FUNimation Channel Official Blog

So Mother’s Day is this weekend in the US. I’m going to spend the weekend taking my mom out for shopping. She loves shopping. She also loves Case Closed and Monster. Moms can be so awesome. Has your mom surprised you with an anime title you thought she wasn’t going to watch? Feel free to share your tales below. I’m sure there’s a mother out there who doesn’t mind watching a bit of Nana with a dose of Tsubasa Chronicle.

Here’s what’s up today on Comcast VOD:

On Demand –> The Cutting Edge –> Funimation Anime –> Funimation Platinum (PPV VOD)

• Evangelion 1.11
• Genghis Khan
• Case Closed movie 3 The Last Wizard of the Century
• Slayers Revolution ep 13 and re-air of ep 10
• Soul Eater eps 24 – 26
• Strike Witches eps 11 – 12 *Series ends June 4
• Hunter X Hunter eps 29 – 31 re-air

On Demand –> The Cutting Edge –> Funimation Anime –> Funimation Free (Free VOD)

• Case Closed eps 79 – 80
• Monster eps 6 – 7
• Kenichi eps 32 – 33
• Nana eps 6 – 7
• Tsubasa Chronicle eps 31 – 34
• Black Cat ep 24
• Buso Renkin ep 12
• Black Blood Brothers ep 12
• Gundam SEED Destiny eps 49 – 50

And for the latest on what’s airing on the linear service, jump to this link to get caught up. Stay tuned next week for some news and updates related to the linear channel.

* Programming Disclaimer: All Programming is subject to change at any time and without notice.

Last week was fun. The folks in Seattle, WA were very nice in welcoming me to their convention. Congratulations again to our $250 Anime Prize Pack winner from the show.  Stay tuned to this blog because in the near future, we will unveil a whole slew of new things for the channel. We will also have a dedicated site for the campaign we launched last week at Sakura-Con. Good times ahead!

A couple things this week on Comcast VOD. We had some delays in receiving some titles over the holidays so some shows are going to extend episodes for an additional week. I blame lots of chocolate for the delay. I’ll note the shows below.

This week on Comcast VOD:

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime —> Funimation Platinum

• Evangelion 1.11
• Slayers Revolution eps 3 – 5 (extended for an additional week)
• Soul Eater eps 16 – 18 (extended for an additional week)
• Strike Witches eps 3 – 5 (extended for an additional week)
• Hunter X Hunter eps 32 – 34

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime —> Funimation Free

• Case Closed eps 69 – 70 (extended for an additional week)
• Black Cat ep 20
• Buso Renkin ep 8
• Black Blood Brothers ep 8
• Gundam SEED Destiny ep 46

And highlights this month on linear include El Cazador De La Bruja, Monster, Nabari No Ou, Nana and Honey and Clover. For the schedule jump here.

Here are some pics from Sakura-Con. I might be attending C2E2 in Chi-town next week. Still waiting for final confirmation on that. If you are attending, give a shout-out! And keep checking this blog for latest updates on the I Want My FUNimation Channel HD campaign. It will be an all out effort.

Don’t let these cosplayers efforts go in vain. Let your cable or satellite operator know that you pay a lot for your service and that adding The FUNimation Channel to your linear lineup will make all your bitterness go away (or at least some of it go away).

I made it out of the rainy East Coast to arrive at a rainy Northwest Coast. Oh irony. And I’m hearing there’s a wind advisory today in the Puget Sound area of Seattle, WA. Challenging for cosplayers today who are attending Sakura-Con, I’m sure. Its my first time visiting Seattle and first time attending Sakura-Con. I’ll be at the FUNimation booth today and Saturday so stop by. I would love to meet you.

We are starting a major grassroots marketing push to launch The FUNimation Channel HD linear to more cable and satellite systems in the US. That debuts here at Sakura-Con. We need you guys – your feedback needs to be heard by the cable operators. I’ll explain more at the FUNimation industry panel on Saturday but basically, we have survey cards that we are asking all anime fans and viewers to fill out. Our target is to get thousands of survey cards filled out and delivered to Comcast Seattle to make them understand that The FUNimation Channel HD is a channel that makes a big difference and serves everyone – not just the anime fan – but everyone. What cable systems are telling us in meetings is that they don’t hear or read feedback from enough viewers to have the channel launched linear on Comcast. Let’s make some noise guys. We’re pretty close but we really need viewer support like never before. This is your big chance to make a huge difference and prove that The FUNimation Channel HD is as necessary to you as ESPN HD or HBO HD.

