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Funimation to Simulcast C, Licenses Panty & Stocking (Updated)
posted on by Gia Manry
North American anime distributor Funimation announced on Thursday that it will simulcast the television anime C (for Control) starting on April 21 at 12:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Funimation also launched the open beta of its new website on Thursday. The site, which has been available in closed beta form for four weeks, now hosts a special message video from the anime's director, Kenji Nakamura.
The site is also now hosting a clip from the original Gainax television anime Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. A press release confirmed that the company has acquired the North American home video and broadcast rights to the series, which it will release on DVD in 2012.
Funimation Marketing Manager Adam Sheehan confirmed via Twitter that users in Canada can watch all of the videos on the beta site. In a press release, Funimation indicated its plans to launch a premiere paid subscription for the site "later this year."
In the video, Nakamura introduces the series, which takes place in an economically troubled future Japan, in which the "appealing characters put their future on the line as battles unfold." Nakamura also addresses the recent difficulties of Japan as the result of the March 11 Higashi Nihon Daishinsai (Great Eastern Japan Earthquake) disaster, promising that the staff will not become discouraged despite the troubles.
An English-subtitled trailer for the series is also streaming on the site.
Noitamina's head editor Kōji Yamamoto revealed the original television anime this past December. Funimation announced in April 2010 that it had entered into a simulcasting agreement to stream Noitamina titles on its website. Anime News Network Australia will also simulcast the series starting on April 22.
Update: Added video information.
Update 2: Added background, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, and Canadian viewing information (via Anime on DVD)
Update 3: Added confirmation of Panty & Stocking license.
Update 4: Added C press release.
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