Space Dandy is the show that’s going to try and change the dynamic a bit, largely because it’s the kind of show that has the right people behind it and a history of proven ratings to get away with it. FUNimation has picked up the rights for the show by announcing that they have acquired the home entertainment, digital, theatrical, and merchandise right for it in North America. In addition to picking up those rights, they added this doozy:
“It was announced today that Adult Swim will broadcast the English dub version of “Space Dandy” on television in North America beginning January, 2014. This is the first time an anime series on Adult Swim will have a simultaneous TV broadcast with Japan. In addition to Japan and North America, the show will have a simulcast broadcast in numerous countries in Asia.”
The premiere date is January 4th at 11:30 PM EST on Toonami.
Madman Entertainment has also announced their acquisition of rights to the show with plans for the simulcast of the series in January 2014, though they’re not providing any details in terms of languages as it’s expected to just be the standard Japanese language simulcast. They also picked up the home video rights and note that the physical release will come in 2015.
General Director: Shinichiro Watanabe (“Cowboy Bebop”, and “Samurai Champloo”), Director: Shingo Natsume (“Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos”), Screenplay: Kimiko Ueno (Movie “Crayon Shin-chan”), Dai Sato (“Cowboy Bebop”, “Eureka Seven”), Keiko Nobumoto (“Cowboy Bebop”, “Wolf’s Rain”) and many others, Character Design: Yoshiyuki Ito (“Star Driver”), Spaceship Design: Thomas Romain (Satelight) (“Basquash!”), Theme Song: Yasuyuki Okamura. Animation Production: Bones Inc. (“Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood”, “Soul Eater”, “Eureka Seven AO”).
Plot concept: Space Dandy is a dandy in space! This dreamy adventurer with a to-die-for pompadour travels across the galaxy in search of aliens no one has ever laid eyes on. Each new species he discovers earns him a hefty reward, but this dandy has to be quick on his feet because it’s first come – first served! Accompanied by his sidekicks, a rundown robot named QT and Meow the cat-looking space alien, Dandy bravely explores unknown worlds inhabited by a variety aliens. Join the best dressed alien hunter in all of space and time as he embarks on an adventure that ends at the edge of the universe!
