Ask A FUNimation Rep!

[lheiskell]

Hey Lance,

Do you think Funimation will have the Yu Yu Hakusho: Eizou Hakusho (OVA) for US release?

I don't handle Yu Yu Hakusho but I will ask about this.

[lheiskell]

I have four questions.

1. It's rumored that there are several titles that FUNimation wanted, but another company beat you out to the process. I just want confirmation on the more interesting titles. Did you attempt to get Final Fantasy unlimited, Megazone 23, Saiyuki, and GetBackers?

2. Sometimes when buying the US rights to an anime you can purchase the rights through the previous rights holders. For example when Harmony Gold dubbed Captain Harlock they just bought the rights from the previous rights holders ZIV International. Now i was just curious did FUNimation buy the rights to Dragon Ball from Harmony Gold (I've actually seen online sites list it as so before). Also did you have to buy Detective Conan through either Fox, Disney, or Sensation Animation?

3. When FUNimation creates English versions of the original Japanese vocal songs, do you reperform the background music because either you've not been given a vocal-free version of that particular song or one doesn't exist?

4. This may sound strange, but will FUNimation release the Ocean (Canada and UK) dubs of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, & Dragon Ball GT in the UK? This may sound stupid, but I was just wondering as almost no Dragon Ball discs are out over there and you sound like the ones to do it (Or hand it off to someone else.).

Well it's Saturday and as promised I come to you with anwsers to most of your questions. Let's see many I can answer till I get weary.


1. Most always there is a bidding process.

2. Most anime series in Japan these days are funded through committees. Committees spread the financial risk. Committees could be any combination of: production company, animation studio, advertising agency, broadcasting station company, publisher (if based on a manga), original creator (if a based on a manga), toy company, bank institution, angel investors, foreign companies (like US comanies - call these co-pros) and other groups. Rights are then distributed throughout this committee.

Ever curious to see how many production studios there are in Japan? Well then, check this link out: http://natsumemaya.terminus.net.au/i...me_studios.htm

3. Sometimes we are not able to acquire the intrumental rights to a song but can create a cover song with our own instrumental take. We don't do full versions of the songs, just the TV version. (I know some of you reading this just let out a whimper...sorry)

4. My magic eight ball Yoda says..."Difficult to see. Always in motion is the force." Dang. I'll try again asking later.

No DBZ on DVD in the UK? That sucks! I had no idea. I need to look into that. There must be a reason. (I don't handle the brand management of DBZ/DB/DBGT-so I don't know all the intricate deals with the shows.)

[lheiskell]

1) Does FUNimation have any plans on (at least partly) funding their own anime?

2) How complicated is it, really, to release full-length versions of your dubbed songs, even as mp3s on the web? (I really want a full-length version of the first Case Closed/Detective Conan theme, as the English version is MUCH better than the Japanese version.)

1. Anime properies partially funded by a US distributor are called co-productions or co-pros. Yes, we have done some of these.

2. Very complicated. The English covers we create are still owned by the Japanese rights holder and they would have to approve any outside distribution.

[lheiskell]

And now, for a question. Does FUNImation see the future of anime being on an anime-only cable network or do you see anime branching out into a more mainstream audience, say on NBC or CBS during their prime-time blocks?

Shows on prime-time TV live or die based on ratings and demos. Imagine watching [insert your most favorite anime series] and the big network changing its day and time. Then when the time change doesn't work for that week....they pull the plug around episode 9. Happens to a lot of good live action shows on the big 4. If a show can't find its audience fast...it gets cancelled. Cable offers shows time to find an audience.

[Duke]

2. Very complicated. The English covers we create are still owned by the Japanese rights holder and they would have to approve any outside distribution.

Awww. This means we won't get any full-length Conan themes anytime soon... That sucks.

