Ask John: Will Aoi Hana Ever Reach American DVD?

Question:
Is Aoi Hana likely to be released on American DVD? And how successful does it seem to be, relative to other yuri anime?

Answer:
Regrettably, I don’t have an answer for this question. But I’d like to address it nonetheless because Aoi Hana is an exceptional show which, I think, deserves greater recognition. And the question focuses attention on a larger situation relevant to anime fans. Aoi Hana is just one of numerous anime series available to Americans only via digital distribution from Crunchyroll. Undoubtedly this is a result of Japanese distributors realizing that Crunchyroll offers a secure and effective route to promote new anime to a global audience, and a result of diminishing American anime DVD sales. However, digital distribution doesn’t allow obsessive American anime collectors to proudly place official Aoi Hana DVDs on their shelves.

My personal impression of the Aoi Hana television series was that its first episode is its weakest. But the first episode is also very necessary to give the show a starting point to build from. More specifically, the series’ first episode introduces Fumi Manjoume as a weak-willed and self-pitying character. As Fumi meets new people and encounters new experiences and influences through the series, her self-esteem, sense of self-worth, and her self-identity mature and solidify, making her a stronger, more confident person. It’s a very rewarding evolution to watch because it occurs naturally and believably. The series’ conclusion may seem just a bit anti-climactic, but reflection should affirm that it’s actually pitch perfect because Fumi and her friend Akira’s personal growth and the progression of their relationship are still developing. Despite having an overt homosexual theme, which Maria-sama ga Miteru largely does not, Aoi Hana looks and feels more similar to Maria-sama ga Miteru than other overt yuri anime like Simoun, Strawberry Panic, Utena, Kashimashi, Sasameki Koto, Blue Drop, and Kannazuki no Miko. It’s also far more subtle and believable than Oniisama E…, which isn’t overtly yuri anime, but comes close. Unlike typical contemporary yuri anime, Aoi Hana never exploits its relationships or theme. The attraction between girls in Aoi Hana isn’t ostracized or sensationalized, nor is it made the butt of comedy. Aoi Hana is admirable because it’s a believable and touching peek into pivotal moments in its characters’ lives.

Crunchyroll nor AfterEllen, where the episodes are mirrored, post number of views so the only way for observers like me to determine the show’s success in America is by unscientific impression. The show wasn’t a breakout hit in Japan, nor, I suspect, was it anticipated to be one. Similarly in America the show has a cult of ardent fans but doesn’t seem to be especially popular. The same may be said of all yuri anime in America, as I can’t think of any yuri-themed anime that has more than niche popularity even within America’s already small anime fan community. Digital distribution was probably a wise debut release format for the show in America because it’s a niche genre entry, a title virtually unheard of in America prior to its anime, and a style of program that’s not proven to be the most successful in America. Shounen action, romantic comedy, sci-fi, horror, and various other anime types typically perform well in America. Slow paced dialogue-driven drama, not so well. However, there may be just cause to worry that digital distribution will be the only way Aoi Hana is ever distributed in America. Excluding very new shows that may not have had enough time yet to get American DVD/BD release contracts, Crunchyroll is home to numerous anime series that are, so far, online exclusives. Eyeshield 21, Fairy Musketeers (Otogi Jushi Akazukin), Gintama, Glass Maiden (Crystal Blaze), Glass Mask, Natsume Yujincho, Kono Aozora ni Yakusoku wo, Happiness, Pretty Cure, School Days, Skip Beat!, and Web Ghosts PiPoPa (Net Ghost PiPoPa) are just a sampling of Crunchyroll’s titles that don’t have known American DVD licenses. FUNimation has secured DVD release rights for a handful of formerly online exclusive titles – Blassreiter, Strike Witches, and Tower of Druaga. Discotek has also licensed DVD distribution rights for the Fist of the North Star TV series, which Toei is presently streaming through Crunchyroll. These announcements can give fans some hope of seeing other online exclusives like Aoi Hana reach physical DVD someday. However, with the domestic anime DVD & BD market being so weak, there’s not a whole lot of incentive for domestic distributors to consider releasing niche anime titles like Aoi Hana on DVD. I am aware as anyone that spending on luxury goods is difficult these days, but demonstrating that there’s still a demand for anime on DVD/BD, and letting domestic distributors know what anime you want to own on physical, archival disc will go a long way toward ensuring that shows like Aoi Hana do eventually reach DVD.