Ask John: Will Initial D Fourth Stage & Black Jack 21 Come to America?

Question:
I see alot of good shows getting snatched up pretty quickly but what about the “for sure aquisitions” like Initial D Stage 4 and Black Jack 21? Wouldn’t you think those shows would get picked up seeing as how they’re pretty popular over here?

Answer:
Since this is a relatively anonymous e-mail discussion, I can’t tell where you’re located, but if you’re living in the United States, then I’d say that the popularity of Initial D and especially Black Jack are relative. Initial D is relatively popular in America, but it’s never been an unusually hot selling title in America. Black Jack has never been particularly successful in America. I personally can’t agree with calling Initial D Fourth Stage and Black Jack 21 “certain acquisitions” for future American release.

Whether or not Initial D Fourth Stage will be licensed for American release remains to be seen. TOKYOPOP has released the entire first and second Initial D television series and Extra Stage OAVs on American DVD, but has not announced any plans for a home video release of the Third Stage motion picture that preceeds Fourth Stage. Considering that TOKYOPOP has largely exited the anime acquisition business, and given the less than blockbuster sales of American Initial D DVDs, I believe that an American release of the third Initial D television series is possible, but far from guaranteed. If TOKYOPOP does not license and release the series, some other distributor might. But other distributors may be wary about licensing the Fourth Stage series since TOKYOPOP’s Initial D DVD release hasn’t been a stellar success.

Black Jack anime has been released in America by both Manga Entertainment and Central Park Media, and some of Tezuka’s original Black Jack manga has been published in English by Viz, but the franchise has never been a hit in America. Especially considering that the 4 episode Black Jack Special series and the 62 episode 2004 television series have not been licensed for American release, I don’t expect an American licensor to eagerly pounce upon the new second television series. Since a precedent has already been set by some of the Black Jack anime having been released in America, I won’t say that it’s impossible for Black Jack 21 to get licensed for American release, but I don’t think it’s likely that more Black Jack anime will be released in America.