How a Kickstarter for this Classic Anime Got Stuck in Limbo

Key Takeaways

Popular Dirty Pair anime successfully crowdfunded: issues arose during production phase.
Kickstarter reached $731,406: many backers left without rewards.
The project faced potential cancelation due to company mergers; Sony’s acquisition led to complications.

As a long-time anime enthusiast who has been through the rollercoaster of fan-funded projects, I must say this Dirty Pair debacle is a tale as old as time. The excitement, the anticipation, and then the agonizing wait…it’s a story I know all too well.

Using Kickstarter as a funding platform for projects with uncertain profitability can feel like taking a risk, or in simpler terms, it’s like placing a bet. Although Kickstarter takes steps to deter fraudsters, it’s important to remember that the rewards pledged are not guaranteed and the final product may differ from what was initially promised when you back a project.

When a project proves successful yet no results follow, this is the predicament that anime enthusiasts find themselves in, regarding a Kickstarter campaign for an old-school anime that was initially slated for delivery two years back.

What is Dirty Pair?

How a Kickstarter for this Classic Anime Got Stuck in Limbo

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for the iconic Japanese sci-fi anime and light novel series known as “Dirty Pair.” This captivating franchise was masterfully crafted by the brilliant mind of Haruka Takachiho and first debuted in 1979 as a series of novels. Set in a fascinating futuristic universe, the series chronicles the thrilling escapades of two unforgettable female protagonists who serve as trouble-shooters for the World Welfare Works Association (WWWA), commonly referred to as the “3WA.” The novels were later transformed into an anime TV series in 1985, which paved the way for OVA episodes, movies, and other adaptations. Renowned for its clever mix of humor and action, its trailblazing strong and eccentric female leads, “Dirty Pair” has left a lasting impact on the world of anime, inspiring countless subsequent series that feature buddy-cop dynamics, as they draw inspiration from the groundbreaking dynamics first seen in “Dirty Pair.

How Popular Was it?

In Japan, the series managed to secure multiple adaptations due to its success. However, it was particularly successful in America where it became popular. Although it didn’t reach the heights of “Dragon Ball Z” or “Pokemon,” it consistently sold well on VHS and was one of the most rented titles at Blockbuster in the International section. This anime series played a significant role in establishing anime as a legitimate art form in America, which is why its popularity can be attributed to this contribution.

The Kickstarter Campaign

On October 1st, 2021, the division of Right Stuf International known as Noami Entertainment initiated a Kickstarter campaign to reintroduce the popular anime series Dirty Pair in the American market. Notably, some OVAs and movies were previously dubbed into English, but the entire series had not been. To address this gap, Noami Entertainment wanted to undertake a complete English dubbing of the series. However, as a smaller studio, they questioned whether the investment would be justified. In light of this uncertainty, they resorted to a strategy they’d used before – crowdfunding through Kickstarter. If successful, they would have the necessary funds for the English dubbing. If not, the series might still be released, but without any new dubbed content.

Did it Succeed?

It’s not surprising that smaller anime companies often struggle financially compared to heavier-pocketed rivals like Crunchyroll and Viz Media when it comes to acquiring licenses. However, Noami aimed to raise $275,000 for a project by offering unique perks such as signed discs from voice actors, exclusive merchandise, and BluRay copies of the show. In the end, they surpassed their goal, collecting $731,406. With the funds secured, Noami provided updates on the rewards’ progress, expected release dates, and even announced that the audio materials were finalized. Everything seemed to be running smoothly…until it encountered problems.

What Went Wrong

As a dedicated gamer eagerly awaiting the completion of my favorite game’s dub, I had been following updates on the Kickstarter page until May 30, 2024, when we were promised the wrap-up of the dubbing process. Given the regularity of these updates prior to this date, it was reasonable to expect a seamless production behind the scenes. However, that’s where things took a turn for the worse. For months, there was silence on the project, with no further updates about the manufacturing of discs, and sadly, no signs of my long-awaited rewards. The project seemed to be stuck in limbo.

In instances of corporate mergers or acquisitions, there’s often a period of disruption. This turbulence typically leads to job losses, restructuring, and at times, influential individuals departing from projects. Animeigo CEO Justin Sevakis was not only involved in the Kickstarter initiative but also enjoyed friendly relationships with those working on it. Upon conducting some investigations, he shared his discoveries with everyone on X.

Fans were disappointed with the response they received, as it wasn’t the answer they had anticipated. To make matters worse, Sony, being such a large corporation, had acquired not just one but two significant anime companies (Funimation and Right Stuf International). This acquisition raised concerns that employees working on smaller projects might be let go, and those projects could potentially slip through the cracks. With the project’s cancellation looming, there was uncertainty about the $700,000+ raised.

Appreciate your understanding while we share some news about the remake of the 1985 series “Dirty Pair” in dubbed version. Many thanks go out to our dedicated production crew, voice actors, and most importantly, you for supporting this project with your pledge.

The series is still in post-production, and, as with many productions, delays do sometimes occur.

You should be receiving updates on Dirty Pair every 2-4 weeks until the release. We hope that a new cadence and frequency of communications will help alleviate any concerns you may have. Please know that we remain fully committed to this production, especially given the passionate fanbase eagerly awaiting its release.

Starting from September 3rd, I’ll be packing up and sending out the parts of your Backer Rewards that are ready, as we gear up for post-production, editing, and final shipment of this game series.

Stay tuned to this space for additional (and regular) updates soon.

Although this was as corporate a reply as fans might expect, it did signal that someone was paying attention, which could mean things are heading in a positive direction again. The timeline for the release of the BluRay remains uncertain, but at least the issue is now on the agenda. Here’s hoping this means Sony won’t leave fans out of pocket without delivering on their promises.

2024-10-12 18:05