FUNimation Acquires Gungrave

FUNimation has formally announced its sixth Geneon “license rescue,” the 2003 Gungrave television series. Unlike this week’s previous former Geneon catalog acquisitions that have been re-licensed through their original production studios, Gungrave is the latest addition to the list of Geneon titles transferred to FUNimation that was first announced publicly last summer. The complete 26 episode Gungrave series will be re-released in 2009.

FUNimation spokesman Lance Heiskell notes that according to Nielsen VideoScan sales, Gungrave is one of America’s top 25 selling anime series on DVD.

“New” license announcements are always positive, but it’s a bit disappointing that the majority of FUNimation’s new announcements have been neither new nor especially exciting. However, FUNimation is already hinting that additional license announcements are in the wings.