MVM to discontinue FUNimation anime releases in the UK

Although it’s marked as a “rumour”, UK Anime Net have revealed that MVM are set to discontinue distributing FUNimation anime DVDs in the UK by the end of the year (“deleted on January 1st”). No reason for this surprising decision has been stated, but it has been confirmed by MVM. They reassure fans that they will continue to work with Geneon and Studio Gonzo for UK DVD releases.

This will effect many of MVMs current and older DVD releases; including Blue Gender, Fruits Basket, Fullmetal Alchemist and Yu Yu Hakusho. If interested, buyers of the aforementioned anime are urged to snap up these titles as soon as possible (or risk missing out on them altogether).

We are now left to speculate who (if anyone) will be taking the reigns from MVM; perhaps FUNimation themselves will be taking charge? Obviously it would be a major blow if FUNimation pulled out of the UK altogether, and given the DVD releases of the Fullmetal Alchemist series still aren’t complete, UK buyers will be desperate for an immediate solution.

UPDATE: Our forum user Espy has been in contact with FUNimation and reported the following statement: “FUNimation is not pulling out of the UK. I [Public Relations Manager, FUNimation Entertainment] can’t provide more information than that. Expect an announcement within the next couple of weeks.” We are now waiting on news from FUNimation.