Industry News: Funimation September 2016 Release Slate

I know this is a week late but a lot of things had happened so you just had to bear with me on this. Anywho this month sees the return of the SOS Brigade crew in addition to more newcomers from the Winter and Spring 2015 seasons.

Here's the list of anime that Funimation have scheduled for the month of September 2016.

This month we have a bunch of English dubbed shows, the best explanation for this is that a lot of them were already dubbed during its initial broadcast (i.e. Broadcast Dub) which helps. There are a couple re-releases, some actually got normal complete sets rather than straight to whatever brand Funimation uses.

In total we have 13 titles in the line-up:

 - 2 special Collector's/Premium Edition releases

 - 2 titles getting more parts released

 - 1 title given a Limited Edition release

 - 1 re-release given the S.A.V.E. treatment

 - 1 re-release that gathered a complete collection

 - 2 license rescues given a release for the first time in ages

 - 1 title that suffers the DVD only Subtitle only treatment

 - 6 titles never before released (not including part releases)

6th September 2016

Fairy Tail - Part 21: Episodes 240 - 252

Region: A and 1

Publisher: Kodansha

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $54.98

Extras: Episode 243 Commentary, Episode 248 Commentary, Katsucon with Cherami Leigh, Textless Opening Song - ''NEVER-END TALE'', Textless Closing Song - ''FOREVER HERE'', U.S. Trailer, Trailers

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Region: A B and 1 2 4

Publisher: 

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack and a separate DVD release)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $29.98 (DVD) & $34.98 (Combo)

Combo only Extras: Funimation Short: Harmony, Promotional Videos, Original Trailer, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

High School DxD BorN - Complete Series (Standard & Limited Editions)

Region: A B and 1 2 4

Publisher: Kadokawa Media Factory

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $64.98 (Standard) & $84.98 (Limited)

Extras: 6 OVAs, Promotional Video 1, Promotional Video 2, Blu-ray/DVD Promos, Textless Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

Psycho Pass - Complete Season One

Region: A B and 1 2 4

Publisher: 

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $69.98

Extras: 6 OVAs, Promotional Video 1, Promotional Video 2, Blu-ray/DVD Promos, Textless Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

13th September 2016

The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan - Complete Series

Region: A and 1

Publisher: Kadokawa Pictures

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $64.98

Extras: OVA - I Cannot Let Summer Break End, Textless Opening Song ''Fure Fure Mirai'', Textless Closing Song ''Arigatou, Daisuki'' , TV Spots, Blu-ray/DVD Promo, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

Maken-Ki! - Complete Series (S.A.V.E. Edition)

Region: A and 1

Publisher: Kadokawa Pictures

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $29.98

Extras: Episode 2 Commentary, Episode 8 Commentary, Heart-Throb! Maken-ki! Secret Training Parts 1-6, Japanese Commercials, Original Teaser, Textless Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - Complete Seasons One & Two

Region: A and 1

Publisher: Kadokawa Pictures

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as separate releases)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $54.98 (DVD) & $64.98 (Blu-ray)

DVD Extras: Behind the Scenes of Aya Hirano's Music Video, Anime Expo 2007 Guest of Honor Intro, Uncut Launch Event Video , Nekoman Gallery #1-#5, Broadcast Previews #1-#13, Special Teaser, Endless Eight Prologue - Summer - An Audio Slideshow , Special Ending, Textless Opening Songs: ''Boken desho desho?'', ''Koi no Mikuru Densetsu'' (Ep. 00), ''Super Driver'', Textless Closing Songs: ''Hare Hare Yukai'', ''Hare Hare Yukai'' (Ep. 00), ''Tomare!'', U.S. Trailer

Blu-ray Extras: All DVD Extras plus Special Ending, Textless Opening Song ''Boken desho desho?'', Textless Closing Song ''Hare Hare Yukai'', U.S. Trailer, Trailers, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Making-of, New Mysterious Discoveries Journey , Location Scouting Video, CM #1 - Ver. 1 & Ver. 2, CM #2 - Ver. 1 & Ver. 2, TV Commercial Spot Collection #1, TV Commercial Spot Collection #2, Retail Promo Video , Promo Spots 1-14

The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya & Nyoron! Churuya-san - Complete Series

