FUNimation & Dragon Ball Super licensing hold up

[precita]

My guess is FUNI won't get the license to dub Super. TOEI is probably evaluating their opportunities to let another company dub Super instead for more royalities.

It'll piss off dub fans who want to hear the same voices like Chris Sabat and Sean Schemmel again, but business is business. My guess is Toei is done with Funi in terms of future dubs.

[sintzu]

My guess is FUNI won't get the license to dub Super. TOEI is probably evaluating their opportunities to let another company dub Super instead for more royalities.

It'll piss off dub fans who want to hear the same voices like Chris Sabat and Sean Schemmel again, but business is business. My guess is Toei is done with Funi in terms of future dubs.

They said multiple times that they were talking to Toei about it.

[precita]

TOEI probably wants more money this time and FUNI is unwilling to go that high, which must be where the holdup is coming from. As I said, if they don't reach an agreement soon TOEI is not going to sit there waiting and they'll ship the anime off to another dubbing company.

[coola]

If Toei wants more money, i can understand why Funi hesitate, more money for (in my opinion) worst DB anime, with bad/average animation and characters that again act more childish and annoying, just like in fillers, yes, i would hesitate too

[DBZ_Lee]

Sabat's studio Okratron 5000 is his, Funi use his studio to produce their dubs. If another company got the rights to Super, I'm sure they would use Okratron, and have Sabat do his thing.

All the VA's are self employed, they don't work for Funi. Another company could simply contract Sabat and he'd use all the cast he has up to now.

[namekiansaiyan]

If Toei wnts more money, i can understand why Funi hesitate, more money for (in my opinion) worst DB anime, with bad/average animation and characters that again act more childish and annoying, just like in fillers, yes, i would hesitate too

They will get it as Dragon ball is their biggeat license by a long distance.

[rs_chaosmaster]

Honestly guys they probably already have it by now just waiting for the right time to announce it whether that be SDCC or Otakon or NYCC. I am not worried about Funimation being able to secure the license what I am worried about is what is going on with Kai the Buu Arc. Will they just abandon it or is their a chance they might have to release both IPs at the same time?

[sintzu]

Honestly guys they probably already have it by now just waiting for the right time to announce it.

That's probably true but I'm not sure they have all of it.

Keep in mind that the audience they'll be targeting is completely different from who it's targeted at in Japan, they'll be asking working adults to put everything they could be doing on the weekend on hold to watch something that's completely aimed at children (unlike Kai) and they'll be asking them to pay 30-35$ per every 12-13 episodes.

I don't think it'll fail but I think it'll be a disappointment for all 3 companies involved.

[RedRibbonSoldier#42]

Keep in mind that the audience they'll be targeting is completely different from who it's targeted at in Japan, they'll be asking working adults to put everything they could be doing on the weekend on hold to watch something that's completely aimed at children (unlike Kai) and they'll be asking them to pay 30-35$ per every 12-13 episodes.

This again? Kai in both Japan and here was on TV for kids as is Super, and the expensive disks of the whole industry are aimed at the few adults who have money and like buying cartoons and figures.

[sintzu]

Kai in both Japan and here was on TV for kids.

Kai is currently on an ADULT block and not only is it doing good, it has 300000+ more viewers than their other shows which proves that not only does it have something for adults, it's the only anime 300000+ watch on late night TV.

What does Super have that caters to adults and will bring in that kind of number ? If Super was going to be on a kids block then it would do great but an adult block ? If their other shows which put Super to shame aren't good enough to keep those 300000+ around, how's Super going to do it ?

[RedRibbonSoldier#42]

Kai in both Japan and here was on TV for kids.

Kai is currently on an ADULT block and not only is it doing good, it has 300000+ more viewers than their other shows which proves that not only does it have something for adults, it's the only anime 300000+ watch on late night TV.

What does Super have that caters to adults and will bring in that kind of number ? If Super was going to be on a kids block then it would do great but an adult block ? If their other shows which put Super to shame aren't good enough to keep those 300000+ around, how's Super going to do it ?

Kai is on Toonami now, but it started as a nickelodeon show. And I can't predict Supers success or not, but it's appeal to adults is the same as Dragonball in general's appeal.

[Mr. NaruJesus]

I know it's hard, but just be patient. It's coming. I think this is more of trying to maximize profits before doing the the deal. Funimation hasn't squeezed every possible drop yet.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Kai in both Japan and here was on TV for kids.

Kai is currently on an ADULT block and not only is it doing good, it has 300000+ more viewers than their other shows which proves that not only does it have something for adults, it's the only anime 300000+ watch on late night TV.

