Gonzo to Reduce Annual Anime Output
Gonzo's parent company GDH is looking to restructure its company next year & cut costs. One way they're doing this by cutting the number of anime series Gonzo releases per year in half. Usually Gonzo releases about 8 anime series a year, but in 2009 they'll only be doing 4. & considering Gonzo has already announced 4 titles for next year, it looks like we're set for the time being.
The four titles in question are Tower of Druaga: the Sword of Uruk, Slap Up Party -Arad Senki-, Shangri-La, & Alive- Saishu Shinka teki Shonen. This list doesn't include the upcoming Afro Samurai Resurrection movie however, which will still be hitting the US early next year. Compare this to the 7 titles Gonzo released during this year- Rosario + Vampire, Rosario + Vampire Capu2, Special A, Blassreiter, Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk, Strike Witches, & Linebarrels of Iron.
I don't think Strike Witches was ever meant to be more than one season, but considering it's Gonzo's best selling series in years, we should expect a second season to come eventually. But in terms of Tower of Druaga, its second season is at least still scheduled to happen. In fact a new teaser trailer for "the Sword of Uruk" was recently released online. It actually only consists of footage from the first series, but at least they're keeping us all on our toes. You can check it out above. No word yet on if Gonzo plans to stream it online with subs like they did before.
Source: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-10/gonzo-to-reduce-annual-anime-output-from-8-to-4