Industry News: MCM London Comic Con (October 2015) Announcements (Part 1)

MCM Comic Con London is finally here and after many hours three of the UK distributors; Anime Ltd, Animatsu & Manga UK have finished their panels for today. Anime Ltd do have one more scheduled for Sunday but today is where a lot of the new stuff was announced.

Starting with Anime Limited since they were the first to have their panel. The panel featured Jeremy Graves and Kat Hall, both of whom are part of the distribution. Their first panel covered a variety of news such as their latest titles which they managed to bring to the convention, a glimpse of their upcoming Q1 2016 schedule and also some new acquisitions.

Starting with the new acquisitions, the distributor have licensed four new titles for home release.

 - Expelled From Paradise

 - The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 1

 - Ninja Slayer From Animation

 - Tokyo ESP

Expelled From Paradise was part of Scotland Loves Anime and it's been heavily hinted that the distributor picked up the rights for a while now. The film, already released in the states by Aniplex of America, will be arriving to UK shores on Blu-ray and DVD January 25th. The film will include both English dub and Japanese audio w/English subtitles.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was an interesting surprise. This announcement was semi-leaked by accident from myself and a couple others over on Anime UK News but thankfully we decided to keep over mouths shut to avoid ruining the surprise for everyone. The license only applies to the first season (which covered 14 episodes) and they don't know if they will be using the director's cut version that was included in Season 2's broadcast. It's worth nothing that the reason they only have the first season is because Beez released it first but once they went down under Manga UK acquired the rest of the franchise. On the plus side the series will be available on Blu-ray as well as DVD in 2016 with both English dub and Japanese audio w/English subtitles.

Ninja Slayer From Animation had a slight controversy when it aired on the internet (it's an Original Net Animation). The series was very similar to Inferno Cop (the studio's previous work) which had still images for characters and rather cheap animation that put off many people at first, but the series does have its charm as it goes along. The show has been licensed by Funimation and even received a broadcast English dub that has been very well received among the community. No other details are known aside from a 2016 release date.

Tokyo ESP actually came out of nowhere to my surprise, the series is from the creator of Ga-Rei and I've heard mixed reception over the anime adaptation but it's got a nice concept and I guess it fits Anime Ltd's catalogue pretty well. The series is currently scheduled for release in February, presumably at the same time as Funimation's release.

Other related news from the distributor includes some release date changes and new updates on certain titles.

Durarara!!x2 Shou, the first of three seasons in the second series, will be coming to the UK in one complete set (12 episodes). This is special because the Aniplex of America release is split into two volumes, 6 episodes per set. The series is scheduled for release in February and will include both English dub and Japanese audio w/English subtitles.

Fuse: Memoirs of a Huntress is now scheduled for an early January release. The film was originally slated for Q4 2015 but due to production issues it was pushed back. Note that the set will be Japanese audio w/English subtitles only.

Remember the two Makoto Shinkai films that were announced back in early 2014 but was delayed for many months? Well to everyone's surprise the distributor have set The Place Promised In Our Early Days & Voices Of A Distant Star Double Pack for a February release. They also mentioned that it could perhaps receive a steelbook release.

The recently well received Miss Hokusai film is now scheduled for March on Blu-ray and DVD. The film also appeared at Scotland Loves Anime and MCM Loves Anime.

Ping Pong the Animation is now scheduled for January 11th. The series was originally scheduled for Q4 2015 but was pushed back and it seems that the distributor are planning to add extra goods to their collector's edition release.

Terror in Resonance is now scheduled for sometime in March or April. The series, also known as Zankyou no Terror, will be getting the ultimate edition treatment as a Blu-ray and DVD combo pack. The contents are currently unknown but it's apparent that the original soundtrack may not be included.

During their Question & Answer segment they did provide some information for certain things.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad was pushed back due to issues with the masters that the distributor is trying to fix. They stated that during the delay they are investigating on whether they could also acquire the Blu-ray rights as well, note that the Blu-ray release in Japan is an upscale.

The Heroic Legend of Arslan is unfortunately only limited to digital rights at the moment. But knowing the distributor I'm sure they'll be able to release it eventually.

The Vision of Escaflowne was briefly mentioned. The series is currently set to be released in an ultimate edition with both the broadcast and director's cut masters, but the distributor is trying to figure out how to get it all worked out. During the panel they mentioned that the director's cut could potentially receive an English dub.

And that's all of what was announced in the Anime Limited panel but as mentioned they do have another one scheduled for this Sunday which will include new information on the Gundam franchise here in the UK (stay tuned for Part 2 of my Announcement post). They did confirm that Turn A Gundam will eventually come out.

Instantly after that, Jerome and Andrew of Animatsu appeared to cover the Animatsu & Manga UK panel. Much like the Anime Ltd panel, this panel also covered a variety of news including new theatrical dates, a glimpse of their upcoming Q1 2016 schedule and also some new acquisitions.

I'm using the Animatsu logo since they had more stuff to cover than Manga UK did.

Rather than starting with the new acquisitions, I figured I'll discuss Manga UK's theatrical details. They started off the panel by thanking their fans for supporting the Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F theatrical screenings since it's helps the distributor a lot with the amount of support and also gives way for more anime in the big screen. Resurrection F also had the 'second highest screen average' on its opening day in the UK after The Martian which is a pretty huge thing if you ask me.

For theatrical screenings they have the following scheduled:
- Attack on Titan Part 1 live-action movie - December 2nd.

- Boruto: Naruto the Movie - November 10th. Note the The Last: Naruto won't receive this treatment.

- Yakuza Apocalypse live-action move - January 2nd.

Manga UK also provided some release date notices for certain titles as they were once schedule at some point but got delayed for various reasons.

