Funimation has fully acquired more than 30 ADV anime titles, according to Anime News Network. Most of the transferred titles were ones that were removed without warning from ADV’s site in January. Titles affected include Air, Kanon, Kyoushiro to Towa no Sora (renamed by ADV as ‘Shattered Angels,’) Welcome to the NHK, Pani Poni Dash and Devil May Cry.

The titles are set to begin releasing later this year, much like Geneon’s titles that Funi just acquired too.

While I’m glad that someone got these titles back, I’m not thrilled about it being Funimation.

I like Funimation. They do a good job with their dub releases, the releases themselves usually happen in a timely manner (except for flippin’ Tsubasa and xxxHolic!) and they seem to be decently in-tune with what their fans want. However, this mass-licensing bit is just asking for trouble.

You know why? They’re throwing things at the wall to see what sticks, and that’s what lead to Tokyopop’s downfall. Granted, most of the titles they’re acquiring lately seem to be proven sellers (Air, Shakugan no Shana, Rozen Maiden, Air Gear, D.Gray-man) but then you have the stuff that few people care about and no one will probably buy. (There’s others in addition to Save Me! Lollipop, but I won’t go into that rant again.)

Don’t get me wrong, most of what Funi’s acquiring is solid stuff. I’m excited for these releases, and once everyone else in the U.S. wakes up I’m sure they’ll be too. (YAY EAST COAST) ;) But can you blame me for being slightly afraid of another ADV or Tokyopop?

~CJ

(this is breaking news (sorta); more to come shortly)

EDIT: By the way, this is Borderline Hikikomori’s 500th post. ^_^