Funi TV Discussion (Saturday Night/Sunday Morning 1:00 a.m., USA Toonami)

[Yonkou255]

Man… this thread sure got derailed...LOL

[Kaiolino]

Then stop keeping it bumped. One Piece is not on TV.

[Yonkou255]

Man, I know its annoying but your tone makes me want to bump it forever.

[firecrouch]

Kaiolino is right, I mean yeah it would be great if it was on T.V. but c'mon it's doing fine right now. Bumping the thread is completely pointless. I mean this thread is good to stick around as long as there's constructive discussion that brings something new to the table.

[Yonkou255]

Funimation COULD try Syndication. Syndication was the way Dragon Ball Z came to the US after all.

[firecrouch]

@Yonkou255:

Funimation COULD try Syndication. Syndication was the way Dragon Ball Z came to the US after all.

That was then this is now, if they have a chance in syndication I'm sure they've at least looked at it. I mean we're just getting "Clone Wars" in syndication soon; it's been ages since a cartoon went into syndication.

[Yonkou255]

I guess they will try again if Star Wars is successful.

I still think it could do great on the Vortexx.

[ChibiGoku]

I'm going to repost this in the Neon Alley thread as well, but…

Apparently, all the footage of One Piece that Neon Alley's Launch Announcement trailer, is after the episodes Toonami had canceled the series, which includes the fight with Eneru and Davy Back Fight...

Make that as you will.

[Igor-1991]

wat are the chances one peice replacing casshern sins??

[LUFFY1fan]

@MonkeyDDragon:

wat are the chances one peice replacing casshern sins??

Not likely? I don't think any of us have a official percent.

[Gentleman Skeleton]

@MonkeyDDragon:

wat are the chances one peice replacing casshern sins??

Supposedly not that great. Toonami doesn't have Toei money yet.

[chanceupd]

I hate the yellow background with a passion and let it know that I do by sneering at it for long periods of time I also work here allthough Im supposed to be undercover as an infiltraition unit for a rival site, so I just think of this place as my office I mean technically it is

[Yonkou255]

What the…

Anyway. I suggested Vortexx to both Lance Heiskell and Justin Rojas.

[firecrouch]

Well it doesn't hurt, but they're already aware of it.

[Monogatari]

It sure doesnt hurt Firecrouch!

[JulieYBM]

Suggesting isn't going to do a whole lot of good until Toei decides to lower their prices to somewhere around "cheaper than piss."

[firecrouch]

@Yuugi's:

Suggesting isn't going to do a whole lot of good until Toei decides to lower their prices to somewhere around "cheaper than piss."

I think it has less to do with pricing and more with networks' interest in the property.

Also I have to reiterate that as fans we really don't know how and if pricing goes into this sort of thing. There are other factors besides pricing that as fans we don't know because they can't be disclosed.

[JulieYBM]

@firecrouch:

I think it has less to do with pricing and more with networks' interest in the property.

Also I have to reiterate that as fans we really don't know how and if pricing goes into this sort of thing. There are other factors besides pricing that as fans we don't know because they can't be disclosed.

If we're to believe Toonami, the issue is more or less money. Nobody wants to pay a lot of money for a broken down title that has a history of failure. Toei Animation isn't in any rush to get One Piece back on North American airwaves (or on any non-Asian continent) because they can afford it. Specific individuals in the company might feel differently on the subject, but the obvious lack of showing is testiment that those individuals may as well be trying to set up a Google office in the middle of a war-torn third world nation. The title is doing just dandy back home that Toei's Powers That Be don't have to risk blowing their load right now while foreign markets are in the dumps. Rather, they can continue to create a buffer between their next actual forray into the western markets and the present.

Ultimately, until somebody back home decides it's time for 'the big push' (putting even a quarter of the effort they put into the franchise back in the motherland), nothing is going to happen. That goes for the R1 industry as a whole.

[wjbraden]

@Yuugi's:

Nobody wants to pay a lot of money for a broken down title that has a history of failure. Toei Animation isn't in any rush to get One Piece back on North American airwaves (or on any non-Asian continent) because they can afford it.

