Anime Anime @ Video Stores

[Guest latenite82]

I own a video store and I am thinking of putting in an anime section. I think the renters are here, I just need some suggestions on some good anime to put in it.

I've just kind of gotten into, myself. The only anime I've seen is basically what's on Adult Swim. They don't have enough of it for me to fill some shelves.

What anime is out there, that's dubbed in English and isn't on Adult Swim, that I should check out and why?

Thanks for any replies I get.

[Chikara Kokoro]

In terms of what's most likely to sell, you should definitely get any anime that is shown on Adult Swim. Inuyasha, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Samurai Champloo, and anything similar to that would probably sell because of their popularity on television.

Fruits Basket is a shojo, made for girls, anime that is very popular right now, so that would be a good idea to pick up.

Anime movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki, or any other film produced by studio Ghibli, would be a good to have because they are artistically beautiful and generally wonderful. A more recent movie directed by Miyazaki, Spirited Away, won the academy award for best animated film in 2003. Most of them are distributed by Disney, if that makes any difference.

I?m definitely not the most avid watcher of anime, but I hope that I helped you somehow.

[Dagger]

In addition to Ghibli films, there are quite a few anime movies/OVAs that (quality aside) seem to have crossover appeal with fans of independent movies and/or arty stuff, as well as folks just looking for some blood & action. I'll try to avoid listing too many things that have appeared on AS.

With that in mind, I'd suggest Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Millenium Actress, Akira, Steamboy, Blood: The Last Vampire, Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Ghost in the Shell & Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Grave of the Fireflies, Metropolis, X: The Movie, Escaflowne: The Movie, Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie, Kite (the edited version!!), Mezzo Forte (ditto), Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, End of Evangelion, Jin-Roh, various Patlabor films, various Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo and Cardcaptor Sakura movies, etc.

Not all of those are particularly good, but they seem to be staples in the anime sections of most video rental stores. At least in my experience. Anyway, I don't know how much interest there would be in them, but Voices of a Distant Star and The Place Promised in Our Early Days are two excellent anime films that would, if nothing else, get you bonus points for good taste. (Voices is renowned for having been made by a single man working on his computer.)

Venturing beyond all that, you'll definitely want to have the Appleseed movie, The Animatrix and FFVII: Advent Children. As for other OVAs & TV series...

FLCL: A six episode OVA series spread over three DVDs; it became a bit of a cult hit after airing on Adult Swim.

Samurai 7: It's based on Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (it throws some sci-fi in the mix and tells the story over twenty-six episodes).

R.O.D: All three episodes on one disc. It aired on AS at least once. There's a sequel TV series, but the OVA can stand by itself, and I think it'd be more appealing from a renter's perspective.

Le Portrait de Petite Cossette: Another "all three episodes on one disc" deal. It's dark and gothic and really quite gorgeous-looking. It may or may not make sense.

Samurai X OVA series: The Samurai X OVAs serve as a prequel & sequel to the Rurouni Kenshin TV series. While the Kenshin series has many fans, the OVAs are more critically acclaimed and are done in a completely different, much more violent & realistic style. The prequel, Trust & Betrayal, is more independent. The sequel, Reflections, requires more foreknowledge of the characters. There are regular & director's cut versions of each.

Serial Experiments Lain: I don't actually like Lain very much, but it has a formidable reputation among anime fans. Four discs long.

Elfen Lied and Gantz: I'm lumping these together because both are known for their gore and have sold very well. They seem to hold a lot of appeal for casual fans (as much as any non-AS series can hope to, that is).

Karas: Only one disc out so far, but it pretty much fits the profile of what you'd want to have on shelves. Lots of action and eye candy.

Some other shows: Last Exile, Gankutsuou, Saikano, Gungrave, GunxSword, RahXephon, His & Her Circumstances, Fighting Spirit, Noir, Full Metal Panic, Gunslinger Girl, My-HiME, Initial D, GTO, .hack//whatever.

~Dagger~

[Obesepanda]

Where is the Full metal alchemist people? Also naruto.

