Media Blasters is an American entertainment corporation founded by John Sirabella and Sam Liebowitz, based in New York City. It is in the business of licensing, translating, and releasing to the North American market manga and anime compilations, Asian films and television series, adult anime, monster movies, concert films, independent films, horror films and exploitation films.
The company has been releasing translated anime and concert films since May 1997. In 2004, Media Blasters began publishing manga, first publishing shōnen manga titles for older readers, and later increased its yaoi manga line.
Digital distribution for Media Blasters' titles are available on PlayStation Network, Xbox, Netflix, Vudu and Amazon Video, some titles through the add-on subscription of Toku, Shudder, Comic-Con HQ or other channels.
Contents
History
Founded in 1997, Media Blasters is a New York-based-company that has several divisions that target different aspects of the video market. Media Blasters licenses works for release and is involved in the production, localizing, and distribution of works. The Animeworks division was created in 1997, and focuses on localization and distribution of anime titles, but has also licensed non-anime works such as Invader Zim. The adult label Kitty Media was also started in 1997 and features explicit hentai works. Created in 1998, Tokyo Shock is Media Blaster's Asian cinema division, which is responsible for American localization of works such as Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman. Another division, Shriek Show, was founded in 2001 to focus on re-mastering horror titles for DVD release.
At the height of its success, Media Blasters released around five titles a month and had about 50 employees, but as the market decreased so did the company. In early 2012, not long after Bandai Entertainment announced its restructuring plans, Media Blasters' John Sirabella announced the laying off of approximately ten employees, which reduced its workforce by about sixty percent. Sirabella has said that this will not affect production rates. As of April 2012, the company was listed as dissolved by the New York Department of State.[1][2]
In January 2016, the television network TOKU was launched, premiering for the first time on television many anime and live action titles from the Media Blasters catalog, currently broadcasting 16 anime titles of the company, including Kite and Ladies versus Butlers!, it is the main anime provider of the network.
Divisions
- Anime Works (Anime)
- Kitty Media (Hentai)
- Tokyo Shock (East Asian live-action films)
- Shriek Show (Horror & Exploitation)
- Fever Dreams LLC (Original Films)
Dubs
Dubs commissioned by Media Blasters
Anime
Series
- Magic Knight Rayearth (1994-1995) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Metal Fighter Miku (1994) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Virtua Fighter (1995-1996) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (Episodes 1-24; AnimeWorks)
- Zenki (1995) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Rurouni Kenshin (1996-1998) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Berserk (1997-1998) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Fortune Quest (1997-1998) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Episodes 1-5; AnimeWorks)
- If I See You in My Dreams (1998) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- The King of Braves GaoGaiGar (1997-1998) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Knight Hunters (1998) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Kurogane Communication (1998-1999) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Gokudo (1999) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Magic User's Club! (1999) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Space Pirate Mito (1999) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Babel II: Beyond Infinity (2000) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Cosmo Warrior Zero (2001) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Figure 17 (2001-2002) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment (AnimeWorks)
- Sadamitsu the Destroyer (2001) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Genma Wars (2002) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Gun Frontier (2002) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Knight Hunters Eternity (2002-2003) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Mirage of Blaze (2002) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Samurai Deeper Kyo (2002) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Seven of Seven (2002) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Shrine of the Morning Mist (2002) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- The Twelve Kingdoms (2002-2003) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Green Green (2003) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Gunparade March (2003) (Elastic Media Corporation) (AnimeWorks)
- Møuse (2003) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Genshiken (2004) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- The Gokusen (2004) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Grenadier (2004-2005) (Anime-Ya) (AnimeWorks)
- Midori Days (2004) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Otogizoshi (2004) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Phoenix (2004) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Shura no Toki: Age of Chaos (2004) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Tweeny Witches (2004-2005) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Ah! My Goddess (2005) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Ah My Buddha (2005) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan (2005) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Loveless (2005) (Swirl Recording) (AnimeWorks)
- Kasimasi: Girl Meets Girl (2006) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Kujibiki Unbalance (2006) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny (2007) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Blade of the Immortal (2008) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians (2008) (New Generation Pictures) (AnimeWorks)
- Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox (2008) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Queen's Blade: The Exiled Virgin (2009) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Queen's Blade 2: The Evil Eye (2009) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Juden Chan (2009) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (AnimeWorks)
- Bakuman (2010-2011) (NYAV Post) (Episodes 1-7; AnimeWorks)
- Ladies versus Butlers! (2010) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (AnimeWorks)
- Squid Girl (2010-2011) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Episodes 1-12; AnimeWorks)
- Rio: Rainbow Gate! (2011) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (AnimeWorks)
- World War Blue (2012-2013) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (AnimeWorks)
Specials/OVAs
