CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Have you ever thought to yourself why do companies and retailers charge an arm and a leg for anime DVDs? Ealier today I picked up my first issue of "Anime Insider." Anways, as I was fliping through I came across a certain article which explained the reasons (the economics behind it) why we pay the price we do. It really changed my whole perspective about the topic of price. Also, I really didn't know which forum this was more suited for, so if any of y'all (mods or admins) find it needs to be else where, please move it.

Anways, here's the article:

Magazine: Anime Insider, May 2005 issue.

Disc-y Business
Complaining about anime DVD Prices? Here’s where all the money goes!

Any fan who’s ponied up over $100 for a box set of an anime show and glanced over to see box sets of American TV show for $30 to $50 has screamed the question (internally, at least)- why do anime DVDs cost so much?

“It’s simple economics,â€

That explains a lot...

I still think Last Exile at $29 Australian a volume is a little on the expensive side.

It's nice to understand where all the money goes now, even though it's still a big blow to my wallet.

Moved to the anime board.

Here's the Forbes article cited by this thread

You also need to remember costs from Japan. Over there, paying ￥5500 to 6000 for a DVD with two episodes is common for the new stuff. Even older stuff runs about ￥3900 per 60 minute disc. The price we pay over here for a DVD will buy only a soundtrack in Japan (check out http://www.cdjapan.co.jp for pricing).

Of course, there is more of a market than some would let on: when they started, ADV found out that anime licenses quickly paid for themselves and turned profit in short order.

Technically, prices are going down. Who remembers the $39.99 30 minute VHS from AnimEigo, or the $29.99 2 episode VHS from ADV. Even at the worst, we pay about $29.99 for 3-5 episodes with most companies

It looks like the main reason prices are going up is that the demand for series is going up, so the Japanese can charge more.

Atleast next time I cry as I fork out cash at Best Buy I can tell the clerk why I cry:

"Well, you see, the companies pay so much for the license. After that there's dubbing, advertising. . "

Nice to know why. >> But I really don't have that problem since the Best Buy near me sells Saiyuki for $19.99 a pop. x3;

Mangafanatic wrote:Atleast next time I cry as I fork out cash at Best Buy I can tell the clerk why I cry:

"Well, you see, the companies pay so much for the license. After that there's dubbing, advertising. . "

Technically, we sub fans are subsidizing the cost of a dub

Hmm, that's a good one for the next sb/dub war: If it weren't for the dubs, anime would cost less!

Good thing I work at Best Buy... anime is much cheaper that way; Whole sale cost + additional 10%. Sometimes I save about $30-$50 on box sets. So I can't really complain too much

[quote="AnimeHeretic"]Technically, we sub fans are subsidizing the cost of a dub ]
Dang, you beat me to that one.

it's nice to understand why, but...it still doesn't make it any cheaper, and I, being poor, am not willing to shell out all that cash unless a series is REALLY FREAKING GOOD. and I haven't come across a series I liked that much in a long time. therefore, I own not a single anime DVD.

I need to study more about economics. I thought the reason why Anime DVDs cost a lot was, because they can!


Wingzero22

I need to study more about economics. I thought the reason why Anime DVDs cost a lot was, because they can!

I agree. I din't think that licensing costed that much, exspecailly some going for $50,000 per episode. Cha-ching!

I used to think that the companies bought the rights, dubbed them then released them on dvd. I never expected it to cost so much; plus to have all those addition random costs too. I mean so much more goes on besides just "dubbing" each episode. I just never expected so much to go on behind the scenes.

This also helps explain why there is no way an expensive, high-profile series like Naruto is going to get anything more than three episodes per volume.

The solution

[quote="Ani

Volt wrote:And we'd All loose our hearing after 2 episodes.

Nani?

$13 CDs, Volt I'd like to know where you shop. In Australia CDs cost around $30 AUD!
Anime is expensive here but some like Noir, have just been released in boxset for $115! A lot cheaper than buying them seperately.

I guess the US is the only place CDs are cheap...? most CDs are 10-18 dollars, depending on where you get it, how rare it is, etc.

And we'd All loose our hearing after 2 episodes.

uhhh...

it would be nice if Japanese and Americans would start to combine forces a little bit instead of companies buying the rights, dubbing, etc etc. but...I don't see that happening anytime soon.

The idea is good, but pulling it off would definitely take a lot more effort. >.> Hey, you never know, maybe if the Japanese started collaborating with English voice actors, dubs wouldn't have such a bad rap.

Volt wrote:And we'd All loose our hearing after 2 episodes.

Um...I don't get it. ^^;;

Yes, it's the dubbing that drives up the cost...want proof? Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon R. ADV released the box sets for both of those anime series at $150 apiece. Both of them had approximately 45 episodes per box set. Pretty cheap, right? Because it was in Japanese only...no dubbing. If only they could release other series like that...

I really do wish they'd release more than three episodes a DVD. Star Ocean EX has 5 episodes on its first disc.

At any rate, I understand why they're expensive now, but like Shiroi said, that doesn't make them any cheaper, which sucks.

Like Volt said anime is no longer just being watched by the Japanese. It's much bigger than that and if they want to make any real money over here and expand the market they have to invest in good dubbing. I doubt Cowboy Bebop would of been as well received as it was over here if it didn't have the excellent dubbing along with it.

Yeah, it would be unfair to make anime have sub only.

My reason is not, because I'm use to dub and all. But what about the people that have problems with their eyes as maybe can't really see well as small print. The only way that they can watch anime is if its in dub format.


Wingzero22

The Japanese don't have to do anything. Look at it this way. You made a show, you made your money off of the advertising, merchandising, licensing, DVD sales and rentals, and along come these foreigners who want to pay you to show your anime in a foreign country.

As for the dubbing, I imagine even if it's a JP company distributing in America, it's cheaper to hire English speaking actors in America than it is in Japan...

[b]Loose your

Volt wrote:High Pitched, Japanese Voice Actresses...duh...comon guys.

It may be becase I've been listening to people speak Japanese all my life or something, but I've never really thought that Japanese seiyuu were any more high pitched than voice actresses from this side of the Pacific. ^.^;

[quote="Kokoro Daisuke"]:lol: It may be becase I've been listening to people speak Japanese all my life or something, but I've never really thought that Japanese seiyuu were any more high pitched than voice actresses from this side of the Pacific. ^.^]
Actually, I haven't heard Japanese all my life, but I agree with you, Kokoro. I've never thought they were any worse than the VA's here.

Like the woman who did the English voice of Precis from Star Ocean: The Second Story for PS1. GAH, that made my ears bleed. ><

Or the English voices for half the female characters in Brave Fencer Musashi. Granted, I liked that game, and the English voices were good, but the princess's voice was INSANELY high-pitched.

*hugs fansubs*

the downside is taking 30 hours of your time to copy the files to cd for backing up

Wow now I understand. Just another reason to buy more ANIME.