Japanese content producer and retail conglomerate Broccoli has announced in a press release (Japanese PDF) that it will shut down its American subsidiary effective December 31st, with complete liquidation by next February.  While the shut down will mean that losses will be incurred, the company expects it to have a minimal impact on its profit forecasts.

The company was incorporated in 2002 to handle merchandising and licensing of new shows through its Synch-Point distribution and production division (known for I’m Gonna be An Angel, Di Gi Charat, Galaxy Angel, Aquarian Age, Bushi Lord, and FLCL)  while it also offered its own products through a branch of the Anime GAMERS retail store in Los Angeles, which was shut down in 2007 as well as having distribution through Bandai Visual USA via the dot-ANIME webstore.

The company was best known for its Broccoli Books publishing imprint which handled titles such as
Aquarian Age: Juvenile Orion, the Cosmode USA cosplay magazine, Disgaea, Galaxy Angel, Kamui, Koi Cupid, Murder Princess, Nui!, and sola.

The parent company made the decision to close and liquidate the division after the effects of increased competition and the difficulty in changing the direction of the business from its former position.