A US release of loli pantsu anime Strike Witches is imminent, as US distributor Funimation has announced acquiring the license.
The company has long worked with troubled studio Gonzo, and Gonzo itself has been noted for producing a number of titles with the overseas markets in mind, so this represents a logical development in that respect.
What is not clear is how the company will approach marketing an anime whose primary appeal consists of the suspiciously pantsu-resembling trousers of its rather young cast, and which in DVD format tastefully lavishes attention on the breasts of twelve-year-old girls.
This leads to the suspicion that a censored DVD release might be in the offing.
This would also have the convenient effect of negating any reverse imports into Japan, as what self respecting Strike Witches fan would want a DVD sans oppai?
Funimation will also be picking up unremarkable oppai anime Linebarrels of Iron.
Via the forums.
wow just so much hate not like care anyways i will buy the dvd’s though the mail in 2010 when they do come out. Let’s face it anime is not what it used to be and most people that I talk to see it as an passing fad In the states. It had it’s chance but failed and all is left is a view companies to anime and that’s about it. It MIGHT cause a stir on the FAUK NEWS channel but that wouldn’t be surprising if it did. I can’t think of any anime that has caused any controversy in the past 10 years for that matter but oh well.
I predict this DVD will be B& in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
I don’t care though, because the US Supreme Court says l♥♥i is OK. USA! USA! USA!
LOL. At NYAF 2009 (New York Anime Fest), they said that SW is already in production and that yes Strike Witches wil be UNCUT. So i hope nobody bitches now!
Did they give a concrete release date?
Not yet. Only that it’s in early 2010. They have the tv version up on their site, But in the Download-to-Own section they are uncensored. I bought the first 6 already, I still plan on getting it on dvd though.
http://blog.funimation.com/2009/10/new-dto-episodes-including-more-strike-witches/
ep 7 & 8 should be out soon XD
Out of a lot of the comments, I felt “MARl0” made the most sense. The rest of you are pitiful and just plain dumb, especially when it comes to DVD released anime.
Funimation is an odd choice for SW, I would have expected ADV to nab this if they still licensed anime. It is perfect for them.
I for one am glad it is being domesticated, and would be interested in hearing who will be casted. And I would hope that the VAs fake accent some of the characters. This greatly depends on the who is being casted, and which funi team is doing the dubbing.
Though I doubt it will happen, I would like to hear Sandy Fox or Carrie Savage take lead role. I don’t know if Sandy likes these types of anime though, she’s listed “uncredited” in Rumble Roses as Aigle/Great Khan. for some reason… >_>
Funi did end up distributing many of the Anime that ADV and Geneon had dumped (due to financial trouble). So Elfen Lied is under Funi’s name now, and it even aired on their AnimeNetwork. So as you can see they have no issue with censoring. And why the issue with Funi censoring, when it was Japan networks that did the censoring with SW?
Hell even Magical Lyrical Nanoha is here. And Funi thus far – has dubbed and released the Negima!? OVAs.
I don’t get anime fans these days, acting too damn spoiled these days. /RANT
all of the censorship brouhaha aside, I am wondering what the situation is with Chuck Yeager…he’s still alive, and i am almost positive that he holds all relevant trademarks and copyrights on his image and likeness…think he’s getting royalties from this?