Gurren Lagann

I’m extremely happy to see that anime companies (whether within or outside Japan) are finally showing signs they are heading towards the light. A.D.V. has begun streaming Gurren Lagann for free. Listen up people, you can now stream and watch Gurren Lagann legally, and for free.

There are only 2 catches:

  • Each episode will only be archived for 2 weeks. There might be more than 2, since ADV said there would be at least 2 archived episodes. Not too shabby, really. If you really liked it after watching the whole series and would like to keep them, just shell out the cash for the DVD boxset. I really can’t think of any excuse not to buy and continue to rely on fansubs instead.
  • There are ads – seriously this is not a problem, in fact I think it’s brilliant! Pythonite posted a comment in my fansub rant regarding placing ads into the anime being streamed as a source of generating revenue for the company. We’re already used to seeing ads everywhere and especially on TV and on the Internet. So this really doesn’t count as a catch if you ask me.

Gurren Lagann isn’t exactly “fresh from Japan” anymore, but it’s still very new compared to other licensed releases. It’s a big step forward, though there are still much work to be done. I actually haven’t watched the series but was hoping to, so this was great news to me. Unfortunately (but understandably), I was met with this notice:

ADV Non-US/Canada

Click to enlarge in new window

For those who can’t read due to the small text (or too lazy to click the image to enlarge it) here’s what it said:

Sorry guys and gals! This feature is only available to US and Canadian residents at the present time. Please check back soon as we continue to strive to provide you with the best anime available online for free. If you have additional questions, please check out our FAQ.

Well that sucks, doesn’t it. Let’s hope they would be able to and will provide this free streaming services worldwide soon, along with fresh anime instead what has already ended in Japan. Right now, they are just losing to speed.

On a side note, it seems that Bandai Visual Japan and Bandai Visual USA are “seriously considering on releasing some of the new shows simultaneously with” Japan by spring. Check out ANN for the full article on that.

Update from ANN (26th Dec ’07):

On 2007-12-24, ADV Films clarified that not all programs would be broadcast in their entirety in subtitled form. For example, at this time only three episodes of Gurren Lagann are scheduled for subtitled broadcast. Other series in the pipeline will receive longer runs through First Look. ADV regrets the misunderstanding.

Now that sucks. I take back about me being happy with what they’re doing at the beginning of this post. It might have just been a marketing ploy to get fans to spread the word out and we fell for it hook, line and sinker. Bleh!

Related posts:

  1. Japan wants N. America to stop anime downloads


4 Comments to “ADV Providing Free, Legal Anime Streaming Service”

  1. Pythonite | January 3rd, 2008 at 3:58 am

    Lo and behold, Stumbleupon takes me back here only to find my comment has been used…

    Really though, this was a step in the right direction until they (predictably) destroyed a good thing. Now, I don’t consider myself an avid anime fan (I think the last full series I watched was Death Note, then Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu before, only because I read the books) but I still fully support the release of shows on the internet.

    After all, it isn’t just that fans want shows they can’t access, they want shows they can’t easily access. The same applies for all television. Look at the torrent stats for shows like Top Gear. While the show is available almost everywhere, it isn’t easily accessible almost everywhere. Pair that with the fact that it comes late, and that’s why it is one of the most downloaded shows out there right now.

    People don’t mind the ads, they(usually)don’t mind the short archives, and if a company can license in your country, that limitation disappears entirely. What they do mind is having to deal with not being able to watch shows when they want. That’s why I don’t watch shows on television usually. Well, that and anime shows blow in dubbed form for the most part.

    Of course, this whole rant is pointless because they completely screwed themselves over…

  2. Mmo | June 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 am

    This is actually a great way to stop piracy, and the anime companies can even make money off this by putting commercials on the online stream. Why bother pirating something if you can watch it instantly for free? Awesome idea. I’m glad they’re doing this. Hopefully we’ll see more anime companies doing this :D.

  3. Byron Alexander | July 11th, 2008 at 8:46 am

    The problem with that is that you people that torrent and steal anime over the net think that is it ok and is justified. You don’t realize that you are playing with people’s livelihood and that means that they need money in order to live. I’m not just talking about the artist themselves, but the family they have to support,the company that has to pay the 35% to sponsors of that company,the building they work at, the producers, writers etc. Yeah, it would be great if anime were free, but your living in a fantasy world if you think artist that take the effort and work then give it for free. Then expect them to be able to support themselves or whatever family they are responsible for. And has anyone though about the poor Otaku’s that have no access to the internet! For example, if you had a lemonaide stand and you fell asleep then unknown people kept stealing your product you made without paying…then later asking you to give it too them at a cheaper price and accomidate an easier method to get it at the price mentioned. Knowing that ur goals to get that bike are left behind to satisfy the customs selfish wants. I mean put yourself in that companies shoes(no really from a business/survival point of view for not only yourself for a minute).

  4. Byron Alexander | July 11th, 2008 at 9:07 am

    It is pretty damn pointless to do this to begin with..I mean you people will just steal it anyway. The only way to truly solve this(and I hate to be a party booper but……they have to block all access to the internet in order to deliver the “goods” to places that need it to copy onto cd’s or improve on the overall production. They would have to resort to hand delivery and make sure that the people there are trustworthy or don’t have internet capablity.Then make plans to block all uploads from outside sources over the internet and have a practical internet watch dog to sniff out disloyal emplayees and hackers. Look, I’ve enjoyed anime and manga for more years then most of you have been alive or at least by a good 5-8year ratio. And all I see are kids that are thinking only about their enjoyment now and not of the consequences of their repeated self-justified actions. yeah, you may change the industry by said actions, but is it just for the benefit you and fellow Otaku or can the people that make a living enjoy the fruits of the labor and not just the fan base.


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