AnimeVision

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...

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.