AnimeVision

Horrible pricing and a poor distribution channel probably haven't helped their cause, but Bandai Visual USA have put recently-announced titles Shigofumi, true tears and sola an hiatus while they rework their business plan. The full press release for the move is below the cut. According to company president Tatsunori Konno's blog, the move is part of the "revolution" that the Japanese companies seem to be finally realising is necessary (see the recent GDH news for proof) - in Bandai Visuals' case, it also signals a shift away from DVD and onto Blu-ray, which is where the money currently is.

Bandai Visual's record at "getting" the US market speaks for itself - they don't - but if this change of focus works for them, it can only be a good thing.

BANDAI VISUAL USA POSTPONES THREE TITLES

Torrance, Calif. March 19, 2008 – Bandai Visual USA announces its decision to postpone the release of three recently announced titles: Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed, true tears, and sola.

Having reviewed the current market conditions and expectations, Bandai Visual Co. Ltd. and Bandai Visual USA Inc. are now reconsidering the overall release strategy of packaged animation media in the United States and in the global marketplace. President of Bandai Visual USA Tatsunori Konno said, “Many aspects of the anime market are in a transitional phase. We need time to reinvent ourselves so that we can bring our customary quality together with better customer satisfaction. We will also try to focus much more on Blu-ray disc releases now that format war has ended.”

A new release schedule for the three titles will be announced as soon as possible. Other on-going and forthcoming Bandai Visual USA titles such as HARUKA: Beyond the Stream of Time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians, Super Robot Wars: OG – Divine Wars, YUKIKAZE [Bluray Disc Box Set], and FREEDOM [HD-DVD / DVD Twin-Disc Format] remain unaffected by this change and will be released as scheduled.

Bandai Visual USA apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused and asks for the fan’s understanding and cooperation.

[About Bandai Visual USA Inc.]
BANDAI VISUAL USA INC. was established in 2005 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BANDAI VISUAL CO., LTD. with a mission to facilitate stronger, more active involvement in positioning, marketing and distribution of BANDAI VISUAL programs in North America. From its base in Torrance, California, BANDAI VISUAL USA seeks to form new alliances and reinforce existing ties in an effort to strengthen BANDAI VISUAL’s international presence as a producer and content provider in the ever expanding and diversified specialty programs market.