More info on CPM & Minna Agechau
Conty
>
> Hmmm...here's some interesting info regarding Minna Agechau (I Give it
> My All). Found this tidbit on Prodigy (of all places). Hope I don't
> add too much fuel to the fires. :)
>
> ------------------ Below this line, it ain't mine ----------------
>
[...]
> Because of concerns expressed by Sony'd American marketing
> subsidiary about potential nedative publicity due to the contents of
> Minna Agechau, and the possible confusion regarding the identity of
> the American supplier because of the packaging, SMEJ requested CPM's
> approval to purchase the distribution rights back from CPM.
>
> Understanding SMEJ's position, and in the spirit of cooperation, CPM
> agreed to sell-back, cancelling plans for the American release, and
> pre-orders for the program.
Chotto! From what I recall of the letter that the Australian gentleman who
ordered MA received from CPM, it said that it was a PRIVATE COLLECTOR who
bought the entire run. So who's right, Central Park Media or Central Park
Media? B-)
I'm putting a caveat emptor warning in the ANIME RESOURCES LIST regarding
US Manga Corps/Central Park Media. It's only too bad, though.
--
E n r i q u e C o n t y
jes...@ihlpl.att.com
"So be it"
Ryan P. Gavigan
I wish people would try to understand the unique circumstances that Minna
debacle were under. As one who ordered Dominion I and received it BEFORE the
original release date(oct 10 officialy, got shipped oct. 7) I think that
the whole reason for this whole event is the overall misunderstanding/
ignorant opposition in this country to the "type" of anime that is Minna
Agechau. Granted, CPM tried to get positive publicity through the press
to help its cause, but trusting the press/media is REALLY stupid. The real
people to blame(I feel) was Sony Music, which, by listening to the press/media
which is also stupid most of the time, pulled the plug, fearing negative
retrobution.
IMHO,. I'm not too sure that SME didn't have something to do with whoever
bought the tapes. CPM doesn't want too see any of it's ability to
negotiate future titles by not agreeing to SME's offer go down the drain.
Blame the general American media/public and SMEJ for the pulling of the
general edition. Only blame CPM for being in a bad spot and not making
sure just people that ordered prior to the contract got them, allowing the
COLLECTOR(cough, sarcasm, ) to purchase the remainder or make extra for the
original purchaser and 2000 to the COLLECTOR(cough,conspiracy,cough,SME,cough)
DOMINION is HERE AND A-KO is DONE and being packaged and duplicated, though
no official release date. LASER PERCEPTIONS should be the only one with
CAVEAT EMPTOR applied to it.
All comments are mine, I have no connection with anyone, anything, and most
of the time, myself as well.
Ryan Gavigan
gav...@gn.ecn.purdue.edu
"IT WILL BE IN IN THREE WEEKS" Laser Perception's copyrighted saying.
Ken Arromdee
>>I'm putting a caveat emptor warning in the ANIME RESOURCES LIST regarding
>>US Manga Corps/Central Park Media. It's only too bad, though.
>DOMINION is HERE AND A-KO is DONE and being packaged and duplicated, though
>no official release date. LASER PERCEPTIONS should be the only one with
>CAVEAT EMPTOR applied to it.
IMHO, not really. Bowing to censors is itself quite worthy of complaint;
suppose USMC ends up getting the rights to, say, sell tapes of the dubbed
Fist of the North Star? Or, for that matter, could you imagine someone in the
media interpreting Project A-ko to say that B-ko is a lesbian, and getting
_that_ banned? (Especially considering the Cream Lemon connection.) I can
also imagine a company with such practices doing other things like making cuts
to remove the offensive parts....
Not to mention that not only did they bow to media pressure, but then they
_lied_ about it with the "private collector" story.
--
"Halvah? What kind of fish is that?" --grocer, to my grandfather, many
years ago....