What does Super have that caters to adults and will bring in that kind of number ? If Super was going to be on a kids block then it would do great but an adult block ? If their other shows which put Super to shame aren't good enough to keep those 300000+ around, how's Super going to do it?

I think Super will do well if its put on Adult Swim, maybe not as well as Kai but a lot of people watch it just because it's Dragon Ball, but it would feel out of place. Hopefully it won't take Kai's timeslot after the Kai Bu saga airs (I reckon it will once Cell finishes) but will get a weekday afternoon slot on Cartoon Network, Nicktoons or Disney XD, any of the three would be suitable.

[namekiansaiyan]

Kai in both Japan and here was on TV for kids.

Kai is currently on an ADULT block and not only is it doing good, it has 300000+ more viewers than their other shows which proves that not only does it have something for adults, it's the only anime 300000+ watch on late night TV.

What does Super have that caters to adults and will bring in that kind of number ? If Super was going to be on a kids block then it would do great but an adult block ? If their other shows which put Super to shame aren't good enough to keep those 300000+ around, how's Super going to do it?

I think Super will do well if its put on Adult Swim, maybe not as well as Kai but a lot of people watch it just because it's Dragon Ball, but it would feel out of place. Hopefully it won't take Kai's timeslot after the Kai Bu saga airs (I reckon it will once Cell finishes) but will get a weekday afternoon slot on Cartoon Network, Nicktoons or Disney XD, any of the three would be suitable.

Super will probably do better than kai because it is a brand new series.

[ryou766]

Meanwhile, I'm more hyped for that OPM dub coming on Toonami. That preview was pure sexiness.

[NitroEX]

Sabat's studio Okratron 5000 is his, Funi use his studio to produce their dubs. If another company got the rights to Super, I'm sure they would use Okratron, and have Sabat do his thing.

All the VA's are self employed, they don't work for Funi. Another company could simply contract Sabat and he'd use all the cast he has up to now.

I'm pretty sure Funimation pay extra to fly in Sean Schemmel to dub Goku. Special favours like these would likely cease to exist if Funimation were no longer the ones in charge of production. On top of that there'd also be no guarantee that the new company would accept the price of the Texas cast, they'd probably find cheaper alternatives elsewhere since there'd be no built in loyalty.

For the record I don't think Funimation have lost the rights to Dragonball. Something strange is definitely going on behind the scenes but I don't believe it's anything as dramatic as a falling out with Toei.

[namekiansaiyan]

Sabat's studio Okratron 5000 is his, Funi use his studio to produce their dubs. If another company got the rights to Super, I'm sure they would use Okratron, and have Sabat do his thing.

All the VA's are self employed, they don't work for Funi. Another company could simply contract Sabat and he'd use all the cast he has up to now.

I'm pretty sure Funimation pay extra to fly in Sean Schemmel to dub Goku. Special favours like these would likely cease to exist if Funimation were no longer the ones in charge of production. On top of that there'd also be no guarantee that the new company would accept the price of the Texas cast, they'd probably find cheaper alternatives elsewhere since there'd be no built in loyalty.

For the record I don't think Funimation have lost the rights to Dragonball. Something strange is definitely going on behind the scenes but I don't believe it's anything as dramatic as a falling out with Toei.

Funimation should do everything it can to get Super as the series will have long term sales for them and it will be the biggest mistake in their history if they do not get it. I say we will make n announcement by the end of the year.

[VegettoEX]

I'm still at a loss as to why people somehow think FUNimation isn't doing everything in their power to secure the series.

Dragon Ball is what has effectively sustained them as a company since their inception, and let them coast nicely through what destroyed almost everyone else on the block during the American anime and economy bubble. Under no circumstances would anyone in charge at that company be doing anything other than negotiating and preparing for their license of the franchise's newest series.

In any case where some new production somehow doesn't get a dub or release through them (either at all like the JSAT special or simply not yet like Super), there's no scenario in which FUNimation didn't WANT it.

[DBZ_Lee]

I completely agree. Funi's success is down to Dragon Ball, without a doubt.

Surely, they must be working hard behind the scenes to make this happen.
Many obstacles such as TV deals, VA scheduling and contracts all have to be negotiated.

As NitroEX eluded to, it is rumoured Funi pay for Sean's expenses to Texas etc, and that must make things more complicated.
At this point, we have no clue what the hold up is, but I'm optimistic that they will sort it.

I would hope an announcement is coming before the end of the year at least.
Toei hopefully can make some compromises on when (time of day) and where it airs: Cartoon Network or Nicktoons hopefully.

[dragonballhero]

With the way Super is, I would actually hope for a daily weeknight time slot on Cartoon Network.