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Editorial by Chris August 25, 2000 In recent months, a new trend has begun among U.S. anime companies, the complete cancellation of subtitled VHS releases. This sudden move is so shocking that it caught many fans off guard. Debates are being waged on the Internet about whether it is an attempt to retire all subtitled releases permanently. Before things get out of hand, people should look at the facts and the reasons behind this sudden universal industry trend. Why are subtitled VHS releases being canceled? The reasons are twofold, lack of retail support and the advent of anime on DVD. Let's look at how this situation began. Around three to four months ago, Central Park Media announced all subtitled releases were being placed on moratorium. Some new releases and ongoing series such as Slayers would still have subtitled VHS versions, but for the most part, they were no longer producing subtitled tapes. Soon after, Bandai announced there would be no subtitled release of Gundam Wing. ADV was next in line when they made a similar announcement. AnimEigo shocked the entire anime community by announcing that they were switching to DVD exclusively. For years, anime companies have been trying to target the non-anime consumer. That is why dubbed tapes have always been priced lower to lure them in. As a result, only hardcore fans purchase subtitled tapes. Since subtitled tapes don't produce enough profit, retailers such as Suncoast no longer wish to buy them from manufacturers. Declining retail sales are also caused by another factor, the explosion of anime on DVD. In the last year, anime DVD releases have become a major part of the DVD market. With DVD, anime companies can present their product in near perfect visual quality and sound, as well as offer lower priced box sets. Compare the pricing on a VHS and DVD release. For thirty dollars, one could buy two subtitled episodes of Cowboy Bebop on VHS. For the same amount of money, one could by the DVD, which contains five episodes in both languages, as well as many extras. Who would be foolish enough to want to buy the tape? Not even considering dual languages or bonuses, the episode count on the DVD gives it the clear advantage. In response to this, VHS fans state that anime companies are forcing them to buy DVD players against their will. My answer is to let go of VHS. It has had its time over the course of two decades, and now it's outdated and dying. Demanding VHS at this point is like insisting on using audiocassettes in place of CDs. Fans are unfairly lashing out at companies. Robert Woodhead, CEO of AnimEigo, stated "The subtitled VHS market has gone to hell in the last six months." He made a bold move by switching to DVD. Look at it from his perspective; AnimEigo is a small company, and its lifeblood is rooted in subtitled releases. If retailers don't want to buy subtitled tapes, what is Mr. Woodhead to do? Should he sell subtitled tapes on the street or college campuses? Of course not. He's seen how the market is going, and his company has to adapt if it wishes to survive. If AnimEigo dies off, who will release the classics like Macross and Urusei Yatsura? Although other anime companies have more resources, they share the same concerns. Fans who can't see this are trying to stir up trouble. Recently, someone started an online petition for ADV to release a subtitled VHS version of Sakura Diaries. So far, he only has a handful of votes. The reason is that it's a pointless battle. We must let go of VHS and embrace DVD; it allows anime to look and sound better than it ever has before. Chris Beveridge, who runs the popular site www.animeondvd.com, best summarized my sentiments. On the title bar of his website is a quote that reads "anime on DVD: no longer the future, it's reality." You can't fight reality, but you can accept it and make the best out of it. |