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"Pioneer Entertainment" redirects here. Not to be confused with Pioneer Pictures.

Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.
Geneon USA
FormerlyLaserDisc Corporation of America (1985–1989)
Pioneer LDCA (1989–1993)
Pioneer Entertainment (1993–2003)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
GenreAnime
FoundedDecember 1985; 38 years ago (1985-12)
FounderPioneer Corporation
DefunctSeptember 27, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-09-27)
FateClosed by parent company.
Headquarters
Long Beach, California
,
U.S.
Products
Services
Owners
ParentGeneon Entertainment

Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc. (abbreviated as Geneon USA) was an American anime, multimedia production and distribution company that was owned by Geneon Entertainment. It was primarily involved in the production and distribution of anime from Japan to North America.

The company was founded in December 1985 by Pioneer Corporation, first as LaserDisc Corp. of America, Pioneer LDCA, then Pioneer Entertainment, later Geneon USA), being specialized in translating and distributing anime and related merchandise, such as soundtracks across the region. After declining fortunes, it was shut down in 2007, with several of their properties being distributed to other companies, such as Funimation, Sentai Filmworks, Discotek Media, and Nozomi Entertainment. In 2008, a year after the shutdown of its North American branch, Geneon merged with Universal Pictures Japan to form Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan, LLC; later known as NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan.[1][2]

Etymology

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The name Geneon is a portmanteau of the English words, generate and eon.[3]

History

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Main article: History of anime in the United States

Beginnings

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In an effort to get into the American business, Pioneer LDC established a subsidiary in an effort to consolidate the Pioneer Video and Pioneer Audio units in December 1985, who maintains the Pioneer Artists label, which was initially based near New Jersey, following the introduction of a combined CD/laserdisc player.[4]

In 1988, it moved LaserDisc's headquarters from the original New Jersey office to Long Beach, California, where Pioneer's American headquarters were based at that time.[5] Also that year, the company started out the Pioneer Special Interests label to release educational and informational laserdisc product that can be used either at classrooms or at home.[6]

In 1989, to reflect its change, its North American division was renamed to Pioneer LDCA.[7] A year later the company acquired a 10% stake in the movie studio Carolco Pictures.[8][9][10] Later that year, the company bought out its rights to movies produced by Carolco.[11] In 1991, the company expanded, by launching a line for movies, Pioneer Special Editions, which was devoted to rereleasing classic movies on Laserdisc under license from various studios.[12]

In 1993, Pioneer LDCA, in an effort to boost stronger LaserDisc sales, launched two new labels Pioneer Classics, and Pioneer Animation, the former was devoted to releasing titles with classical music, such as Othello, and the latter will release anime with Japanese and English soundtracks and closed-captioned titles, with Tenchi Muyo! being one of the first anime titles released under the label.[13] Its North American division was later renamed again to Pioneer Entertainment in 1995, in an effort to expand to VHS, karaoke, audio and eventually DVD rights.[14]

On July 21, 2003, after Pioneer LDC was acquired by Japanese advertising and marketing company firm Dentsu and renamed to Geneon, Pioneer Entertainment, was renamed to Geneon Entertainment (USA), Inc.[15][16]

Viz Media (then known as Viz Video) made a deal with Geneon (then known as Pioneer) to release Viz's properties to DVD, such as Ranma ½ before Viz began producing their own DVDs.[17] Pioneer also worked with Bandai Entertainment before they started to produce their own DVDs.[18]

On November 11, 2004, they signed a deal with Toei Animation to distribute some of their titles into the North American market.[19] Launching titles included Air Master, Interlude, and Slam Dunk. However, on September 18, 2006, the deal ended and all of the released titles went out of print.[20] In 2006, they were named "Best Anime Company" by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation.[21] On March 5, 2007, they became the exclusive North American distributor for Bandai Visual USA.[22]

Shutdown

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Four months later, on August 29, 2007, Geneon and ADV Films a strategic alliance deal where ADV would take over the distribution, marketing, and sales of their properties in the United States, starting October 1, 2007 with Geneon in turn laid off their entire marketing and sales team in preparation for the deal. According to the announcement, they would continue to acquire, license, and produce English subs and dubs of anime for release in North America.[23] However, the deal was canceled in September before it was implemented, with neither company giving details as to why beyond stating they were "unable to reach a mutual agreement".[24][25]

