Anime Central 2008

Funimation Entertainment

"We're not going anywhere!" That triumphant statement, courtesy of Geneon and what former Geneon licenses, if any, Funimation might be pursuing. While Sheehan artfully dodged specifics in his answer, it was clear both from his optimistic tone and the big new license he later revealed (the company's sixth in as many days) that the company is confident in the future of the R1 anime industry and its place in it.

With Bandai delaying its planned announcement and both Xbox Live, Zune, and Funimation's own website, as well as subtitled preview episodes in advance of DVD. Sheehan also touched on the expansion of the Viridian Collection line, stating that future releases would see more robust packaging due to fan complaints, and the company's “Operation Anime” network for anime clubs.

That was followed by a laundry list of recent and imminent releases from Funimation, many of which — Vexille.

Sheehan then launched into a hard sell for his company's two big action centerpieces. The mainstay Shuffle! had been an unexpected success for the company, resulting in an ender set for the series' sixth volume. The set, it was announced, will feature an unusual bonus feature: a pair of panties emblazoned with the word “GOD.”

It was now time to get to the big news, but first Sheehan walked the crowd through the other five new titles that had been announced earlier in the week. The coming winter sees the release of the all-ages Shigurui: Death Frenzy, a series Sheehan described as “Basilisk on crack” (and given the blood-soaked, downright disturbing trailer that was shown, he doesn't sound far off).

Then came the big announcement: Funimation had secured the license for Studio Gonzo's D.Gray-man to its lineup.

The Q&A session followed, and the first hot topic of conversation was last year's big license, Case Closed, which will be continuing in full season box sets of future seasons once the already released material has been compiled.