Ask John: Why Will the American One Piece DVDs be TV Version Only?

Question:
What’s with Viz and One Piece? Won’t they sell more DVDs if they release it unedited with the edited version? It doesn’t really make sense.

Answer:
I can’t explain the reason why One Piece will be released on American home video in an English dubbed, censored format only because I’m not privy to the inner workings of 4Kids Entertainment, Toei Animation, and Viz Media. I can speculate, though. Viz Media will be releasing the domestic One Piece DVDs, but Viz is not involved in the localization of the show. Viz is merely marketing the show on behalf of 4Kids Entertainment. 4Kids Entertainment deals with nationwide television broadcasts and millions of viewers and consumers. Especially these days, DVDs targeted at the American anime fan market may sell only a few thousand, or even as few as only a couple hundred copies. For a company used to dealing in millions, producing an alternate DVD for only a few thousand consumers may be literally not worth their time and effort.

It’s also possible that Toei Studios of Japan is blocking the release of an uncut version of One Piece in America. It’s an established fact that Toei Studios has banned the release of the Sailor Moon Sailorstars anime series in America in order to protect the family friendly image of the Sailor Moon franchise. It’s likewise possible that Toei doesn’t want one of its signature anime franchises to depict smoking, drinking, and violence in America. The failure of Toei’s American anime DVD line, which is commonly cited as being caused a lack of understanding of the American anime consumers, may be evidence that Japanese executives from Toei Studios don’t comprehend exactly what American anime fan consumers really want. It’s not difficult to envision Toei being more concerned with its corporate image in America than satisfying the desires of a few thousand American anime fans.