[Kenshin DX]

[QUOTE=Dagger]



Samurai X OVA series: The Samurai X OVAs serve as a prequel & sequel to the Rurouni Kenshin TV series. While the Kenshin series has many fans, the OVAs are more critically acclaimed and are done in a completely different, much more violent & realistic style. The prequel, Trust & Betrayal, is more independent. The sequel, Reflections, requires more foreknowledge of the characters. There are regular & director's cut versions of each.[/QUOTE]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I wholeheartdly recomend this series. These are the best anime movies in existence with excellent chacters, storytelling and animation. A must own.Both DC of Trust and Betrayal and Reflections have been packaged in for $35. Well worth the money[/COLOR]

[QUOTE]Elfen Lied and Gantz: I'm lumping these together because both are known for their gore and have sold very well. They seem to hold a lot of appeal for casual fans (as much as any non-AS series can hope to, that is).[/QUOTE]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I wouldnt lump these two together seeing as they are complelty diffrent animes.And the gore in Elfen Lied is much stronger than Gantz. I prefer Gantz (one of my all time favorite anime) Gantz is retailing at $55 for the first season and Id definetly get that as well. People seem to have a serious beef with the second season which I dont understand b/c I felt it was much better than season 1.[/COLOR]

Definetly add these series to your store they are great and cheap.

[KatanaViolet]

Blockbuster and Rogers video do it here, Go for it!!
Even though alot of these titles will probably allready named, it gives you even more reason to put them up.

Gundam Seed: I love this series, it spans 50 episodes and it awesome all the way through
Gundam Seed Destiny: 2nd vol. out this month! The sequel to Gundam Seed, fansubs have allready created alot of buzz. I'm still yet to find it, so if it was available at a rental store, that would be amazing.
Fullmetal Alchemist: This series just started airing on YTV, so I'm far behind in the series, if there were episodes available at a video store, I'd totally rent them and have a FMA Marathon.
Naruto: This is one of the best animes I've ever seen. Even when there's nothing going on it's funny. A must-have
Sailor Moon: A classic, and awesome for young girls to watch.
Rurouni Kenshin: I love this series. It's a good alternative to the OVA's which are very gory, this series would be a bit better for younger children.
Samarai X OVAs and Motion Picture: Lots of blood and just amazing stuff.
Elfen Lied: I haven't seen this, but I really want to. Which is a good reason in itself you should get it.
Chrono Crusade: I watched a couple episodes, but Id like to see more. Looks good to me, if a video store had it I'd rent it.
Azumanga Daioh: This show cracks me up. Definately a good show for all ages.
Excel Saga: Random, random, random.
Ninja Scroll: Great movie, there's also a series, great for the long time fans.
Saiyuki: Coming into it's 3rd series, theres definately material there to rent out.
The Vision of Escaflowne: Older series, but awesome nonetheless.
Fruits Basket: This series is sooo cute. Great for all ages.

[Awaken]

[COLOR=Indigo]As a suggestion if you are considering getting Cardcaptor Sakura then try and get the original Japanese version, not the english dubbed version. Not just because I don't llike dubbing in general but because they did terrible on the whole series.

I would definitley suggest Inuyasha, Card Captor Sakura, any Miyazaki movies, Sailor moon for younger girls, Rurouni Kenshin and DBZ.

animes that I want to see that you could get are Full Metal Alchemist and Fruits Baskets.

Also I suggest Yu Yu Hakusho. It's my personal favorite
anime.

As for Miyazaki movies I recommend Castle in the sky, Howl's moving castle, Spirited Away and Kikki's Delivery Service.
-Hope I helped! :catgirl: [/COLOR]

[KatanaViolet]

[QUOTE=Awaken][COLOR=Indigo]As a suggestion if you are considering getting Cardcaptor Sakura then try and get the original Japanese version, not the english dubbed version. Not just because I don't llike dubbing in general but because they did terrible on the whole series.

I would definitley suggest Inuyasha, Card Captor Sakura, any Miyazaki movies, Sailor moon for younger girls, Rurouni Kenshin and DBZ.

animes that I want to see that you could get are Full Metal Alchemist and Fruits Baskets.

Also I suggest Yu Yu Hakusho. It's my personal favorite
anime.

As for Miyazaki movies I recommend Castle in the sky, Howl's moving castle, Spirited Away and Kikki's Delivery Service.
-Hope I helped! :catgirl: [/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Most anime DVD's do come with the option to have either english dubs or Japanese with English/French/Spanish/etc... subs. That gives the viewer the choice of which they prefer to watch.

I agree with your choices as well, all of them are good choices and good for most ages. Yu Yu Hakusho though, I haven't seen it, so I can't really comment there.
Miyazaki movies are definately a must have, because they're great for all ages, whether it be with a group of friends or the family.

[Wolf2gto]

I would for sure add DNangel, its about a boy name Daisuke Niwa, any male born in his family turns into the fantom thief Dark Mousy on his 14th birthday. Well not all the time, when ever Daisuke see's a picture of the girl he loves he transforms into dark, im sorry im not beter at summerizing things but im sure after this post someone will explain alittle beter then me in there own post

This would be a good anime to chose because its exciting funny and popular amoung anime fans. Also there are 7 volume's so that would help you kill some shelf space ^_^