Well, better pick up those Gundam DVD’s you always wanted. Bandai has pretty much given up completely now. The following is a press release attained from [URL=”http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2012-08-31/bandai-entertainment-to-discontinue-sales-of-home-video-products-and-graphic-novels”]ANN[/URL]
[QUOTE]August 31, 2012 (Cypress, CA) – Bandai Entertainment announced today the discontinuation of Blu-ray, DVD, comic and novel sales. The final shipment of comic and novels to retailers will be made at the end of October 2012; home video products to their wholesale customers will be made on November 30, 2012.
About Bandai Entertainment, INC.
Bandai Entertainment, INC. is a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) Inc. and a premier distributor of Japanese animation in North America. Titles include K-ON!, Gundam 00, Code Geass: Lelouch of Rebellion, Lucky Star, Gurren Lagann,The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Escaflowne, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, My Otome.[/QUOTE]
Despite this, I think Ghost In The Shell is still safe because Manga Entertainment has a distribution deal with Bandai and may re-print those shows themselves.
Gurren Lagann may have the same deal, but to my understanding Bandai owns the license and Manga just took care of distribution and the cost of the dub, so that might be safe too since Bandai isn’t going out of business and will continue to exist as a sub-liscensor.
All that being said…if you want something, pick it up now. Don’t wait because you might not get another chance.
Those $35 Cowboy Bebop Remix Anime Legends sets look good now, don’t they?