Funimation: Difference between revisions

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Less than a week later, they also [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-04/funimation-picks-up-over-30-former-ad-vision-titles picked up over 30 titles] from [[ADV Films]] as a result of a ''major'' falling-out between ADV and Japanese partner Sojitz. Those titles are indicated below.
Less than a week later, they also [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-04/funimation-picks-up-over-30-former-ad-vision-titles picked up over 30 titles] from [[ADV Films]] as a result of a ''major'' falling-out between ADV and Japanese partner Sojitz. Those titles are indicated below.


At the end of 2008, Funimation went on a licensing binge called "New Show A-Go-Go!", during which they announced even more [[Geneon]] titles (such as ''[[Samurai Champloo]]''), as well as new titles such as ''[[Soul Eater]]'' and the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' films.
At the end of 2008, Funimation went on a licensing binge called "New Show A-Go-Go!", during which they announced even more [[Geneon]] titles (such as ''[[Samurai Champloo]]''), as well as new titles such as ''[[Soul Eater]]'' and the ''[[Rebuild of Evangelion]]'' films.


In an effort to counter [[Fan Sub|fansubs]], they have recently made a number of their titles available for free [http://www.funimation.com/video/ on their website] (as well as [http://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation YouTube]), including new acquisitions that have never been sold legally in the United States before, like ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'' and the original ''[[Captain Harlock]]'' series. This is awesome. They have also begun a program to carry shows on their video site a few days after they air in Japan; they have done this with ''[[Shikabane Hime]]'' and ''[[Full Metal Panic!]]: The Second Raid'' and are now doing this with newer [[NoitaminA]] series and recent episodes of ''[[One Piece]]''. This is ''really awesome''. Unfortunately, they only have distribution rights for the USA and Canada for any of these, and have thus prevented people outside North America from watching those shows on their own website. This is anti-awesome.
In an effort to counter [[Fan Sub|fansubs]], they have recently made a number of their titles available for free [http://www.funimation.com/video/ on their website] (as well as [http://www.youtube.com/user/FUNimation YouTube]), including new acquisitions that have never been sold legally in the United States before, like ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'' and the original ''[[Captain Harlock]]'' series. This is awesome. They have also begun a program to carry shows on their video site a few days after they air in Japan; they have done this with ''[[Shikabane Hime]]'' and ''[[Full Metal Panic!]]: The Second Raid'' and are now doing this with newer [[NoitaminA]] series and recent episodes of ''[[One Piece]]''. This is ''really awesome''. Unfortunately, they only have distribution rights for the USA and Canada for any of these, and have thus prevented people outside North America from watching those shows on their own website. This is anti-awesome.


Needless to say, the company is now held in very high regard among anime fans, despite forming an equal base of hatedom for those very reasons listed above, and they seem determined to hold to their current course. This all happening amidst an economic recession that is shrinking the dubbing industry, which results in gaining a higher percentage of anime statewide than other studios. Part of their marketing strategy is that they actually listen to the fans and take their suggestions into account, which does work. They graciously make most of their titles available in full on their website, with links to which DVD they're on so they may be purchased. They also run their own digital cable channel, currently the only linear anime-exclusive, television network. Because of their insane amount of titles and the somewhat limited budget for dubs, 95% of the time they have to use the same actors who live in the area, leading to severe [[Relationship Voice Actor]] situations in all their shows, and who have gained growing popularity among fans.
Needless to say, the company is now held in very high regard among anime fans, despite forming an equal base of hatedom for those very reasons listed above, and they seem determined to hold to their current course. This all happening amidst an economic recession that is shrinking the dubbing industry, which results in gaining a higher percentage of anime statewide than other studios. Part of their marketing strategy is that they actually listen to the fans and take their suggestions into account, which does work. They graciously make most of their titles available in full on their website, with links to which DVD they're on so they may be purchased. They also run their own digital cable channel, currently the only linear anime-exclusive, television network. Because of their insane amount of titles and the somewhat limited budget for dubs, 95% of the time they have to use the same actors who live in the area, leading to severe [[Relationship Voice Actor]] situations in all their shows, and who have gained growing popularity among fans.


