Hey Nice Package! - DBZ Kai Part 4 & Black Butler S1 Part 2

The folks at Funi finally got around to putting together a preview of the new DBZ Kai Vol #4 and the 2nd Half of Black Butler:

NIS America Offer Replacements for Fox Deity #2 Box Art

NIS America announced a replacement program today for the less than perfect box art that came on the 2nd Our Home's Fox Deity (Wagaya no Oinarisama) Premium DVD box (NIS-011134). They blamed a 'manufacturing error' for the less than pristine box art image quality on the premium collectors box. The box contents and DVD's themselves (nothing wrong with the actual DVD's) are not effected by this, only the box art.

If you have purchased this set and would like a reprinted art box at no cost, just fill out NIS's replacement form here. NIS says the reprinted boxes will be available to ship to customers who want them in about 4-6 weeks.

Media Blasters Update - Dragon Destiny Back in Stock!

I just wanted to do a quick post to let you all know that we've gotten several big restock shipments from Media Blasters over the last couple of days. One notable title that is now back in stock after being backordered for a few weeks is the Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Complete Collection. We filled a couple hundred backorders for various Media Blasters titles today, including DD, and we have plenty left over if you need a copy. We ordered enough this time around so that we shouldn't run out again.

We also got in a big batch of restocks from Media Blaster's adult label, Kitty. Several titles that have been on perpetual backorder since last fall are now finally back in stock including Discode 1.2.3, Cantaloupe Collector, and the Bible Black Game.

While we did get the first Moribito BluRay Collection from MB yesterday (pretty much on time), we still have no word on when the new Queens Blade Collection might ship. It's over a week late now and despite all my calls and e-mails I can't find anyone there that seems to know when it might be going out to retailers. They keep telling me they 'guess' this or that, but I can 'guess' too. I'll post an update on it once I have something 'concrete' to post. I think we can also assume that all those MB Spring releases we have setup for March 1st will end up being another 'they will ship when they ship' deal. You know, an 'all dates are soft until 30 minutes prior' kinda thing. Stay tuned...

Summer Wars 'O-Card' Available Directly from Funimation

As many of you know, FUNimation shipped the latest batch of Summer Wars DVD's without the 'O-Card' (which is the slip cover). Since we ran out of the first press versions about a week ago we have started shipping these non cover copies to customers over the last few days.

These non-first pressing versions do not include the special art card pack in, but they were supposed to  still come with the 'O-Card' slip covers.

If you received a copy of Summer Wars from us without the slip cover, you can request it from FUNimation directly, just fill out the form located here. And don't forget, be sure to select your 'place of purchase' as "Robert's Anime Corner Store". :-)

Bandai Offers Haruhi Replacement Program

Per Mania's forum site today:

"Bandai Entertainment is now offering up a replacement program to consumers who had problems with the audio tracks on either the Haruhi Season 2 release or the Haruhi Chan single disc release.

A small batch of discs featured mono sound on the Japanese audio track for the releases of Haruhi Season 2 (4 discs) and Haruhi Chan Vol. 1 (1 disc). Customers who purchased discs with the audio issue can contact http://support.bandai-ent.com/ to return the discs they have and receive replacement discs."

Haruhi-Chan was previously a 'Bandai Store Only' release, and the disks we are now offering for pre-order will NOT have this problem.

"Bandai Entertainment Inc. apologizes to its customers for the inconvenience."

Yes, of course they do.

IDA Posts English Cat Shit One Trailer

IDA has finally posted the long promised English trailer for the Cat Shit One. The director of the war anime, Kazuya Sasahara, also announced on Saturday that the previously announced free English stream of the anime has been rescheduled for February 5.

In addition he said the planned DVD and Blu-ray Disc release has also been rescheduled for the same date on Amazon, but as of today Amazon still shows both as 'unavailable' for order.

~sigh~ This one had so much potential too. Those guys at IDA could F$#& up a cup of coffee. :-) Anyway, here's the trailer (comes after the ads):


I love Botasky's EBR... do want!

