Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan, LLC. (, Jeneon Yunibaasaru Entateinmento Kabushiki-gaisha?) (formerly known as Pioneer Entertainment, or Pioneer LDC - Pioneer LaserDisc Company, a former subsidiary of Pioneer Corporation) is a Japanese anime and home entertainment production and distribution enterprise headquartered in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Geneon has been involved in the production and distribution of several anime in Japan. Geneon's North American branch specialized in translating and distributing anime and related merchandise, such as soundtracks across the region. Geneon is a portmanteau of the English words, generate and eon. On February 1, 2009, Geneon merged with Universal Pictures Japan into Geneon Universal Entertainment.
Contents
1 History
2 Reception
3 References
4 External links
//
History
Geneon Universal was originally formed under the name Pioneer LDC in 1981. In July 2003, the company was acquired by Japanese advertising and marketing company firm Dentsu and renamed to Geneon Entertainment, while its North American division, Pioneer Entertainment, was renamed to Geneon USA.
In November 2004, Geneon USA signed a deal with Toei Animation to distribute some of their titles into the North American market. Launching titles included Air Master, Interlude, and Slam Dunk. However, in late 2006, the deal ended and all of the released titles went out of print.
In March 2007, Geneon became the exclusive North American distributor for Bandai Visual USA. Four months later, it was announced that ADV Films would take over the distribution, marketing, and sales of Geneon USA's properties in the United States, starting October 1, 2007. According to the announcement, Geneon
Another camiseta real madrid xabi alonso North American anime distributor, Funimation Entertainment, began negotiating with Geneon USA to acquire some of the company's licensed titles. In July 2008, a formal arrangement was camiseta real madrid xabi alonso announced and Funimation acquired the rights to "manufacture, sell, and distribute" various Geneon anime and live-action titles. On November 12, 2008, Dentsu announced that it was selling 80.1% of its ownership in the company to NBC Universal's Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPI), which plans to merge the company with its Universal Pictures Japan division to form a new company. The merger closed on February 1, 2009. The new company is named Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan.
Reception
In 2006, Geneon was named "Best Anime Company" by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation.
References
^ "Dentsu acquires Pioneer". Anime News Network. July 21, 2003. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-07-21/dentsu-acquires-pioneer. Retrieved September 16, 2007.?
^ "Geneon Entertainment Signs Distribution Agreement With Toei Animation". Anime News Network. November 11, 2004. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2004-11-11/geneon-entertainment-signs-distribution-agreement-with-toei-animation. Retrieved December 24, 2009.