Manga Entertainment representative Steve Sargent has confirmed via ANN’s ANNCast podcast that the distributor no longer holds the US license to the Satoshi Kon feature film Perfect Blue (co-distributed with Miramax), the Lupin the 3rd: Castle of Cagliostro feature film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and the End of Evangelion/Death & Rebirth feature films produced by Hideaki Anno and GAINAX.
With most licenses from 2000-2002 coming up for renewal, many in the industry expected Manga to allow the licenses to expire as the publisher concentrates on its digital distribution deal with iTunes, its Ani-Monday TV deal with SyFy and more selective licensing, with its last major licenses being the science fiction OVA series Karas which was released as two condensed feature films in The Prophecy and The Revelation in 2006-2007, feudal fantasy Tactics and horror action series Tokko.
Manga Entertainment was formerly known for being one of the larger anime distribution houses in the mid-to late 90′s, known for its late night informercials promoting its home video lineup, advertising in general interest magazines as well as licensing breakout hits such as Akira and the Ghost in the Shell feature films.
The company was also rumored to have paid upwards of $1 million for the license to the End of Evangelion/Death & Rebirth feature films, which would have made it one of the single most expensive licenses ever sold for an anime.
Humberto Saabedra
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