At this moment in time, Direct Downloading and Torrents have affected many businesses such as Viz Media and FUNimation. It made such comapnies as Odex sueing downloaders for illegal downloading (Though, alot of that is their own fault because they release subcore VCDs…). This is something that will be hard to stop altogether. However, I believe that there is way to not only stop some illegal downloaders but also make some profit.
Music CDs.
FUNimation is currently one of the few compaines who dub foreign songs. They are also very good at it. However, there is no legal way to obtain these songs. Yes, you can buy the DVD's containing them but you'd have to rip the sound files from them and most people don't properly understand how to do so (Hell, i'm still learning).
It would be much easier for the fans if FUNimation released these songs on CD Singles. For example, Yu Yu Hakusho had all 6 songs (1 OP + 5 ED) plus the longer version of the Opening. The songs last an average 1:23 with the longer OP lasting twice that. The CD would last 11 minutes and 16 seconds. Also, if you added the Karoke of the TV Size songs, you would have a Disc that lasts over 20 minutes. Add in a booklet of lyrics and stuff and you easily sell it for $15, maybe even $20.
While this may be harder for some shows (Fruit Baskets comes to mind), shows like One Piece (currently having no less than 25 OP + ED songs alone!) and Beck (A show filled with many full length vocal songs!) could make massive profits for the company.
The main problem with releasing these is to find a company that sells CDs. I believe however, that it shouldn't be that hard for FUNimation to sell these themselves. I mean, if they can anything from DVD's to Keychains, how hard can be selling CD's be?
However, if they find CD's to be to expensive, they could always put HQ sound files onto a Memory Stick instead. I know that some bands have already done this and it would be quite easy to do.
However, since I live Britain and don't have any way of contacting FUNimation, I ask if any of you have any contacts at the company. If you do, I ask you to ask them about this idea and see if they'll contact any of the higher ups.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope that maybe one day, we'll be able to legally own the songs we have enjoyed hearing in English.
(If this is in the wrong place, i'm sorry. Since it's about anime, I thought that this place would be most apporaite)
If FUNimation is looking at this thread, here are some ideas for CD Covers:
One Piece Season 1 - The Beginning of an Adventure…
One Piece Season 2 - The Grand Line
One Piece Season 3 - Skypiea
One Piece Movie 8 - The Desert Princess and the Pirates Adventure in Alabasta
Yu Yu Hakusho - The Original Soundtrack
More will be added as they are created!