[lheiskell]

• Case Closed: Why translate the names when it's aiming for the 14+ crowd on Adult Swim that can deal wth those kooky Japanese names?
• Ever catch the other dubs of Dragonball Z and GT?
• Is my FUNiMoon theory completely off-base? Sailor Moon's essentially pulled from America, the dub is one of the most bashed, and FUNimation made a huge success out of Toei's other big series, Dragonball Z. This could be FUNimation's chance to shine for those burned by DiC, Cloverway, and others...
• All Toonami shows moved to once-a-week airings with a supposedly older demographic. Has this had any effect on the editing FUNimation makes for shows for Toonami?

Nope haven't heard the Canadian versions of DBZ/GT.


Even though Toonami has moved to a prime time location, the TV rating for all the shows are still Y7 or Y7FV (Fantasy Violence). Same editing standards apply. Only Adult Swim allows shows with ratings of TV14 and TVPG. When ever a show starts, look at the top left side and you will see the TV rating for that show.


Want to learn more? http://www.tvguidelines.org/

[lheiskell]

1. Is Funimation looking into getting the first series of Yu-Gi-Oh! made by Toei animation?

2. Will Funimation be replacing the music in the remaining DBZ movies?

1. No. 4Kids owns the rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! You would have to ask them.
2. Yes for the dubs. You get the original music in the subtitled track.

[lheiskell]

1.Will Daydream Generation the fifth ending of Yu Yu Hakusho have an english version ?

2. When are Gunslinger Girl,Burst Angel, the Tenchi ovas and Samurai 7 coming out?

1. I don't know. I will have to check.
2. Let's just say you will be able to start watching all of these in the spring/summer. Can't announce release dates yet.

[lheiskell]

2) As anime fans yourselves (Taking a wild stab there), what titles would the staff (as in not the company itself) like to dub?

You do realize you've killed us all starting tomorrow, right?

I am an anime fan (no wild stab there). I have collected over 75 anime series to date.

There are some series that you bid on but you don't get. I weep for those.

[lheiskell]

I asked Lance eariler and he said all the outros would used, but they would likely be shortened.

Umm...I do have one more question.

Will the FMA boxes actually be boxes or tins, like the Japanese release?

They will be metal boxes (tins). There will be three of them. The first will hold 5 volumes and the other two will hold 4 volumes.

Out tins will have illustrations with some of the metal showing through.

I have the metal box from the series. I also like the cool clear plastic DVD cases but they wouldn't work with the US retailers.

[lheiskell]

I was wondering if you had any new details about Gunslinger Girl, like episode/disc count, possible goodies/bonuses included with a possible volume 1 with box, possible co-promotions with ADV since they've got the GSG manga, television airing possibilities (at the Funi at Otakon you said it was probably unlikely, but any new developments would be welcome) and so forth?

Also, will there be any outside merchandise for Gunslinger Girl like T-Shirts, Wallscrolls, Statuettes, Gun Replicas, Artbooks, etc?

We have a killer announcement for Gunslinger Girl but can't announce till all the rights are sorted.

Also, thanks again for taking time to answer these questions. I'm sure myself and all the other members of TZ are all grateful to have you here on TZ.

You're welcome. I was a fan first before joining FUNimation.

I remember hopping onto the Usenet and reading JMS posts on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated. I'm dating myself on that. It's cool that I can do something similar.

[lheiskell]

1) How often will Case Closed DVD's be coming out?

2) What if any ties to Japanese companies does FUNimation have currently. As in the most likely companies for you to get a series from.

3) Any chance there will be more TMNT box sets?

4) What is your favorite anime and character?

5) And just for kicks... what's your favorite American cartoon and character?

1. 6 to 8 weeks.
2. We have great working relationships will all of our Japanese license owners.
3. I will have to look into this.

4. My favorite anime is Macross (First part of Robotech) Favorite character is Lisa Hayes. Last Christmas, my sister got my favorite comic artist, Chynna Clugston-Major of Blue Monday and Scooter Girl fame (http://www.onipress.com/titles/titles.php?id=BM3), to commission a sketch of Lisa Hayes. That was the coolest present.

