That an easy question to answer:Money pure and simple.
Look at it this way, By releasing it themselves and at a significantly higher price point (At least compared to the Blu-Ray Prices) They bank all the profits.
-To compare Blu-Ray releases Funimation and Sentai will sell 12-13 episode series at around $70 SRP, with Discounts that suppliers get they mark it down to about $42 which works out to about $3.50 an episode for a 12 episode series.
-Aniplex is releasing a 4 sets for the series charging $113 for 6-7 episodes, with supplier discounts it gets marked down to $90, which averages out to around $13 - $15 and episode. Now do you see why they are doing it? It's more profit for them.
Unless we know that Aniplex sells more product, at their higher prices, than Funi & Sentai do, at their more civilized prices, I do not believe that we can say Aniplex makes more profit.
I'm still trying to decide whether the Blu-Rays are worth it.
They are. Aniplex prices are absurd but buying an SD version of an HD show is almost as crazy. I don't think that the show is worth either price, and I definitely don't think that the blu-ray version should command that much of a premium over the DVD version but if you're gonna buy it, I believe that you should buy it the "right way". I'm somewhat shocked that Aniplex even continues to create a standalone DVD version that is cheaper than their DVD version; for the price of the Blu-ray version that release should also contain the DVDs.
SAO on the other hand, while both me and my roomie did enjoy the simulcast, all in all SAO really isn't worth that price to me, regardless of what extra content I'll probably never watch or inserts I'll never look at that they add to crank up the price.
I agree. I'd buy this at a Funimation price, maybe, but not at these luxury prices. If Aniplex wants to keep pricing its anime as a "luxury" then they should deliver anime that fits the bill: PMMM was not a show that I cared for in the least but it was (IMO) much more deserving of being classified as a "luxury" anime than is the pretty prosaic SAO. At least PMMM tried to "break the mold": SAO is just one of the thousands of anime cast with it. Read More...
I've been wracking my brain on these for a couple days now, but have made very little headway on them.
But just incase any of you want to try and figure these out before the AB Sentai panel tomorrow morning, I'll post the blank/letter ratios here as well.
How long is the the free trial period when you order a premium account subscription? And when does the billing cycle start? What days of each month does my card get charged? I can't find this anywhere in the faq or on the subscription page, I`ve sent an email a couple of times to anime network, and I posted in the subscriptions thread too, but I can`t seem to get an answer from anyone Read More...
Least they are splitting it up over 4 months instead of all that at once. It's easier to figure out $89.99 over those 4 months then getting hit all at once. It's one of the reasons I could do Madoka. I may have to bite depending on how my funds look.
My problem is, while Madoka was more expensive on a per-episode basis, it was completely worth it to me as my 2nd favorite anime of all time.
SAO on the other hand, while both me and my roomie did enjoy the simulcast, all in all SAO really isn't worth that price to me, regardless of what extra content I'll probably never watch or inserts I'll never look at that they add to crank up the price.
I'm hoping we don't get screwed on an Oreimo 2 collection when it comes time.
I'd be perfectly happy with a DVD only LE set just like S1 was and similarly priced, just for package consistancy alone.
Ok, so I've noticed that TAN has been a little wonky today. I don't know if it's just me, or if it's everone, but it seems like its having some issues, and so it's a little difficult to post things. So if you had any trouble posting your claim for round 157 today... fear not!
Just this once, if you haven't made a claim for round 157, and you still need to, Go ahead and do so and I'll count it. We'll say until midnight pacific time. Just make sure that you indicate the claim is for round 157. And I must stress that this is ONLY for those who have not made a claim for round 157 yet. So... How's that? Sound good? Alright!
Don't tell Newshawk
Why not? After all, it's what I would do. Good work, Hornet! I'm Newshawk and I approve this message. Read More...