FUNimation currently holds the rights for almost<ref> (Exceptions: [[Gate Keepers]] and [[Gate Keepers 21]] ([[Geneon]]); [[Blue Submarine No. 6]], [[Melty Lancer]], [[Yukikaze]] ([[Bandai Entertainment]]); [[Gravion]], [[Final Fantasy Unlimited]], [[Zaion I Wish You Were Here]], [[Special A]] ([[ADV Films]] and its descendants); [[Real Bout High School]] ([[Tokyo Pop]]), and others that remain unlicensed.)</ref> all [[GONZO]] properties, and they have been releasing them in very appealing boxed sets with excellent production values and many extras (examples include their releases of ''[[Afro Samurai]]'' and ''[[Speed Grapher]]''). They also have an imprint of sorts called ''The Viridian Collection'', which they have designed as a sort of [[Criterion Collection]] for high-profile anime releases, such as ''[[Samurai 7]]'', ''[[Basilisk]]'' and ''[[Desert Punk (manga)|Desert Punk]]''. These releases are budget priced, so it's very easy to amass a relatively large collection of good anime without breaking your pockets. ''S.A.V.E. Edition'', where you can get a complete series for at most $30, takes this concept one step further.
FUNimation currently holds the rights for almost<ref> (Exceptions: [[Gate Keepers]] and [[Gate Keepers 21]] ([[Geneon]]); [[Blue Submarine No. 6]], [[Melty Lancer]], [[Yukikaze]] ([[Bandai Entertainment]]); [[Gravion]], [[Final Fantasy Unlimited]], [[Zaion I Wish You Were Here]], [[Special A]] ([[ADV Films]] and its descendants); [[Real Bout High School]] ([[Tokyo Pop]]), and others that remain unlicensed.)</ref> all [[GONZO]] properties, and they have been releasing them in very appealing boxed sets with excellent production values and many extras (examples include their releases of ''[[Afro Samurai]]'' and ''[[Speed Grapher]]''). They also have an imprint of sorts called ''The Viridian Collection'', which they have designed as a sort of [[Criterion Collection]] for high-profile anime releases, such as ''[[Samurai 7]]'', ''[[Basilisk]]'' and ''[[Desert Punk (manga)|Desert Punk]]''. These releases are budget priced, so it's very easy to amass a relatively large collection of good anime without breaking your pockets. ''S.A.V.E. Edition'', where you can get a complete series for at most $30, takes this concept one step further.
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* [[Kodomo no Omocha]] (as "Kodocha"; first 51 episodes only, with [[Bad Export for You|some issues]] beyond their control)
* [[Kodomo no Omocha]] (as "Kodocha"; first 51 episodes only, with [[Bad Export for You|some issues]] beyond their control)
* [[Last Exile: Fam, The Silver Wing|Last Exile Fam the Silver Wing]]
* [[Last Exile: Fam, The Silver Wing|Last Exile Fam the Silver Wing]]
* [[The Legend of the Legendary Heroes]]
* [[The Legend of the Legendary Heroes]]
* [[Lupin the Third|Lupin III]] (nine of the TV specials and the "Dead or Alive" film)
* [[Lupin the Third|Lupin III]] (nine of the TV specials and the "Dead or Alive" film)
* [[Mahou Sensei Negima]] (only the two TV series and the Spring / Summer OVAs)
* [[Mahou Sensei Negima]] (only the two TV series and the Spring / Summer OVAs)
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* [[Rumbling Hearts]] ([[Market-Based Title|a.k.a.]] Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien)
* [[Rumbling Hearts]] ([[Market-Based Title|a.k.a.]] Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien)
* [[The Sacred Blacksmith]]
* [[The Sacred Blacksmith]]
* [[Rosario to Vampire]] (both seasons)
* [[Rosario + Vampire]] (both seasons)
* [[Samurai 7]]
* [[Samurai 7]]
* [[Sasami Magical Girls Club]]
* [[Sasami Magical Girls Club]]
* [[School Rumble]] (except for the [[Contested Sequel|3rd Semester OVA]])
* [[School Rumble]] (except for the [[Contested Sequel|3rd Semester OVA]])
* [[Sekirei]]
* [[Sekirei]]
* [[Sengoku Basara]]
* [[Sengoku Basara]]
* [[Seto no Hanayome]] (released as ''"My Bride is a Mermaid"'')
* [[Seto no Hanayome]] (released as ''"My Bride is a Mermaid"'')
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* [[Galaxy Express 999]] (via Toei)
* [[Galaxy Express 999]] (via Toei)
* [[House of Five Leaves]]
* [[House of Five Leaves]]
* [[Interlude]] (via Toei)
* [[Interlude]] (via Toei)
* [[Pretty Cure]] (via Toei)
* [[Pretty Cure]] (via Toei)
* [[Slam Dunk]] (via Toei)
* [[Slam Dunk]] (via Toei)
* [[The Tatami Galaxy]]
* [[The Tatami Galaxy]]
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** Their anti-piracy and fansub stance is pretty much the reason why [[Scandalgate|they briefly lost simulcast rights for Fractale]]. Unlike [[Anime News Network]] where they got [[Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai|Oreimo]] back within several weeks, Funimation managed to get the Fractale simulcast back ''within a few days.''
** Their anti-piracy and fansub stance is pretty much the reason why [[Scandalgate|they briefly lost simulcast rights for Fractale]]. Unlike [[Anime News Network]] where they got [[Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai|Oreimo]] back within several weeks, Funimation managed to get the Fractale simulcast back ''within a few days.''
* [[Doing It for the Art]]: one of the major reasons why some LA and New York based voice actors are willing to work with Funimation. Heck, they even got [[Scott McNeil|a Canadian guy]] to work on a small role in [[Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)|Fullmetal Alchemist]].
* [[Doing It for the Art]]: one of the major reasons why some LA and New York based voice actors are willing to work with Funimation. Heck, they even got [[Scott McNeil|a Canadian guy]] to work on a small role in [[Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)|Fullmetal Alchemist]].
* [[Fan Service]]: According to a Funimation representative as well as many of the Funimation voice actors, some of the highest selling shows happen to be ones with heavy fanservice (along with the said popular [[Shonen]] titles like [[Dragonball Z]] and [[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]), much to the very annoyance of the [[Anime News Network|ANN]] editors who are quite critical to this trope. It wouldn't [[Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu|be a]] [[Cat Planet Cuties|surprise]] [[B Gata H Kei|with]] [[Chaos;Head|the]] [[Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt|recent]] [[Rosario to Vampire|shows]] [[Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?|they've]] [[Dance in the Vampire Bund|licensed]].
* [[Fan Service]]: According to a Funimation representative as well as many of the Funimation voice actors, some of the highest selling shows happen to be ones with heavy fanservice (along with the said popular [[Shonen]] titles like [[Dragonball Z]] and [[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]), much to the very annoyance of the [[Anime News Network|ANN]] editors who are quite critical to this trope. It wouldn't [[Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu|be a]] [[Cat Planet Cuties|surprise]] [[B Gata H Kei|with]] [[Chaos;Head|the]] [[Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt|recent]] [[Rosario + Vampire|shows]] [[Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?|they've]] [[Dance in the Vampire Bund|licensed]].
** This is most apparent with their release of ''[[Sekirei]]'', whose tagline is "Boobies for the win!".
** This is most apparent with their release of ''[[Sekirei]]'', whose tagline is "Boobies for the win!".
* [[Gag Dub|Gag Dubs]]: While most of Funimation's dubs attempt to stay reasonably faithful to their source material, some comedy series, such as [[Shin Chan]], [[Keroro Gunsou|Sgt. Frog]], and ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia|Hetalia]]'', receive this treatment.
* [[Gag Dub|Gag Dubs]]: While most of Funimation's dubs attempt to stay reasonably faithful to their source material, some comedy series, such as [[Shin Chan]], [[Keroro Gunsou|Sgt. Frog]], and ''[[Axis Powers Hetalia|Hetalia]]'', receive this treatment.
* [[Hey, It's That Voice!]]: Given the company's highly centralized talent roster, anyone who watches more than a couple of their dubs will start to recognize their regulars, and is probably the one complaint fans have with them. They do occasionally spring for new talent, however.
* [[Hey, It's That Voice!]]: Given the company's highly centralized talent roster, anyone who watches more than a couple of their dubs will start to recognize their regulars, and is probably the one complaint fans have with them. They do occasionally spring for new talent, however.

