DC Licensing?

[cerulean]

Hello, I have a question regarding the licensing of Detective Conan.
Strange but true, this question didn't occur to me until recently. For all the while that I'm aware that DC is actually licensed in the U.S (since it's known as Case Closed there), I wasn't fully aware of what they do to it. More importantly, not that I want it to happen, but I'm really wonder why didn't funimation stop fansub groups from releasing DC like other animes?

I must say that after browsing through their website, I'm really glad that all the related retired fansub groups and DCTP's around to help updating us on the anime plot. Besides, it'll really kill some of the charm of DC (the Japanese lifestyle and culture, the puns and clues relating to Japanese names etc).

[GinRei]

As far as I'm aware, they only have the license for the first 118 episodes or so, plus all movies up to that point (which would be the first two).

[Duo]

I'm fairly certain they have up to 130 licensed.

Anyway, Funi has a subtitle track available on everything they've released so far, but I couldn't tell you how accurate it is compared to Anime-Conan since I haven't looked yet.

[cerulean]

Oh I see.. That means this series is licensed by episodes; is that because they can't be certain that the series will still be profitable after 500+ episodes? Anyway, judging from their current rate, I guess that will take a looong looong time before they reach 500+ (will they even catch up to releases in Japan?).

Anyway, Funi has a subtitle track available on everything they've released so far, but I couldn't tell you how accurate it is compared to Anime-Conan since I haven't looked yet.

Subtitle track? That means Japanese audio is also available in their DVD releases? Okay.. That's not too bad. At least you can still watch it in Japanese and get to know the original content etc...

[TromOuji]

Anyway, Funi has a subtitle track available on everything they've released so far, but I couldn't tell you how accurate it is compared to Anime-Conan since I haven't looked yet.

I'm pretty confident in saying their subtitle tracks are going to be clearly more accurate than fansubs, even Anime-Conan  .  However, they obviously have to work under some content restrictions, including removing a certain number of Japanese cultural identifiers.  Still, I strongly advocate people getting the official releases if they enjoyed the fansubs.

[GinRei]

Actually, if I recall they leave most of the cultural references in for the Japanese track.  The subtitles are done according to the Japanese dub, not the English one.  That or they have a subtitle track for each, I forget.  I've been buying them as they come out, but I haven't watched them in a while.

The reason they go by seasons instead of the entire thing is due to costs.  If they got the entire thing, they'd have to pay for it whether they used them or not.  By going season by season ensures that they don't waste any money they don't have to.

I agree with Prince Trom though, get the official DVDs if you don't already.

[Duo]

Anyway, Funi has a subtitle track available on everything they've released so far, but I couldn't tell you how accurate it is compared to Anime-Conan since I haven't looked yet.

I'm pretty confident in saying their subtitle tracks are going to be clearly more accurate than fansubs, even Anime-Conan  .  However, they obviously have to work under some content restrictions, including removing a certain number of Japanese cultural identifiers.  Still, I strongly advocate people getting the official releases if they enjoyed the fansubs.

I can't comment on the quality of 1-83 by Anime-Conan since I've only watched those episodes dubbed. And yeah, I don't see why the subtitle track from FUNi wouldn't be accurate.

I agree with you completely, people should support the series in the states by buying the DVDs as they become available.

[cerulean]

If they keep everything intact for the Japanese dub, then I think it'll be good to support the DVDs.
In my case, I live in Asia, so the DC releases in the local market are not in English, so I refuse to buy them; if I should buy US releases, I'll have an issue with DVD region code (unless I get a region-free player, but I'm really bad with electronics like these)...
In any case, thanks for all the help! 

[Kudo-kun]

I have almost all of the Case Closed DVD's form Funimation. I'm really disappointed on how they f*cked up the Japanese footage in the "Nazo" theme song. Its so retarded. You can tell some parts were cut out! And when Conan says "His name?" it skips to the song instead of saying "Detective Conan" afterwards.

[Jd-]

For those that didn't know, FUNimation announced not long ago that they were going to begin boxing up their (existing) Case Closed releases.

The first set is shipping July 22nd, according to Amazon, and only sets you back $44.99.

By any standard, that's a fantastic deal for 26-odd episodes (not sure how many, but I'd imagine that'd be the idea there). They plan to continue with two more "Season" sets as well, to clear out all they've done so far. Afterwards, I expect they'll just take the profits from that and run. We can't say they were unfair with the fans, as if it weren't for them getting the show on AdultSwim, most of the American fanbase wouldn't be as established as they are now.

Nonetheless, it was a good run and I have only them to thank for getting me into the show, so kudos.

[GinRei]

Also, if you buy it online, such as at Animenation, you usually get discounts.  At Animenation, it's 25% off if you pre-order it, which takes it down to $37.49.  I believe they've announced the second season to be released on September 23rd.  Also, according to animenation the first box set contains the first 26 episodes.

From my understanding, they've dubbed up to 118 (which was confirmed years ago by Heiji's VA), and at Anime-Next Conan's VA apparently confirmed at least one more movie to be dubbed, which means the episodes will likely go up to at least 129.  After that, I agree it's likely they'll cut and run and stick to just releasing movies, since those sell much better than episodes.

[Jd-]

From my understanding, they've dubbed up to 118 (which was confirmed years ago by Heiji's VA), and at Anime-Next Conan's VA apparently confirmed at least one more movie to be dubbed, which means the episodes will likely go up to at least 129.

That would actually be great for the show, but I'm not sure if they'll end up even releasing up to 118 (personally). I'd love to see it, but the fact they've gone all this time without even starting to release the episodes past 83 makes me suspicious.

[GinRei]

Well, the guy I know at Funimation kept assuring me whenever I asked that they'd at least release up to what they've dubbed (only makes sense that they wouldn't waste the money they already put into the dubbing).  Apparently the hold up was that they "Didn't know how they wanted to release the episodes".  A lame excuse, but they couldn't decide whether to release new episodes or box sets of early episodes.  They apparently decided to re-release old episodes in box set form.

[Gamer1104]

I created an account just to clarify something real quick.
Funimation plans on rereleasing all of the currently released seasons of Case Closed on dvd in season sets, and once they release the five seasons on dvd again, they plan on releasing new episodes in season sets.

Link:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convent ... ertainment

And just to aid the lazy, =] here are the exact words that were posted in that article:

"Other audience questions included the aforementioned Geneon discussion as well as the fate of Case Closed, which will be continuing in full season box sets of future seasons once the already released material has been compiled."

And i also remember hearing before that Funimation originally bought the rights to the first 100 or so episodes and the first two movies, but later bought the rights to the rest.  Unfortunately I do not have a link quoting that as fact or not...

One last thing... DCTP, you guys kick ass.  Keep releasing those episodes of Detective Conan, and I'll love you forever... As soon as i catch up of course =] (is on episode 160 or something...)