Mina is Pleased
Whether that last bit is or is not in fact a roundabout way of saying "yes, the Handley decision had an impact in our decision" will doubtless be debated to death; as for me, I'll hold back for now-- I'm writing a longer piece of the matter that you guys will get to see in a week or so.
Now, what do you think? Will FUNi end up releasing the unedited versions because, as some argue, it's not really all that sexual? Or is this statement designed to placate the fans in the meantime while FUNi still plans to release an edited version, quietly? Or was the whole thing just anmarketing scheme to promote the unedited version in the first place?
In the interest of full disclosure: I worked for a FUNimation sister company, animeOnline, for six months in 2007. Given that it didn't end particularly positively-- the site was shut down for a variety of internal reasons, none of which involved anything I or the editorial staff had done, but was a shut-down nonetheless --I'm not sure if that would bias me for or against FUNi.
That said, I've spent more time interacting with current FUNimation employees AFTER working there than during, since I telecommuted from out of state, and I feel pretty comfortable offering my opinion: I think that the rabid response was somewhat surprising and they are trying to fill their contract with Media Factory to release the series, keep the fans happy, AND remain within very safe bounds of the law-- and acceptibility to Navarre's shareholders, since the company is public. (Unrelated note, most likely: Navarre's stock went up a smidge today.)
What do you think?
Don't think for a second though that FUNimation as company feel one way or another about any of this loli is good/bad topic of late. They are just as happy to release a product censored to the bone, or with boobs, sex and violence in every other scene; as long as it sells.
Sorry for that rant, for some reason the article just made me feel like people were anthropomorphizing FUNimation's view on all of these Loli banning laws; which just seems silly to me.
I think they would get people more angry if they would release the edited DVDs and not saying anything else about unedited after making this statement. They have pretty much locked themselves into giving some kind of answer eventually.
I've only seen the first episode in a fan sub site. This kind of news just makes me want to see the unedited fan sub versions just so I can see what the big deal is all about. I just don't get why this is so much more worse then Strike Witches, which they are releasing unedited.
@FoxxFireArt: It can be pretty annoying when they say one thing and do something else. At least their owning up to it.
I know, I have heard that the FUNimationCase Closed kept the Japanese names in the subtitled section of the DVDs, but haven't been able to confirm this myself.
I can confirm that the sub of Case Closed does keep the original Japanese names. I've seen it for my self.
I don't see the point of pirating as long as FUNimation offers a product unedited in some form.
@Fabe:
I'm not doubting you. I just normally like to see things for myself before I state them as fact. I am also curious about what happens onscreen when they show the suspects names. Do they show the Japanese names, or the English altered names on the screen?
I know someone who can get me the movies on Netflix and I'm going to try out the 3rd and 6th Case Closed movies to check them out.
I understand wanting to see thing for your self,perfectly reasonable. I don't know about the Suspects names though,I only reason I know they uses the original names in the subs is because that's what I remember seeing when i saw it at a friends place .
What I don't understand is why FUNimation licensed this title, if they don't have so much as a CLUE what future episodes will look like? Who could they have possibly been in a bidding war with?
Or perhaps, FUNi contractually had to take on Vampire Bund and localize it in order to acquire ANOTHER Media Factory series? Hmm...
Well, and I think the "attempt" to censor themselves, despite the outcome, is probably enough to protect themselves. We've gotten the impression that bund isn't "that" bad, and since it was the public at large that was like "we don't care," it takes some of the onus off of them, if shit did hit the fan.