I know that some people think that your emails or calls to your cable or satellite operator doesn’t make a difference. That its basically money that gets a channel launched linear on systems. Actually, it takes both – money and your voices. Fans and viewers DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Let’s get this campaign rolling. Let your cable and satellite operators know that “I WANT MY FUNIMATION CHANNEL HD!”.

And now for your VOD updates on Comcast:

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> FUNimation Anime Platinum (Transactional VOD)

• Initial D Third Stage movie
• Case Closed 6 movie The Phantom of Baker Street
• Slayers Revolution eps 6 – 7
• Soul Eater eps 19 – 20
• Strike Witches eps 6 – 7
• Hunter X Hunter eps 29 – 31

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> FUNimation Anime (Free VOD)

• Case Closed eps 71 – 73
• Monster eps 1 – 5 xD
• Kenichi eps 27 – 30
• Nana eps 1 – 4
• Tsubasa Chronicle eps 27 – 30 <— Season 2 :bloody:
• Black Cat ep 19
• Gundam SEED Destiny ep 45

And here are some programming highlights for linear viewers. Thanks to jlaking for pointing out that tomorrow – April 3rd – marks the start of Monster on The FUNimation Channel linear. Its Monster Month on VOD and linear!

Other highlights include El Cazador De La Bruja, Nabari No Ou and new episodes of  Honey and Clover and Nana. For the latest listings, go visit The FUNimation Channel’s grid at the jump. And programming is subject to change without notice.

Have a Happy Easter weekend and stay dry. Remember, “I WANT MY FUNIMATION CHANNEL HD!”

I got a program highlight this month for linear viewers. El Cazador De La Bruja starts airing this month – Monday, 3/22. Jump here for the latest schedule. Its listed at 1 AM eastern.

Today’s refreshes on Comcast VOD are the following:

On Demand –> Cutting Edge –> Funimation Anime –> Funimation Platinum

• Evangelion 1.11 (continues airing through the month) *Also under Movies – Animation – Anime category
• Hunter X Hunter eps 26 – 28

On Demand –> Cutting Edge –> Funimation Anime –> Funimation Free

• Case Closed ep 68
• Solty Rei ep 21 (re-air) *series ends 4/2
• Buso Renkin ep 05
• Black Blood Brothers ep 05
• Gundam SEED Destiny eps 41-42

That’s all for the week. I got a couple of pics to share from Tokyo that I’ll post on here later. Gotta skip out. Be good folks!

March was supposed to come in like a lion and then go out like a lamb. At least that’s what the calendar told me.

I ran in the Tokyo Marathon last week and it was a good experience. Thanks for your comments last week.  Sadly, I didn’t make it to the finish line since I wasn’t able to cross the 15k within its time limit (the marathon has time limits every 5k). I slowed down too much and I thought I could eek my way at the turn but no I screwed up. Worst part, having a Japanese TV crew with their camera in your face asking how it felt to be cut off from finishing the race.  They brought a whole new level to agony of defeat. And it was broadcast live throughout the country. I will have to say, it was quite a different challenge. Unlike running marathons here in the States, there its really about racing against the clock. Very interesting. I did notice a few runners cosplaying as Chopper from “One Piece” and of course a few folks cosplaying as Krilin from “Dragon Ball Z”. I wonder how far they went?

I did visit the UNIQLO store in Harajuku and they are now selling those Toei t-shirts that they mentioned a couple months back. The shirts they have are from the following: Dragon Ball, Devilman, One Piece, Dr. Slump, Galaxy Express 999 and Saint Seiya. Oddly, no Sailor Moon or Pretty Cure or Marmalade Boy or Air Gear. Hopefully, if this first run with the Toei line becomes successful we can eventually see more down the road. I luv the capsules!

Ok! Back to VOD reality. We have a whole bunch of updates today on Comcast VOD. Here’s what’s up:

The Cutting Edge —> FUNimation Anime —> FUNimation Platinum

• Case Closed movie 4 Capture in Her Eyes (also found under Movies —> By Genre —> Anime)
• Case Closed movie 5 Countdown to Heaven (also found under Movies —> By Genre —> Anime)
• Slayers Revolution eps 1 – 5    BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW!
• Soul Eater S1 Pt. 2 eps 14 – 18    BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW!
• Strike Witches eps 1 – 5   BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW!
• Hunter X Hunter eps 23 – 25

The Cutting Edge —> FUNimation Anime —> FUNimation Free

• Case Closed eps 64 – 67
• Negima! eps 24 – 26   FINAL WEEKS!
• Shuffle! ep 21, ep 24   FINAL WEEKS!
• Solty Rei eps 22 – 24  FINAL WEEKS!
• Tsubasa Chronicle eps 23 – 26
• Black Cat eps 13 – 16
• Buso Renkin ep 4
• Black Blood Brothers ep 4
• Gundam SEED Destiny eps 39 – 40

And for the latest on what’s airing on linear, go here. The channel is expanding later this year so stay tuned. I’ll also let you guys know if yours truly will be attending upcoming anime conventions.

