April 30th, 2009 
AstroNerdBoy The Last Remnants of Central Park Media Have Been Swept Away
Yesterday, I read that Central Park Media (CPM) filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, meaning they are out of business for good. To be honest, it doesn’t surprise me that CPM finally is officially closing shop, but I am surprised it took this long. After all, it was almost three years ago (May 2006) that CPM got rid of a bunch of its staff and for all practical purposes were out of the anime and manga game. Sure, they promised cost-cutting measures that would supposedly produce future growth, but lets face it — who truly believed that CPM wouldn’t go bankrupt?
Regardless, it is finally over but that leaves some decent anime titles in limbo. With FUNimation having been on a roll when it comes to license rescues, could more be on the horizon? Here are some titles that are possibly affected by the bankruptcy (if their licenses haven’t already expired).
- Grave of the Fireflies: This movie needs rescuing for sure. If this movie doesn’t have you crying like a baby when all is said and done, I would question your humanity.
- Revolutionary Girl Utena: Never watched this late-90’s series nor have I seen the movie, but people tell me it is pretty good.
- Patlabor: The Mobile Police: Another series I’ve not watched, this one from 1989. It has been something I’ve been interested in seeing though.
- Record of Lodoss War: I’ve seen the original OVA and the TV series (which are the two pieces of the franchise licensed by CPM as well as the manga). As a fantasy series, it is decent enough. Certainly, it has had an impact on Japanese anime and manga fandom as there are references to it from time-to-time (Genshiken and Hayate the Combat Butler spring to mind) and is worthy of a license rescue.
- Night on the Galactic Railroad: I know nothing of this movie, but it has pretty decent reviews.
- Project A-ko: I’ve seen the movie and subsequent OVA sequels and spinoff. As a mid-80’s title, there is a personal level of nostalgia for me since I saw this in Japan originally, so I wouldn’t mind seeing the franchise rescued.
- Dominion Tank Police: Another 80’s anime title which I only saw bits and pieces of (I wasn’t into anime back then). It is something I’d be interested in seeing now.
- Demon City Shinjuku: I didn’t watch this OVA title in Japan, but after I got into anime in 2002, a friend let me borrow the DVD. As a late-80’s title, I’m in favor of a license rescue though. ^_^
- Armored Trooper Votoms: Never seen this franchise, but again, we have something that starts in 1983. I may have caught a bit of it in Japan since I knew the term “Votoms” after I left Japan.
- DNA²: Another franchise I’ve not seen but I’ve heard about. This mid-90’s title gets some decent reviews.
- Fire Tripper: This is an OVA from Takahashi-sensei, creator of Inuyasha. There’s no doubt in my mind that the original manga she did (which the anime is based off of) is the basis for what would become Inuyasha.
- Gall Force: Another mid-80’s franchise. I’m pretty sure I’ve either watched the original movie or one of the OVA sequels, but I did it without translation and so have no real memory of story or the like (my roommate Robert loved watching anime even if it had no English dub or English subtitles). I’d like to see this classic rescued.
- Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer: Wouldn’t it be nice if AnimEigo could somehow get this movie license, seeing as how they have most of the rest of the franchise?
- Yu Yu Hakusho The Movie: Poltergeist Report: I know a lot of Yu Yu Hakusho fans would LOVE for FUNimation to score this movie. Actually, I think that should the original scripts and audio source materials from Japan still exist, FUNimation might just spring for a redub and retranslation (to match the TV series).
- Photon: This is a creation from the creator of Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki, KAJISHIMA Masaki. It has some funny and interesting moments to be sure and I wouldn’t mind seeing it rescued.
There are tons of other titles I haven’t mentioned, including hentai ones such as La Blue Girl, & Fencer of Minerva as well as Kajishima-sensei’s (Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki) Spaceship Agga Ruter & Masquerade.
So it is an end of an era and hopefully some of these anime titles can be rescued by other companies.
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Its sad to see an anime company go under, even if most of their anime was of no interest to me.
Governor Tarkin would like to have a word with you.
* Grave of the Fireflies: Very moving. Never cried. Got something in my eye, though.
* Revolutionary Girl Utena: Never watched it. Never will. The sort of anime you recommend if you don’t like a person or just have that sort of taste. (snooze)
* Patlabor: The Mobile Police: It’s a slow moving series (compared to Appleseed), but okay. It kind of reminds me of cop shows from the 70’s and 80’s.
* Record of Lodoss War: For those that love fantasy. A must have in my book, in terms of major titles. Besides, it’s a short series. Its TV remake was also decent.
* Night on the Galactic Railroad: Dunno.
* Project A-ko: Ugh! I didn’t like it back then, so I don’t know why anyone would want to preserve it.
* Dominion Tank Police: It’s derived from Masumune Shirow’s same-titled manga. The manga was better (of course), but DTP was still entertaining. Most people remember it for the Puma sisters, though.
* Demon City Shinjuku: It was okay… but nothing really noteworthy. Shorter than Blue Seed, which is a positive.
* Armored Trooper Votoms: If you liked MD Geist, then you’ll probably like VOTOMS.
* DNA²: It was okay.
* Fire Tripper: Did not watch.
* Gall Force: I didn’t care for it, but you can see Sonada Kenichi’s style.
* Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer: A *long* series. I never finished it. It’s considered a classic.
* Yu Yu Hakusho The Movie: Poltergeist Report: Didn’t watch.
* Photon: A good title for any TM:R! fan or Kajishima Masaki fan.
There are tons of other titles I haven’t mentioned, including hentai ones such as La Blue Girl, & Fencer of Minerva as well as Kajishima-sensei’s (Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki) Spaceship Agga Ruter & Masquerade. ++ on Agga Ruter and Masquerade. Two of the few hentai titles that I own.
@Taco’s Rule — I went to see him, but apparently some terrorist group destroyed the government building he worked in, killing everyone inside. A shame, really. ^_~
@Anon – Grave of the Fireflies: Very moving. Never cried. Got something in my eye, though.*lol* I hate when that happens. ^_^;
Looks like you’ve seen a fair number of the “classics.” I’m still slowly trying to expand the base of classics I’ve watched AND understood. *lol*
++ on Agga Ruter and Masquerade. Two of the few hentai titles that I own.I rented both of those but don’t own them. Shame that “Agga Ruter” was never finished though. I know Kajishima-sensei wrote some stuff about it in a doujinshi or two but there’s no English translation so I don’t know what was said.
Good points. such a nice post…keep up the good work..
(Anthiena AKA Nightmare Slayer)
…hey, I think I know you from the Ayeka fanclub ’bout five years or so ago… long time no see…
Utena broke ground for shojo and it’s worth watching. I will say DON’T watch the movie. It’s worst than the Escaflowne movie in terms of WTF. You’ll have to Youtube it until it gets a liscence rescue. A little birdy tells me that a Texas company will be doing the rescuing. If you can get past the first arc (which is weakest but need-to-watch), it’s an excellent show deserving of its acclaim.
I’m just happy the nearby library has the first two volumes of Lodoss. I’m sad I moved, because they had all of Utena availible for order… *sob*
Hi Anthiena — I do remember your name from AFC. ^_^
I’ve not seen “Utena” but I will look to see if I can get a copy to watch at some point.