01 entertainment
Let’s just say it up front. This sucks.
This is the kind of year in review I hate to write since it’s about the loss of something very important to me. Geneon Entertainment essentially shuttered their doors this year after a series of issues that resulted in a forecast that caused various parties to pull out from Japan. The issues are widespread, from the overall downturn of the DVD market to Mitsubishi moving on to other things which broke down the entire D-Rights arrangement. There are numerous arguments to be made in all sorts of directions about what could have been done, what should have been done and what needs to be done. Yet right now, at this minute, Geneon Entertainment simply doesn’t exist for fans.
In the last couple of weeks I did some cleaning in my basement by dealing with some boxes I haven’t had open since before I moved six years ago, never mind the year and a half ago that I moved again. What I found inside really surprised me. It was a collection of P-Anime Club t-shirts. Geneon, when it was known as Pioneer, was the company that got me to where I am today when it comes to anime and home theater. I enjoyed anime back then but Pioneer was coming on the scene to do things in a new way, by releasing their product on bilingual laserdiscs. These single episode releases got me incredibly excited for a lot of reasons and I went out, bought a laserdisc player and began to discover the world of widescreen entertainment and home theater in general. Years later, when DVD came about, Pioneer was right there at the forefront of things by releasing some of the first anime DVDs and paving the way for more. Even more personal was that at a time when this site was getting grounded, they graciously hosted our forums on their servers for several months. The relationship was strong and continued to be in the years since. While I had no issues calling them on the carpet for quality issues, I also built up several hopefully longstanding friendships.
The year 2007 for Geneon Entertainment was one where you just didn’t ese this coming if all you did was buy releases as they come out and enjoy what you put in your player. Their releases ranged from the strongly popular like Black Lagoon and Hellsing to the unusual titles like Law of Ueki and Fighting Spirit. How can I not love a company that gave me a show like Fighting Spirit? For many people at Geneon, even as the troubles kept up, they worked to provide some very entertaining shows as best they could. This resulted in series like Karin being licensed yet dubbed by Odex in Singapore. The brought out Rozen Maiden even though it’s a very limited appeal show. While “moe” has never been huge in the North American market, it’s becoming increasingly weaker in the last few years. With a sizeable percentage of new shows in Japan based around it, that makes everything more difficult. Yet they still found some fascinating shows to bring over. Ergo Proxy wasn’t going to be a blockbuster similar to other shows by the creators, and Zipang was something that had a very limited appeal. Hints of greatness could be found elsewhere, such as the new shows they had just started in on such as Story of Saiunkoku and Shonen Onmyouji.
My reactions to the end of Geneon have run the gamut, but there are a couple that stand out strongly for me. The first is that, in my eyes, they went out fairly strong. Not at the top of their game to be sure, but they were putting out some great titles that made me happy on a very regular basis. Just about everything outside of Law of Ueki had me eager to put it in the player to see what new wonders would await. The other reaction, one that is only now apparent as November is just about over, is that I’m feeling the loss in a real fashion. The titles that they put out every month, which are now gone, has left me with more free time than I thought would happen. Losing on average two new titles per week, it adds up over time and I’ve found myself without anything new to watch a couple of times already. And this is a feeling that I suspect will happen more and more as 2008 comes and goes and companies scale back even more. The loss of Geneon in this regard is just the beginning.
Geneon Entertainment and previously as Pioneer has been a member of my family for nearly fifteen years now. Their loss is a staggering one for me and I lament their passing greatly. Yet in their own way, they certainly helped to create it, as well as their parent companies and practices in Japan. It’s left me with only one thought, a slightly changed version of a quote by Isaac Asimov, “Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.” We’re in a period of transition now, but whether it’s life or death at the other side is simply unknown.
