"Toei Japan Channel" Being Tested In US Markets?
 

The latest news story on TVAshi features an interesting new venture buy Toei- a pay channel on US networks that will air several types of tokusatsu and anime programs.

While initial broadcasts will air raw programs, Toei will consider adding English sups to their programs after the first year if the channel proves successful.

This could be a fantastic new opportunity for toku fans to actually watch streaming shows with the first-ever licensed subtitles in the history of Toei Entertainment.

Stay tuned to TokuNation for further details!

Very curious.

The articles I've read on this today talked about Kamen Rider and other shows, but not Super Sentai. They have a deal with Saban ... what happens if they choose just to air Super Sentai on this "channel", what kind of contract breaching does that mean, if any? Could it mean the eventual ending to Power Rangers?

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http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gun-NKS80c

I said it before and I'll say it again: Neato

I don't get your point? Power Rangers is an entirely different franchise.

If they can air Super Sentai and Power rangers in Japan i don't see why they can't do it in the states as well.

That deosn't change the fact that Saban has a contract to adapt Power Rangers, how that contract affects the possible broadcast of Sentai and viceversa is a valid and interesting question.

Isn't this just a streaming service available to the US though? If so, I'm pretty sure no toes are being trodden on.

So far it seems to be a pay channel not a streaming service.

The latter would have made more sense imo.

YES! I dont care if I cant speak japanese, I will watch this channel for a year if it means subs later, and Kamen Rider on my TV!!?!?! YES!!!

Saban Brands has a contract and license with TOEI to have exclusive rights to Super Sentai footage for the purpose of English adaption pretty much all over the world.

Basically, Haim Saban is paying TOEI to take all the Super Sentai footage and distribute it in English with film edits.

So what happens when TOEI decides to start releasing Super Sentai on this new Internet TV channel subtitled in English? Isn't that basically taking Saban out of the process, by releasing an English version of the same show that Power Rangers is taking its footage and story line from?

"Haim Saban, you can have exclusive rights to the Super Sentai footage for purposes of Power Rangers. But we're also going to subtitle the same Super Sentai show in English, and release it on the Internet."

It just kind of screams to me that TOEI is wanting a piece of the proverbial money-pie here in the United States and across the world from the success of Power Rangers.

Considering the articles apparently don't mention Sentai, I'm just assuming that Toei made a conscious decision to not include them initially so as to not possibly break deals.

However, regardless of whether or not they air Sentai, hallelujah. Even if you don't intend on buying the service, you have to remember that it's making these shows readily available. We might finally get a series like Blade without such terrible quality video or buying expensive DVDs, should they air past series, too.

I don't know if it would be worth it. Would I like to support Toei as a thanks for giving me tons of awesome Rider series? Yes. But we've gotten Riders subbed for years on the internet and the fact its a TV channel that you have to wait for a schedule makes me wary. Now if this leads to Rider dubs or at least western releases of Rider seasons on DVD and bluray, then I would hella support this.

I see your point, sort of. But considering Power Rangers make entirely new shows out of the footage...less so with Neo Saban but still...I don't see why it'd be a problem unless there is something specific in the contract that says otherwise.

High Quality Blade... the sole idea brings tears to my eyes. T_T

Pretty please Toei.

Considering this'll probably never be available to us in the UK, I'm quite happy with my fansubs. Honestly even if this does become available to UKers, I'd still probably go with my fansubs, I just find something wrong about paying for streams. I know it's no different than paying for a TV licence or whatever but I still find it such a an odd concept to spend money and not physically own anything.

I may be up for this if I could get it through my cable company.

Eh... Pay channel for no subs...

It's awesome and a great start, but it's just a start. So I'll be looking forward to see what develops from this for sure.

Meh. It's a pipedream but I would have preferred Toei to strike a deal with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. I don't think a cable channel is the smartest way to go with this, it's just not as convenient as a streaming service.

Well it's certainly a good start! I'm excited for it. However, I fear that any such attempt will be, of course, very US-centric. Toei would then start to crack down on fansubs and such because they're "now released in English" instead of being just US.

Anyhow, I hope it works out well. Though I agree with conundrum that this is a better solution:

I hope it does work out.Sure it would be series we've all seen already,but it's a part of japanese culture reaching out and saying "Hey,this is what it's like over here,this is what we watch"

As far as the Sentai/Ranger discussion goes,I think the point is that Saban is greedy (Case in point,the whole casting fiasco for Super Megaforce).They know that Power Rangers is a huge franchise,and if Sentai comes over,they lose some of that franchise,especially if kids see Sentai and like it better.As for Japan airing Power Rangers,they more then likely do it out of respect to show that they give the tumbs up for the American version.They also probably dont mind airing it in Japan because they know Sentai is more liked over there.

I thought Japan aired Power Rangers to give toys a second shelf run.

That too.Course I'd buy the ones I missed a chance on.lol

Am I the only one thinking that this sounds like a Japanese version of BBC America? With Toei instead the BBC?

Or am I way off?

Sounds good to me I hope this means we get a lot of the Sentai and Kamen Rider that aren't translated.

WWWAANNNTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!! i will have raw shows i that i cant understand plan as much as i can to try to make it happen XD

man this is the greatest thing ever, SIGN ME UP

THis would be way worth it!!! Especially if they sub stuff.

*Soars through space like Fourze* THIS IS AAAAAAAAAAWESOME!

I think. Depends on if they offer it on DirecTV.

if it doesnt sub from day 1 it will fail.

i hope comcast get channel - i live in sandwick and somonaul area

Yeah, testing it without subs seems like a risky move as most English speakers will probably just continue to use free fansubs.

But hey, this still sounds like a great thing and I'd love to be able to back it. If it ever actually make it available to me that is.

I swear if Time Warner gets this channel, I'm buying it in a heartbeat.

well aren't you mister positive

He makes a fair point though. How many Japanese speaking toku fans with money to spare are there in the US? I know it's a big place, but mass audience channels struggle as is, and this thing Toei are trying is pretty much the true definition of niche and limiting the audiences even further seems like a deathwish.

By not offering subs from the outset I think they're making a pretty big mistake. Especially if they wind up waiting the year that's been mentioned.

Oh god, that sounded like some one was having, well, you know. (this is awkward)

So, wait, none of their shows will be subbed?

Uh... why the hell not?

Because they are apparently targeting Japanese poeple residing in the USA, and not americans. At least for the first year.

Not exactly the smartest plan...

That's a good point. I wonder...

I really hope it does well, because I have said on several occasions: I wouldn't mind paying to watch Kamen Rider legally.