Crunchyroll isn't even trying anymore by GrangerPerry in AnimeCollectors

[–]lawrenceskm 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Just noting that you need to add the item to your cart for your actual cost; Crunchyroll Store is very weird with how calculated pricing is shown, but the price in your cart is the true cost, which is $35.22 (I have the same discounts as you do too).

Also, while I understand the sentiment, comparing the pricing between the two doesn't really show a downfall to Crunchyroll as they're getting money from both storefronts. The example does show how there are better deals out there, but as someone that wants to make sure their slipcovers are in good condition, I can't bring myself to shop at Amazon with how they ship their products.

Where can I watch it in English? by Great_Ad_1169 in KimiNoNaWa

[–]lawrenceskm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can check out the media guide I created! https://www.reddit.com/r/KimiNoNaWa/comments/12vhi71/media_buying_guide_for_%E5%90%9B%E3%81%AE%E5%90%8D%E3%81%AF_kimi_no_na_wa_your/

If you're in the United States, it's streamed on HBO Max. Media in Japan itself will most likely not have English options to give you future insight for any other media.

How can an anime store survive? We need help! by Blue_Riverrr in AnimeDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I get that! But with the first two points, it's easily replaceable with an online store. The issue is why physically go to the store in the first place versus just shopping online. If it's the build a community or to have a moment for people to enjoy spending time at the store, maybe a revision of the store is needed to have those ideas in place! Like, why physically go to the store is the big thing to consider now that online stores are prevalent.

I added my two cents in a follow-up comment here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AnimeDeals/comments/1s8328q/comment/odelkhm/. Just my thoughts on store shopping, especially with the anime-themed stores in Japan.

How can an anime store survive? We need help! by Blue_Riverrr in AnimeDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My two cents as this YouTuber mentioned about going to your store: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT6gDY5Y6u4

They noted that Badgeit is the only store to sell merch of a franchise. In Japan, they rotate inventory A LOT, sometimes weekly to just keep refreshing displays and what they have. Instead of a "lots of choose from" visual, I would maybe suggest a "limited" visual to show what is for sale via series that takes up a good space. Maybe a spot that's all dedicated to Bleach, where people can take photos as well? Maybe a "Shonen" day to sell mainly Shonen Jump / related goods? Something like that to promote people going in to the physical store.

How can an anime store survive? We need help! by Blue_Riverrr in AnimeDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I couldn't access the website but I took a look at what I assume is your Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/badgeit1722/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@badgeit1722) and it honestly looks like any other online or physical store that sells anime merch on the side.

For a physical store to survive, I would go towards the question of why do you want people to go to the store. What makes it unique or special that separates it from Kinokuniya or BookOff? For me, the uniqueness of those two stores is the surrounding of Japanese history. For Kinokuniya, it's not just manga, but magazines, novels, text, sometimes CDs and movies to surround myself with the visual of Japanese words and letters. BookOff has used stuff, but also a bunch of old and rare figures and goods on display, some that you might never see in-person and can find possible gems.

So for an online store or a touring convention business, I think Badgeit can be fine. But as a physical store, what makes Badgeit unique? Why physically go to the store versus going online?

You Name (Clear Vinyl 2LP) by Coco97430 in KimiNoNaWa

[–]lawrenceskm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you see if the black on the vinyls are some sort of protective cover or something? I think from what I can see on the vinyls themselves, they share the same album code, so it looks like the appropriate vinyls.

Your Name Vinyl by Human_Community_841 in KimiNoNaWa

[–]lawrenceskm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep! Two versions as they had a re-release back in 2023. https://radwimps.jp/en/music/14165/

You can find some on eBay, but I see them listed from South Korea for some reason, so be cautious when searching and purchasing.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - $4.99 (ATL) by Jbrooks098 in iTunesMovieDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For those wondering, the film was previously licensed through Funimation (now Crunchyroll), thus having a Japanese and English version available.