Titles Released During 2007
1. 01/02/2007 - Trigun: Remix Vol. #6
2. 01/09/2007 - Disgaea Vol. #1
3. 01/09/2007 - Fighting Spirit TV Special: Champion Road
4. 01/09/2007 - Shana Vol. #3
5. 01/16/2007 - Fafner Complete Collection Box Set
6. 01/16/2007 - Gun Sword Vol. #5
7. 01/16/2007 - Law of Ueki Vol. #05
8. 01/16/2007 - Tales of Phantasia
9. 01/16/2007 - Zipang Vol. #3
10. 01/23/2007 - Ergo Proxy Vol. #2
11. 01/23/2007 - Heat Guy J Complete Box Set
12. 01/23/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. #2
13. 02/06/2007 - Viewtiful Joe Vol. #07
14. 02/20/2007 - Elemental Gelade Vol. #5
15. 02/20/2007 - Fate / Stay Night Vol. #2
16. 02/27/2007 - Paradise Kiss Vol. #2
17. 02/27/2007 - Saiyuki Reload Gunlock Vol. #6
18. 03/06/2007 - Gun Sword Vol. #6
19. 03/13/2007 - DearS Complete Box Set
20. 03/13/2007 - Disgaea Vol. #2
21. 03/20/2007 - Law of Ueki Vol. #06
22. 03/20/2007 - Shana Vol. #4
23. 03/27/2007 - Zipang Vol. #4
24. 04/03/2007 - Ergo Proxy Vol. #3
25. 04/03/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. #3
26. 04/03/2007 - Viewtiful Joe Vol. #08
27. 04/17/2007 - Ai Yori Aoshi/Ai Yori Aoshi-Enishi Complete Set
28. 04/17/2007 - Elemental Gelade Vol. #6
29. 04/17/2007 - Gatekeepers/Gatekeepers 21 Complete Set
30. 04/17/2007 - Human Crossing Box Set
31. 04/17/2007 - Paradise Kiss Vol. #3
32. 04/24/2007 - Saiyuki Reload Gunlock Vol. #7
33. 04/24/2007 - Stellvia Complete Tin Set
34. 05/01/2007 - Ayakashi Samurai Horror Tales - Goddess of the Dark Tower
35. 05/01/2007 - Gun Sword Vol. #7
36. 05/01/2007 - Shana Vol. #5
37. 05/08/2007 - Disgaea Vol. #3
38. 05/08/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. #4
39. 05/15/2007 - Fate / Stay Night Vol. #3
40. 05/15/2007 - Zipang Vol. #5
41. 05/22/2007 - Black Lagoon Vol. #1 (also w/limited edition)
42. 05/22/2007 - Doki Doki School Hours Box Set
43. 05/28/2007 - Law of Ueki Vol. #07
44. 05/29/2007 - El Hazard OVA Vol. #1
45. 05/29/2007 - Ergo Proxy Vol. #4
46. 05/29/2007 - Karin Vol. #1 (also w/limited edition)
47. 05/29/2007 - Rozen Maiden Vol. #1
48. 06/05/2007 - Hakkenden Collection Vol. #1
49. 06/05/2007 - Viewtiful Joe Vol. #09
50. 06/05/2007 - When They Cry Vol. #1 (also w/box)
51. 06/12/2007 - 3×3 Eyes Vol. #1
52. 06/12/2007 - Hellsing Ultimate Vol. #2 (also w/special edition)
53. 06/12/2007 - Ikki-Tousen Complete Box Set (Thinpak)
54. 06/19/2007 - Tenchi in Tokyo Complete Collection
55. 06/19/2007 - Tenchi Muyo Movie Collection
56. 06/19/2007 - Tenchi Universe Collection
57. 06/19/2007 - Tetsujin 28 Complete Set
58. 06/26/2007 - Strawberry Eggs Box Set
59. 06/26/2007 - Vandread Stages 1 and 2 Complete Collection
60. 07/03/2007 - Ayakashi Samurai Horror Tales - Yotsuya Ghost Story
61. 07/03/2007 - Shana Vol. #6
62. 07/03/2007 - Strawberry Marshmallow Complete Collection
63. 07/03/2007 - Zipang Vol. #6
64. 07/10/2007 - Fate / Stay Night Vol. #4
65. 07/10/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. #5
66. 07/10/2007 - Rozen Maiden Vol. #2
67. 07/10/2007 - Shonen Onmyoji Vol. #1 (also w/box)
68. 07/17/2007 - Karin Vol. #2
69. 07/17/2007 - Law of Ueki Vol. #08
70. 07/24/2007 - Black Lagoon Vol. #2 (also w/limited edition)
71. 07/24/2007 - Ergo Proxy Vol. #5
72. 07/31/2007 - El Hazard OVA Vol. #2
73. 07/31/2007 - Hand Maid May Box Set (w/CD)
74. 08/07/2007 - Hakkenden Collection Vol. #2
75. 08/07/2007 - Kannazuki No Miko Box Set