Continue to ask your digital cable and satellite providers to carry The FUNimation Channel in their programming lineup. Your calls and emails to your customer service rep does indeed make a difference and helps us during our discussions with those cable and satellite providers. The greater the demand, the easier it is for us to make the operators realize the benefit to launching the linear service.

*Programming Disclaimer: Schedules are subject to change at any time and without notice.

What a week. Being trapped in your house makes you realize you have stuff you can watch on TV besides AccuWeather forecasts. If you were affected by the weather, I hope things are good on your end.

Comcast viewers who sent emails and left comments last week regarding their VOD menus, please be assured that Comcast operations are working to fix it (if they haven’t already) and dealing with your headends directly.

Big day today… its the US broadcast premiere of Evangelion 1.11 on Comcast VOD! Curious about this rebuild? Check it out and spread the love!

Here’s what’s up for the week on Comcast VOD:

• Evangelion 1.11 <——-US Broadcast Premiere !!!!!!!
• Case Closed movie 3 The Last Wizard of the Century
• Hunter X Hunter eps 21-22
• Case Closed ep 60
• Air Gear eps 23 – 25 (final weeks)
• Negima! ep 21
• Shuffle! ep 21
• Solty Rei ep 19
• Glass Fleet eps 25 – 26 (final weeks)
• Gundam SEED Destiny eps 33 – 34

And to find out when your favorite show is airing on the linear service, jump here. I’m still waiting on final details on a newly re-branded FUNimation Channel. So stay tuned!

It is Valentines Day this weekend so why not cozy up with that special someone in your life and watch a little anime together? :bloody:

And don’t forget President’s Day on Monday in the US. Like Columbus Day, its one of those days that morphed into a three-day sale at your local mall or car sales dealerships. It wasn’t intended for that purpose, but economics will dictate the way we do things. (and I just heard more snow sliding off my roof and nearly impaling someone outside)

Happy Friday to everyone! I hope the weather is fine where you are. Rain, snow, colliding storm systems – that’s just too much for us to take right now. Thankfully, FUNimation Channel has some new anime to air this month.

And that menu change I mentioned last month is starting to show up on your VOD menus (if you are a Comcast customer). This is the new menu:

On Demand —>The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Free —> Action-Fantasy

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Free —> Drama-Comedy

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Free —> Glass Fleet

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —>  Funimation Anime—> Funimation Free —> Anime Selects

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —>  Funimation Anime—> Funimation Free —> New This Week

And for the PPV VOD menu:

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Platinum —> Specials

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Platinum —> D. Gray-man

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Platinum —> Blassreiter

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Platinum —> Spice and Wolf

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Platinum —> HunterXHunter

On Demand —> The Cutting Edge —> Funimation Anime—> Funimation Platinum —> Nabari No Ou

And now for today’s lineup on Comcast VOD:

• Tower of Druaga eps 1-3 (back-to-back eps)
• Tower of Druaga eps 4-6 (back-to-back eps)
• Rin~Daughters of Mnemosyne~ (encore airing)
• D. Gray-Man eps 49-51
• Blassreiter eps 21-24
• Spice and Wolf eps 10-13
• HunterXHunter eps 17-20
• Nabari No Ou eps 23-26
• Case Closed eps 58-59
• Air Gear eps 21-22
• Negima! ep 20
• Shuffle! ep 20
• Fruits Basket eps 25-26 (Final Weeks)
• Solty Rei ep 18
• Tsubasa Chronicle eps 19-20
• Black Cat eps 9-10
• Gunslinger Girl Il Teatrino eps 11-13 (Final Weeks)
• Glass Fleet eps 23-24
• Gundam SEED Destiny eps 31-32
• Vampire Pincess Miyu eps 19-23

I know some of you have left comments asking for changes to the linear schedule – looking for titles to return or just having a new slew of titles airing. I’ll let you know when I learn more about those changes. In the meantime, jump here for the latest grid info.

Next week we will have the premiere debut of Evangelion 1.11 You Are [Not] Alone on Comcast VOD. Tell your friends, your family, your pets, your lovers that this movie is a big deal to air in the US and that it shouldn’t be missed.

