@Brad:

They also release far superior figures.

I wonder though…if Madman does acquire the rights and releases the series uncut, will they do it in 5/4-episode per DVD or boxsets like Naruto's uncut release?

Hmm… I'd be inclined to say box-sets. A lot of the people who would want to buy it would be existing fans or those who might be interested in the original version, and boxsets would be more economical (I think...?). Releasing it as a standard DVD might be passed over by most consumers since the 4Kids version is also released as single discs. A box set would differentiate itself.

But really I have no idea.

I'd prefer box-sets anyway. They did the same thing with Ranma, Astro Boy, He-man, and some other older, long series like Voltron and Robotech. And they've just release 10th Aniversary 'classic' series like Cowboy Bebop and Trigun for AUS$70 (Single plastic box with all the discs on flippable trays)

[edit] Off-topic but… this Sakura figure is really nice~

Those shelves must be tiny~ But ooh, I love that colour spread above it. One of my favs, except the artbooks don't do them full justice due to the spine roll.

Madman had a presentation at Animania Town Hall. The fact that they announced they were releasing the Trinity Blood manga was one of the (few) highlights of that convention for me :'P

it says "Going to talk to Toei" not "Toei won't let us" so I don't think Toei is holding them back… 4kids might STILL be a problem

I wouldn't count on Japanese companies being an easy breeze. Companies do strange things for strange reasons and I'm sure Toei is no exception.

Well, yeah, that was the original story; it seemed like Madman was dependant on the release of a 4Kids uncut version. But maybe that changed. Perhaps 4Kids never intended to get an uncut licence so the rights are still with Toei?

I profess no insider knowledge on the fine points of this matter anyway :'D

Haha, I wasn't the one who asked, actually :'D… I got this from a transcript someone made of the panel (I was stuck in Artists Realm for most of Manifest).

But yeah, it seems Madman is starting to branch out a little, and they had been one of the first companies to really come out and say they would release OP uncut (Back when 4Kids first started doing it).

I imagine quite a few people would be interested in distributing it if Madman really did get the uncut version. Even if One Piece has a small fanbase compared to other anime.

One Piece haul from Animania and Manifest.

Tamarket had the Tashigi Portrait of Pirate at Animania, but I decided against getting her… they'll probably have her at Supanova anyway.

I'd been looking for these phone hangers for a while though~ They had most of the characters, but at $15 each I had to limit myself... =u=

Never seen those pins before either. Way too cute to pass up. The poster is A3 and semi-metallic in terms of sparkly sheen. The plushy series had deliberate foreshortening, which is why his leg looks so big.

There was talk a while back, but that might have been dependant on the release of the 4Kids uncut version (Since Madman basically localises existing American licenses). So, this could be an attempt on Madman's part to do their own uncut release.

This is the most recent info regarding Madman's interest in releasing a version of One Piece aside from the 4Kids dub anyway.

Small, but hopeful, information for a release of One Piece uncut (In Australia anyway). Madman releases all of the anima in Australia, and they always talk about upcoming releases at conventions. This tidbit came from a Q+A session at Manifest 2006. (These are not word for word, but close enough)

Q: One Piece Uncut?
A: Would love to, but Japan is sitting on the rights, going to talk to Toei.

Sounds hopeful, but it seems like Toei can be a pain, going on some other Q+A

Q: Sailor Moon, will we ever see a uncut version?
A: We would like to do box sets, but Toei has put it in licensing hell.

This could be due to something else though… But, from the sounds of it, 4Kids doesn't hold the license for the original version. Lets hope Madman gets a deal with Toei, so we can finally get the real One Piece legally :3

Don't know if this had been posted. From a recent Madman (They distribute all the anime titles in Australia and have talked about releasing One Piece uncut) panel at Manifest 2006 in their Q+A section.

Q: One Piece Uncut?
A: Would love to, but Japan is sitting on the rights, going to talk to Toei.

P.O.P's are 3800 yen, or roughly US$33 each :3. Some are rare though, so I'd expect a mark-up on top of the usual shipping costs. Check to make sure they're legit just in case as well~ (There's should be an official Shueisha (or Toei?) gold sticker in the corner)