Bandai Entertainment Ceases Production and Distribution
Bandai Entertainment, the subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) that handles anime and manga in North America, has announced that it will cease to offer new DVD, Blu-ray and manga releases next month.
Bandai Entertainment will continue to offer existing releases from its current catalogue, and even produce new stock when required until the licenses expire, but it will cease the production of new releases this February and will now focus on digital distribution, broadcast, merchandising and licensing to other companies. Known casualties of this decision are:
Anime
Gosick
Nichijou
Turn A Gundam
Manga
Code Geass: Renya
Gurren Lagann vol. 7
Kannagi vol. 4-6
Lucky Star Boo Boo Kagaboo
Mobile Suit Gundam 00I
Tales of the Abyss: Jade’s Secret Memories vol. 1-2
While this restructuring is bad news for North American anime fans and the Bandai Entertainment staff that have been laid-off there is no news as to how or if this affects Beez Entertainment, the European arm of Bandai visual which is owned by Namco Bandai Holdings. To keep abreast of any news, announcements and to offer your opinion join Just Passing Through’s thread in the news forum.