- Balthus - Tia's Radiance (1988) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- The Tokyo Project (1988) (Swirl Recording) (AnimeWorks)
- Earthian (1989-1996) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Ys (1989-1991) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- The Tales Trilogy (1990-1991) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Dark Cat (1991) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Here is Greenwood (1991-1993) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Kama Sutra (1991) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Madara (1991) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Giant Robo: The Animation (1992-1998) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Iron Virgin Jun (1992) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Kitty Media)
- II: Castle in the Heavens (1992-1993) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Fight!! Spirit of the Sword (1993) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Bondage Queen Kate (1994-1995) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Giant Robo: Ginrei Special (1994) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Elf Princess Rane (1995-1996) (Coastal Carolina Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Idol Project (1995) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Ninku the Movie (1995) (Animaze) (AnimeWorks)
- Sailor Victory (1995) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Stainless Night (1995-1996) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Apocalypse Zero (1996) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Battle Team Lakers EX (1996) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Fake (1996) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Jewel BEM Hunter Lime (1996-1997) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Legend of Reyon (1996-1999) (Swirl Recording) (Episode 1; Kitty Media)
- Magic User's Club! (1996-1997) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Marriage (1996) (Swirl Recording) (AnimeWorks)
- My Fair Masseuse (1996) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Ninja Cadets! (1996) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Parade Parade (1996) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Sexorcist (1996) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Shinesman (1996) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Twin Signal (1996) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Advancer Tina (1997) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Alien from the Darkness (1997) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Chimera: Angel of Death (1997) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Demon Fighter Kocho (1997) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Detatoko Princess (1997) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Eight Clouds Rising (1997) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Gestalt (1997) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Jungle de Ikou! (1997) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Orchid Emblem (1997) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Princess Rouge: The Legend of the Last Labyrinth (1997) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Slight Fever Syndrome (1997) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Spy of Darkness (1997) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Voogie's Angel (1997-1998) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Co-Ed Affairs (1998) (Paradise Island Studios) (Kitty Media)
- If I See You in My Dreams (1998) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Kite (1998) (Coastal Carolina Sound Studios) (AnimeWorks)
- Very Private Lesson (1998) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- 10 Tokyo Warriors (1999-2002) (Elastic Media Corporation) (AnimeWorks)
- Bondage House (1999) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Bride of Darkness (1999) (NYAV Post) (Kitty Media)
- A Heat for All Seasons (1999) (Paradise Island Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Midnight Milk Party (1999) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Office Affairs (1999) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Samurai: Hunt For the Sword (1999) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Sins of the Flesh (1999) (!@#$% Productions) (Kitty Media)
- Tail of Two Sisters (1999) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- De:vadasy (2000) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- éX-Driver (2000-2001) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Mezzo Forte (2000-2001) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Oni-Tensei (2000) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Puppet Princess (2000) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Sex Demon Queen (2000) (NYAV Post) (Kitty Media)
- Slave Doll (2000) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Bible Black (2001-2003) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Countdown to Delight (2001) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Marine a go go (2001-2003) (Wave Form Solutions) (Kitty Media)
- Moonlight Lady (2001) (Wave Form Solutions) (Kitty Media)
- Nine O'Clock Woman (2001) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Episodes 1-2; Kitty Media)
- Stairs (2001) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Kitty Media)
- Beat Angel Escalayer (2002-2003) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Bible Black: Origins (2002) (Perfect Sound Studios) (Kitty Media)
- I'll/CKBC (2002) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Kisaku the Letch (2002) (Kitty Media)
- Midnight Sleazy Train (2002-2003) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Princess 69 (2002-2003) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- URDA: The Third Reich (2002-2003) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Viper GTS (2002) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Virgin Touch (2002) (Wave Form Solutions) (Kitty Media)
- Body Transfer (2003) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Bondage Game (2003) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Darling (2003) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Dirty Thoughts (2003) (Kitty Media)
- Early Reins (2003) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Eiken (2003) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Heartwork: Love Guns (2003) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Hyakki (2003) (Kitty Media)
- Immoral Sisters 2 (2003) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- One: True Stories (2003) (Kitty Media)
- Servant Princess (2003-2004) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Angel Blade Punish! (2004) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Angelium (2004) (Wave Form Solutions) (Kitty Media)
- Another Lady Innocent (2004) (Kitty Media)
- Bible Black: New Testament (2004-2007) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Black Gate (2004) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Cosplay Cafe (2004) (Kitty Media)
