MangaUK podcast addresses SAO issues, anime on TV, blu-ray and more!

Today, the fine chaps at Manga Entertainment UK released the latest episode in their series of podcasts, making those who follow the company aware of recent announcements, events and things like that. Today’s episode wasn’t license-heavy like the previous podcast (but with numerous conventions in the near future, this is most likely just the calm before the storm). However, this edition of the podcast did have some important news and details:

First things first, MangaUK reaffirmed some of their upcoming releases:

28th April: Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess (DVD and DVD/Blu-Ray Combi Pack)

5th May: Dragonball season 1 (DVD)

26th May: Blue Exorcist the Movie (DVD and DVD/Blu-Ray Combi Pack). This title will also be available at London MCM Comic Con. The Limited Edition combi-pack will also includes extras such as art cards and a poster.

16th June: Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust (DVD, Blu-ray)

Gargantia on the Verudurous Planet will also hopefully be released in September. Also, as previously announced, MangaUK reiterated that their upcoming release of Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo has been delayed as a knock-on effect of FUNimation’s delay in the United States. The release date currently listed on retailer websites is tentative.

On another note, many fans have noticed that the packaging art for Sword Art Online‘s DVD and Blu-ray volumes following on from the first feature a slightly different packaging design. Andrew from MangaUK explained that the reason for this was that while the first volume’s packaging was approved by Aniplex, the second volume was rejected and the company was told to use artwork more in-line with the series’ releases in other territories. It was stressed that this situation was as mind-boggling to the distributor as it was to fans. MangaUK did attempt to include a correct sleeve for volume 1 inside the cast for volume 2, but it simply wouldn’t fit. So they have announced that the second print run of the volume will have a revised sleeve – although when the second print run will be available is currently unknown. The company can’t confirm any details at the moment, but they will be looking into ways to allow fans who have already purchased the volume to receive the updated sleeve.

In regards to the series’ second volume, an audio error was detected on the extra web episodes (the main episodes are unaffected). MangaUK have confirmed that they have located an error in the encoding and are fixing the issue for future print runs, however, they are unable to confirm when that will be. They have suggested that consumers who are unhappy with this return their purchases to where they purchased them and buy the volume again when the fixed print-run is released. If you are unable to return them however, the company will be looking into a fix for consumers.

During the “Ask Manga UK” segment, Jerome, Jeremy and Andrew fielded questions fans presented to them on Twitter:

Digital Copies with physical releases?

This is something that MangaUK would like to do, as they have some of their titles available on digital platforms such as iTunes already. However, this would mean having to raise the price of releases, which they don’t want to do. Also, iTunes aren’t very hot on anime with the dual language nature of releases being an issue – iTunes tend to allow allow English dubs to be put up. Let iTunes know if you want more anime.

Anime on TV?

Anime on TV won’t happen because the problem is, when it is, people don’t watch it. There seems to be a belief that anime being on TV would expand the market, but throughout all of channels currently on TV there is little for the 13-25 male market because that age-group tends to consume entertainment differently, through video-on-demand services like YouTube and Netflix. MangaUK’s focus is on getting the shows they’ve licensed on those platforms as opposed to TV. Even the recent TV showings of the Bleach movies didn’t reach 10,000 viewers (although MangaUK did mention how Sony didn’t let them know about the airings beforehand, which probably didn’t help).

Blu-Ray 3D releases?

MangaUK noted that there simply aren’t enough 3D anime releases, but they would consider it for a big release. With Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Bonds Beyond Time, the run-time of the feature was short enough to include both the 2D and 3D versions on the same disc.

Mamoru Hosoda boxset?

Unfortunately, a boxset of Mamoru Hosoda’s feature films isn’t possible at this moment due to the rights to different movies belonging to different companies. However, when more films are released, it might become worth their time to pressure the different licensors to agree, but nothing is set in stone.

Older series’ on blu-ray?

Due to the blu-ray release of the movie, fans asked MangaUK about the possibility of bringing the two K-ON! TV series’ to the format. The answer given in the podcast wasn’t a definite yes or no, but it was explained that the company has recently looked at their back catalogue to see what they could release on the format now that production costs are lower. One specific title that was mentioned was Soul Eater, with MangaUK asking if fans would be willing to buy a release based on FUNimation’s blu-ray sets, which would most likely have an RRP of £59.99 each (making them around £40 after online discounts). Although it wasn’t mentioned in the podcast, the series would most likely be split into two volumes to match the North American release. If you want Soul Eater on blu-ray, let MangaUK know!

One Piece movies?

Everything depends on what Toei thinks, which is admittedly positive at the moment. Although nothing can be confirmed, MangaUK are currently looking into licensing a One Piece movie, but Jerome also wanted to know if people would be interested in subtitle only releases of One Piece movies 1-7 or 9, as none of them have been released in English yet. Also, while not confirmed, discussions about licensing Collections 9-12 of the TV series are currently underway.

Me and My Anime

Towards the end of the podcast, MangaUK announced that they would be hosting a new monthly competition on Instragram called Me and My Anime. Users who wish to enter simply have to upload a picture of them watching anime, tagging MangaUK and using the hashtag ‘Me and my Anime” to enter a prize draw for a prize pack every month.

Magi Tweet-a-long

On 24th February, the first volume of Magi – The Labyrinth of Magic volume 1 will be released and MangaUK were wondering about possible interest in a tweet-a-long session on Twitter, as was done with Naruto Shippuden The Movie: The Will of Fire, K-ON! The Movie and Wolf Children. If you do, make sure to let them know!