AnimEigo explained

AnimEigo
Type:Private
Foundation: in Ithaca, New York
Location:Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Area Served:United States and Canada
Founders:Robert Woodhead
Roe R. Adams III
Key People:Robert Woodhead
Roe R. Adams III
Natsumi Ueki
Janice Hindle
Owner:MediaOCD (2024–present)
Industry:Entertainment (anime)
Products:Anime, samurai cinema
Homepage:www.animeigo.com

AnimEigo is an American entertainment company that licenses and distributes anime, samurai films and Japanese cinema. Founded in 1988 by Robert Woodhead and Roe R. Adams III, the company was one of the first in North America dedicated to licensing anime and helped give anime a noticeable following in the region. Over its history, the company has released many anime titles, such as Urusei Yatsura, You're Under Arrest, Vampire Princess Miyu, Otaku no Video, the original Bubblegum Crisis OVA series, and Kimagure Orange Road.

Their name is a portmanteau of "anime" and "eigo" (英語), the Japanese word for the English language.

History

The company was founded in 1988 in Ithaca, New York, by Robert Woodhead and Roe R. Adams III.[1] It is now based in Wilmington, North Carolina, and run by Natsumi Ueki, Woodhead's wife.[2] Their first release was Metal Skin Panic Madox 01.[3] In July 2003, the company signed a deal with Koch Entertainment to help market and distribute their titles in the United States and Canada.[4]

Between 2010 and 2013 the company lost a lot of its titles. For example, in February 2010, they announced they lost the rights to the Oh My Goddess! OVAs.[5] In April 2010, the company announced they were unable to license the remaining episodes of Yawara!.[6] They later lost the rights to the episodes they had previously licensed.[7] In February 2011, the company announced they had lost the rights to Urusei Yatsura, one of their more popular titles.[8] The company also lost the rights to the You're Under Arrest and Battle Royal High School anime series, as well as the Zatoichi, Lone Wolf and Cub, and Portrait of Hell live action movies.[9]

In October 2013, AnimEigo launched their first Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund a new release, specifically to re-release Bubblegum Crisis as a limited edition Blu-ray.[10] The Kickstarter was successfully funded in October 2013, and the Blu-ray was subsequently released in December 2014.[11] They also successfully kickstarted re-releases of Otaku no Video, Riding Bean, A.D. Police Files, Gunsmith Cats, Megazone 23, Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01, and .[12]

In February 2024, MediaOCD, a post-production firm owned by Anime News Network founder Justin Sevakis, acquired AnimEigo's video distribution business. Woodhead and Ueki will stay on to assist in the transition and see existing projects to completion. After that, they plan to retire.[13]

Distribution

The company streams their titles on Hoopla, RetroCrush, Tubi, and CONtv.[14] Some of their titles were on Hulu and VRV (via VRV Select), but they have been removed.[15] [16]

The company is well known for the quality of its translation and subtitles, and pioneered such techniques as multi-color subtitles, overlapping dialogue, and supertitles that explain important cultural, linguistic and historical tidbits. They also include comprehensive cultural and linguistic liner notes with their releases.[17] [18] Alert viewers will often find subtle references to pop culture and current events hidden in the subtitles when they match what the characters are actually saying. Sometimes the references are blatant; in episode 18 of Super Dimension Fortress Macross, the dying Roy Fokker not only repeats the famous words of Mr. Spock from – "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few..." but adds Captain Kirk's reply – "or the one".[19]

They also licensed two Lupin III films: Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy and . Because of legal issues surrounding the Lupin name, which was used by author Monkey Punch without permission from the estate of Maurice Leblanc, the titles were released as Rupan III, which is the romaji pronunciation of Lupin. Even after the Lupin name passed into public domain in the 1990s, they continued to distribute the films as Rupan III.[20]

Productions

Releases are only listed if the subtitling, dubbing, or other (localization) production work was handled by AnimEigo; rather than being licensed or redistributed from prior versions.

