Viz is Simulcasting Naruto Shippuden
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:12 pm
This story is a bit old, but still interesting.
Subtitled Naruto Shippuden episodes 1-101 are currently available for free on Naruto.com via Hulu.
Atlhough I'm not a fan of Naruto, I applaud this effort. This kind of online distribution model, which basically amounts to official ad-supported fansubbing, is exactly the kind of thing the anime industry needs to embrace if it wants to survive in international markets. Unfortunately, these subbed Naruto episodes are only available in America, but this is a promising start. The next step should be releasing less mainstream anime (such as Gundam 00) in subbed form on Hulu. As long as the subs come out within a week of the original Japanese airdate, this will benefit the anime companies immensely. Not only will it put an end to illegal fansubbing, it will also create a new source of revenue and, theoretically, boost declining anime DVD sales. Viz has taken the first step; will other companies follow suit?
--via ANN (EXPLICIT: At the time of posting, the advert contained blood and gore)The North American anime distributor Viz Media has announced that its Naruto.com website will simulcast Naruto Shippūden episode 101 for free on March 26. Normally, the website streams episodes of this ninja anime series for free in the United States a week after their Japanese airing, but there is no new Naruto Shippūden episode this week due to pre-emption. Canadian viewers can also see this episode on March 26 on the Joost.com, and Crunchyroll is offering this episode for free on the same day. Viz Media will ship volumes 42 to 44 of Masashi Kishimoto's original Naruto manga in two weeks.
Subtitled Naruto Shippuden episodes 1-101 are currently available for free on Naruto.com via Hulu.
Atlhough I'm not a fan of Naruto, I applaud this effort. This kind of online distribution model, which basically amounts to official ad-supported fansubbing, is exactly the kind of thing the anime industry needs to embrace if it wants to survive in international markets. Unfortunately, these subbed Naruto episodes are only available in America, but this is a promising start. The next step should be releasing less mainstream anime (such as Gundam 00) in subbed form on Hulu. As long as the subs come out within a week of the original Japanese airdate, this will benefit the anime companies immensely. Not only will it put an end to illegal fansubbing, it will also create a new source of revenue and, theoretically, boost declining anime DVD sales. Viz has taken the first step; will other companies follow suit?