RIP Bandai

We're never really surprised, and yet, it's never news we want to hear: another anime company is collapsing. Of course, that’s not how Bandai is putting it. Quite simply, they are closing up shop on all new DVD and Blu-Ray production, as well as manga. There will be nothing new, and all licenses will be sold. They are merely continuing their current licenses, until they run out. 

They might as well have put that little memo to “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes. 

Bandai plans to restructure and focus on licensing rights to other companies. They’re laying off a huge chunk of their work force - most all contractors and three of the five full-time employees. 

They say not to freak out and go buying up all the DVDs for current titles, like “Cowboy Bebop” and “Code Geass.” They say there’s enough to go around, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They also said that upcoming releases for DVDs “Gosick,” “Nichijo,” and “Turn A Gundam” are now cancelled, as well as mangas “Code Geass: Renya,” “Gureen Lagann” volume 7, “Kannagi” volumes 4-6, “Lucky Star,” “Mobile Suit Gundam 001,” and “Tales of the Abyss: Jade’s Secret Memories” volumes 1-2. 

The really sad thing will be what happens when their current licenses expire. What sound does an anime company make as it fades into extinction?