In print

Title! colspan="2"
ReleaseMediumDub producerNotes
SubtitleDub
A.D. Police Files19931995Show (3)Southwynde StudiosAlternate dub
Bubblegum Crash19921994Show (3)Southwynde Studios
Bubblegum Crisis19911994Show (8)Southwynde Studios
Bushido—Movie—
Eleven Samurai—Movie—
Graveyard of Honor (1975)—Movie—
Metal Skin Panic: MADOX-0119901995Show (1)Swirl FilmsAlternate dub
Onimasa—Movie—
Otaku no Video1993—Show (2)—
Revenge—Movie—
Revenge of a Kabuki Actor—Movie—
Samurai Vendetta—Movie—
Shinobi no Mono—Movie—
Shinobi no Mono 2: Vengeance—Movie—
Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection—Movie—
Shinsengumi Chronicles—Movie—
Sleepy Eyes of Death 1: The Chinese Jade—Movie—
Sleepy Eyes of Death 2: Sword of Adventure—Movie—
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing—Movie—
Sleepy Eyes of Death 4: Sword of Seduction—Movie—
Sleepy Eyes of Death 5: Sword of Fire—Movie—
Sleepy Eyes of Death 6: Sword of Satan—Movie—
Sword of Desperation—Movie—
The Blind Menace—Movie—
The Clone Returns Home—Movie—
The Dagger of Kamui1995—Movie—
The Great Samurai—Movie—
The Loyal 47 Ronin—Movie—
The Samurai I Loved—Movie—
The Secret of the Urn—Movie—
Vampire Princess Miyu (OVA)1996Show (4)Swirl FilmsAlternate dub
19951995Show (4)Coastal Studios

Out of print

Title! colspan="2"
ReleaseMediumDub producerNotes
SubtitleDub
13 Assassins (1963)—Movie—
Arcadia of My Youth1993—Movie—
Ashura2007MovieCoastal Studios
Baoh: The Visitor19951995Show (1)Coastal Studios
Battle Royal High School19961996Show (1)Southwynde Studios
Battle of Okinawa—Movie—
Black Rain—Movie—
Crusher Joe: The Movie19971997MovieCoastal StudiosAlternate dub
Crusher Joe: The OVAs19971998Show (2)Coastal Studios
Genesis Survivor Gaiarth19931995Show (3)Swirl Films
Growing Up With Hello Kitty2012Short (16)Coastal Studios12 episodes dubbed
It's Tough Being a Man—Movie—
Kimagure Orange Road—Show (48)—
Kimagure Orange Road OVA—Show (8)—
Kimagure Orange Road: The Motion Picture—Movie —
Lupin III: The Fuma Conspiracy19951995MovieCoastal StudiosAKA Rupan III: The Fuma Conspiracy
Miyamoto Musashi—Movie—
Oh My Goddess!19942001Show (5)Coastal Studios
2007MovieCoastal Studios
Shogun Assassin 4: Five Fistfuls of Gold2008MovieCoastal Studios
Shogun Assassin 5: Cold Road to Hell2008MovieCoastal Studios
Shōnan Bakusozoku—Show (13)—3 episodes subtitled
Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Ring19961996Show (1)Coastal Studios
The Ballad of Narayama—Movie—
The Geisha—Movie—
The Razor—Movie—
The Razor 2—Movie—
The Razor 3—Movie—
The Wolves—Movie—
Tora-san, His Tender Love—Movie—
Tora-san's Cherished Mother—Movie—
Tora-san's Grand Scheme—Movie—
Urusei Yatsura (Those Obnoxous Aliens)1992-20061995Show (195)Southwynde Studios2 episodes dubbedAlternate dub
Urusei Yatsura 1: Only You19952003MovieSwirl Films
Urusei Yatsura 3: Remember My Love19952004MovieSwirl Films
Urusei Yatsura 4: Lum the Forever19952004MovieSwirl Films
Urusei Yatsura 5: The Final Chapter19952004MovieSwirl Films
Urusei Yatsura 6: Always My Darling19962005MovieSwirl Films
Wakeful Nights—Movie—
Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl—Show (124)—40 episodes subtitled
You're Under Arrest (TV)20022002Show (47)Coastal Studios
Zatoichi meets Yojimbo—Movie—
Zatoichi the Outlaw—Movie—

