Well, this kind of offers a “why” for the whole mess. Kind of.
Earlier today, Anime News Network received word from Avex Pictures regarding the company’s recent restriction on Blu-Ray, DVD, and CD exports. Avex stated:
Due to availability for export of our product to overseas, we, Avex Pictures must clearly classify those products that can and cannot be sold overseas. We pass on such instructions to our dealerships, including online distributors; however, there are cases where some dealers misidentify the classifications in question. In such cases, we call upon them to correct the situation as soon as we find out.
Please understand that we can only surmise that the product you have indicated to us is not available for sale overseas due to the above. Thus, we would like you to know that we have not suddenly banned the overseas sales of product, but rather it is one of those products that from the start was never meant to be available for sale overseas, and the dealership concerned has just recently made the necessary correction.
Please also note that in view of the needs in other countries for animation content, we are making every effort to acquire the distribution rights for sales overseas.
We look forward to your continued support of our products and wish you all the best.
The news comes on the heels of an announcement from retailer CDJapan last December. The retailer revealed that Avex Pictures was restricting all exports of their titles, and that the ban applied to all online retailers in Japan.
Titles under Avex’s banner include Mr. Osomatsu and Yuri!!! On ICE.
Source: Anime News Network
