US anime industry moving into online digital distro.

Paul

Paul

Ghost of Animes
Administrator
With more people than ever making use of high-speed, broadband internet connections, the anime industry is gradually catching up with the digital revolution by increasingly introducing legal, pay-to-download services.

The latest US companies to jump on the bandwagon are FUNimation and Manga Entertainment. Specifically FUNimation have hooked up with iTunes to offer (dubbed-only, 640x360 pixels / 16x9 wide screen and DRM protected) episodes of Desert Punk, Samurai 7 and Speed Grapher, while Manga Entertainment will be working with Bit Torrent enthusiasts Azureus and their new (currently in development) Zudeo software to release the likes of Ghost in the Shell and Ninja Scroll over the web.

It's worth noting that all of the above is relevant only to US residents, though should these tentative steps into the realm of online digital distribution prove successful, it would be fair to assume such a system could eventually role out in the UK too.
 
I'm glad these companies are finally catching on!

Now all they need to do is offer subtitled episodes of current airings in Japan and I'll be sold! I hope that by the time we have access the industry will have well established online distribution channels.
 
Yeah, the lack of a subtitled track is a major detractor right now. It's great to see them trying this, but I can't help but feel they've made an error in snubbing the typical otaku who won't buy something that's dub-only. And if the buzz isn't going to come from the anime community, I don't know where else...
 
I'll have me some dub. :D

Actually wouldn't mind either way, especially as they could provide far better translations than fansub groups do.

Waiting on the first person to go "OMG NO SUBS SHOULD BE FREE!!111!! ;0; STUPD EBIL COMPANIES etc"
 
Not sure if it would catch on that much, me personally i like to collect the boxsets (although i am running out of room to store them :p) and the idea of buying anime that is stored digitially doesn't appeal to me.

But on the other handset i do download and watch a few fansubs, if they were to offer these as downloads i would be more than happy to purchase them and support the industry.
 
OMG NO SUBS SHOULD BE FREE!!111!! ;0; STUPD EBIL COMPANIES etc

Seriously, they're missing the point. People only want to pay to own things solidly. This DRM protection ruins the whole idea for me; including distrobution of music.
 
adamcube said:
People only want to pay to own things solidly.
Click to expand...

This is very true in my case, I tend to be a materialistic pack-rat, if I can't physically hold it in my hand, then you can pretty much forget about it.

Dunno why, it's just the way I am. :?
 
I'm the same. I don't like handing over money for things I can't hold in my hand. Especially something that seems like it's going to be so restricted by protection as this.
 
The way I see it is that I don't like people to profit out of me for no actual gain. The intellectual property that is the actual anime is worth paying for, but only if then you have the freedom to do with it as you wish, such as moving it from computer to computer. If it becomes restricted, there's very little stopping a person from simply downloading the stuff as a fansub.

On the other hand, if DRM was to be lifted, then I think I may pay for downloaded anime as a quick and cheap alternative to having to say, import DVDs from Japan/America.

The thing is though, when you pay for anime un-DRMed, you're paying for the convenience and versitility it brings. When you pay for anime in DVD form, you get the extras, long-lasting format and high-quality. Either way, the consumer is actually spending his money to get something worth having. The way I see it, DRMed anime is much like fansubbed anime without the freedom, hence there is no incentive to buy it.
 
I'd like to believe that this year we'll see the demise of DRM. I think the public is becoming more aware that it's about restriction and not in their interest.

I would be inclined to buy digital episodes of series available in the UK, even if they are infected with DRM (it's not perfect but it's better than nothing). Why? Well, it gives me the option of previewing a few episodes before deciding whether it's worth buying the DVDs, or, because I like to wait for boxsets it gives me the opportunity to enjoy the series now instead of months later. However in order for this to work, especially for me, episodes must be dirt cheap because of the lower quality and DRM infection. It's suffice to say this is but a dream. ;)

I would be prepared to pay more for series/episodes that have just aired in Japan or not available in the UK. I don't think this would stop me from buying the series on DVD when it's finally released here if it's worth it.

This is probably a massive generalisation but I think all the distribution companies care about is making sure they don't divert sales away from their DVDs. That's why they're so slow in reacting to online supply when there's clearly demand.
 
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