On September 26, 2007, they announced that they would close distribution operations, with titles solicited through November 5 shipped. Titles that were in mid-release or licensed but unreleased were left in limbo.[26] The Bandai Visual USA titles that were being distributed by Geneon were not affected by this closure, though some were delayed while Bandai Visual found a new distributor.[27] Another North American anime company, Funimation, began negotiating with them to distribute some of the company's licensed titles.[28] In July 2008, a formal arrangement was announced and Funimation acquired the rights to "manufacture, sell, and distribute" various Geneon anime and live-action titles.[29][30]

References

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  1. ^ "ジェネオン エンタテインメント㈱一部株式のUPIEへの譲渡とジェネオン エンタテインメント㈱とUPIE子会社との合併について" (PDF). Dentsu. November 12, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  2. ^ "Geneon to Merge with Universal Pictures Japan - News". Anime News Network. November 12, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  3. ^ "Pioneer's animated over redubbing, sale". Variety. September 25, 2003. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Seideman, Tony (January 11, 1986). "Laser Players, Disks Carve Market Niche" (PDF). Billboard. p. 47. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  5. ^ McCullaugh, Jim (October 29, 1988). "LaserDisc Opens West Coast Arm" (PDF). Billboard. p. 46. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "PROGRAMMING: Already Exploding Universe of Special Interests Spinning Off Startling New Subject Galaxies" (PDF). Billboard. November 12, 1988. p. 61. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  7. ^ McGowan, Chris (May 20, 1989). "Pioneer Unveils $600 CDV Player" (PDF). Billboard. p. 80. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Citron, Alan (June 1, 1990). "Japanese Company Buys 10% Stake in Carolco Pictures". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Alexander, Garth (October 12, 1992). "Sun still rises for H'w'd". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Variety Staff (December 28, 1992). "Pioneer LDCA write down eyed due to Carolco revamp". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "Pioneer acquires rights to Carolco films - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  12. ^ McGowan, Chris (July 20, 1991). "Laser Scans" (PDF). Billboard. p. 80. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  13. ^ McGowan, Chris (December 18, 1993). "Laser Scans" (PDF). Billboard. p. 48. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  14. ^ McGowan, Chris (June 3, 1995). "Laser Scans" (PDF). Billboard. p. 94. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Dentsu acquires Pioneer - News". Anime News Network. July 21, 2003. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  16. ^ "Pioneer Entertainment Inc. to Become Geneon". Anime News Network. September 26, 2003. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Viz switches to 100% Pioneer distribution". Anime News Network. October 6, 1999. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Pioneer Exclusive distributor of Bandai Anime". Anime News Network. June 29, 2000. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Geneon Entertainment Signs Distribution Agreement with Toei Animation". Anime News Network. November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  20. ^ "Toei DVDs Cancelled - News". Anime News Network. November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  21. ^ "Akimbo Adds Geneon to Its Acclaimed Anime on Demand Collection". Anime News Network. November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  22. ^ "Bandai Visual USA new licenses and distribution deal - News". Anime News Network. March 5, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  23. ^ "ADV Takes Over Geneon's Sales, Marketing, Distribution - News". Anime News Network. August 24, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  24. ^ "ADV Films, Geneon USA's Distribution Deal Cancelled (Updated) - News". Anime News Network. November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  25. ^ "Geneon USA Withdraws Appointment of Anime DVD Distribution Business to A.D. Vision" (PDF) (Press release). Dentsu. September 21, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 15, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  26. ^ "Geneon USA to Cancel DVD Sales, Distribution by Friday - News". Anime News Network. November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  27. ^ "Bandai Visual USA Continues to Release New Titles as Scheduled". Anime News Network. September 27, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  28. ^ "Navarre/FUNimation Interested in Some Geneon Titles". ICv2. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  29. ^ "Funimation Agrees to Distribute Select Geneon Titles - News". Anime News Network. November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  30. ^ "FUNimation Entertainment and Geneon Entertainment Sign Exclusive Distribution Agreement for North America". Anime News Network. September 26, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
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