UlasanAnime.com – This year’s anime convention news in the US is showing significant improvement compared to previous years. Several exciting announcements have been made, and this article will highlight the ones that are of particular interest.
The licensing of Emma is a particularly thrilling development. It’s a charming series, but it ventures into less common territory for anime, especially within the US market. RightStuf might face challenges in finding a wide audience for its DVDs. However, it’s the kind of show that could appeal to those who appreciate Victorian romance, especially when imported from Japan and subtly adapted for the American audience by removing any overt “Made in Japan” branding.
The licensing of Gurren Lagann is another welcome surprise. While the show is enjoyable, it shares some similarities with Eureka Seven in terms of its length. Ideally, it would have been shorter, making it an easier purchase. However, similar to Eureka Seven, one could potentially wait for a more budget-friendly release, like a thin-pack. ADV, in particular, is known for releasing collections more readily than many other studios. The issue with Eureka Seven, for instance, is its considerable length, which doesn’t always encourage repeated viewings of the entire series, even though certain episodes might warrant multiple watches.
DMP is set to release Flamboyant. Given that they are also bringing a Megami compilation later this year, this release is likely to be in a similar vein. While the author expresses a strong dislike for Megami content, it’s still good to be aware of such releases. The author had previously purchased Flamboyant when it gained significant attention for a second run. The upcoming release is expected to be more affordable and include additional artwork. For those unfamiliar with it, Flamboyant is the first, and possibly only, art book by Hakua Ugetsu. Despite its association with the title Bakuhatsu Tenshi, the content within is considered excellent.
In addition to the re-announcement of Nanoha and Nanoha A’s, there’s a possibility of purchasing the SRW OVAs upon their release. However, the author is likely to skip the SRW TV series. These are all tentative decisions, but the author feels a strong enough liking for A’s to consider acquiring it.
The announcement of Cosmode USA, essentially a US version of a cosplay magazine, elicits a less enthusiastic response, described with an “Uuugh.”
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The final noteworthy item for the day is the release of Wings of Honneamise on DVD and HD-DVD. This is a significant event, as the US is leading Japan in terms of HD home video releases. At this stage, the specific format, whether Blu-Ray or HDDVD, is less important than the availability of anime in 1080p. This particular film is considered a classic and an ideal choice for such a high-definition release.