That's not true at all. One Piece has been given a lot of attention in a few select countries around the world, namely France at the moment. Toei's arranged several One Piece conventions, merchandising deals, and TV deals just in the last 4-5 years. In fact, One Piece over there is one of the highest rated TV programs on the air currently and they have dubbed over 500 episodes into French as a result. One Piece is also very popular in China too. It's not like they're just completely ignoring all international markets just because their property's doing well domestically. International profits are very import to Toei after-all, since they mention it a lot in the press-releases frequently.

So no, I don't think that Toei just doesn't care about international licensing of the property, it's because networks here in the US aren't interested in picking up the franchise. Let's face it, the anime industry here is dwindling quite a bit compare to the beginning of the decade, and it's all-star success it had with mainstream audiences is fading. And the reccession isn't helping out our case out as well. But that's not to say that it can't rebound again if something with DBZ-like success hits US shores again. Then maybe we'll see networks looking into titles like One Piece again.

[Monogatari]

@firecrouch:

_**I think it has less to do with pricing and more with networks' interest in the property.

Also I have to reiterate that as fans we really don't know how and if pricing goes into this sort of thing. There are other factors besides pricing that as fans we don't know because they can't be disclosed**_.

But Toonami has Told us they DO love and want One Piece. The only reason it has not joined already is because.

1-Toonami is still an experiment at this stage, they cant buy too many big titles right now.
2-They cant afford it yet.
3-One Piece is such a risky title because of its history of failures.

[JulieYBM]

I was indeed unaware of the extent Toei reached into France. Then again, the French market has always been receptive of foreign media, so it's not much of a victory.

@wjbraden:

International profits are very import to Toei after-all, since they mention it a lot in the press-releases frequently.

So no, I don't think that Toei just doesn't care about international licensing of the property, it's because networks here in the US aren't interested in picking up the franchise. Let's face it, the anime industry here is dwindling quite a bit compare to the beginning of the decade, and it's all-star success it had with mainstream audiences is fading. And the reccession isn't helping out our case out as well. But that's not to say that it can't rebound again if something with DBZ-like success hits US shores again. Then maybe we'll see networks looking into titles like One Piece again.

I'm going to hold firm on what I've said previously. Toei says a whole heck of a lot of things. I read the IR reports, too. I would say it's rather telling of their actual interest that the one title Toei has gotten on American airwaves in the past four or five years is the previously internationally established franchise that they were barely making on back in the domestic market. The issues are clearly a lack interest for either party to reach a middle ground. Toei knows what broadcasters want and broadcasters know what Toei wants. Toei, on the other hand, hasn't a foot to stand on in the US while the broadcasters really, really do not need Japanese cartoons (I think this is something a lot of fans out there are a bit unaware of consciously).

Now, let's (well, I guess 'me') assume the issue–somehow–isn't money. Maybe Toei wants to avoid making edits (well, the Skypiea Toonami run in 2007 says otherwise)? If so (and, honest to God, I highly doubt that's the issue), they need to do it. Edit the series and throw it at the Vortexx* dirt cheap. Again, you haven't a leg to stand on, Toei.

*Yes, it is indeed hilarious I'm proposing this, considering I probably bitched about this sort of thing in the past.

[wjbraden]

@Yuugi's:

I was indeed unaware of the extent Toei reached into France. Then again, the French market has always been receptive of foreign media, so it's not much of a victory.

It's true that France always has been a hot-spot for anime and such, but I would say that One Piece's success over there is a huge victory, considering all the buzz and attention its gotten (just go here: http://www.toei-animation.com/en/news and scroll down and look at all the stuff Toei has arranged for France regarding OP stuff).

