1. I choose A.D.Vision [ADV Films] because it has changed so much over the years, but has changed for the better for the
fans without giving up what makes it cool.
When they first started out, you would get VHS tapes with one or two episodes per tape, and it would cost regular VHS
tape price, while other places were selling with three and maybe even four episodes a tape. Not very practical, but then
they started releasing them with more on a tape. They even created a small mini company called ADV Fansubs to release
things more set for the fans [this is where they finally released the fan-favorite Nadia of the Mysterious Seas]. When
they went to DVD, they were one of the firsts to release an entire [26 episode] season on 6 DVDs [roughly eps. 1-5,
6-10, 11-14, 15-18, 19-22 23-26], whereas other companies were still doing the 8 DVD volume season [roughly eps. 1-4,
5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-22, 23-26]. Also, they were the first company to release fan classic favorites in a
more compact, affordable version called Anime Essential Collection [which came out long before some of the other compact
versions; Geneon Signature came out around the same time, but that wasn't a compact version, but a re-release of
the same 8 volume setup at a lower price].
As for content, the have always translated as much as they possibly could. I love having the opening/ending songs with a
translation, but also the Romaji, so I can learn and sing along [so cool!]. They also translate the cast list BY EPISODE
for both languages. I have seen other companies who will do translation for the major characters only and lump this cast
list for the same episodes over and over, even if some on the list aren't even in the episode shown. I love
listening to the voices and trying to find out if I can guess who they belong to, so if like, Crazy Villager A sounds
familiar, but he's not in the credits, I can't check who it is.
Translation notes and behind the series information is also a great thing. I love Saiyuki, and the cultural notes about
the legend are immensely helpful. I also just recently purchased Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok v.03, and I can say
for a fact, those Norse Mythology Notes DID HELP A LOT when I was trying to understand things, people, and places being
mentioned in the series so casually.
ADV has gone through a lot of change for the better over the years, so who cares about the stupid commercials on the
disc or the fact that they release less-in-price-thinpack boxsets for the consumer otaku when you've already got
most of the series on regular DVDs. That's when you go to online stores who are TRYING to sell of their single DVDs
to get rid of them at cheap prices [that's what I did]. If you don't want to wait for a thinpack box, buy the
DVDs as they come out, so you can WATCH THEM.
2. There aren't many companies that I avoid, but some I dislike some of the things they do. Pioneer/Geneon because
they're still using the 8 DVD setup [see above comment] and they don't translate all cast lists or into Romaji
lyrics for songs. Their Geneon Signature series is still 8 DVDs long, but a reduced price which I guess is OK. Lately
Geneon titles have been very expensive, even in stores that used to carry Pioneer stuff cheaper. It makes me go online
to find a better deal than shopping ina real store.
FUNimation also doesn't translate in Romaji lyrics, but they are better at cast translations. Kodocha was a real
annoyance when I got it. I've waited almost 7 years to see that released inthe states, and I watched it and was
confused. What happened to the first opening song? Won't this confuse people watching it, because this second
opening shows scenes from way later on in the series? And then, there was the silence on the disc, which I THOUGHT was a
glitch, but was interntional. [I returned my first box set to the place I bought it, because I thought it was broken. My
second copy did the same, so I went online to tell someone. That's when a little page told us it was intentional.
How much would it have cost to put a little piece of paper in the DVD TELLING US that the problems on the DVD were in
fact, NOT GLITCHES, but necessary to be able to release the series due to copyright problems]. Also, I do dislike the
way they've been releasing Case Closed [Detective Conan] at 3 episodes a DVD, and they're finally releasing
the first episodes for season 1 for those who hadn't caught it on [adult swim]. But, with the immenseness of that
series, season boxsets might have been easier than single volumes.
I do dislike what TokyoPop did to Rave Master [Groove Adventure Rave], when they decided to release it only on the
edited english version. More people would probably have encouraged and supported them with it IF they had released like
2 season boxsets of unedited subtitled series. It's too bad, because I've seen the original and it rocked, but
what they made of it made me sick to my stomach. I don't think they even finished the series.
Whoever picked up One Piece is making the same mistake, and it will probably end the same.
3. I enjoy full translations, cultural notes, behind the scenes information, music videos, translated and Romaji lyrics,
clean opening and ending songs, art galleries, talking with the voice actor [commentaries], extra items with DVDs like
cards or boards, character information, and even silly games. Not all of these are in one DVD, but they make up a lot of
the ones I do own.
4. [see dislikes above] ...but I do like to know the translations for almost everthing, like cast and titles.
***ok, I know this is long, but I believe I've addressed my opinions and my reasoning behind my choices very
carefully. Hopefully, someone will find this rant useful.
;p
merged: 02-22-2006 ~ 01:48am
pps.. The word in the Kodocha section is intentional, not international....sorries