Viz Media’s Anime Streaming service Neon Alley, will now be changing itself to a free to stream platform hosted on Hulu and is claiming that they’ll now have “simulcast world premieres”.
I’ve got to say I’m a little impressed… This is actually what Anime fans want.
Since the dawn of high speed internet, or really the dawn of rewritable video tape Anime has been a pirate heavy industry where people often time favor fan subs over Dubs and DVD releases. Why? Well fast and free for one. Why wait for a company to re-dub or re-sub something that has been out in Japan for sometimes years before we can have the option to pay $26.00 for a three to four episode DVD?
Next, Anime Dubs have a history with the collective fan base, and not a good one… Dubbing company’s like 4Kids Entertainment, long dead as they are, are still considered the boogeymen of Anime fans everywhere. Changing what a character says or heavily editing a show to make it more “Americanized” is something that never has been, or never really will be tolerated.
But free streaming and simulcasts along with the option to chose from both subs and dubs, You have me there. I think this is what we’ve wanted all along. I really hope this works out well and is successful.
San Francisco, CA, March 31, 2014 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, is officially relaunching NeonAlley.com April 1st as the new home and consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. The new NeonAlley.com will deliver the hottest in subbed and dubbed digital series, simulcast world premieres, exclusive on-demand access, and a massive legacy catalog of new as well as classic favorites (in HD when available).
The new Neon Alley streaming destination will be available on demand to U.S.-based fans for FREE at NeonAlley.com. It will also be available anytime, anywhere across many different devices, including PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Roku, Chromecast, and a variety of other mobile devices through the subscription-based Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand service. Additional details on Hulu Plus-enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices. For a limited time, fans who visit NeonAlley.com can receive a free 2-week trial to Hulu Plus – please check out the site for details.
“VIZ Media begins a new era for fans across the U.S. as we present the all new free Neon Alley online destination, focused on delivering the best in compelling digital anime content,” says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Vice President of Animation. “Supported by our media partner Hulu, Neon Alley offers a variety of rich programming combined with the ease and flexibility of on-demand access, with web and mobile device interoperability across all major platforms. We look forward to delighting new and veteran fans alike with even more exciting new programming announcements in coming months!”
VIZ Media invites anime fans to join the Neon Alley launch celebration with a special “Raven’s Watch and Win” contest running from April 1st to April 6th. Sign up for a FREE NeonAlley.com membership (current members are also eligible) and watch each day’s “Raven’s Pick of the Day” episode. Just leave a comment after the show ends and be automatically entered to win fun anime prizes that include Neon Alley gift bags, DVDs, assorted collectables and other premiums. The previous day’s winners will be announced each day. For full details and rules, please visit: viz.com/na_sweepstakes.
Each month, fans can look forward to limited time, specially curated Neon Alley selections of full-length anime feature films, and April kicks off with an exciting double feature. BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC 1 – THE EGG OF THE KING and BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC 2 – THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY will be available on Sunday, April 6th for one-week-only, until April 12th, presented with easy-to-use selections for dubbed and/or subbed dialogue options.
Neon Alley will host over 1,200 subtitled and dubbed episodes of smash and fan-favorite shows, including BLEACH, BLUE EXORICIST, RANMA ½, MAGI, VAMPIRE KNIGHT, with new episodes added each week. Don’t miss the Neon Alley subtitled debut of GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET on April 15th. The premiere of the dubbed version of the sci-fi action adventure anime will follow later in the year. April is also a great time to watch the subtitled versions of BLOOD LAD and COPELLION in preparation for the forthcoming dub episode debuts. The new Neon Alley will also bring fans entire seasons of dubbed series on-demand at the same time – perfect for marathoning at your leisure – starting with the April 1st launch of Season One of both BLEACH and INUYASHA, with subbed options available as well.