Anime Network Launches New Broadband Service
Anime Network, America’s #1 Anime Channel, today announced a new broadband service to stream high-quality anime on the Internet. This new service is free to the consumer, who can expect to find over 20 full episodes of classic and brand new anime series available at any given time. For the full range of Anime Network’s Internet offerings, visit www.theanimenetworkonline.com.
Anime Network’s online programming is ad-supported, with five or more new episodes rotating through every Thursday. The Network’s lineup includes anime classics like Rahxephon and Saiyuki as well as new, ongoing series such as Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy and Kurau Phantom Memory. Anime Network Online will present these series in their entirety over the coming months. Already more than 60,000 anime episodes have streamed since the beta launch in mid-November.
Beginning today Anime Network will broadcast brand new series over the Internet, including series that have not yet been released on home video in North America. These ‘First Look’ Internet broadcasts, which will begin running months before the DVD series is launched, will feature the Japanese language track with English subtitles and.
Anime Network’s inaugural First Look program is the much-anticipated mecha series Gurren Lagann, from Studio GAINAX (Neon Genesis Evangelion). According to Anime Insider, Gurren Lagann ‘captures giant robot anime at its soaring, smashing, brilliantly explosive best,’ and it’s one of the few series rated ‘Excellent’ by the readers of Anime News Network. The first DVD volume of Gurren Lagann won’t hit stores until February 26, but fans can watch the first episode today at www.theanimenetworkonline.com.
‘We know there’s a demand for fresh, unreleased anime on the Internet,’ said ADV President and CEO John Ledford. ‘Through Anime Network’s First Look broadcasts, we can engage fans in a lawful way and at the same time help build the audience for our DVD releases. Everybody wins.’
Anime Network’s streaming content is free and requires only the Flash 9 player and Java Script to view. As some of the programming is rated TV-MA, however, content is restricted to viewers 18 and older. At this time Anime Network’s Internet offerings are restricted to the US and Canada.