UPDATE: OK, just for fun, lets take a look at Packy & Botasky's kit:

Botasky has a pretty straight forward EBR setup, the enhanced 7.62x51 (.308) M14 build that Smith Enterprise (and Fulton Armory I think) puts together for the Military using their parts and a special stock designed by Sage International. The Smith Enterprise three point scope mount for the M14 is about the best you can get - I have one on my M1A. He also is setup with a suppressor and a laser designator (probably an AN/PEQ of some type) for night operations. His optics are probably a variable Leopold Mark 4 with a mil dot reticle, and he has a diffuser cover on the front lens to prevent reflected light from giving away his position. On top the scope he has an Aimpoint reflex site for close in work should it become necessary. Finally, he is using some sort of Harris style bi-pod, which is very common. I think his backup piece is a custom 1911 of some sort judging by the backstrap safety.

Packy's weapon is definately an AR style flat top, but it's not an M4. His rifle has a vertical grip with a pressure switch for a laser mounted under the quad rail hand guard. He has flip up sights and also an Aimpoint red dot or reflex sight (maybe an M68?), and also a Voltor style adjustable stock. These are all features you'd expect to see on a regular M4, but Packy's weapon is clearly chambered for 7.62x39 which is the cartridge the AK uses. While unusual, there are a lot of AR makers that produce versions chambered for this round. This is a good choice for Packy, because as they operate deep behind enemy lines cut off from re-supply, he would want his battle rifle to run the same ammunition and magazines the enemy uses. An interesting choice by the film producers that is a credit to their attention to detail. I believe Packy's backup gun is also a highly customized 1911. This also makes sense, as the two could easily exchange magazines.

Anyone have any other thoughts?

Update on the Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Complete Collection

Yesterday we made a little mistake by prematurely announcing the new Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) had arrived and was now in stock. This was not quite correct.

You see, it did in fact arrive, but it is 'not' in stock.

I've been told by our rep at Allegro that the first shipment of the Dragon Destiny box was allocated to retailers because it was under ordered at replication. In other words, they had to ship everyone less than they ordered the first time around, so we got about half of our copies. We are using what we have to fill pre-orders, and I'm pretty sure we have just enough to get all of your pre-orders out for it today.

In the mean time we've gone ahead and put the title back on pre-order status until the rest of our copies are delivered, and I'm told those should arrive before the street date. Sorry folks, we jumped the gun on this one a little yesterday - I had just figured UPS hadn't brought us all the boxes of it they owed us (they split shipments to us all the time), but after checking in with Allegro, I found out that was not the case.

Welcome to the Anime business... :-)

Update on the Chrome Shelled Regios Limited Box

As many of you already know, we received the Chrome Shelled Regios Part 2 DVD Collection this week ahead of the Part 1 box. This is because the part 1 box is one of Funi's new Limited Editions, and ended up getting delayed slightly in production.

Word has it today that they should have the part 1 limited box to us around the middle of next week, so what we are going to do is ship all mixed orders with the part #2 box and pre-order the part #1 box for you (unless you specifically request a 'hold ship').

Pre-orders and regular orders for ONLY the two parts together (and nothing else) will automatically be held until we can ship both at the same time. After all, part #2 won't do you much good if you don't have #1.

Just a heads up if you happen place a big order that includes these and are wondering why you got part #2 before part #1. :-)

RACS Clannad After Story Upgrade Program

With the new dubbed release of Clannad After Story coming on April 19th, RACS will be participating in Section 23's Clannad After Story upgrade program.

If you have already purchased one or both of the prior subtitled only Clannad After Story releases, you can trade them up for the new Dubbed version. Here's how:

Just send in both of your old Clannad After Story releases:

SFCL/300 Clannad After Story DVD Collection #1 (Eps #1-12) (Subtitled Only)
SFCL/400 Clannad After Story DVD Collection #2 (Eps #13-24) (Subtitled Only)

- plus -

(US & APO/FPO Customers)
$20 to cover the upgrade (no extra shipping charge)

Canadian & International Customers)
$20 to cover the upgrade + $6 shipping

Payment can be made via:

-Personal Check
-Money Order
-Cash (not recommended but we will accept it)
-Credit Card (Visa, MC, Discover, AmEx, or JCB) by providing the following information:

