AnimeVision

ADV have finally come into the open and commented on their current woes, even if only in a semi-official way. At their "Sneak Peek" panel at Anime Expo last night, ADV's Matt Greenfield confirmed that the company had parted ways with Japanese investor Sojitz, that a number of the company's titles were in limbo as a result, and that at this point no-one really knew what was going to happen next. The company is in negotiations for a number of new titles, but as yet has nothing to announce. They key point, though, is that they're not dead yet - running on idle while the Sojitz issue is resolved, but not out of the game.

They're baaack... Geneon Entertainment USA have returned to the R1 anime market, thanks to a new distribution deal they've agreed with FUNimation. The deal gives FUNi exclusive manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution to a number of Geneon's unfinished and catalogue titles, and will make sure that most people burned when Geneon went quiet will now be able to complete their sets. Titles specifically named in the announcement are Ergo Proxy, Hellsing Ultimate, Black Lagoon (including 2nd Barrage), Karin, Kyo Kara Maoh Season 2, Lyrical Nanoha, Elemental Gelade, Fate/Stay Night, Kamichu, Ninja Vixens (a live-action movie), Paradise Kiss, Rozen Maiden, Rozen Maiden Traumend, Shana, Shonen Onmyouji, The Familiar of Zero, The Story of Saiunkoku, When They Cry, and The Law of Ueki.

A to think some people though this year's Anime Expo was going to be a non-event. Welcome back, Geneon, we've missed ya...

GDH, the parent company of animation studio GONZO, has been declared technically insolvent by the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company has been given until March 31st 2009 to get back to what the TSE considers a solvent state, or face delisting.

The TSE decision is down to GDH currently owing more money (liabilities) than it has available in cash and properties (assets), and with the company currently running at a loss that may not be easy to fix. The immediate future of the company doesn't appear to be under threat, but they'll be hoping that their new batch of shows for the coming year can turn their fortunes around.

FUNimation and YouTube have joined forces to launch an FUNimation-branded anime "channel" on the popular streaming service. The channel is already live, and full episodes of Blue Gender, Slayers, Peach Girl, Mushishi, and Kiddy Grade are expected to be added shortly to get the ball rolling. Episodes will only be available for a limited period (so we won't be embedding them here), with new episodes from featured shows being added every week. With online anime being "the next big thing", this looks to be a smart move from FUNi - here's hoping they start featuring some recent titles as well.

Bandai Entertainment have issued retailer solicitations for the first wave of titles that they're inheriting from the soon-to-be-defunct Bandai Visual USA. At least for the time being, the Honneamise label remains intact, as does its unpopular pricing structure, but BEI are promising more announcements in the coming months. Notably, the two Patlabor movies and the first Gunbuster OVA are missing from the new solicitation.

One benefit of the switch will be wider availability of the titles - BVUSA suffered from a frankly woeful distribution channel (you were basically limited to buying from their own online store), while BEI's distribution network is far more widespread - you should now be able to use your favourite online store to secure a decent discount to those eye-watering Honneamise prices...

Japanese manga and anime publisher Kodansha is reported to be setting up its own US publishing arm to deal with translated versions of its manga titles. The new subsidiary will likely have an impact on US publisher Del Rey, who up to now has had a close relationship with Kodansha and is releasing a number of their titles. No details available yet on when the new label will launch, or what titles it'll be releasing.

Most companies used to keep their licensing announcements back for big event like Anime Expo (which is this weekend, in case you're keeping track), but not FUNimation, it seems. They've confirmed their license for mecha / science fiction series Heroic Age, which is loosely based on the Greek myth of the Twelve Labours of Hercules and looks at humanity's efforts to gain a foothold in space, which is dominated by the technically-advanced & tyrannical Silver Tribe. The series is slated for release at some point in 2009.

Or at least, their new license, the Beat-You-To-Death Angel Dokuro-chan will if you give her half a chance. The series is a rather gory slapstick comedy, and having seen the first few episodes I'm quite looking forward to it. If you like comedic violence, this is for you - the series follows the adventures of a boy named Sakura, who's destined to become a world-famous pervert, and the angel from the future, Dokuro, who's been sent to make sure that doesn't happen. She keep him in check using the spiked club Excaliborg, and a lot of resurrection magic...

With Tower of DRUAGA having just finished its run - at least until the sequel arrives next year - GONZO have announced that their latest show, Strike Witches, will replace it on YouTube and Crunchyroll (no mention of BostTV this time around). A "fan-friendly action series", the show will begin airing in Japan on 4 July, with legal episodes hitting the 'net the same day. We'll be covering it here, of course.

FUNimation's licensing spree shows no sign of abating (and with parent company Navarre's financial results showing FUNi going from strength to strength, I doubt they'll be stopping soon). The latest title to be announced is baseball series Ookiku Furikabutte!, which they've renamed to Big Windup! for the English-language release. No further details as yet, but going by their recent pattern I'd expect a late 2009 release.