@Yuugi's:

I'm going to hold firm on what I've said previously. Toei says a whole heck of a lot of things. I read the IR reports, too. I would say it's rather telling of their actual interest that the one title Toei has gotten on American airwaves in the past four or five years is the previously internationally established franchise that they were barely making on back in the domestic market. The issues are clearly a lack interest for either party to reach a middle ground. Toei knows what broadcasters want and broadcasters know what Toei wants. Toei, on the other hand, hasn't a foot to stand on in the US while the broadcasters really, really do not need Japanese cartoons (I think this is something a lot of fans out there are a bit unaware of consciously).

I do agree with you about US broadcasters having a lack of interest in Toei's titles, but it doesn't make sense that Toei wouldn't at least try to get more of there stuff here on US shores. Those charts on those reports you posted show that DBZ makes them a lot of money internationally, you don't think that Toei doesn't want a piece of that pie with One Piece and their other franchaises? I'm pretty sure they would.

@Yuugi's:

Toei, on the other hand, hasn't a foot to stand on in the US while the broadcasters really, really do not need Japanese cartoons (I think this is something a lot of fans out there are a bit unaware of consciously).

I'm confused by what you mean here.

@Yuugi's:

Now, let's (well, I guess 'me') assume the issue–somehow–isn't money. Maybe Toei wants to avoid making edits (well, the Skypiea Toonami run in 2007 says otherwise)? If so (and, honest to God, I highly doubt that's the issue), they need to do it. Edit the series and throw it at the Vortexx* dirt cheap. Again, you haven't a leg to stand on, Toei.

At this point I wouldn't actually mind OP on Vortexx. Shredded or not it would still be better than the 4kids dub. Something is better than nothing.

[JulieYBM]

@wjbraden:

I do agree with you about US broadcasters having a lack of interest in Toei's titles, but it doesn't make sense that Toei wouldn't at least try to get more of there stuff here on US shores. Those charts on those reports you posted show that DBZ makes them a lot of money internationally, you don't think that Toei doesn't want a piece of that pie with One Piece and their other franchaises? I'm pretty sure they would.

Toei expects US broadcast powerhouses (much bigger than them), to play their game. "Oh, you won't pay us this great amount of money for our super-duper-popular-in-Japan-cartoon? Fine, fuck you. We're making more than enough monies here!" Toei also has the burden of proof of having to put real money and resources into rebuilding One Piece in the west. Why is Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods getting the golden treatment with a partnership with a major western studio (Fox) while the past two One Piece films (Strong World and Film Z), which blew the brains out of the Japanese box offices, is getting next to no effort placed into a western release? Foreign interest and less effort is the answer. People want Dragon Ball, Toei has less of an uphill battle to fight (meaning their usual dick-around-for-a-while attitude can get them by).

I'm probably repeating myself disjointedly at this point, so I'll stop here. My point, very concisely widdled down, is that those who seek the top will climb through the dirt and on the backs of others if it means reaching the top.* Toei's not done this (no Japanese company has in years, if at all).

Ah, to rejoin the pantheon of broken records on a subject long since discussed into painful oblivion.

*If what Eyeshield 21 has taught me if correct!

I'm confused by what you mean here.

Toei acts to be in a position where they're the ones calling the shots. The broadcasters are. This might have been different ten years ago with Dragon Ball, but it most certainly is not now.

[Monogatari]

@Yuugi's:

I was indeed unaware of the extent Toei reached into France. Then again, the French market has always been receptive of foreign media, so it's not much of a victory.

I'm going to hold firm on what I've said previously. Toei says a whole heck of a lot of things. I read the IR reports, too. I would say it's rather telling of their actual interest that the one title Toei has gotten on American airwaves in the past four or five years is the previously internationally established franchise that they were barely making on back in the domestic market. The issues are clearly a lack interest for either party to reach a middle ground. Toei knows what broadcasters want and broadcasters know what Toei wants. Toei, on the other hand, hasn't a foot to stand on in the US while the broadcasters really, really do not need Japanese cartoons (I think this is something a lot of fans out there are a bit unaware of consciously).

