Could the winter 2009 anime lineup prove a failure? Although the earliest DVD releases are still at the end of January, the preorder situation already looks to be weak:
(titles are ranked by Amazon sales ranking, unannounced DVDs or continuing shows not included)
マリア様がみてる 4thシーズン 第1巻 / Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th (LE)
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 216鋼殻のレギオス第1巻 (限定版) / Chrome Shelled Regios (LE)
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 295まりあ†ほりっく 第1巻 / Mariaholic
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 505アキカン! 1(特装版) / Akikan (LE)
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 1,858明日のよいち! 1 (初回限定版) / Asu no Yoichi (LE)
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 2,003ドルアーガの塔 / Druaga – the Sword of Uruk
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 2,032黒神 The Animation 第一巻 / Kurokami (LE Blu-ray)
Amazon.co.jp: DVD – 2,336
Leaving aside the already hugely popular Maria-sama, only Regios and Mariaholic look to be doing well. Akikan seems to be doing well, all things considered. Kurokami seems to have made nary a ripple in the fan community, nor won any sales…
Of those to come, possibly White Album will be able to make a strong showing, but that seems to be it.
You can see the season in more detail at the digest.
Naturally, this is but one piece of the overall picture of DVD sales and anime popularity as a whole, but certainly enthusiasm for the new titles seems to have been muted.
Perhaps things will pick up, or perhaps the season’s anime really are deficient?
It looks like Japanese are not willing to spend $$$. The economy contracted in consecutive 2 months, almost half were gone (41 percent). That has to count for something.
Anime industry is doomed, it is matter of time. I predict 2010 will most drastic drop of anime series count and more studios will be out of business.
Enjoy anime while we can people, for the storm is brewing and bubble is burst.
No, it’s just that Winter 2010 not want
Try Kurokami, I watched it and I should say that it’s quite good 🙂 Dunno why it gets the worst ranking in the list though. They really should give it a chance.
Regios probably the best animu I’ve seen so far. Mariaholic is awesome too. But I can’t fap to trap. -_-
Kurogami got a blueray version? Cool!~ Maria-sama doesn’t seem like selling well
This might be a misunderstanding – the numbers represent the overall ranking of the volume’s sales on Amazon, i.e., a ranking of “1” would be the best-selling disc on Amazon.
Looks like Kurokami and Regios will be really interesting. But I never tend to compare between genres. Sora O Kakeru Shoujo looks very gonzo plainlike. No new concept but a vairant of Kiddy Grade. Asu no Yoichi is also funny.
Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo is done by Sunrise…….