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Secret History of AnimEigo. AnimEigo. January 10, 2021. June 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210604210130/https://www.animeigo.com/about/secret-history-animeigo/. live.
  2. Web site: About Us. AnimEigo. January 10, 2021. January 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112163044/https://www.animeigo.com/about/about-us. live.
  3. Web site: Rafael Antonio. Pineda. AnimEigo's Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 BD Kickstarter Launches on April 30. Anime News Network. April 27, 2021. December 2, 2022. December 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221202125453/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-04-27/animeigo-metal-skin-panic-madox-01-bd-kickstarter-launches-on-april-30/.172161. live.
  4. Web site: AnimEigo Celebrates 15 Years. Anime News Network. December 11, 2003. January 10, 2021. June 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210616024036/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-12-11/animeigo-celebrates-15-years. live.
  5. Web site: Crystalyn. Hodgkins. AnimEigo's Oh My Goddess Video Series License Expires. Anime News Network. February 4, 2010. January 10, 2021. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126055853/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-04/animeigo-loses-license-to-oh-my-goddess-video-series. live.
  6. Web site: Egan. Loo. AnimEigo Unable to License Rest of Yawara! Anime. Anime News Network. April 29, 2010. January 11, 2021. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126053256/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-29/animeigo-unable-to-license-rest-of-yawara-anime. live.
  7. Robert. Woodhead. AnimEigo. 233251104782184449.
    1. Yawara going OOP on 8/31. 40 ep. box set for $19.95 + s&h while supplies last. Pass the word to #anime and #judo fans
    . August 8, 2012. January 11, 2021.
  8. Web site: Gia. Manry. AnimEigo's Urusei Yatsura License Expires in September. Anime News Network. February 9, 2011. January 10, 2021. January 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210118020524/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-09/animeigo-urusei-yatsura-license-expires-in-september. live.
    • Web site: Daryl. Bunao. AnimEigo's You're Under Arrest License Ends in January (Updated). Anime News Network. July 7, 2011. January 13, 2021. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126055517/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-07-07/animeigo-youre-under-arrest-license-ends-in-january. live.
    • Web site: Andrew. Osmond. AnimEigo's Battle Royal High School License Expires. Anime News Network. August 23, 2011. January 13, 2021. January 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115013233/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-23/animeigo-battle-royal-high-school-license-expires. live.
    • Web site: Lynzee. Loveridge. AnimEigo's Lone Wolf & Cub Live-Action Films Out of Print. Anime News Network. November 3, 2013. January 13, 2021. January 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115165237/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-03/animeigo-lone-wolf-and-cub-live-action-films-out-of-print. live.
    • Robert. Woodhead. AnimEigo. 235707613994692608.
      1. Zatoichi 1-6 (and the set of all 7) go out of print on September 18th, 2012. $7.99 per movie while we have any left!
      . August 15, 2012. January 13, 2021.
    • Robert. Woodhead. AnimEigo. 37838583163256832. Portrait of Hell goes out of print Feb-28-2011; remaining copies are only $3.99. February 16, 2011. January 13, 2021.
  10. Web site: Egan. Loo. AnimEigo Starts Bubblegum Crisis Kickstarter Funding Campaign. Anime News Network. October 25, 2013. October 15, 2014. November 6, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141106092709/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-25/animeigo-starts-bubblegum-crisis-kickstarter-funding-campaign. live.
  11. Web site: Lynzee. Loveridge. Bubblegum Crisis Blu-ray Kickstarter Meets Pledge Goal. Anime News Network. October 29, 2013. October 15, 2014. November 6, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141106092713/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-29/bubblegum-crisis-blu-ray-kickstarter-meets-pledge-goal. live.
    • Web site: AnimeEigo Meets Otaku no Video Blu-ray Kickstarter Goal. Egan. Loo. Anime News Network. July 2, 2015. January 13, 2021. December 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201209171654/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-02/animeeigo-meets-otaku-no-video-blu-ray-kickstarter-goal/.88848. live.
    • Web site: Rafael Antonio. Pineda. AnimEigo's Riding Bean Kickstarter Funded in 50 Minutes (Updated). Anime News Network. March 6, 2016. January 13, 2021. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131623/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-06/animeigo-riding-bean-kickstarter-funded-in-50-minutes/.99481. live.