Now, let's (well, I guess 'me') assume the issue–somehow–isn't money. Maybe Toei wants to avoid making edits (well, the Skypiea Toonami run in 2007 says otherwise)? If so (and, honest to God, I highly doubt that's the issue), they need to do it. Edit the series and throw it at the Vortexx dirt cheap. Again, you haven't a leg to stand on, Toei.*

*Yes, it is indeed hilarious I'm proposing this, considering I probably bitched about this sort of thing in the past.

How funny you say that when Haim Saban has enough money that he could buy One Piece's TV License at whatever price Toei Desires. I actually think Vortexx has a lot of untapped potential, I would love seeing Funi Piece On Vortexx.

[wjbraden]

You're right about Toei having little priority getting Strong World and Film Z over here quickly, but that might be changing since Strong World is definitely getting a release here next year and Film Z might be released in 2014 (remember that "leaked" press release we got that said that Film Z and Season 6 was secure by Funimation, but was quickly pulled).

Also, didn't Toei just recently hire someone new to handle most of its international affairs? So maybe this new change in management will make things better.

And thanks for the little discussion there YBM, it was very fun and insightful!

[firecrouch]

@Yuugi's:

Why is Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods getting the golden treatment with a partnership with a major western studio (Fox) while the past two One Piece films (Strong World and Film Z), which blew the brains out of the Japanese box offices, is getting next to no effort placed into a western release?

That's pretty true considering that we don't even know when they're coming out here and how they're getting released here. In fact we don't know anything beyond that "Strong World" is coming out next year, nothing else has been announced, so I can see what you mean when you say they're putting no effort into it.

Ok I'm usually not sarcastic but seriously how can you say they're putting no effort into it when all that's been officially said is that "Strong World" is coming out here next year, and then there's the leak about the next one?

[AfroLuffy]

@Monogatari:

I actually think Vortexx has a lot of untapped potential, I would love seeing Funi Piece On Vortexx.

And end up like Kai? NO THANKS.

[Monogatari]

Kai is not so bad. Its not 4Kids One Piece levels of Bad. And look at the ratings!

The top programs among total viewers during the Vortexx block were:

1. WWE Saturday Morning Slam@10am(1,126,000 viewers / 0.7 HH rating)
2. Justice League Unlimited @9:30am(1,003,000 viewers / 0.6 HH rating)
3. Dragon Ball Z Kai @10:30am(841,000 viewers / 0.5 HH rating)
4. Iron Man: Armored Adventures @9am(802,000 viewers / 0.6 HH rating)
5. Power Rangers Lost Galaxy @8am(662,000 viewers / 0.4 HH rating)
6. Yu-Gi-Oh! @11am(661,000 viewers / 0.4 HH rating)
7. Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal @8:30am(631,000 viewers / 0.4 HH rating)
8. Rescue Heroes @7:30am(519,000 viewers / 0.4 HH rating)
9. Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal @11:30am(494,000 viewers / 0.3 HH rating)
10. Cubix @7am(457,000 viewers / 0.3 HH rating)

Granted, Toonami would be best for One Piece. It would get the same rating but with adults.

Still, I would love to see a dual deal where One Piece airs on Toonami AND Vortexx.

[AfroLuffy]

Well I didn't say it was bad per se, I meant as far as editing it.

As for the ratings…

WWE Saturday Morning Slam@10am(1,126,000 viewers / 0.7 HH rating)

Seriously?

[Monogatari]

Seriously Good or Seriously Bad?

Yes, Vortexx's highest rated programs usually reach 1 million viewers.

[AfroLuffy]

Kind of in-between.

[Monogatari]

I see.

I hope we do see Funimation's One Piece on TV next year.

[Puto]

If anybody's interested, TV Japan (a mostly Japanese-language channel available on some cable providers and DISH Network for some rather insane prices) is going to be airing One Piece, subtitled, from episode 207 onward. First episode (i.e. 207) airs on January 7th at 6:30.

Listing.
Information on how to get the channel.

[Monogatari]

That's awesome!

But I hope Funi and Toei will keep pushing to get One Piece in English on TV!

I seriously believe One Piece would do great on Toonami…and Vortexx.

