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Toon Zone Talkback - Sentai Filmworks/Section23 Announce New January Titles Including "Glass Mask"
- Thread starter nat think
- Start date
See, I dunno. I feel like Section23 is falling into the same trap that ADV did of licensing a bunch of stuff that aren't likely to be big successes or have wide audiences. Lack of dubs isn't going to help.
I mean, I had never even HEARD of Neo Angelique Abyss before writing this up. Ditto for Glass Mask, although to be fair that's a few years old, when I wasn't as active in looking at new shows.
I mean, I had never even HEARD of Neo Angelique Abyss before writing this up. Ditto for Glass Mask, although to be fair that's a few years old, when I wasn't as active in looking at new shows.
ESS - 93 ₪
New member
Yeah, this is mostly finishing the obscure titles that were licensed before. I just found out about Glass Mask because of the work I'm doing on streaming anime and it seems to be a step above the rest, but this sub-only practice is the big problem. It might be better than nothing, but I can't see catering to a niche within the niche as a way to eventually rebuild things.
Now I'm wishing they'd just go under if they're going to continue releasing shows sub-only for those prices. Let someone who actually dubs shows get that license otherwise it's better off finding a legal stream deal on Crunchyroll or something.
Releasing what ADV already had is one thing releasing new shows sub-only is asking to lose sales, crash and burn.
Releasing what ADV already had is one thing releasing new shows sub-only is asking to lose sales, crash and burn.
I feel so bad for Hidamari Sketch now. It's coming to America without a dub.
I was so hoping FUNi would get it because it was produced by Marvelous Entertainment, but sadly, Sentai decides to be lazily get it. What a downer.
(prays K-On and Kanamemo doesn't fall for the same trap)
I was so hoping FUNi would get it because it was produced by Marvelous Entertainment, but sadly, Sentai decides to be lazily get it. What a downer.
(prays K-On and Kanamemo doesn't fall for the same trap)
Palins Bastard Grandchild
New member
This is an even better example of "Why pay for something when you can get it on the internet free?" It's less likely you'll get a dub, but a sub your bound to see on the internet.
No point paying for a cheap product.
No point paying for a cheap product.
What's up with all the negativity?
They're obviously not targeting the mainstream audience with those shows and a dub simply isn't worth it. You've got to be realistic at this point, Hidamari Sketch and most moe shows are way too niche to afford a dub (the prime example of this being Lucky Star which utterly failed in R1).
Yeah ! Releasing good shows for cheap is MADNESS ! We must stop them from trying to be profitable !
They're obviously not targeting the mainstream audience with those shows and a dub simply isn't worth it. You've got to be realistic at this point, Hidamari Sketch and most moe shows are way too niche to afford a dub (the prime example of this being Lucky Star which utterly failed in R1).
Yeah ! Releasing good shows for cheap is MADNESS ! We must stop them from trying to be profitable !
[email protected]
New member
I think we all realize that.
Really, Section23 is unfortunately in kind of a catch 22 situation right now. They can't afford the big name shows which would attract bigger audiences than a niche program, but they NEED such a "mainstream" show to become competitive again, or at the very least a great marketing team to attract audiences who otherwise wouldn't have been interested to such niche shows. And a dub is what they arguably need to get people uninterested in reading subtitles interested in buying their DVRAB, but again, they can't afford dubs right now, and as you said, for niche titles it isn't as important or cost-effective.
I try to be positive about Section23, but it's going to take a lot of work for them to stand toe to toe with FUNi again. I suppose it's a good sign that they're at least releasing new shows instead of endlessly repackaging their older stuff (which felt like that's all ADV did in late 2008-mid 2009), but I question whether said new shows are really what the public is clamoring for. I'd love to be wrong but based on ADV's history of picking up a LOT of shows whether they're profitable or not, let's just say I still have my doubts.
