Digital distribution is probably the way of the future for anime, with a range of video-on-demand services offering a good portion of every season from Japan in some form or another. But for those, like myself, who love the idea of picking up a home video release on Blu-ray – a digital-exclusive platform picking up a license exclusively means it may never become part of my collection without importing.
Fortunately, digital video-on-demand platform CrunchyRoll and home video distributor Sentai have managed to come to an arrangement. In the future, they have confirmed that a new wave of shows, including multiple CrunchyRoll Originals, will be headed to store fronts in the United States and Canada on DVD and Blu-ray. Many of these will also be available with dual-audio, the original Japanese voice acting and a new English dub.
A list of all shows covered by this announcement are listed below.
CrunchyRoll Originals
“Noblesse” – After awakening from an 820-year slumber, Raizel tries to fit in with modern high schoolers while protecting his fellow nobles! “Noblesse” is a Crunchyroll and WEBTOON Production.
“Onyx Equinox” – One young Aztec boy is summoned to act as humanity’s champion as a fight between gods breaks out.
Anime to Home Video
“HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP” – The Karasuno High School Volleyball team continues to reach TO THE TOP as the Nationals Tournament continues!
“I’m Standing on a Million Lives” – A lone wolf student is sent to another world where he must become a hero to save himself and his party.
“Keep Your Hands off Eizouken!” – This critically acclaimed anime follows a group of high school students as they create an animation club to realize the “ultimate world” that exists in their minds.
“Monster Girl Doctor” – The clinic is open for business in this medical fantasy that explores the physiologies of monster girls as never before!
“My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!” – This screwball love comedy follows wealthy heiress Katarina Claes who hits her head and realizes she’s been transported to become the villainess from a game she played in a past life. Now, she must focus on avoiding all the bad outcomes (like death or exile!) the story has prepared for her.
“Rent-a-Girlfriend” – A college student tries a new method of dating in this reckless rom-com filled with love and excitement.
“Science Fell in Love, So I tried to prove it” – A science-inclined girl and boy who are deeply passionate about research fall in love, and then try to prove that love exists!
“Somali and the Forest Spirit” – This is a chronicle of a journey that would bind a member of the dying “human” clan to the forest guardian Golem, as father and daughter.
“Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun” – A young man is taken to a demon school where he uses his innate kindness to win over enemies.
