Beginning January 2012, Bandai Entertainment will no longer releasing new DVDs, Blu-Rays, and others. What does that mean? Don't expect releases of Nichijou, Gosick, among many others. That makes me so sad. Well, when Hayate the Combat Butler DVDs arrived in North America via Bandai Entertainment, sorry to say that they won't bring English-subtitled Hayate the Combat Butler 2nd Season DVD and Blu-Rays, especially the Heaven is a Place on Earth movie. What's worse is that they won't bringing second season of K-ON in the USA, especially the K-ON movie recently shown in Japanese theaters since December 2011.

Despite withdrawals, Bandai Entertainment still lives in a very different approach. They will continue to sub-license some anime in North America to the internet and TV broadcasters, especially merchandising.

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