Ask John: Will FUNimation Release More Galaxy Railways?

Question:
Do you think Funimation will license more Galaxy Railways anime? There is a second season and OVA. And they now have Moonlight Mile. Could they acquire the second season as well?

Answer:
I’ve been told by a reliable FUNimation representative that the Galaxy Railways anime series was not actualy a title which FUNimation persued distribution rights to. Rather, the series’ Japanese licensor requested that FUNimation distribute the series in America. Based on that situation, I imagine that FUNimation would consider acquiring rights to the remaining Galaxy Railways anime if the first series was especially profitable. But I suspect that the domestic release of the first series was not especially successful, which would likely leave the chances of the second series and short OVA series reaching America up to the eagerness of the Japanese licensor.

FUNimation may or may not already have distribution rights to the second season of Moonlight Mile. AD Vision’s original release seemed to consist of only the first season, but ADV may have planned a future release of the second season as a separate release with its own collector’s box. FUNimation has stated that the company doesn’t like leaving series unfinished. The first Galaxy Railways television series is a complete story, and therefore could stand alone on American DVD. But Moonlight Mile was planned from the outset to consist of two short seasons. So if FUNimation does, in fact, dislike partial releases, FUNi may be inclined to acquire the distribution rights to the remainder of Moonlight Mile if it doesn’t already have them. Furthermore, if FUNimation’s recent acquisition of over 30 anime titles from Sojitz is merely the beginning of an ongoing relationship, acquisition of the Moonlight Mile second season may be a strong possibility.