- Fruits Cup (2004-2005) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Internal Medicine (2004) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Kisaku Spirit (2004-2005) (Kitty Media)
- Kujibiki Unbalance (2004) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Milk Money (2004) (Kitty Media)
- Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River Edge (2004) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Phantom: The Animation (2004) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Ride of the Valkyrie (2004) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Samurai XXX (2004) (The Surround Factory) (Kitty Media)
- A Time to Screw (2004) (Kitty Media)
- The Two Facials of Eve (2004) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Bible Black Only (2005-2006) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- Do You Know the MILFing Man? (2005) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- The Duchess of Busty Mounds (2005) (Kitty Media)
- G-spot Express (2005) (Sunlight Audio) (Kitty Media)
- The Hills Have Size (2005) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Night Shift Nurse: Ren Nanase (2005) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Genshiken (2006) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Legend of the Pervert (2006) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Magical Witch Punie-chan (2006-2007) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Night Shift Nurse: Yagami Yu (2006) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Project BOOBS (2006) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Dirty Laundry (2007) (Kitty Media)
- Double Duty Nurses (2007) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Fleshdance (2007) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Paid and Laid (2007-2008) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Tweeny Witches: The Adventures (2007) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
- Lover-in-Law (2008) (Kitty Media)
- The Cougar Trap (2009) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Kanojo x Kanojo x Kanojo (2009) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox (2009) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Wife-Swap Diaries (2009) (Swirl Recording) (Kitty Media)
- Mazinkaiser SKL (2010) (Arvintel Media Productions) (AnimeWorks)
- Ai no Kusabi (2012) (Kocha Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Holy Knight (2012) (MB VoiceWorks) (AnimeWorks)
- Kakushi Dere (2013) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Fuzzy Lips (2014) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (Kitty Media)
- Too Hot For Teacher (2016) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory) (Kitty Media)
Films
- The Weathering Continent (1992) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Yu Yu Hakusho: The Golden Seal (1993) (Animaze) (AnimeWorks)
- Jungle Emperor Leo (1997) (NYAV Post) (AnimeWorks)
- Gundress (1999) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment)
- Space Travelers (2000) (Headline Sound) (AnimeWorks)
- Kite Liberator (2008) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (AnimeWorks)
Live-Action
Films
- Sure Death 4: Revenge (1987) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Zeiram 2 (1994) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Mechanical Violator Hakaider (1995) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Prisoner Maria (1995) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Zero Woman: Final Mission (1995) (Planet 2 Planet Studios) (Tokyo Shock)
- Reborn from Hell II: Jubei's Revenge (1996) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Zero Woman (1996) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Moon Over Tao (1997) (NYAV Post) (Tokyo Shock)
- Black Angel (1998) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Kunoichi: Lady Ninja (1998) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Misa the Dark Angel (1998) (Swirl Recording) (Tokyo Shock)
- Black Angel 2 (1999) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Reborn from Hell: Samurai Armageddon (1999) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Zero Woman Returns (1999) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Alive (2002) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- One Missed Call (2003) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Sky High (2003) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Art of the Devil (2004) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Devilman (2004) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- The Sisters (2004) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Witch Board (2004) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Zebraman (2004) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Cromartie High: The Movie (2005) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Death Trance (2005) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Gamera the Brave (2006) (Swirl Recording) (Tokyo Shock)
- Crows Zero (2007) (Arvintel Media Productions) (Tokyo Shock)
- Exte: Hair Extensions (2007) (Headline Sound) (Tokyo Shock)
- The Machine Girl (2008) (NYAV Post) (Tokyo Shock)
- Death Kappa (2010) (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) (Tokyo Shock)
- Rise of the Machine Girls (2019) (Fever Dreams Sound Factory)
Licensed Works
Anime
Series
- Voltron (1984-1985) (Dubbed by World Event Productions)
- Teknoman (1992-1993) (Dubbed by Saban Entertainment)
- Fushigi Yûgi (1995-1996) (Dubbed by Animaze)
- Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl (1999) (Dubbed by Blue Water Studios)
- Jubei-Chan 2: The Counterattack of Siberia Yagyu (2004) (Dubbed by Blue Water Studios)
Specials/OVAs
- Doomed Megalopolis (1991) (Dubbed by Screenmusic Studios)
- Iria: Zeiram the Animation (1994) (Dubbed by National Sound)
- Golden Boy (1995-1996) (Dubbed by ADV Films)
- Saber Marionette R (1995) (Dubbed by Ocean Productions)
- Twin Angels (1995-1997) (Dubbed by Skypilot Entertainment)
- Fushigi Yûgi (1996-1998) (Dubbed by Animaze)
- Shamanic Princess (1996) (Dubbed by Mercury Productions)
- Tattoon Master (1996) (Dubbed by ADV Films)
- Ninja Resurrection (1998) (Dubbed by Monster Island)
- Professor Pain (1998) (Dubbed by Audioworks Producers Group)
- Spaceship Agga Ruter (1998-1999) (Dubbed by Audioworks Producers Group)
- Teacher's Pet (1999) (Dubbed by Audioworks Producers Group)
- Angel Sanctuary (2000) (Dubbed by Mercury Productions)
- Fushigi Yûgi Eikoden (2001) (Dubbed by Animaze)
- Square of the Moon (2002-2003) (Dubbed by TripWire Productions)
Live-Action
Films
- Gappa: The Triphibian Monster (1967) (Dubbed by Frontier Enterprises)
- Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991) (Dubbed by Omni Productions)
References
- ↑ "Pardon the Interruption for a message!". Media Blasters. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ↑ Muir, Bob. (May 7, 2012) Media Blasters in financial trouble with New York State. Japanator.com. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
External Links
- Media Blasters at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Media Blasters at the CrystalAcids Anime Voice Actor Database