Revision as of 13:44, 5 October 2014

/wiki/Funimationcreator
You should be watching.


Funimation Entertainment (previously known as Funimation Productions) is an anime dubbing and distribution company currently based in Flower Mound, Texas (a suburb of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex). The company rose to prominence by acquiring the rights to the popular anime title Dragonball Z, its predecessor series Dragon Ball and its sequel series Dragon Ball GT as a way to survive the early '90s minor recession. By 1999, they were able to get widespread television exposure via Cartoon Network and the Dragon Ball phenomenon belatedly yet quickly grew in the United States as it had elsewhere. Two previous attempts by Funimation to release Dragon Ball to network television had previously been cancelled, before the series and the company found success on Cartoon Network. Over time, it's found success with other anime like the two Fullmetal Alchemist series and Yu Yu Hakusho.

In recent years, they have broadened their anime horizons far beyond their Shonen Jump roots, licensing series in nearly every possible genre (except Hentai).

In early July 2008, Funimation struck a deal with Geneon Entertainment to distribute many of the defunct company's unfinished ("orphaned") anime properties, including Rozen Maiden, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Black Lagoon, Hellsing, Kyou Kara Maou, Familiar of Zero and The Story of Saiunkoku. A couple of these shows would be license-rescued after Geneon's rights expired, but the rest have since faded into the ether.

Less than a week later, they also picked up over 30 titles from ADV Films as a result of a major falling-out between ADV and Japanese partner Sojitz. Those titles are indicated below.

At the end of 2008, Funimation went on a licensing binge called "New Show A-Go-Go!", during which they announced even more Geneon titles (such as Samurai Champloo), as well as new titles such as Soul Eater and the Rebuild of Evangelion films.

