Funimation Now Pretty Much Owns the R1 Anime Market

From ICV2:

"In a conference call discussing his company's latest quarterly financial results Cary L. Deacon the CEO of Funimation parent Navarre told industry analysts that Funimation has 'a first look at all opportunities in terms of licenses. We’re seeing them all, we have an opportunity to bid on them all.'Deacon noted that currently Funimation was being “pretty selective” in choosing which anime to license, but he reiterated Navarre’s optimism regarding the future of Funimation in spite of the fact that 'the overall DVD market continues to be somewhat soft.' Navarre reported a 26% decline Q2 sales for its publishing division, which includes Funimation, thanks to the shutting down of Navarre’s BCI unit, and a softer schedule of anime titles from Funimation.

According to Deacon in spite of the soft schedule, Funimation had 'a solid quarter and met its internal sales targets.' Deacon said that he remains 'buoyant' about 'the opportunities that Funimation’s anime market dominance will provide in the future.' In response to an analyst’s question Deacon estimated Funimation's share of the U.S. anime market at about 56% to 60%."

Our DVD sales numbers corroborate those market share figures. That means that just about all the Anime now licensed for R1 that's published by any of the other companies will be something that Funi passes on. Think about that. But it's not surprising, Funi has always taken care of us (as an Anime retailer) the best of all the other R1 companies, some of which (not naming any names) have done things in the past that are actually openly hostile to their retailer partners. From where we sit, Funi has definitely earned the top spot.