Funimation Announces New Acquisitions
Even though they didn't announce any new titles at Comic-Con, FUNimation made up for that by announcing four (kind of five) new titles at Katsucon this past weekend. Headlining the list is the fantastic anime series Bamboo Blade from D Rights (a rumored second season might even be in the works for Japan). They also announced three (sort of four) new titles from their buddies at Gonzo- Tower of Druaga (both Aegis of Uruk & Sword of Uruk), Blassreiter, & Dragonaut.
The licensing of Tower of Druaga & Blassreiter are interesting ones in that they've been streaming for free legally from Gonzo since last year. How this licensing will affect there streaming (assuming it affects them at all) remains to be seen. Noticably missing from the list is another free streaming Gonzo title- Strike Witches. Of course, maybe FUNimation is afraid of licensing something like Strike Witches. Depending on one's point of view, Strike Witches can be considered almost as bad, as bad, or even worse than Kodomo no Jikan (especially the uncut DVD versions). So that one might never see an R1 release.
The final title on their licensing list, Dragonaut, shares a lot of similarities to another Gonzo title- Witchblade. The character designs are the same, including the gigantic boobs given to many of the female characters. Though reportedly, Dragonaut sucks balls. Perhaps Gonzo wouldn't give Funi Druaga without getting a lesser series like that?
But wait, there's more! FUNimation also said to keep an eye on there new blog this week for more licensing announcements. The new blog just launched late last week, & seems to be the new format for their FUNimation Update brand, which used to be the title of their podcast. Funi put an end to their podcast last month, but it wasn't quite clear if they were being completely serious. & even if they were, it wasn't clear if it was just the Quickie version or the podcast as a whole. Well since there hasn't been a new Update since, I guess they were serious. But good to see it live on in another format at the very least.
Source: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-14/funimation-acquires-bamboo-blade-druaga-dragonaut