Pet Peeve
So I've been browsing RightStuf's birthday sale, and I've got something I need to gripe about. I've noticed this before, but it's getting on my nerves just now, so here I am.
It really bugs me when anime companies release a box set labeled as a 'Complete Collection' or similar when it actually isn't. For example, I was looking at the box set for The Galaxy Railways. Item listing says 'Complete Collection', so I'm inclined to think that this is, in fact, the entire series. But, no. I'm reading a review of the show, and it mentions several related items, such as a second season and an OVA. So, after a quick trip to Wikipedia, I find that this show does in fact have two seasons, for a total of 52 episodes, plus an OVA. That 'Complete Collection' box set? Has only the first 26 episodes. =/
Argh. If you've released a whole season in a box, then label it as that. 'The Complete First Season', or something. But don't claim it's a 'Complete Collection', when it's missing a big chunk of the series.
I think sometimes they do it because some studios will release the second season of a show with a subtitle, so the companies want to think it's a whole other title. (Think Slayers, each season has an add-on. NEXT, TRY, etc.) The thing is, though? I've seen some companies that still get it right. They'll release a 'Complete Collection' and in the blurb it'll say something like 'contains all episodes of Code Geass and Code Geass R2'. It'll list both seasons by name, but they'll still be bundled into a 'Complete Collection'. This is how they should all do it! Release each season at a time, if you want. But make it clear that the box set contains that particular season. Don't claim to be a complete series set.
It just irritates me, because it means I can't trust the packaging. I have to do extra research before I buy something. If only part of a series was released, then it was abandoned, I'd like to know that before I buy. (I'm looking at you, xxxHolic. Another so-called 'Complete Collection' that was actually only the first season.) It means I have to go and see if I can track down the rest of the series somewhere else. (Torrents, HK disks, Youtube, etc.) Because I probably don't want to start a series if I know I'll never be able to see how it ends. And honestly, having to go to that extra trouble is a bit of a turn-off, anyway.
It really bugs me when anime companies release a box set labeled as a 'Complete Collection' or similar when it actually isn't. For example, I was looking at the box set for The Galaxy Railways. Item listing says 'Complete Collection', so I'm inclined to think that this is, in fact, the entire series. But, no. I'm reading a review of the show, and it mentions several related items, such as a second season and an OVA. So, after a quick trip to Wikipedia, I find that this show does in fact have two seasons, for a total of 52 episodes, plus an OVA. That 'Complete Collection' box set? Has only the first 26 episodes. =/
Argh. If you've released a whole season in a box, then label it as that. 'The Complete First Season', or something. But don't claim it's a 'Complete Collection', when it's missing a big chunk of the series.
I think sometimes they do it because some studios will release the second season of a show with a subtitle, so the companies want to think it's a whole other title. (Think Slayers, each season has an add-on. NEXT, TRY, etc.) The thing is, though? I've seen some companies that still get it right. They'll release a 'Complete Collection' and in the blurb it'll say something like 'contains all episodes of Code Geass and Code Geass R2'. It'll list both seasons by name, but they'll still be bundled into a 'Complete Collection'. This is how they should all do it! Release each season at a time, if you want. But make it clear that the box set contains that particular season. Don't claim to be a complete series set.
It just irritates me, because it means I can't trust the packaging. I have to do extra research before I buy something. If only part of a series was released, then it was abandoned, I'd like to know that before I buy. (I'm looking at you, xxxHolic. Another so-called 'Complete Collection' that was actually only the first season.) It means I have to go and see if I can track down the rest of the series somewhere else. (Torrents, HK disks, Youtube, etc.) Because I probably don't want to start a series if I know I'll never be able to see how it ends. And honestly, having to go to that extra trouble is a bit of a turn-off, anyway.