Is it possible for a title to get re-licensed?

[rocklobster]

A few great titles are actually out of circulation: Kimagure Orange Road, Kimba the White Lion, and Astroboy come to mind. Is it possible that a title that has been dropped out of circulation could be renewed? BTW, I'm referring to the original Astroboy, not Columbia's remake.

[THE ANIME MAN]

A few great titles are actually out of circulation: Kimagure Orange Road, Kimba the White Lion, and Astroboy come to mind. Is it possible that a title that has been dropped out of circulation could be renewed? BTW, I'm referring to the original Astroboy, not Columbia's remake.

The answer to this fine question is yes. My father, Jeffrey Albright, is working towards becoming a patent attorny. And it is very well possible to relicense a series. That is as long as the person who they acquired the license from allows it.

Case in point, Iria: The Animation. The original license owners of that lost the rights to it last year I belief. Well a different company decided to purchase the rights to produce and sell DVD's of it.

Note: A license is good for 10 - 15 years.

However, on the opposite end you have Sailor Moon. The original creator of Sailor Moon does not want the license for it to be renewed here in the US. So when that expires (which is within the next couple of years), it will no longer be available to purchase legitly in the US. And I mean like boxsets and what not. Which is the main reason Pioneer and ADV have released uncut, uneditted versions of the first 4 seasons. This also means the final season will more then likely never see US release.

[Michael]

Yeah, basically it can whenever it expires.

[Rev. Doc]

A few great titles are actually out of circulation: Kimagure Orange Road, Kimba the White Lion, and Astroboy come to mind. Is it possible that a title that has been dropped out of circulation could be renewed? BTW, I'm referring to the original Astroboy, not Columbia's remake.

Actually, AnimEigo still holds the license to Kimagure Orange Road.

Licences can indeed be picked up by another company upon experation. All three Slayers TV have just been picked up by Funimation after Central Park Media let it expire.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

was hikaru no go lisenced, then unlisenced again?

[Joshua Christopher]

Well, Manga Entertainment had Giant Robo, but now Media Blasters does, so I suppose.

[Azier the Swordsman]

Yes. Dragonball Z is a most recent example, as the earlier episodes have now passed from Pioneer to Funimation and are currently being rereleased with new dubs and uncut Japanese versions intact. The same will happen to the first 13 episodes of Dragonball when the current liscense expires and Funimation takes possession.

[Breakman]

A few great titles are actually out of circulation: Kimagure Orange Road, Kimba the White Lion, and Astroboy come to mind. Is it possible that a title that has been dropped out of circulation could be renewed? BTW, I'm referring to the original Astroboy, not Columbia's remake.

"Big News Concerning Astroboy"
Region 4 Release

I'm not sure what Astro Boy series you are talking about really. Some people confuse the 1980's version as the original, but it's not. Those sites are the only news I know of about the one of the older versions getting a re-release. There has been reports that Madman may also do a re-release on the 1960's version too... Remember, these are Region 4 DVDs.

For Kimba... There was a re-release of the 1966 version by the company Rhino, but I have been hearing a lot of bad reviews on it. The picture is dark, no remastered sound, and other things. I would almost say to beware of this box set but it seems to be the only way to get them on DVD. Except for...

There are always strange, possibly illegal Kimba DVDs by assorted companies. You could usually find them cheap at K-mart or even in Dollar Stores! The only version they use is the same as Rhino, but the common soundtrack the companies use is, I think, the Canadian version voice actors...

If you were talking about the Leo the Lion or the New Adventures Of Kimba (1993), I haven't heard anything about them. I have heard though that you could watch Leo the Lion on some Christian channel... But check this place out. They would have more accurate info on Kimba. (Click on the NEWS section.)

Kimba the White Lion's Corner of the Web

I'm not familiar with "Kimagure Orange Road". (It sounds familar though...) Sorry... ^^;

[Rev. Doc]

[quote="Breakman"]I'm not familiar with "Kimagure Orange Road". (It sounds familar though...) Sorry... ^^]

Kimagure Orange Road is still available at a number of stores such as Suncoast but mainly on the AnimEigo website. This title is in subtitle format only but an excellent show.