    • Web site: AnimEigo to Launch Kickstarter for AD Police Video Anime. Egan. Loo. Anime News Network. September 27, 2015. January 13, 2021. December 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218015041/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-27/animeigo-to-launch-kickstarter-for-ad-police-video-anime/.93457. live.
    • Web site: Karen. Ressler. AnimEigo's Gunsmith Cats Kickstarter Reaches Goal Within 5 Hours. Anime News Network. March 24, 2018. January 13, 2021. January 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122011642/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-03-24/animeigo-gunsmith-cats-kickstarter-reaches-goal-within-5-hours/.129485. live.
    • Web site: Rafael Antonio. Pineda. AnimEigo's Megazone 23 Blu-ray Kickstarter Reaches Goal in a Day. Anime News Network. August 18, 2019. January 13, 2021. November 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201107235704/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-08-18/animeigo-megazone-23-blu-ray-kickstarter-reaches-goal-in-a-day/.150172. live.
    • Web site: Hazra . Adriana . Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 Anime's Kickstarter Campaign Reaches Goal in 42 Minutes . . 19 January 2024 . 1 May 2021 . November 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221124132125/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-05-01/metal-skin-panic-madox-01-anime-kickstarter-campaign-reaches-goal-in-42-minutes/.172350 . live .
    • Web site: Barder . Ollie . ‘Macross II’ Crowdfunding Campaign Blasts Past Its Target . . 19 January 2024 . 18 December 2023 . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119070509/https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2023/12/18/macross-ii-crowdfunding-campaign-blasts-past-its-target/?sh=13b86e92686f . live .
  13. News: Pineda . Rafael Antonio . Justin Sevakis' Video Production Company MediaOCD Acquires AnimEigo . 15 February 2024 . Anime News Network . 15 February 2024 . en . February 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215144837/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-15/justin-sevakis-video-production-company-mediaocd-acquires-animeigo/.207607 . live .
    • Web site: Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results for "AnimEigo". Hoopla.com. January 13, 2021. February 29, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240229194302/https://www.hoopladigital.com/search?page=1&publisherName=AnimEigo. live.
    • Web site: Bubblegum Crisis (Subbed). RetroCrush.tv. January 13, 2021. January 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210130031834/https://www.retrocrush.tv/series/003604s/bubblegum-crisis-(subbed). dead.
    • Web site: Watch Bubblegum Crisis. Tubi.tv. January 13, 2021. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128114611/https://tubitv.com/series/300004803/bubblegum-crisis?start=true. live.
    • Web site: Bubblegum Crisis-ConTV. ConTV.com. January 13, 2021. November 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201103021838/https://www.contv.com/details-movie/CEG10027439/bubblegum-crisis---season-1. live.
  15. Web site: Media Blasters Anime Titles to Expire on Hulu. Anime News Network. May 6, 2016. January 13, 2021. November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108105659/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-06/media-blasters-anime-titles-to-expire-on-hulu/.101756. live.
  16. Web site: Bubblegum Crisis - Watch on VRV. VRV.co. https://web.archive.org/web/20211204020514/https://vrv.co/series/G6NVQP58Y/Bubblegum-Crisis. December 4, 2021. January 13, 2021.
  17. Web site: Bubblegum Crisis Collection VHS Review. Anime News Network. January 13, 2021. March 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230318115303/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bubblegum-crisis-collection-vhs. live.
  18. Web site: Otaku no Video 1982 & 1985 Review. Anime News Network. January 20, 2002. January 13, 2021. January 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115220238/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/otaku-no-video. live.
  19. Web site: Macross TV Boxset Review. Anime News Network. April 24, 2002. January 13, 2021. January 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115030612/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/macross-tv/boxset. live.
  20. Web site: Rupan III: The Fuma Conspiracy DVD Review. Anime News Network. May 4, 2003. January 13, 2021. January 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210115152635/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/rupan-iii-the-fuma-conspiracy. live.

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