May 8th
Update
- Andrew Floyd
Anime for Cheap Bastards
#2
Note from Jay: Resident anime enthusiast Andy Floyd's written us
another anime on the cheap article. His first is
here.
Time for another heads up on cheap anime on DVD, and once again Dollar
General stores, at least in my local area, have another crop of cheap anime
DVDs for $3 each! It seems most of these are Bandai Entertainment or Pionner
aka Geneon stuff. A short list of titles (because sometimes I can't remember
a whole lot) includes more or less...
Tenchi
Universe - At $3 a pop, these horribly mastered Geneon DVDs, as part of
their "Signature Series" titles, is likely the most you need to pay. I found
and bought V.2 and 3.
(dot)
Hack - There's some from both series, the original widescreen one (as seen
on Cartoon Network or some place like it), as well as the next (also
widescreen) "Legend of the Twilight" series. How many episodes is that? The
description on the cases say the Legend series is 12 episodes long, and if
so, I have all 3 discs. These look rather good from Bandai.
Witch
Hunter Robin - There are 6 discs in this series, according to one friend
who, after checking out only 3 Dollar General stores, is missing only the
first 2 discs. You'd think the exposure of this one on Cartoon Network would
have helped sales a bit.
The Big O II - Big O for some reason was thought to be a big hit on Cartoon
Network when the dub aired some time ago. I remember watching it just after
a friend showed me a subtitled version of episode 1. Anywho, the muckety
mucks of Cartoon Network were so enthralled by Big O that they actually paid
for a 2nd season to be produced. My favorite character is Dorothy,
naturally. ^_^ So far I bought only disc 3 of Big O II, just to see Dorothy
in action again. Heh. (Cartoon Network also tried to get more Cowboy Bebop
made, but they got told a firm and solid NO.)
Then there was a smattering of other titles, like Betterman, Argentosoma,
various Gundam series, and if you realllly want it - Dragonball of all
shapes and sizes on VHS. Wowee. I'm sure I'm forgetting some titles, but
hey, it's $3 a DVD.
Which makes me wonder - who or what is clearing out warehouse stock on these
DVDs at what amounts to 90% off the original prices? Is it some chain of
stores going bankrupt or is it the anime companies themselves clearing out
space? My friends and I saw stickers dating to July and December 2005 on
some of these. First it was Viz titles, now Pioneer and Bandai? Will we see
some ADV? One could only hope for a Wedding Peach Collector's Edition Volume
1 with extras DVD for $3 or so.
Also, a few weeks ago friends told me of cheap $1 Dub Only Anime VHS at Sav
A Lot grocery stores. I forgot most of the titles they told me about, except
for Record of Lodoss War. I don't think you could have collected the entire
series (I got it free from a friend on subtitled VHS - he was moving and
already had the DVDs), but $1 a tape - hey if you hate it, you can always
tape over it! $1 VHS cassette that's pretty good quality? I bought 5
Cardcraptors tapes just for that purpose! ^.^
Additional Note from Andy: 18 days and counting to Anime North,
May 26-28, 2006. You can try to meet up with me at the Park Plaza Thursday
night, or at the Doubletree during the convention's 6:30 to 10
pre-registration check in and badgepickup. Check the latest info at
www.animenorth.com or on their Maple
Leaf Tea Room message boards about the convention.
Post a comment in the forums Email
Andrew Floyd Archives
