US Commerical Anime & Manga Companies
ADV Films ADV has released several popular anime series and movies such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gasaraki, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen, Rurouni Kenshin (OVAs and movie only), Senkaiden Houshin Engi (released as "Soul Hunters") and Princess Nine, to name just a few. The company also the rights to series such as Gensomaden Saiyuki, Angelic Layer, Shin Shirayuki Hime Densetsu Pretear, Noir, Hoshi no Koe, and others. Recently, ADV has started to fund the production of several projects in Japan, expand their live action properties, and has recently worked on launching their new 24 hour TV channel, The Anime Network. ADV and Right Stuf have a joint venture company, AnimeTrax, that has released several CDs to date.
AnimEigo AnimEigo is known for producing quality subtitled anime and samurai live action of older series such as Urusei Yatsura, Kimagure Orange Road, Vampire Princess Miyu (OVAs only), Oh! My Goddess (OVAs only), Lupin III (2 movies released under Rupan), Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, Lone Wolf & Cub, and more. Upcoming series include You're Under Arrest (OVA and TV only). AnimEigo does a lot of direct sales through preorders, and that is often the best way to pick up a box set of one of their series.
Bandai Entertainment BE has been responsible for the release of hit series and movies such as Love Hina, Cowboy Bebop (TV only), Escaflowne (TV and movie), Gundam, Jin-Roh, and Crest of the Stars, among others. They've picked up rights to several other properties such as .hack/SIGN, Argento Soma, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Infinite Ryvius, Melty Lancer, and of course, more Gundam. Though their primary focus has been anime, they are bringing out the .hack/SIGN PS2 game out in the US, and there are rumours that they may consider expanding into other markets.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment Through an agreement with Tokuma Publishing, BVHE has acquired the worldwide release rights for several Studio Ghibli films including Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pom Poko, Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä, Kurenai no Buta, Majo no Takkyubin, Mimi wo Sumaseba, Mononoke Hime, Omohide Poro-Poro, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa, Tonari no Totoro, and Tonari no Yamada-kun. Of those titles, only Majo no Takkyubin (Kiki's Delivery Service), Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke), and Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away) have been released,
Central Park Media CPM includes releases by CPM, US Manga, and Software Sculptors. Betweent the three branches, the company has released popular series such as Slayers (TV only), Shoujo Kakumei Utena, Koko wa Greenwood, Angel Sanctuary, Yami no Matsuei, NightWalker, Grave of the Fireflies, The Heroic Legend of Arslan, and The Record of Loddoss War. Upcoming properties include Alien 9 and DNA2 (TV and OVAs). CPM also has a manga line, including titles such as Slayers and The Record of Loddoss War.
FUNimation FUNi came on the scene recently and has done well with anime such as YuYu Hakusho, Fruits Basket, Lupin III (movies), Blue Gender, and of course, Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Recently, the company announced the acquisition of Tenchi Muyo GXP, and fan-favorite One Piece, among others.
Manga Video Manga is probably best known for the anime movies and OVAs it has released such as Ghost in the Shell, Death & Rebirth, The End of Evangelion, X The Movie, Lupin III The Castle of Cagliostro, Perfect Blue, and the Rayearth OVAs. The company also owns the rights to the Read or Die OVAs, among others.
Media Blasters MB includes Tokyo Shock, AnimeWorks, ShriekShow, and Kitty. The company has released serveral popular anime such as Magic Knight Rayearth (TV only), Rurouni Kenshin (TV only), Weiss Kreuz (released as Knight Hunters), eX Driver, Maho Tsukai Tai! (released as I Wanna Do Magic!), Kite, and others. There are several new anime properties that they lay claim to - including Gun Frontier, Mars, Varoom One, Jungle Emperor Leo, Iria, Sentimental Journey, Tales of Eternia, Yume de Atera (TV and OVA), and Mirage of Blaze, to name just a few on the list.
Pioneer Animation PA has released fan favorites such as Tenchi Muyo!, Fushigi Yuugi, Cardcaptor Sakura, Sailor Moon (S TV, SuperS TV, and movies only), X TV, Akira, Dragon Ball Z (some TV and some movies), Hellsing, Serial Experiments Lain, and Trigun, to name just a few. The company has aquired the rights to several new anime including, but certainly not limited to, Chobits, Ai Yori Aoshi, Lupin III TV (2nd series only), Mahoromatic, Master Keaton, and Tiny Snow Fairy Sugar. PA also has a small soundtrack line that had not produced anything in several years, but has recently started to revitalize the line by releasing titles such as the Para Para anime songs CDs, the Cowboy Bebop CD box set, and the Hellsing soundtrack.
Right Stuf International, Inc TRSI is known for releasing titles such as The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (TV and OVAs), Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyo (released as His and Her Circumstances), Boogiepop Phantom, Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko, and Kimba the White Lion. The company has announced its licenses for anime properties such as Comic Party and Gravitation (TV only). Right Stuf has a significant web presence with their on-line store, and has started to expand their market by forming a joint venture company with ADV Films. The company, AnimeTrax, has released several CDs to date including soundtracks for Sin, Martian Successor Nadesico, Boogiepop Phantom, Slayers, and Macross Plus.
Synch-Point Though SP's mission statement says they produce "English language versions of anime and manga for North American distribution", to date they've started releasing two anime titles: FLCL and Tenshi ni Narumon (released as I'm Gonna Be An Angel!). No further licenses have been announced at this time.
TokyoPop TP, previously known as MixxZine, is primarily known for its translated manga. The company's titles include Sailor Moon, Initial D, GTO, Cowboy Bebop, Mars, Paradise Kiss, Parasyte, Harlem Beat, Love Hina, Kodomo no Omocha (released as Kodocha), Miracles Girls, not to mention the many CLAMP-authored titles such as Chobits, Angelic Layer, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Magic Knight Rayearth. TP has announced several more manga properties such RAVE, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Scryed, King of Bandits Jing, and several more CLAMP-authored titles such as 20 Mensou ni Onegai!, CLAMP School Detectives, Dukylon, and Shirahime-syo. They have also published art books, anime guides, film comics, and have started publishing manga for Monsters, Inc. TP has started releasing anime including Spring & Chaos, Vampire Princess Miyu (TV only), GTO, and Kaitou St Tail among others, and holds the licenses for additional properties such as Initial D and Alexander (will be released as Reign). In addition, TP has released idol and japanese wrestling videos, anime and game soundtracks, and will be marketing their Stray Sheep license towards children.
Urban Vision UV is most likely best known for Vampire Hunter D and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. Other titles include Final Fantasy (OVAs only), Tekkaman, Gatchaman, and Petshop of Horrors. The company also holds the license for the Ninja Scroll TV series currently in production in Japan.
Viz Communications, Inc Viz releases several monthly publications and graphic novels in addition to their anime properties. Their monthly publication include Animerica (NA anime news magazine), Animerica Extra (several different serialized manga), and the newly launched US version of Shonen Jump (several different serialed manga that originally ran in the Japanese version of Shonen Jump). Their manga properties include titles such as Ceres, Pokemon, Hamtaro, Dragon Ball, and several Takahashi Rumiko titles (Ranma, Mermaid's Scar, Inuyasha) in addition to those publised in Animerica Extra and Shonen Jump. The company has also released anime titles such as Video Girl Ai, Ceres, Key the Metal Idol, Inuyasha, Trouble Chocolate, and Ranma. Viz also holds the anime licenses for series such as Project ARMS, and G Gandaioh.
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