76. 08/07/2007 - When They Cry Vol. #2
77. 08/14/2007 - 3×3 Eyes Vol. #2
78. 08/14/2007 - Popotan Complete Collection
79. 08/21/2007 - Fate / Stay Night Vol. #5
80. 08/28/2007 - Rozen Maiden Vol. #3
81. 08/28/2007 - Story of Saiunkoku Vol. #1 (also w/box)
82. 09/04/2007 - Ayakashi Samurai Horror Tales - Goblin Cat
83. 09/11/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. #6
84. 09/11/2007 - Shonen Onmyoji Vol. #2
85. 09/18/2007 - Black Lagoon Vol. #3 (also w/limited edition)
86. 09/18/2007 - Karin Vol. #3
87. 09/18/2007 - Law of Ueki Vol. #09
88. 09/25/2007 - El-Hazard OVA 2 Collection
89. 09/25/2007 - Ergo Proxy Vol. #6
90. 09/25/2007 - Kamichu Complete Box Collection
91. 10/02/2007 - Tenjho Tenge Complete Collection
92. 10/09/2007 - Fate / Stay Night Vol. #6 (also w/limited edition)
93. 10/09/2007 - Hakkenden Collection Vol. #3
94. 10/09/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 1 Set
95. 10/09/2007 - When They Cry Vol. #3
96. 10/16/2007 - Gankutsuou -The Count of Monte Cristo- Complete Collection
97. 10/16/2007 - Hellsing Ultimate Vol. #3 (also w/limited edition)
98. 10/16/2007 - Story of Saiunkoku Vol. #2
99. 10/16/2007 - Zipang Vol. #7
100. 10/23/2007 - Rozen Maiden Traumend Vol. #1
101. 10/30/2007 - Fighting Spirit: The Complete Collection Part 1
102. 10/30/2007 - Fighting Spirit: The Complete Collection Part 2
Titles Licensed During 2007
Title Name Announced At Announced On
Rozen Maiden Geneon Entertainment 01/12/2007
Karin Geneon Website 02/16/2007
When They Cry - Higurashi Anime News Network 03/06/2007
Shonen Onmyoji Geneon Entertainment 03/07/2007
Deltora Quest Anime Expo 2007 06/30/2007
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Anime Expo 2007 06/30/2007
Shakugan no Shana OVA Anime Expo 2007 06/30/2007
Titles Released During 2007 Not Reviewed By AnimeOnDVD
1. 01/02/2007 - Trigun: Remix Vol. #6
2. 01/23/2007 - Heat Guy J Complete Box Set
3. 03/13/2007 - DearS Complete Box Set
4. 04/03/2007 - Viewtiful Joe Vol. #08
5. 04/17/2007 - Gatekeepers/Gatekeepers 21 Complete Set
6. 04/24/2007 - Stellvia Complete Tin Set
7. 05/22/2007 - Doki Doki School Hours Box Set
8. 06/05/2007 - Hakkenden Collection Vol. #1
9. 06/05/2007 - Viewtiful Joe Vol. #09
10. 06/12/2007 - Ikki-Tousen Complete Box Set (Thinpak)
11. 06/19/2007 - Tenchi in Tokyo Complete Collection
12. 06/19/2007 - Tenchi Muyo Movie Collection
13. 06/19/2007 - Tenchi Universe Collection
14. 06/19/2007 - Tetsujin 28 Complete Set
15. 06/26/2007 - Strawberry Eggs Box Set
16. 06/26/2007 - Vandread Stages 1 and 2 Complete Collection
17. 07/03/2007 - Strawberry Marshmallow Complete Collection
18. 07/31/2007 - El Hazard OVA Vol. #2
19. 07/31/2007 - Hand Maid May Box Set (w/CD)
20. 08/07/2007 - Hakkenden Collection Vol. #2
21. 09/25/2007 - El-Hazard OVA 2 Collection
22. 09/25/2007 - Kamichu Complete Box Collection
23. 10/02/2007 - Tenjho Tenge Complete Collection
24. 10/09/2007 - Hakkenden Collection Vol. #3
25. 10/09/2007 - Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 1 Set
26. 10/16/2007 - Gankutsuou -The Count of Monte Cristo- Complete Collection
27. 10/30/2007 - Fighting Spirit: The Complete Collection Part 1
28. 10/30/2007 - Fighting Spirit: The Complete Collection Part 2
Anime is not a right. It is a privilege, a consumer product, art, work for hire, a luxury, a hobby, entertainment.
Tags: darius miller