Bandai Entertainment, the North American distribution company behind anime properties such as Gundam, Haruhi Suzumiya, and Code Geass, has announced that it will stop releasing new Blu-rays, DVDs, and manga as of next month, according to ANN. However, the company will still distribute from its existing catalogue, so that means older properties like Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell will still be available from Bandai for the time being.
Instead of distributing itself, Bandai will sell the licensing rights to these properties to other companies, especially in the digital realm. Blu-rays and DVDs such as Gosick, Nichijō, and Turn A Gundam have all been canceled due to this restructuring. Bandai will also lay off most of its contractors, as well as three-fifths of its full-time staff.
These canceled titles will remain unavailable in North America until Bandai sells off the licenses to new distribution companies.
[via ANN]
