A question about Naruto and licensing

[KameronFrye]

Inu Yasha got licensed after it hit the point where Naruto is now, it seems like. If not this point, then very close to. Is it possible that someone sublicensed it, as Viz does with that company that brought them crap like Megaman NT and such, and is holding out for the big cash? Because if so, they'll dilute the license over things like the games... waiting too long to release it here will mean that the GCN/PS2 games would have to be remade for newer systems, given that the second GCN game isn't recommended to be played until you're into Naruto after 60+ episodes, which would take over a year to get to even if fast tracked. The show has too much underground popularity (i.e. IGN focusing reviews/previews of games, the Naruto GBA hardware preview, the fact that anime cons are overrunning with Narutards) too have gone completely unnoticed, and anime companies are mum when asked about it. I figured Bandai America would have taken it, given that they developed in in Japan and are establishing a somewhat independency from Pioneer/Geneon and this would be the current DBZ to run with. Shit, if I could afford to open an anime distro company, I'd do it and open with Naruto, simply because I know it would succeed. The prices on Ebay for Naruto stuff says that alone. Thoughts?

[Eurasian]

i don't know why u r so mad. if it was licensed, i would cry. even tho i know some remaining groups would still probably sub it, but it'll be harder to find. but i can see where u r going. i'm pretty sure those companies have notice naruto (cuz they would be idiots and not multimillion companies). maybe they think that america is not ready for naruto (i really don't know, just guessing). when it's the right time, they will license it. those companies even license some not-so-popular anime (i heard karekano wasn't popular so that's why the anime is imcomplete, like it doesn't have an ending, even tho i don't know why cuz i LOVE karekano). Or maybe Kishimoto doesn't want the anime to be in america. but if he allowed his manga to be in america, i can't see why he doesn't want to anime to be license.

i wish i could read minds so i know what is going on in the mind of kishimoto or those executives.

[Einzelgänger]

I'm damn glad it hasen't been licensed, the companys that edit and bring animes over to the US are stupid, and they edit out way too much stuff. DragonBallZ was good in Japan, in the US it's the stupidest thing I have ever seen, they took out the blood, they took out a good portion of the violance, and alot of the back story too. Just leave it to be subbed I say. As long as you can get them subbed there is no need for them to be licensed.

[Deblas]

Originally posted by: Einzelg?nger
I'm damn glad it hasen't been licensed, the companys that edit and bring animes over to the US are stupid, and they edit out way too much stuff. DragonBallZ was good in <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=Japan&v=56">Japan</a>, in the US it's the stupidest thing I have ever seen, they took out the blood, they took out a good portion of the violance, and alot of the back story too. Just leave it to be subbed I say. As long as you can get them subbed there is no need for them to be licensed.

Exactly, Naruto has a hell of alot violent scenes not to mention sexual content so if they bring there just gonna edit it and it wont be the same

[KameronFrye]

It's not that I'm mad over it, mainly that I'm confused.
Honestly, looking from a business standpoint, whatever it costs to release the series here will be repaid en masse. I honestly would like to walk into a toy store and NOT have to spend $30 + overseas shipping per figure. I'd like to be able to play the game and unlock all the features, knowing what all of them are/what they do without having to have an expert in Japanese on hand. I won't say that I don't like the Japanese games, because I love them. And I own some of the figures/UFO catchers/etc, but the more cool stuff for it that comes out, the more money I end up spending. And there's others like me, going on the fact that there are 1405 auctions found under searching "Naruto", compared with 1388 for "Inuyasha", 1091 for "Inu Yasha", and 1423 for "Dragon Ball Z". It is not even licensed for release in America, but it ranks in there with two series that are running/have run in America. But no company wants it? That doesn't strike you as weird?

Or maybe, MAYBE it's that Kishimoto has such high standards of it that he won't let it be ruined here, as the anime form. The seller of the rights sets the terms for what is done and what they'll allow to be cut. Would you object to having to buy the DVDs, if they were ran in Japanese as they are on BT, completely uncut? Would you have any excuse other than "I don't buy it because I can get it for free" if it were as good or better quality video? Everything I have on my HD, I've bought. I support anime. You can't just watch anime and not buy the DVDs, claiming to support it. Sure, a lot of the money goes into the pockets of the company that brought over whatever series from Japan, and that's business. But you can't claim you're a supporter if the only thing you do is complain about how anime is rubbish over here, but not buying their DVDs or applying to any companies and try giving them your side, if not starting your own. Hell, even going to Cons and talking to people that work for anime companies is a start, let them know what they're doing right or wrong for you. I work in a store where I suggest anime to kids that are getting into it, or don't watch Adult Swim for their anime. I purchase the anime releases that make it over here. I contribute to the market on all ends possible, and I feel I've earned the right to question this.

