Funimation to Censor Controversial Vampire Bund Content
March 5th, 2010 | 
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Ah Funimation, you couldn’t have let us enjoy this just a little bit longer?
FUNimation Entertainment is known for releasing the titles we license in their original, uncut form, as their creators intended. However, after viewing the unedited as well as the Japanese broadcast edit of the series “Dance in the Vampire Bund,” we have determined the series contains controversial elements which, when taken out of context, could be objectionable to some audiences.
With this in mind and with approval of the licensor, we will edit select scenes from the series in streaming and *home entertainment release*. These are scenes which are inappropriate for U.S. viewing and are not essential to the storyline.
“Dance in the Vampire Bund” is a complex and dark drama cited by press and fans as one of the best anime series out of Japan this season. Its strong story is what brought the series to our attention and why we are bringing it to the U.S.”
So yes, Funimation will be releasing Dance in the Vampire Bund in a censored version. There is no word on what in particular will be censored but I’d say there’s a fair chance that we won’t be seeing the nude loli heroine scene from early on. I’ve said this before but I’ll state it again for the record, I do not like censorship. I believe US fans should be allowed to purchase the same materials that appear on the DVDs in Japan. However, I’m also not going to pitch a huge fit about this.
Dance in the Vampire Bund is NOT entirely tame when it comes to nudity and the romantic relationship that develops between Mina and the lead male character. With recent court cases, it’s understandable that Funimation is going to take the safe route for once. This isn’t something that I expect from them regularly and it’s frustrating that they are doing it now but in the end, it’s not worth throwing a pitchfork party over.
There are a couple of things in the press release that just bother me though…
“However, after viewing the unedited as well as the Japanese broadcast edit of the series “Dance in the Vampire Bund,” we have determined the series contains controversial elements which, when taken out of context, could be objectionable to some audiences.”
Time out! After viewing the unedited and edited versions they decided there were controversial elements? They make this sound like they bought the series and then discovered that *gasp* this chick looks really freakin young! What was that viewing like? I realize I’m not an expert on the business but something tells me that Funimation knew about the questionable content quite awhile ago.
The decision was announced the day after the license announcement came out, it was going to be censored from the beginning. We get it, but you could haven’t just said so?
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I’ve no interest in this show on any level and I don’t like ecchi content. However, I do not like it that the series will be released edited. That’s just not cool.
It’s understandable, and that very understandability is what has people so mad.
@moritheil: Yeah, though I wonder if it will even be worth releasing it to DVD. Is this another series where you either want to watch it uncensored or not watch it at all? Maybe I’m not seeing something that Funimation is but I don’t think the story is really that strong to make it worth the extra effort.
Anime as my favorite source of entertainment and have been avidly watching each episode of Dance in the Vampire Bund (and not for the loli fanservice).
Like a lot of fanservice, this is inserted into the anime almost as an afterthought and Funimation is right about the series standing without those scenes.
In a more tolerant US, I’d fight that they be left in. However the US has Zero Tolerance laws and Child Pornography laws. The possession of the original episodes could easily result in hard time in a US rape prison and a life long Sex Offender status which guaranteeing unemployment, ostracism and possible vigilante targeting.
While I enjoy a good anime, I’d hate to see anime fans crucified as sex offenders for no reason (like a manga fan recently was). Funimation is being reasonable here.
@US_otaku: Well put! This is going to be an interesting story to watch play out in the next few months.
Check out this paranoid load of bullshit, blaming “progressives” for this decision.
@Anonymous: I would’ve preferred you put a name to a comment where you’re referring to another article as bullshit but whatever. I saw some points in there that I disagree w/ but I will give you the point about referring to progressives. I think there are arguments that could be made for the other side of the political aisle as well but I’d rather not make this into a political argument (at least a partisan one)
That’s my point exactly, the blogger in question is inserting partisan politics into this in a completely ludicrous way. Especially when it’s typically the conservative Christian “moral guardians” who start crusades about these non-issues, not the progressives. That’s just completely ass backwards.
@Anonymous: That’s my point exactly, the blogger in question is inserting partisan politics into this in a completely ludicrous way.
Well, it is their blog to say whatever they please on. To say that I disagree with the idea that liberals and ‘progressives’ (which btw, I hate that term) being responsible for this any more than any other political party or government entity would be putting it mildly. I’m also not going to get myself worked up over it, they have an opinion that I don’t particularly agree w/… so what?
Would you be surprised to find out that the guy actually tweeted Glenn Beck with a link to his article and whined about how people aren’t hip to his definition of progressivism? That’s why I care, I don’t want morons to raise the profile of this to the point where it really becomes political fodder.
@Anonymous: I wouldn’t be surprised… I’d giggle a little and wonder if Glenn Beck would even touch this one though. I get where you’re coming from w/ not wanting this to be raised up for fodder and I do disagree w/ a lot of the points made but I don’t plan on writing a rebuttal or anything.
They censored this anime??
Your bith mother will buy it!
I am downloading it in a 1080p BD-Rip torrent. Problem?
Fuck you Obscenity Laws, Fuck you moralfagot laws.
If a company launch a production censored, never buy it, download it instead, then they will learn the lesson.
Say not to Obsceity/ficctional CP laws, they are draconian stupid bullshit, wich leads anywere, and make people being prosecuted and raped in jail only for viewing anime/manga.