If you want to check out my other favorites, check my profile. Basically, it's all about the story. If you have beautiful animation and sound but just a decent plot, then it's a wasted effort.

5. Favorite cartoon character? The old Ren & Stimpy from Nick. The new version on Spike are too over the top.

[lheiskell]

1) FUNi's worked with pretty much every dubbing studio except Ocean Group & Blue Water. When are you gonna use them?

2) I probably know the answer already, but will the original dub also appear on the Saiyan Saga DVDs?

3) How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a woodchuck could fire gigantic energy blasts?

4) Have you ever done any voices (I'd imagine extras) in FUNi's productions?

5) Will FUNimation ever try to release one of its dubbed movies in theaters?

1. All of our current dub work, with the exception of Tenchi Muyo! GXP is done in house.

2. The original dub will not be on the new DBZ uncut discs. Our new 5.1 dub will be on there.

3. How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a woodchuck could fire gigantic energy blasts?

When creating gigantic energy blasts, one has to understand physics and the concept of heat convection.

Convection is heat transfer by mass motion of a fluid such as air or water when the heated fluid is caused to move away from the source of heat, carrying energy with it. Convection above a hot surface occurs because hot air expands, becomes less dense, and rises.

Convection is thought to play a major role in transporting energy from the center of the Sun to the surface, and in movements of the hot magma beneath the surface of the Earth.

In ordinary heat transfer on the Earth, it is difficult to quantify the effects of convection since it inherently depends upon small nonuniformities in an otherwise fairly homogeneous medium.

To answer your question, I'd say the amount of wood to chuck would be equivalent to 12 orders of "Moon Over My Hammy" at your local Denny's.

4. Not yet.

5. Depends on if we have theatrical rights and if there is a strong enough demand.

[lheiskell]

Eh...I'll start simple:

Lance, will you personally play any actual roles in the Fullmetal Alchemist dub yourself?

I would like to do a small role. Just a small one.

[lheiskell]

Ok, now an actual question (Amazing!)

Are you legally able to dub the YYH movies that were previously dubbed by U.S. Manga Corps? Just curious.

Nope. They own the rights to the movies.

[Space Cadet]

Hey Lance, I got five questions:

1.Will the DBZ Season 1 and 2 and the Lost Episodes of GT air on Toonami?

2. Does FUNi pitch shows outside of CN?

3. In the near future, will FUNi produce their own original shows and still dub and distribute anime shows?

4. How many people usually edit a show for T.V.?

5. Will you licence more anime movies in the future?

[lheiskell]

oh, and another question:

Will you ever release Medabots onto DVD (previsolly only Seasons 1 and 2 were realsed and there were no box sets)

ADV Films has Medabots.
http://www.advfilms.com/CATALOGFilms...dabotsMedabots

[bigddan11]

ADV Films has Medabots.
http://www.advfilms.com/CATALOGFilms...dabotsMedabots

I knew that ADV had Medabots seasons 1 and 2, but I as thinking she was asking if FUNi was getting season 3 due to the new contract with Nelvana, since Nelvana were the ones that dubbed Medabots. I was wondering though, what Nelvana properties (other than Beyblade GRevolution) do you think your company may release?

My other question is do you know when the final volume of Tenchi Muyo! GXP will be released? I'm assuming its 6 to 8 weeks after volume 7 comes out at the beginning of November, but will that be after Christmas, or just after the New Years turning tide?

[Nobuyuki sama]

My other question is do you know when the final volume of Tenchi Muyo! GXP will be released? I'm assuming its 6 to 8 weeks after volume 7 comes out at the beginning of November, but will that be after Christmas, or just after the New Years turning tide?

Right Stuf is taking pre-orders with a scheduled December 28th release date.

[Jude Santos]

1. Is Funimation going to take a stab in getting rid of bootleggers like Bandai? I see a ton of fruits basket and Full Metal alchemist bootlegs floating around.

2. What classes/major do I need to become an anime company rep like you?