Ask John: Will The American Release of Tenshi ni Narumon Ever Finish?

Question:
Any chance in hell that Synch-Point will release more Tenshi ni Narumon on DVD? I bought all 3 DVDs years ago and am still waiting to see what happens.

Answer:
I think that recent American acquisitions including Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Yawara, Taro the Dragon Boy, and Puss ‘n’ Boots prove that when it comes to current American anime releases, nothing is completely impossible nor totally unlikely. However, regrettably, a completed American release of Tenshi ni Narumon is closer to totally unlikely than probable. I think the odds of Synch-Point finishing its release of Tenshi ni Narumon ranks just slightly better than the odds of Media Blasters finishing its release of Fortune Quest L, and Urban Vision finishing its release of Strange Dawn. So I don’t think that the release of more DVD volumes of Tenshi ni Narumon is the absolute most unlikely American release to come out of hiatus.

Unlike Hirameki’s release of Soar High! Isami, and Toei’s releases of Air Master and Slam Dunk, which have all been outright unofficially canceled, the American release of Tenshi ni Narumon is simply on indefinite hiatus, as far as I know. So the odds of Synch-Point re-starting the release are slim, but not entirely zero. However, you, me, and probably only a few hundred other American anime fans are all that purchased the Tenshi ni Narumon DVDs, which is probably not enough sales to have even recovered the series’ licensing and production costs. Considering that series’ DVD sales typically decrease with consecutive volumes, and awareness and availability of the existing Tenshi ni Narumon DVDs has virtually evaporated, it’s probably not a wise financial move for Synch-Point to attempt releasing the rest of the series. Despite what a handful of fans may prefer, it’s smart not to throw more money into an already sinking ship. Tenshi ni Narumon is a well animated, beautiful looking, and highly memorable show. And Synch-Point went to commendable lengths to make its American DVD release appealing to hardcore anime fans. But the tastes of the majority of America’s anime consumers are too narrowly defined to include a bizarre, ultra-cute yet twisted series like “I’m Gonna Be An Angel.”