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F will now be scheduled for Blu-ray, DVD and Collector's Edition Blu-ray on January 25th. The reason for the delay was due to the high demand on theatrical distribution.

Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo has been delayed for nearly 2 years now. Funimation have officially confirmed their release date and so have Manga UK! The film will now be scheduled for Blu-ray, DVD and Collector's Edition Blu-ray/DVD on March 7th. The reason for the delay is.. well honestly I have no idea. There are many explanations behind this and honestly I can bullshit on every single one of them. First it was theatrical expansion, then it was the opportunity to have Khara's involvement, then it was the re-dub, then it was said that Funimation was the one holding it back and honestly I hope they write a bloody essay explaining all of this.

Next up we switch to Animatsu for their new acquisitions:

- Amagi Brilliant Park

- Blade Dance of the Elementalers

- Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma

- Haikyuu!! Season 1 & 2

- Humanity Has Declined

- Is it Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon?

- My Love Story!!

- My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Season 1 & 2

- School-Live!

Amagi Brilliant Park is still unavailable for legal streaming here in the UK but it's nice to see that Animatsu have managed to pick up the series for home release. The series was produced by Kyoto Animation and it's because of TBS that the series never really got the streaming treatment until Sentai licensed it a couple months ago. The series is scheduled for 2016.

Blade Dance of the Elementalers was just scheduled for release sometime in February in the states but Animatsu now also have the license to the same series. It's going to be Japanese w/English subtitles only but knowing the UK distributor I expect a Blu-ray & DVD release sometime in 2016.

Food Wars! Jerome has hinted this on Twitter so it's nice to see it had been licensed. The two cour series will be split into two parts for sometime in 2016. Audio options are unknown so it's up to Sentai on whether it will receive an English dub.

Haikyuu!! is a sports series. Let that sink in for a moment. It's been a very long time since sports shows have received the attention of anime fans in English territories. Many times have they stated that this genre would not sell very well but now that excuse is gone as Animatsu have picked up both seasons! Season 1 is scheduled for release sometime in 2016 and will be Japanese w/English subtitles only.

Humanity Has Declined is one of Sentai's first subtitle only Blu-ray releases. And it's taken this long so see a release here in the UK. Animatsu have scheduled the series for Q1 2016. Given it's been a while I'm curious to know if the set will contain Japanese w/English subtitles only or could quite possibly be re-released in the states with an English dub (it has happened with some shows).

Is it Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? was one of the most popular titles of the Spring 2015 season and now it's coming to the UK sometime in 2016. Jerome has clarified that it could also receive a collector's edition treatment. Sounds like Sentai have got something up their sleeve in the states.

My Love Story!! is also a popular title of the recent season and like Haikyuu!! it will be released in two parts sometime in 2016.

My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU was heavily hinted by Jerome many times on Twitter and considering Animatsu's relationship with TBS it's not a surprise to see this happen but I'm happy that it's coming to the UK. In fact both seasons have been acquired with Season 1 scheduled for 2016. The series will be released in Japanese w/English subtitles only.

School-Live!, also known as Gakkou-Gurashi!, is another sudden hit from the recent season. The series will be coming to the UK at an unknown date. Audio options are also unknown.

Before I talk about the bad news they also had a Question & Answer segment with some new info on upcoming titles.

Akame ga Kill! will be getting the collector's edition treatment from Animatsu with the big reveal scheduled for October 30th. I expect the set to be similar to Sentai's release.

Chaika Season 2 hasn't been picked up yet but they're waiting for an offer first.

Jerome spoke about the possibility of releasing the Haikyu!! movie but it's not guaranteed yet. On another note he also spoke about his interest in acquiring Yowamushi Pedal which he's mentioned numerous times before.

Hunter x Hunter 2011 was also brought up by the audience. Jerome has clarified that he thinks Viz Media may not have the UK rights as of yet so he can't get a deal sorted. And in regards to Persona 3 (the 4 part film adaptation that Aniplex is currently distributing), probably the funniest comment of the whole panel - "I don't understand anything Aniplex USA does any more".

Now let's get onto the bad news, unfortunately there's a couple of things that the UK community will have to accept since we honestly can't do anything about it.

Kaze UK have continued their evil deeds and acquired two shows:

 - Code Geass: Akito the Exiled

 - One Punch Man

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled is a five part OVA series set inbetween the main Code Geass seasons. The Kaze release is scheduled to have the first part, containing OVA 1 & 2, for March 21st. Funimation have yet to set their release schedule so it's possible that it could arrive in Q1, but Kaze is known for delays so who knows when it will appear.

One Punch Man was acquired by Viz Media in the states and during their press release it was stated that Viz Media Europe (another name for Kaze) had the rights for Europe so it was no surprise that this would happen. The series will probably sell but not in the best shape for UK fans.

In addition to the new acquisitions, Kaze will also be offering a complete set for Persona 4 the Animation as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack (Why Kaze why?) as well as DVD.

Thought the bad news is done? Nope there's more.

Jerome has officially confirmed that Manga UK will no longer release any more Funimation titles (aside from the shonen titles like Dragon Ball and One Piece as they were provided by Toei Animation). This means that further Fairy Tail releases are postponed as well as the license for Hellsing Ultimate Volumes 9 & 10 now gone completely. High School DxD New is also an example of a series that Manga UK will no longer be able to distribute. It's been said that Funimation themselves have plans of their own for the UK market next year so we'll have to wait and see what they're really up to.

And that's all of the news for today. There was a lot to cover but stay tuned for the next part where we have Anime Ltd announcing some more pieces, mostly Gundam. And I wonder if we'll hear anything from MVM Entertainment...