Kenneth Arromdee (UUCP: ....!jhunix!arromdee; BITNET: arromdee@jhuvm;
INTERNET: arro...@cs.jhu.edu)
Mike M. Tatsugawa
>>
>> Hmmm...here's some interesting info regarding Minna Agechau (I Give it
>> My All). Found this tidbit on Prodigy (of all places). Hope I don't
>> add too much fuel to the fires. :)
>>
>> ------------------ Below this line, it ain't mine ----------------
>>
>[...]
>> Because of concerns expressed by Sony'd American marketing
>> subsidiary about potential nedative publicity due to the contents of
>> Minna Agechau, and the possible confusion regarding the identity of
>> the American supplier because of the packaging, SMEJ requested CPM's
>> approval to purchase the distribution rights back from CPM.
>>
>> Understanding SMEJ's position, and in the spirit of cooperation, CPM
>> agreed to sell-back, cancelling plans for the American release, and
>> pre-orders for the program.
>
>Chotto! From what I recall of the letter that the Australian gentleman who
>ordered MA received from CPM, it said that it was a PRIVATE COLLECTOR who
>bought the entire run. So who's right, Central Park Media or Central Park
>Media? B-)
I talked to them today. The original story that they went with was
that a collector bought it. This proved to be too compromising.
(Everyone knew they were lying, and even if they weren't, they were
conducting a breech of contract. The truth was getting out, and now
they've decided to come clean and admit that Sony bought them all
back. I guess that their advertising just backfired.
Mike
Conty
> In article <1991Oct14.1...@cbnewsl.cb.att.com> co...@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (Conty) writes:
> >
> >I'm putting a caveat emptor warning in the ANIME RESOURCES LIST regarding
> >US Manga Corps/Central Park Media. It's only too bad, though.
>
> the whole reason for this whole event is the overall misunderstanding/
> ignorant opposition in this country to the "type" of anime that is Minna
> Agechau.
That's not the reason I'm putting that warning. The reasons I'm putting it
are these:
- They went and sold their entire stock to SMEJ to avoid controversy. That
shows them to be spineless.
- They incurred in a breach of contract by selling their pre-ordered stock
back to SMEJ. That shows them to be untrustworthy.
- They LIED to their customers regarding the reason for the cancellation of
pre-orders. That shows them to be stupid.
- I'd also add their press release, but I've only heard about it so I won't
comment.
Basically, the caveat will be something like "If you don't see it in a store
with your own eyes, don't buy it. And, whatever you do, DON'T pre-order
anything from them."
> LASER PERCEPTIONS should be the only one with CAVEAT EMPTOR applied to it.
It and Books Nippon will (sort of).
Conty
> >
> >> LASER PERCEPTIONS should be the only one with CAVEAT EMPTOR applied to it.
> >
> >It and Books Nippon will (sort of).
>
Me, nothing. I've never ordered from them. But several people have come forth
with "horror stories" about how it takes next to forever to get a LD from Laser
Perceptions if they don't have it in stock at the time the order was made.
> Sight & Sound is the worst in my book,
If you're buying non-anime LDs, I've heard that S&S offers some of the best
service around.
Lee Thompson
>> LASER PERCEPTIONS should be the only one with CAVEAT EMPTOR applied to it.
>
>It and Books Nippon will (sort of).
What does everyone have against Laser Perceptions? Never been screwed by 'em as long as you know what you are ordering it works out fine. You have to remember that LP is not an "anime store". They carry imports (and anime) but his main business is domestic. They aren't into anime so if you go "Send me something cool" You'll get whatever he wants to sell. Sight & Sound is the worst in my book, their prices are now as bad as Books Nippan (more lovingly known as CROOKS NIPPAN).
As to Minna Agechau, I've seen it and it's stupid so I don't see what the big deal is. CPM seems to have about the same business practices as Nintendo though -- not to mention being the first company to demonstrate "vapor anime". :)
It is now CONFIRMED (totally) that both AKIRA and LENSMAN will be in CAV from Voyager (as PART of the Criterion Collection). It is said both will have extras.
More info: (This is all Laserdisc by the way)
Y's - LD BOXED SET (ALL CAV) 20000 yen, 240 min. KILA9001/4.
