Funimation's April 2010 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Funimation has sent out their April 2010 schedule and we've got it posted to the site! Here's what's now available for pre-order:

Funimation April 2010

Blade of the Phantom Master DVD (S.A.V.E. Edition)
D.Gray-man Season #1 Part #2 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26) (BLURAY)
King of Bandit Jing in Seventh Heaven OVA DVD (S.A.V.E. Edition)
Pumpkin Scissors Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Esp #1-24) (S.A.V.E. Edition)
Strain: Strategic Armored Infantry Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) (S.A.V.E. Edition)
When They Cry: Higurashi, Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Viridian Collection)

In addition to this list there will be a small number of pre-scheduled price reductions on about half a dozen existing products which will be made public in April. I've seen the list and trust me, it's nothing really significant there.

The thing about Funi's April schedule that REALLY surprised me is that there is, at least so far, absolutely NO new Anime material, and I keep looking at the release sheets thinking that maybe I'm missing something. Everything is price downs and re-releases of existing series. I'm not sure what that means, if anything. So far Funi's 2010 release strategy loaded up most of their 1st quarter new material to release in March, and perhaps that will become the norm where we only get a significant amount of new stuff out from them 1 out of every 3 months or so. The irony for me is that little Section 23, no longer encumbered by ADV's failed business model and now catering to the sub only customer base, is managing to get several new series out on the street every month, where as Funi seems to be having trouble juggling their existing catalog. Or, perhaps, Funi is targeting their new material into release periods when they deem it most likely to be successful. Will be interesting to see how they handle this going forward.