Really, Section23 is unfortunately in kind of a catch 22 situation right now. They can't afford the big name shows which would attract bigger audiences than a niche program, but they NEED such a "mainstream" show to become competitive again, or at the very least a great marketing team to attract audiences who otherwise wouldn't have been interested to such niche shows. And a dub is what they arguably need to get people uninterested in reading subtitles interested in buying their DVRAB, but again, they can't afford dubs right now, and as you said, for niche titles it isn't as important or cost-effective.
I try to be positive about Section23, but it's going to take a lot of work for them to stand toe to toe with FUNi again. I suppose it's a good sign that they're at least releasing new shows instead of endlessly repackaging their older stuff (which felt like that's all ADV did in late 2008-mid 2009), but I question whether said new shows are really what the public is clamoring for. I'd love to be wrong but based on ADV's history of picking up a LOT of shows whether they're profitable or not, let's just say I still have my doubts.
The Road goes ever on
New member
Niche shows like Doki Doki School Hours and Popotan were able to get dubs. I know that was back when the US anime industry was healthier, but still, they're really still that obscure.
Think about it, that should be considered erabarassing.
Also, is there really proof that Lucky Star failed? I don't believe it.
Think about it, that should be considered erabarassing.
Also, is there really proof that Lucky Star failed? I don't believe it.
Peace Love Me
New member
Do we really know that they can't afford dubs? The assumption seems to be they can't, but is this legit info? Has someone from Sentai/Section 23 made mention of this? I'm not saying you are wrong, for all I know you are absolutely right, but I wonder if not dubbing titles has less to do with money and more to do with their new business model.
As many have said, the shows they have are niche and wouldn't benefit financially from a dub, so why dub them? Could it be that Sentai/Section 23 have found a niche within a niche? Maybe they are not trying to compete with FUNi, but instead are catering to the demanRAB of people who seem to prefer these types of shows; people who mostly couldn't care less if it's dubbed, and actually like the idea that there isn't a dub track available.
As many have said, the shows they have are niche and wouldn't benefit financially from a dub, so why dub them? Could it be that Sentai/Section 23 have found a niche within a niche? Maybe they are not trying to compete with FUNi, but instead are catering to the demanRAB of people who seem to prefer these types of shows; people who mostly couldn't care less if it's dubbed, and actually like the idea that there isn't a dub track available.
In fact, another thing: Hidamari Sketch is actually pretty popular, as well.
It has a couple of OVA's, and a third season is coming in 2010, which, for slice-and-life anime, that's pretty darn amazing. It manages to shake free by actually having more than 26 episodes at this rate.
It has a couple of OVA's, and a third season is coming in 2010, which, for slice-and-life anime, that's pretty darn amazing. It manages to shake free by actually having more than 26 episodes at this rate.
ERiC DiLL L0VER
New member
So far, nothing new announced by the Section23 label has had a dub. So until they actually decide to dub a show, I think it's pretty safe to assume that they don't think it is financially prudent for them to do so.
I think that good shows can overcome a sub-only release, but they have to be good shows. Overall, I prefer delving into Bandai's catalog of sub-only shows. I think they're better off with more Glass Masks and fewer Polyphonicas...the market is pretty competitive these days, and since they're practically starting from scratch they might as well get serious about slowly rebuidling the brand to something that people can take seriously. Heck, Nozomi Entertainment is completely niche and they're sub-only, but they know how to do a quality release.
______
Actually Mesousa, Lucky Star definitely didn't meet the lofty goals set for it. Bandai obviously thought it would be Haruhi Suzumiya 2, it even had a similar type of special artbox that was quite nice. But it was a single volume release at a time when everyone was ceasing to want them, and to make things worse they banked on a limited edition release that offered too little for way too much. A whopping $50 MSRP, below $40 with any decent discount. That's for 4 or 5 episodes and extras no one really wanted (sailor outfit T-shirts!). Let's put it this way, Bandai canceled limited edition 6 and didn't see fit to spend money to dub the Lucky Star OVA. There was buzz from early this year that Rightstuf ended up with a bunch of LE's with Best Buy stickers on them...brick and mortar stores didn't want them gobbling up shelf space.
