We-e-eell...
It's good to see these shows surface on the AL label, no two ways about it. But I do feel that they could be priced a bit more astutely.
Yes, these have been comparatively recent offerings, and I've no doubt that the cost of putting out DVD box sets has risen along with everything else in this economic climate.
But here's what rankles with me: We recently saw the Outlaw Star box set show up in online listings with a similar price tag. Seems more understandable on account of the show not having had a UK DVD release before, hence the costs likely involved. Licensing, PAL conversion, BBFC fees, etc.
Both these shows have been through that mill once before, and the prices don't compare favourably with similar titles in the Legends line. By 'similar', I mean shows like Wolf's Rain, Gundam SEED, and Escaflowne, which have already had a UK release via Beez. Even factoring online discounts into the deal there's a jump in price of about £7 - 8 from those box sets. Held up alongside Outlaw Star's price, the difference is just £2 - 3.
I make these observations about pricing and RRP quite a bit, I know. But it's not simply to grouse. It's because I feel a trick is possibly being missed.
A complete TV series or 25 episodes for fifteen quid, as we saw with the initial Anime Legends releases (and once again, factoring in online discounts) represents AWESOME value - and the sort of deal that might persuade someone to lay money down on a show out of curiosity. These sets - not so much. Gurren Lagann, for example, I have only been mildly curious about. It was a 'must buy' for me when the Legends set came out. Now it isn't.
At this point, I'd REALLY like to know what necessitates the extra on the asking price. Because with re-issued anime, cheaper prices seem like better business sense, as well as being more charitable to the fans, which is a neat by-product.
I don't expect these sets to be 'cheap' as much as I'd like them to be 'affordable'. This kind of price hike tarnishes the brand's 'value for money' reputation, in my opinion.
Not wishing to slam Beez, but there it is.