And now for something not anime-related:

Who do you think will win Super Bowl XLIV this weekend? New Orleans Saints or Indianapolis Colts? And are you excited about The Who performing at the half? Leave your answer in the comments below. Game on!  Congrats to the New Orleans Saints!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We’ve made it out of the 2000s decade. Now its full steam ahead into a new decade. The anime industry went through a lot of changes in the last decade; having gone through its ups and its downs. I think the most important thing that happened here in the US was seeing anime becoming more accessible to viewers – whether it was through VOD, streaming or linear. We’re working to continue expanding and this new year we’ll unveil some new features on The FUNimation Channel. Stay tuned…

Here’s a smathering of what’s up today on Comcast On Demand:

Comcast On Demand —–> The Cutting Edge —–> FUNimation Anime

• Soul Eater eps 4-6 (back-to-back eps special)
• NANA eps 24-27
• Dragonaut eps 16-18
• Spice and Wolf eps 9-11
• D. Gray-man eps 43-45
• Hunter X Hunter eps 14-16
• xxxHolic ep 21
• Negima! ep 15
• Shuffle! ep 15
• Solty Rei ep 14
• Glass Fleet eps 17-20
• Case Closed eps 52-53
• Devil May Cry eps 5-6
• Gunslinger Girl Il Teatrino eps 5-6

As always, visit The FUNimation Channel‘s site and jump to their Schedule to see when your favorite shows are airing.

Got any anime-related resolutions for the new year? Feel free to post them here and maybe if you say it and write it a lot, you’ll be able to make that goal. I resolve to run a little faster and get healthier while watching some anime.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Spice and Wolf was pushed back to start on Wed, 11/11 instead of today on Comcast VOD. We encountered some gremlins in the system. We should be back on track with those new eps. I know lots of you folks have been waiting to catch a glimpse of the series.

But we do have some other titles appearing today on Comcast VOD. Here’s the rundown:

Movies and Events —–> FUNimation Anime (PPV VOD)

• My Santa OVA
• Case Closed movie 3 – The Last Wizard of the Century
• Blassreiter part 1 eps 1-5 special
• D. Gray-man eps 37 – 39
• NANA eps 17 – 20
• Dragonaut eps 9 – 12
• Hunter X Hunter eps 7 – 10

The Cutting Edge —–> FUNimation Anime (FREE VOD)

• Mushi-Shi eps 25 – 26
• Sasami eps 23 – 24
• Ah! My Goddess eps 13 – 16
• xxxHolic eps 13 – 14
• Case Closed eps 40 – 41
• Solty Rei eps 9 – 9a (9a is a bonus ep that didn’t air in Japan)
• Air Gear eps 9 – 10
• Negima! ep 8
• Shuffle! ep 8
• Tsubasa Chronicle eps 9 – 10
• Glass Fleet eps 1 – 4

I know you guys want to see FUNimation Channel linear network on your cable and satellite system. We are always working to make that happen. I’ll have another post next week talking about some changes to the Comcast VOD menu and changes overall on how to access FUNimation Anime On Demand. I’ve read viewer comments about the current programming available on the linear network. Next week, I’ll drop a tiny hint on what we plan to do for 2010.

But in the meantime, you can access the 24/7 network schedule and see when your favorite series is on.

Are you guys ready for Halloween? I’m not. I was thinking of giving trick-or-treaters small bags of pretzels and maybe some candy. I usually mix things up though. I sometimes give out those microwavable Pop Secret Kettle Corn popcorn and suddenly my house becomes the popular house on the block. Would be funny if I ended up putting anime DVDs in bags. Oh, but will there be a disk inside? Trick!

Enough of that for now. Let’s see what’s new on Comcast VOD.

Movies and Events —–> FUNimation Anime (PPV VOD)

• Heroic Age eps 21 – 26
• D. Gray-man eps 35 – 36
• NANA eps 12 – 16
• Hunter X Hunter eps 1 – 6 <—- First episode is a Free View

The Cutting Edge ——> FUNimation Anime (Free VOD)

• The Galaxy Railways eps 23 – 24
• Case Closed ep 36
• Ah! My Goddess eps 9 – 12
• Air Gear eps 5 – 6
• Negima! ep 4
• Shuffle! ep 4
• Darker Than Black eps 21 – 23
• Tsubasa Chronicle eps 5 – 6

And linear channel viewers, continue to check out your favorite series and jumping to the program guide for scheduled times. If you noticed, this month seems to be a crazy HunterXHunter love fest on linear and VOD. Catch the series when you can.

Later folks!