Otakon 2010: FUNimation Industry Panel

...with Adam Sheehan and Josh Morris

State of the Industry
(prescribed with a grain of salt considering the source)

Dubs are here to stay, as there is more consumer demand for DVD releases with subs than without. “There’s money to be made here.”

Viewers older than 25 now represent 51% of market, while those from 18-24 years of age represent 40%. People ranging from 13-17 years old represent the largest group of online viewers.

Convention attendance is steadily growing.

Social Media Branch
http://blog.funimation.com/ (which will post this entire panel in a week or so)
twitter.com/funimation (75,000 followers)
Facebook (72,000 fans)
YouTube.com (159,000 subscribers, 8th largest following worldwide)

Simulcasts
One Piece
Rainbow
Black Butler Season 2
Legend of Legendary Heroes
Sekirei Season 2
Shiki

Anti-Piracy Initiatives
Hired 1 lawyer and 3 additional staff to police and report online and offline copyright infringements.

DVD Releases
My Bride is a Mermaid (funimation.com/mybrideisamermaid)
Master of Martial Hearts – “Mortal Kombat with less clothing,” due August 2010
Casshern Sins (funimation.com/casshernsins) – parts 1 & 2 due August 17, 2010.
Corpse Princess (funimation.com/shikabanehime) – due September 14, 2010.
Hetalia (funimation.com/hetalia) – 26 episodes due out September 14, 2010.
Hetalia Season 2 – with tons of extras due out October 12, 2010.
Eden of the East (funimation.com/edenoftheeast) – complete series due out September 28, 2010 for $54.98 ($59 Blu-Ray)

Voice Cast Announcements
Oh! Edo Rocket (see picture for blurry but readable list)
Black Butler (see picture for blurry but readable list)

New Acquisitions
Phantom, Requiem for the Phantom
Strike Witches Season 2 (picture) coming 2011
Blessing of the Campanella (picture) coming 2011
Okamisan (picture) coming 2011
Hetalia Seasons 3 and 4 (picture) coming 2011
Hetalia “Paint It White” movie coming 2011
Summer Wars (picture) coming 2011
Evangelion 2.22 (picture) coming 2011 – possible theatrical release mentioned

Social Networking Site
Launching in September, with beta available sometime in near future, funimation.com will feature personal profiles for users as well as news, videos, behind-the-scenes exclusives, forums and contests. “Elite member subscriptions” will be available, which offer ad-free viewing and early access to dubs prior to DVD releases.

A Couple Answers from Q&A Session
FUNimation offers encouragement for small retailers via incentive support, streaming video services for in-store play, and free promotional materials that do not have to be returned.

Oasis performs opening song for Eden of the East, but only in first episode (could explain the price tag).

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