Dallos is being reissued at 5800 yen (120 min.) BELL459
--
+----------------------+-------------+------------------------------------+
| Lee Thompson | "I think I'll watch some TV... it'll help me |
| ltho...@polari.uucp | * * * R E L A X * * * ! ! ! " |
+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
Ed Goodwin
sho...@sutro.SFSU.EDU (Mike M. Tatsugawa) writes:
(included messages deleted)
> I talked to them today. The original story that they went with was
> that a collector bought it. This proved to be too compromising.
> (Everyone knew they were lying, and even if they weren't, they were
> conducting a breech of contract. The truth was getting out, and now
> they've decided to come clean and admit that Sony bought them all
> back. I guess that their advertising just backfired.
>
> Mike
I was going to post this a while back, but had problems with sending it. Anyway, now that someone has reminded me, here 'tis.
It's quite likely that their accepting an offer for videos that they'd already sold to someone else, especially where they've already taken the someone else's money, could be legally interpreted as breach of contract if the original buyers wanted to bring a class action to court. Reimbursement (no matter how screwed up) would probably not absolve them. Punitive damages might serve as an inhibitor for future similar occurances.
Ed
Michael Studte
>In article <1991Oct13.2201...@netcom.COM>, alb...@netcom.COM (Albert Wong) writes:
>> Because of concerns expressed by Sony'd American marketing
>> subsidiary about potential nedative publicity due to the contents of
>> Minna Agechau, and the possible confusion regarding the identity of
>> the American supplier because of the packaging, SMEJ requested CPM's
>> approval to purchase the distribution rights back from CPM.
>>
>> Understanding SMEJ's position, and in the spirit of cooperation, CPM
>> agreed to sell-back, cancelling plans for the American release, and
>> pre-orders for the program.
>Chotto! From what I recall of the letter that the Australian gentleman who
>ordered MA received from CPM, it said that it was a PRIVATE COLLECTOR who
>bought the entire run. So who's right, Central Park Media or Central Park
>Media? B-)
Well, I got the surprise of the year last night when I got a call from Mr
John O'Donnell himself last night (Man. Director of USMC) who managed to clear
everything up (both the money and the Minna issue itself)... Let's just
remember that this was a phone call fron New York to Perth (Australia) in the
peak charging time for NY... I was very impressed, and yes, the above
reason from Prodigy is in fact the real one. I think this whole ugly chapter
could have been avoided if USMC/CPM had told us the real reason about the
disappearance of Minna Agechao... I think USMC/CPM stepped on their own
foot when trying to promote Minna by going to all the papers... It would
never have come to this if they hadn't tried to gain (in retrospect) bad
publicity for Minna...
>I'm putting a caveat emptor warning in the ANIME RESOURCES LIST regarding
>US Manga Corps/Central Park Media. It's only too bad, though.
Wise move, but it seems to have been just a bad call on CPM/USMC's behalf.
Darn, it was such a good title to release, too... You'd never get such a
"potential" christian outcry in Australia... <smile>
BTW. Since when am I being considered a "gentleman"? Nice to know, but I
just might get an ego, now... <smile> And it'll be all your fault...
+-------------------+-----------------------------------------+-----------+
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Michael Studte
>I wish people would try to understand the unique circumstances that Minna
>debacle were under. As one who ordered Dominion I and received it BEFORE the
>original release date(oct 10 officialy, got shipped oct. 7) I think that
>the whole reason for this whole event is the overall misunderstanding/
>ignorant opposition in this country to the "type" of anime that is Minna
>Agechau. Granted, CPM tried to get positive publicity through the press
>to help its cause, but trusting the press/media is REALLY stupid. The real
>people to blame(I feel) was Sony Music, which, by listening to the press/media
>which is also stupid most of the time, pulled the plug, fearing negative
>retrobution.
In my opinion, this would never have gone out of proportions if CPM/USMC
had just told us the TRUE reason, not the "private collector" idea...
'Nuff said.
>DOMINION is HERE AND A-KO is DONE and being packaged and duplicated, though
>no official release date.