Region: 1

Publisher: Kadokawa Pictures

Format: DVD (Blu-ray version exclusive to Haruhi's Ultimate Collector's Edition)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $24.98 (DVD)

Extras: How About Oniguchi? Episodes, Oniguchi Commercials, TV Commercial Spot #1, TV Commercial Spot #2, Retail Promo Video, Textless Opening Song, Textless Closing Song, Trailers

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - EVERYTHING!! EXCEPT THE FILM.. (Ultimate Collector's Edition)

Region: A

Publisher: Kadokawa Pictures

Format: Blu-ray

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $149.98

Includes all on-disc content & extras from all standard edition sets of:
 - The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - Complete Seasons One & Two
 - The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya & Nyoron! Churuya-san - Complete Series
 - The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan - Complete Series

CE Extra: A collector's speciality print finish chipboard box with artwork from original character designer Noizi Ito, plus a set of exclusive art cards housed in a removable filler box. In addition to Blu-ray versions of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya & Nyoron! Churuya-san.

20th September 2016

One Piece - Season 8 Voyage 3: Episodes 481 - 491

Region: 1

Publisher: Toei Animation

Format: DVD

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $39.98

Extras: Episode 482 Commentary, Episode 486 Commentary, U.S. Extra, Textless Opening Song, Trailers

27th September 2016

Maria the Virgin Witch - Complete Series

Region: A and 1

Publisher: Kodansha

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $64.98

Extras: Episode 1 Commentary, Episode 12 Commentary (the info on this seems to be missing by the looks of it, so expect Textless Songs & Trailers also)

Mikagura School Suite - Complete Series

Region: A B and 1 2 4

Publisher: Kadokawa Media Factory

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $64.98

Extras: Textless Songs, Promo Video, TV Spot, BD/DVD Promos, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

Rainy Cocoa - Complete Seasons One & Two

Region: 1

Publisher: 

Format: DVD

Languages: Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $19.98

Extras: None

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign - Part Two

Region: A B and 1 4

Publisher: NBC Universal Ent. Japan

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $64.98

Extras: Episode 16 Commentary, Episode 21 Video Commentary, Episode 24 Commentary, ''Seraph of the endless'' Parts 10-13, Promo Video, BD/DVD Promos, Textless Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign - Complete Series (Collector's Edition)

Region: A B and 1 4

Publisher: NBC Universal Ent. Japan

Format: Blu-ray and DVD (as a combo pack)

Languages: English & Japanese (w/English subs)

Price (SRP): $199.98

Extras: Episode Commentaries, ''Seraph of the endless'' Parts 1-13, Promo Videos, BD/DVD Promos, Textless Songs, U.S. Trailer, Trailers

CE Extras: Rigid cardboard box, 8-panel digipak, 8 art cards, 10 stickers, 200-page hard cover artbook

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Well this month is certainly interesting. First of, I'm definitely going to get my hands on the Haruhi Ultimate Collector's set. I frickin love this series and really want to own them on Blu-ray. I'm not pleased that they locked the chibi shorts' Blu-ray version to the Collector's Edition because this type of set is going to sell out sooner than later and those without the funds to pick it up are not going to be happy with the outcome. On the plus side it does have a removable filler card that could slot The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya movie (even though Funimation don't have the rights, well we assume they didn't since it wasn't announced along with the others. Perhaps they managed to acquire it with the Girl Who Leapt Through Time movie).

High School DxD BorN gets the Limited Edition treatment and once again there doesn't seem to be anything special added to it so it looks like the $84.98 price point will be here permanently then. Oh well, let's hope the currency rate improves by the time this gets released. Actually there are special extras but they're exclusive to the first 500 copies over on Funimation's Shop (a pillow of Rias) and Tissues.

Seraph of the End gets the collector's edition and it looks like they're trying to beat Universal UK's offering, and they most certainly failed for 2 reasons - 1: The Price Point, 2: The Part 2 UK release will no doubt offer much more to the series. Granted the US sets have Episode Commentaries but they're really hit or miss these days.

Also nice to see Maria the Virgin Witch and Mikagura School Suite receive a release though Mikagura doesn't have the best cover art to be fair. Maria looks nice.

That's pretty much it for my thoughts on this month. The only Funimation UK leaked title left is Ninja Slayer and Show By Rock!! so I guess we'll be seeing them in the October update alongside Death Parade and Escaflowne presumably.