Full Name on Card, Card Number, Exp Date, & CVV Code

Send them along with your payment (or payment information) via regular mail to:

Robert's Anime Corner
Attn: Clannad Trade Up Program
P.O. Box 4277
Winchester, VA 22604-4277
USA

If you only have one of the two disks, just include your DVD plus $35 instead of $20. It's just that easy, and there are no forms to fill out. Just send in your disks + payment and we'll do the rest. And hey, it doesn't even matter if you originally bought the subtitled disk(s) from us - everyone is eligible! DVD's sent in must be complete and include all the DVD disks, the DVD case, and the DVD cover art or they will be refused.

In exchange we will send you (once released in April):

SF-CL600 Clannad After Story Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (Bilingual Edition)

This version contains all 24 episodes of season 2 and will include both the original Japanese language tracks (with English subtitles) plus the new English Dub.

Upgrade disk(s) must be received in our warehouse before May 31st, 2011 to be eligible.
If you have any questions, just drop us an e-mail.

Hey Nice Package! - Sacred Blacksmith Limited Box

The folks at Funi finally got around to putting together a preview of the new Sacred Blacksmith Limited Edition boxed set:


We still have the sets in stock - so get your copy before they are gone!

Section 23 Cancels Guin Saga BD Release

Section 23 just send over their April schedule (we'll have that up in a few minutes) along with an announcement that they have CANCELED the Guin Saga Collection 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) (BLURAY) SFB-GS100.

Section 23 only cited 'circumstances beyond their control' as a reason for the cancellation.

The regular edition Guin Saga Collection 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) SF-GS100 is unchanged and will still be released as scheduled on March 29th.

All current RACS pre-orders for the BD edition will automatically be canceled, and we will need customers who pre-ordered the BD to place a new order for the regular edition if they are still interested in purchasing the title.

Funimation Changes Ga-Rei / Eden of the East Movie to DVD/BD Combo Sets

Funi just sent over another memo about an hour ago letting us know that they have changed the release format of both Ga-Rei Zero and the Eden of the East Movie.

Instead of the previously announced separate DVD and BD releases, Funi will be combining both versions into DVD/BD combo sets.

So...

Ga-Rei Zero Complete Collection DVD (Eps #1-12)
Ga-Rei Zero Complete Colelction DVD (Eps #1-12) (BLURAY)

now becomes the:

FN-08880 Ga-Rei Zero Complete Collection DVD / BLURAY Combo Set (Eps #1-12)

Eden of the East Movie 1: King of Eden DVD
Eden of the East Movie 1: King of Eden DVD (BLURAY)

now becomes the:

FN-08843 Eden of the East Movie 1: King of Eden DVD / BLURAY Combo Set

The price for the new combo sets is the same as for the previous versions, and all existing pre-orders for these will be updated to the new combo set version. No action is required on your part.

Sometimes on Friday I can't wait for it to be five o'clock in Texas so they stop making changes and I can go home for the weekend. :-)

Black Butler Limited Edition Sold Out at Wholesale!

Funimation just sent us a quick note to let us know that the Black Butler Season 1 Part 1 DVD Collection (Eps #1-12) Limited Edition is now completely sold out at wholesale.

We still have them IN STOCK, but this means we cannot reorder it so our current inventory of the sets is it. Once they sell out we'll revert the set over to the regular edition. Full details on the limited edition can be found here.

Get em while they last!

Some Kitty Stuff Trickling In Again

After several months of backorders, Kitty stuff is finally starting to trickle in again. Remember that while Media blasters has turned over their Anime Works and Tokyo Shock stuff to the distributor Allegro, they have kept their adult line (and most profitable line I might add) Kitty in house.

Notable recent restocks of Kitty adult items that previously spent weeks on semi-permanent backorder include:

Body Transfer
Cleavage
Learning the Hard Way
Bible Black New Testament 3
Sexual Pursuit
Kite/Mezzo Double Pack

There are still plenty of Kitty stuff on backorder though. Titles that remain AWOL with no apparent ETA include Viper GTS, Booby Life, Discode, Hills Have Size, and Cantaloupe Collector. Our backorder log is full of these, and I'm hoping we will be able to ship them again soon.