Are you sure "no official date"? During the con I looked at CPM's release
schedule, and A-KO was slotted in during December... Looked pretty
"official" to me... <smile>
Ken Arromdee
>In my opinion, this would never have gone out of proportions if CPM/USMC
>had just told us the TRUE reason, not the "private collector" idea...
>'Nuff said.
I certainly hope not, even though half the population of this newsgroup seem
to think that since Minna Agechau was recalled due to censorship pressure,
CPM are suddenly nice guys.
You still must wonder about the fate of other CPM releases. Most anime has at
least _something_ that media or pressure groups can shout about; can you
imagine CPM making cuts in or recalling Project A-ko because someone told the
media that B-ko is a lesbian? If this were to happen, it wouldn't surprise me
in the least.
Mike Tatsugawa
>In article <13...@DIALix.oz.au> mich...@DIALix.oz.au (Michael Studte) writes:
>You still must wonder about the fate of other CPM releases. Most anime has at
>least _something_ that media or pressure groups can shout about; can you
>imagine CPM making cuts in or recalling Project A-ko because someone told the
>media that B-ko is a lesbian? If this were to happen, it wouldn't surprise me
>in the least.
You are forgetting one key thing. They played up their own video as a
type of Kiddie porn which is quite illegal in this country. Being a
Lesbian, which is politically incorrect to many politicians, is
an accepted part of most American communites. Violence will not
create a public outcry either.
Mike
CHORN%POMONA....@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu
of kiddie porn in Japan, but "minna" is not it.
--Carl "Diga No Su La Pornografia" Horn
Conty
>
> BTW. Since when am I being considered a "gentleman"? Nice to know, but I
> just might get an ego, now... <smile> And it'll be all your fault...
Don't worry. I called you a "gentleman" because I forgot your name...
[and Mike's recently acquired family-size ego goes <POP!>] ;-)
sch...@wkuvx1.bitnet
>
> You still must wonder about the fate of other CPM releases. Most anime has at
> least _something_ that media or pressure groups can shout about; can you
> imagine CPM making cuts in or recalling Project A-ko because someone told the
> media that B-ko is a lesbian? If this were to happen, it wouldn't surprise me
> in the least.
It would surprise me! Recalling a show because it has an alleged gay/lesbian
character would probably have the gay rights activists up in arms shouting
"Discrimination!"
Then again, this is animation we're talking about. Perhaps they wouldn't make
such a big deal out of it.
As far as all anime having something that someone finds offensive--that's life!
Everything has something offensive to someone (why would anybody try to ban
"Charlotte's Web" is beyond me).
--
James E. Schaad <SCH...@WKUVX1.BITNET>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jeremy! Don't you know these [comics] rot your brain?!"
Ichi-Kun (Itchy Koo) Ichinohei, Girls of Ninja High School
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike M. Tatsugawa
>Kiddie porn? Not. They played it up more as "Risky Business." There *is* a lot
>of kiddie porn in Japan, but "minna" is not it.
What it is, and what they publicize it to be to draw attention to it
can be two completely different things.
Mike
Robert J. Woodhead
>You are forgetting one key thing. They played up their own video as a
>type of Kiddie porn which is quite illegal in this country. Being a
>Lesbian, which is politically incorrect to many politicians, is
>an accepted part of most American communites. Violence will not
>create a public outcry either.
Not in the slightest. CPM promoted Minna as what it was, an animated
sex comedy. I've seen all their promo material. It was the LA Times
reporter, who gave his preview copy to a Christian group for "comment,"
who was mainly responsible for all the over-reaction.
Michael Studte
>Not in the slightest. CPM promoted Minna as what it was, an animated
>sex comedy. I've seen all their promo material. It was the LA Times
>reporter, who gave his preview copy to a Christian group for "comment,"
>who was mainly responsible for all the over-reaction.
I can imagine their "reviewer" to have a heart-attack within the first two
minutes of the tape...
Robert J. Woodhead
>I can imagine their "reviewer" to have a heart-attack within the first two
>minutes of the tape...
Exactly... and more to the point, not watching the rest of the tape.
The opening sequence is by far the most outrageous part of the film.