As for "companies that bring over anime are stupid, they shouldn't", you would probably not be into anime if it weren't for those same companies. If it weren't for Pioneer, you'd never have seen Akira. You might still have not, but whomever turned you on to Naruto may not have seen Akira if it weren't for Pioneer. If there weren't companies distributing anime in America, you wouldn't be here typing on these boards. Before Naruto and Full Metal, there was DBZ; and long before that there was Akira,Ninja Scroll, Ghost In The Shell, Robotech, and a bunch of other reinvented series that were brand new a decade ago and longer. You fail to realize that without the years of effort in getting these and many other features brought over here, there may not have been interest in animation, unless you were about 10 years old or watching Beavis and Butthead. Before Bittorrent and the Internet, there was the day when you HAD no choice but to watch anime brought over by companies. They instigated the interest and nurtured the hell out of it, and it is only fair that they get to cash in for the effort they have put in for over 20 years now.

[Himura_san]

Just be glad it's not licensed yet and quit worrying and learn to love fansubs.

[kaigan]

It doesn't bother me if naruto got licensed.

[Eurasian]

kaigan, wth r u talking about??? License = bad for dlers

i can only hope fansubs are still subbing.

[AlbinoFury]

from a business perspective naruto is risky to liscence cause its a huge property with at present 91 eps with more to come, and would have a hard time finding a specific demographic to sell it too, its not real serious but has its violent times. So its a risky property to throw tons of cash at which they would probably have to do.

Im just glad its unliscenced [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img] but even if it was dlers would have nada to worry about [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[KameronFrye]

Whether a series is licensed or not has little bearing on whether or not it gets fansubbed, although the quality of the fansubs may go down if specific groups stop fansubbing the series upon licensing. The series is really open to about anyone that likes humor and action with character development, which is the main three things people look for in anime. I wouldn't see it being a failure at all over here.

[NM]

What Albino and Kameron said is all true. Its all good for all of us even if Naruto were to be licensed. Plus, even if it does get licensed, that means we all get Naruto games to! The only thing I'm worried about is if Aone and Anbu drop Naruto if it gets licensed. I know there are plenty of other subbers (Shin Otaku, Sg. Anime, Bakafish, etc.) but Aone and Anbu always have the best quality and translations.

[Knives122]

I dont think they will, a business doesnt drop a product just b/c another business picks it up do they(like MP3 players)? No, My guess is that if it is license it wont be dropped by any of them

[ilabb]

Originally posted by: Knives122
I dont think they will, a business doesnt drop a product just b/c another business picks it up do they(like MP3 players)? No, My guess is that if it is license it wont be dropped by any of them

AonE dropped FMA when it got licensed, right? What makes you think their morals would change for Naruto? Anbu/AonE and TW will most definately drop it when it's licensed, I can gaurentee it. Not to mention that's an invalid point, fansubbers aren't paid, so it's not a business, so you can't compare fansubbing and licensors to businesses and other businesses...

Fansubbing = no profit, everything else = profit.

[Knives122]

It was an example, dont get so worked up over it

[Coolman]

If they license Naruto to a network I don't get in Canada, I will cry and pray that other subbers continue subbing.

Actually, if almost anyone licenses it, i'll cry. They cut out the good parts, and tone down everything.

[Lefty]

What we should be worrying about is that the only good company that would do and unedited version would be ADV and then we would all be screwed because they would forcefully shut down any and all Fansubers that kept their product up for download. Look at what happened to boxtorrents. I do agree with the Kishimoto being over protective of the Anime, the manga was ruined by Viz and he was not happy from what I have heared(remember what i heard not know). But also look at what happenbed whne Inuyasha was liscened the seeries is still runnning so the dub company is lossing money since the voice actors are under contract and are paid on a monthly basis. If they wait for naruto to finish they can take it dub it and release it in a cheaper amount of time.

[Coolman]

Originally posted by: LeftyIf they wait for naruto to finish they can take it dub it and release it in a cheaper amount of time.

Heres hoping. But that could be a while.

Its kinda funny how they have Naruto games in the US, yet its a series that technically shouldn't be seen by any of us.

[NM]

Originally posted by: Coolman

Originally posted by: LeftyIf they wait for naruto to finish they can take it dub it and release it in a cheaper amount of time.

Heres hoping. But that could be a while.

Its kinda funny how they have Naruto games in the US, yet its a series that technically shouldn't be seen by any of us.

What are you talking about? I live in the U.S. also and there arent any Naruto games around here. The only thing thats Naruto around here is the manga by Viz (art of the doppelganger.....ugh).

[Lefty]

What are you talking about? I live in the U.S. also and there arent any Naruto games around here. The only thing thats Naruto around here is the manga by Viz (art of the doppelganger.....ugh).

Yeah even before I saw the Anime or read the original scanlations of the manga, I read "art of the Doppleganer" and thought that's not right. Thats the main reason Kishimoto is not letting the anime get liscened, he's mad that his orginal work was messed with and now he want's to hold out on the anime. Of course I think most mangaka hate to see their work change in anyway, especially that kind of unecessary kind of change. It;s going to be years befor Naruto the anime hit's americain shores.

[Deblas]

yea. fist the anime has to end in japan then they have to dubb it in an english version but i dont think they're gonna lincense naruto in the u.s and if it does there gonna edit it so it doesnt look so violent