Kitty has also started feeding us new release info again, and they have a few new things coming up in February and March, but we're not going to offer them for pre-order - we'll post them once they actually arrive. I'm tired of taking Kitty backorders and then making excuses for them when stuff doesn't ship on time. They are using poor Brand X for retailer fulfillment after all...

So with regards to Kitty the light is at the end of the tunnel, we're just still in the tunnel. We really appreciate everyones patience who has been waiting for any of these.

Funimation's New Release Format

Funimation has decided to return to offering collector editions for anime titles starting in January, which will include a rigid box and a premium item. These premium editions will be available for the FIRST PRESSING ONLY and cost US$5 more than the regular editions that will be a plain cardstock box, slim case DVDs, and no premium item.

The first batch of premium first pressings include:

Black Butler Season 1 Part 1 DVD Collection (Eps #1-12)
Premium Item: TBA

Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom DVD Collection #1 (Eps #1-13)
Premium Item: A bullet chain necklace

Sacred Blacksmith Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12)
Premium Item: 32-page art booklet with centerfold

The two editions will be created for complete 13-episode series releases and for the "Part 1" of two-part (24 or 26 episode) series releases.

We will be shipping the new premium sets to all customers who pre-order these titles, and then whatever we have leftover until they are sold out, at which time we will switch to the standard editions at the slightly lower price, but we won't be offering the standard editions for sale until the premium edition is sold out.

In addition to the new premium sets, Funi will launch a new line for its anime titles called "Anime Classics." This will become their other 'end of life' label and will take it's place beside their S.A.V.E. edition economy sets as the final and last stage release version of a series. The first title under this label will be the Gantz boxed set being released in January.

The Bleach #6 Boxed Set has Not Been Delayed

Just an FYI to everyone asking about the rumors that the Bleach Uncut Boxed Set #6 (Eps #110-121) has been delayed. This is not true, the street date was this week and has not been changed, though Warner did ship them to retailers at the last minute.

We have the set IN STOCK and they are shipping now.

I think one of the smaller stores posted something about the street date being pushed back, but that is not the case and all retailers should have the sets in stock by now. Oh, also, in comparison to the previous 5 boxes, #6 is just a 3 tray standard size DVD case with a paper slip sleeve. Viz could not have chosen cheaper packaging, which didn't make us very happy.

Anyway, we have it, so order away! :-)

NIS Offers Replacement Program for Faulty Toradora and Persona DVD's

While we haven't received a single customer complaint or issue regarding the recently released Toradora and Persona premium DVD sets, apparently there have been a small number of people of have reported certain quality issues with the DVD's contained in the sets.

In response to this, NIS has posted the following statement on their website:

Dear NIS America fans and customers,

Thank you very much for purchasing our first anime titles, Toradora! and PERSONA.

Toradora! and PERSONA - trinity soul - Volume 1 Premium Edition are our first anime releases, and we have taken great care during each step of the localization and manufacturing process to create a product that we are proud to bring to our customers. We hope you enjoy this product as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.

Despite our efforts, some of our fans have pointed out some issues with the video quality and after carefully reviewing and considering these issues, we agree that there is room for improvement. Because customer satisfaction is of the highest importance to us, we have decided to re-master the discs and send the revised discs free of charge to those customers who would like one. Please note that there are limited quantities of the "Premium" Edition with no current plans for re-manufacturing, so they can only be purchased while quantities last. It might take a while to correct the disc issues and arrange for the replacements to be sent out, so we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding regarding this matter.

To make the process of distributing the new discs faster and easier, we have prepared an anime disc request form. Please fill out the form below to receive the revised discs. We will notify you via email when we begin shipping these discs out, and we will also be updating the status of re-mastering the discs on our anime site.

The reported problems appear as interlacing and aliasing artifacts, although some home video setups minimize the appearance of these artifacts.

Anyone who has purchased (or makes a future purchase of) one or both of these sets and wants the get in the que for the free remastered replacement DVD's can fill out their online form located here.