[Gentleman Skeleton]

@Yuugi's:

Toei expects US broadcast powerhouses (much bigger than them), to play their game. "Oh, you won't pay us this great amount of money for our super-duper-popular-in-Japan-cartoon? Fine, fuck you. We're making more than enough monies here!" Toei also has the burden of proof of having to put real money and resources into rebuilding One Piece in the west. Why is Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods getting the golden treatment with a partnership with a major western studio (Fox) while the past two One Piece films (Strong World and Film Z), which blew the brains out of the Japanese box offices, is getting next to no effort placed into a western release? Foreign interest and less effort is the answer. People want Dragon Ball, Toei has less of an uphill battle to fight (meaning their usual dick-around-for-a-while attitude can get them by).

Actually, Fox owns the international film rights to Dragonball now. Remember their terribad live action movie attempt (which is apparently getting a sequel to milk the Asian market even farther)? Thanks to that 20th Century Fox is now involved in any cinematic endeavor Toei decides to involve the Dragonball franchise in from here on out. In the long run it'll probably turn around and screw FUNimation out of it.

[Puto]

The first episode just aired on TV-Japan. To nobody's surprise, the subtitles are the same ones as on FUNimation's DVDs. However, the footage is the original Japanese footage (Japanese credits, original logo), and it has the original ending theme, Mirai Kōkai.

What happened to that theme being in licensing hell? o_O

[Maron]

Huh, so that theme has English subtitles too? Or are the English subtitles not there for the Opening and Ending?

[Puto]

They're subtitled.

[G1Ravage]

@Puto:

They're subtitled.

Hmmmmm.

If TV Japan wants to air One Piece in America…do they have to go through FUNimation, or Toei? I mean, it's obvious that Cartoon Network could approach FUNi and say, "We want to air your dub, let's work something out." Can an American Japanese-language network like TV Japan approach FUNi and say, "We'd like to air your Japanese-subtitled One Piece...let's work something out"? If so, and THEY can air a subtitled ending we can't get on DVD...maybe there's no problem with it airing on television, but Internet streaming and home video releases aren't allowed?

Or...just by sheer coincidence, FUNi finally worked out something for that song just before sending these tapes to TV Japan?

[Monogatari]

I think its because Funimation doesnt get profit from TV Japan airings like they do with the Uncut DVD's…

[firecrouch]

@Monogatari:

I think its because Funimation doesnt get profit from TV Japan airings like they do with the Uncut DVD's…

What do you base this on?

[Monogatari]

I dunno. Maybe its because its Toei handling this instead of Funi…Or maybe Im just dumb and making this up as I go. I would bet its the second.

[Puto]

It's FUNimation's subtitles, so FUNimation clearly have to be getting something out of this.

[JulieYBM]

@Puto:

It's FUNimation's subtitles, so FUNimation clearly have to be getting something out of this.

Everything FUNimation producers is ultimately owned by Toei, so who knows. Isn't the word fans have been given Toei handles the TV rights in North America?

[Zach Logan]

@Yuugi's:

Everything FUNimation producers is ultimately owned by Toei, so who knows. Isn't the word fans have been given Toei handles the TV rights in North America?

That's always what I heard, though as the Toonami Tumblr has said, you often have to work with both the distributor and the animation company. I'd say the price and terms are set by Toei (which probably makes it an exceptionally difficult buy) and FUNimation probably acts as either an intermediary or not at all.

[Monogatari]

I wonder If One Piece could come to Kix in the UK…

[BatDan]

BIG NEWS! The Toonami panel at Momocon announced that One Piece will be on some time in the future. No specific date, but they do have it. Awww yeah!

[ChibiGoku]

So, uh… How about that One Piece on Toonami?

[superneku]

Even though I can't watch Toonami, I'm very pleased! I always love when the series gets more exposure

[Electrivire]

@BatDan:

BIG NEWS! The Toonami panel at Momocon announced that One Piece will be on some time in the future. No specific date, but they do have it. Awww yeah!

Day made. Week made. Month made.

Yes. Gawd yes.