Boxing Utena (US anime business turmoil)
So, one of the podcasts I listen to, Anime World Order, tells me that Central Park Media has announced lay-offs and is possibly going bancrupt. I might not have paid too much attention to this if they hadn’t mentioned a keyword that sparks me up like only a few do: Utena.
Now, I’m still missing the third and final box of the fabulous Revolutionary Girl Utena series. The thought of the company that released the Utena DVDs going bancrupt created this interesting reaction in me, including slight shaking of hands and breaking in cold sweat. This ain’t good.
Into web surfing I dive. Anime News Network look at the issue is short and to the point. Also The Beat (I’ve been neglecting lately) covers the situation. Shit, it’s for real. The lay-offs in any case.
But wait, what’s this? Utena Apocalypse Saga Re-Priced. Yup, I had noticed the price of the box dropping in Amazon from eighty-something to thirty-something. But here’s something new. A re-release of the box in the end of this month! I couldn’t tell if the extras on the new box are the same or better than in the old one but I decided to take no risk, especially since the Amazon price (on the old version of the box) is higher. After a very brief price surfing I placed an order of the box in AnimeNation. 29,96 dollars pre-order price for the box (39.95 being the list price) plus 9,95 for shipping is not too bad after all. And I’m finally getting my Utena!
Here’s hoping that the blight of CPM doesn’t mean the cancellation of their announced releases. In any case it’s a shame if CPM goes under.

I’ve been listening to AWO too :) Any other good anime podcasts you’d like to recommend?
Humm. AWO is the best I’ve found so far. I also listen to Ninja Consultant and more discriminatingly to Anime Pulse (because they often ramble too much for my busy taste).
Have you found others worth mentioning? Thanks for recommending From Our Own Correspondent, I subscribed and love it!
Someone rambles more than AWO folks!?! This I gotta hear ;)
Escape Pod that Janne recommended rocks big time. Sci-fi short stories - I never bother with them in printed format because I then I want something that lasts longer, but they are perfect for podcasts. Very high quality narrators, too.