Now, that said, the marketing isn't a total bust in the long run. According to Bandai, their publication of the Lucky Star *manga* is selling extremely well. Volume 1 went into reprinting very quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if it were its most successful print release to date. Go figure.
I think that good shows can overcome a sub-only release, but they have to be good shows. Overall, I prefer delving into Bandai's catalog of sub-only shows. I think they're better off with more Glass Masks and fewer Polyphonicas...the market is pretty competitive these days, and since they're practically starting from scratch they might as well get serious about slowly rebuidling the brand to something that people can take seriously. Heck, Nozomi Entertainment is completely niche and they're sub-only, but they know how to do a quality release.
______
Actually Mesousa, Lucky Star definitely didn't meet the lofty goals set for it. Bandai obviously thought it would be Haruhi Suzumiya 2, it even had a similar type of special artbox that was quite nice. But it was a single volume release at a time when everyone was ceasing to want them, and to make things worse they banked on a limited edition release that offered too little for way too much. A whopping $50 MSRP, below $40 with any decent discount. That's for 4 or 5 episodes and extras no one really wanted (sailor outfit T-shirts!). Let's put it this way, Bandai canceled limited edition 6 and didn't see fit to spend money to dub the Lucky Star OVA. There was buzz from early this year that Rightstuf ended up with a bunch of LE's with Best Buy stickers on them...brick and mortar stores didn't want them gobbling up shelf space.
Now, that said, the marketing isn't a total bust in the long run. According to Bandai, their publication of the Lucky Star *manga* is selling extremely well. Volume 1 went into reprinting very quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if it were its most successful print release to date. Go figure.
Weeble Wobble
New member
It's popular WITHIN the moe fandom, but with the mainstream public, it simply wouldn't work...
That's what Section23 is thinking by licensing this show, it will probably sell to the otakus and hardcore fans who (most of the time) couldn't care less if it's dubbed or not.
That's what Section23 is thinking by licensing this show, it will probably sell to the otakus and hardcore fans who (most of the time) couldn't care less if it's dubbed or not.
MJbabyy<33
New member
So that explains why the OVA is subbed...and I completely forgot the Vol. 6 limited edition incident.
The manga bored me, mostly because I already saw the anime first, so...wow, that's kinda lame.
Well, how many volumes did the anime cover, I wonder?
The manga bored me, mostly because I already saw the anime first, so...wow, that's kinda lame.
Well, how many volumes did the anime cover, I wonder?
T
<<TANZ>>
Guest
I'll be honest; it's just assumptions on my part that they can't afford to make dubs. I suppose it's always possible that they're going dub-less simply to cater to the niche fans who might not all care about dubs.
But, given ADV's history of being gung ho about including dubs no matter the quality/audience size of the program, corabined with the fact that ADV had to close up shop and re-open under a new name, leaRAB me to believe that they WOULD include a dub with at least some of their new shows if they could afford it. Even Media Blasters, which has been releasing more sub only releases lately, still produces a few dubs for shows which they feel have more of a potential audience. Ditto for Bandai. So it does make one wonder.
Side note: An ad in my RightStuf catalog said Section23 is the fastest growing North American anime company. Now, obviously Section23 isn't going to make themselves look bad in their own ad, that would be suicide. But I really don't think that claim is entirely true, if at all.
But, given ADV's history of being gung ho about including dubs no matter the quality/audience size of the program, corabined with the fact that ADV had to close up shop and re-open under a new name, leaRAB me to believe that they WOULD include a dub with at least some of their new shows if they could afford it. Even Media Blasters, which has been releasing more sub only releases lately, still produces a few dubs for shows which they feel have more of a potential audience. Ditto for Bandai. So it does make one wonder.
Side note: An ad in my RightStuf catalog said Section23 is the fastest growing North American anime company. Now, obviously Section23 isn't going to make themselves look bad in their own ad, that would be suicide. But I really don't think that claim is entirely true, if at all.