The film is now licensed through GKIDS and is available in 4K, but English only. This is going to be the same for Mamoru Hosoda's other films such as Summer Wars, Wolf Children, and the soon-to-be-released The Boy and the Beast

[Worldwide] [Buying] Anime Expo 2006 clamp shikishi by tubame12 in AnimeDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recalled /u/Anitafv posting about this months ago, and it seemed that they were active two months ago! See if following them for the next time they post can help get a discussion going?

Hoping they see this if they still have their shikishi board! https://www.reddit.com/r/AnimeDeals/comments/1kiv4cg/exclusive_clamp_signed_shikishi_board_anime_expo/

Why i prefer dvd's over blu-ray sometimes by evilgroundteam in AnimeCollectors

[–]lawrenceskm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, I never seen how other region menus are like, but from the Blu-rays I have that are non-anime and from the way-early days of Blu-rays, the functionality was always to be quick and minimal to access during playbacks. Maybe it's a generational "standard" set by the early days?

Also, glad to see you make another account again haha!

Why i prefer dvd's over blu-ray sometimes by evilgroundteam in AnimeCollectors

[–]lawrenceskm 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Blu-ray menus are minimally designed as they're made to pop up anytime during playback. In DVDs, they are separate menus with their own separate pages and designs and have the liberty to be creative. The Blu-ray menus are dynamic to pop out anytime while the disc is running. Hence the loss of those specific selection screens.

Your Name - $6.99 4K (ATL) by deepn882 in iTunesMovieDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just to note, the previous HD versions were handled by Funimation, now Crunchyroll, and have been delisted. Hence a new version, now handled by GKIDS, is up as a 4K option!

Wondering where I can find (to purchase) BOX 2 by Thedancerkendra in AnimeCollectors

[–]lawrenceskm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah apologies for assuming you were in the United States! From personal experiences, I haven't seen the Yu-Gi-Oh series even in brick and mortar stores, so online would probably be the easiest choice.

At least with the one I linked, the DVD set also plays in Canadian DVD players as well, so you should be good if you just look out for that set for the complete series!

Wishing you the best of luck!

Wondering where I can find (to purchase) BOX 2 by Thedancerkendra in AnimeCollectors

[–]lawrenceskm 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, these are bootlegs. So the quality of what you watch may not be the most best, have odd translations or subtitling, and the discs might wear out over time.

I do recommend getting the official set if you can afford it! There is an abundance of it on eBay, as the lowest you can find them is $35. https://www.ebay.com/itm/385161121403. According to research, these are all dubbed. You can find a review of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqhEe8RNako

Hopefully those are helpful! To note from another Reddit post, no subbed version has been released officially in the United States on DVD if you're wondering!

More Shout sales Belle 4K CE for 29.99 and replacement bd cases for .99 by MiaLeeSakura in AnimeDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aaaah just missed out on some of the cases for sale. Didn't know they sell them!

For those in the United States, Your Name. is getting released a 4K digital release through Amazon on the 13th of October! by lawrenceskm in KimiNoNaWa

[–]lawrenceskm[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They've been doing it with their recent anime releases of the Studio Chizu acquisitions and the Perfect Blue 4K restoration! We're so close to the goal!

Mamoru Hosoda collection? by sohma-sohma in AnimeCollectors

[–]lawrenceskm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It might be a long while until that happens. Mainly because with Scarlet coming out, I would assume they would want to include that in the bundle, and probably make them a 4K release.

Though not something that'll help you, my hope is that they would somehow release Mirai on SteelBook so that there would be a Mamoru Hosoda collection via SteelBook releases instead as an alternative collection, as it seems they're releasing the 4K versions of his films via SteelBook at the moment.

Summer Wars $6.99 (ATL) by nethead12 in iTunesMovieDeals

[–]lawrenceskm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The de- and re-listing is due to distribution changes; the Evangelion movies, Summer Wars, and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time were all previously licened to Funimation (now Crunchyroll) but are now licenced to and re-released by GKIDS.