In an effort to counter fansubs, they have recently made a number of their titles available for free on their website (as well as YouTube), including new acquisitions that have never been sold legally in the United States before, like Fist of the North Star and the original Captain Harlock series. This is awesome. They have also begun a program to carry shows on their video site a few days after they air in Japan; they have done this with Shikabane Hime and Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid and are now doing this with newer NoitaminA series and recent episodes of One Piece. This is really awesome. Unfortunately, they only have distribution rights for the USA and Canada for any of these, and have thus prevented people outside North America from watching those shows on their own website. This is anti-awesome.

Needless to say, the company is now held in very high regard among anime fans, despite forming an equal base of hatedom for those very reasons listed above, and they seem determined to hold to their current course. This all happening amidst an economic recession that is shrinking the dubbing industry, which results in gaining a higher percentage of anime statewide than other studios. Part of their marketing strategy is that they actually listen to the fans and take their suggestions into account, which does work. They graciously make most of their titles available in full on their website, with links to which DVD they're on so they may be purchased. They also run their own digital cable channel, currently the only linear anime-exclusive, television network. Because of their insane amount of titles and the somewhat limited budget for dubs, 95% of the time they have to use the same actors who live in the area, leading to severe Relationship Voice Actor situations in all their shows, and who have gained growing popularity among fans.

FUNimation currently holds the rights for almost[1] all GONZO properties, and they have been releasing them in very appealing boxed sets with excellent production values and many extras (examples include their releases of Afro Samurai and Speed Grapher). They also have an imprint of sorts called The Viridian Collection, which they have designed as a sort of Criterion Collection for high-profile anime releases, such as Samurai 7, Basilisk and Desert Punk. These releases are budget priced, so it's very easy to amass a relatively large collection of good anime without breaking your pockets. S.A.V.E. Edition, where you can get a complete series for at most $30, takes this concept one step further.

Has done some interesting things regarding DVDs, especially involving Dragon Ball, such as starting a redubbed DVD series called the "Ultimate Uncut" Edition, only to abruptly drop that and subsequently announce new "Remastered" Season Box Sets of the entire series, cropped to Widescreen. Naturally, many fans weren't impressed with the cropping, and the so-called Orange Boxes became the best selling anime boxsets on DVD by far. Due in part to purist backlash over the cropping in the Orange Boxes, Funimation announced they had finally acquired the Super-High Quality Dragon Boxes from Japan, with the English dub remixed so that it retains the original background music, and Japanese voices selected by default for all those hardcore fans that didn't buy into the Widescreen Remasters. However, Funimation only holds the licensing rights in the US and Canada, so there's not much they can do legally for people outside of North America.

Funimation also releases Degrassi on DVD, in addition to a small selection of live-action films made or filmed in Japan.

In May of 2009, Funimation released a survey for their next project. Just by reading the comments, you can tell they made some... unexpected survey options. Even near the end of the year people are STILL commenting and voting. Unfortunately, Funimation has opted not to reveal the results.

In 2010, FUNimation entered their dubbed version of the feature anime Summer Wars for their first potential Oscar nomination. Sadly, they failed to get nominated. Recent news revealed that Summer Wars was rejected by Warner Brothers- who knows how much the chances of a nomination would've changed if that had happened!

There are talks of its parent owner possibly separating itself from them. It's official as of April 2011.

In October 2011, it was announced at New York Comic Con that Funimation and Nico Nico formed a joint partnership for streaming and home video releases. The partnership establishes a joint venture, known as "Funico", where Nico Nico handles the online streaming while Funimation handles the home video distribution.

At the same time as the above paragraph, there also arose a chance the company may suffer some collateral damage related to the 4Kids bankruptcy and lawsuit, due to TV Tokyo accusing them of conspiracy regarding a 2002 deal to distribute 4Kids' Yu-Gi-Oh! videos. In a similar sense, Funimation decided to file a lawsuit against numerous companies that was once ADV Films regarding to ADV's sale of assets in 2009.[2]. The suit was settled in May 2014 under undisclosed terms. Not to mention how both Verizon and Cablevision dropped the Funimation Channel within only two months of each other, which does not bode well for the only existing linear, all-anime channel in the US!

For a list of FUNimation regulars, head to Names to Know in Anime\Dub Voice Actors\Texas.

Series licensed by this company include:

Series they localized themselves

Series acquired from ADV in Summer 2008


License Rescues

Streaming Rights Only

Other


Tropes relating to FUNimation

  1. ↑ (Exceptions: Gate Keepers and Gate Keepers 21 (Geneon); Blue Submarine No. 6, Melty Lancer, Yukikaze (Bandai Entertainment); Gravion, Final Fantasy Unlimited, Zaion I Wish You Were Here, Special A (ADV Films and its descendants); Real Bout High School (Tokyo Pop), and others that remain unlicensed.)
  2. ↑ Which is quite ironic considering Funimation had once lend their voice acting talents to ADV Films and vice versa
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