View source for Media Blasters

{{short description|American entertainment company}}
{{about|the entertainment company|the general work tool|Abrasive blasting}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Media Blasters
| logo = Media Blasters.jpg
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| industry = [[Entertainment#Industry|Entertainment]]
| predecessor = [[Central Park Media#Software Sculptors|Software Sculptors]]
| founded = {{start date and age|1997}}
| founder = John Sirabella
| hq_location_city = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served = United States, Canada
| key_people = John Sirabella (CEO)
| products = {{hlist|[[Anime]]|[[Adult animation#Japan|Adult anime]]|[[Manga]]|[[Cinema of Asia|Asian film]]s|[[Horror film]]s|[[Monster movie|Monster film]]s|[[Concert film]]s|[[Independent film]]s|[[Exploitation film]]s}}
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| num_employees = 5 or 6
| num_employees_year = 2012<ref name=Employees/>
| website = {{URL|http://www.media-blasters.com/}}
}}
'''Media Blasters''', sometimes abbreviated as '''MB''', is an American entertainment company that was founded by John Sirabella in 1997 and is 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, [[Hentai|adult anime]], monster movies, concert films, independent films, horror films, and exploitation films. Over its history, the company has licensed several popular titles, such as ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]'', ''[[Berserk (1997 TV series)|Berserk]]'', ''[[Bakuman]]'', ''[[Shamanic Princess]]'', ''[[Weiß Kreuz]]'', ''[[Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl]]'', ''[[Chu-Bra!!]]'', ''[[Grenadier (manga)|Grenadier]]'', ''[[Holy Knight]]'', ''[[Elf Princess Rane]]'', ''[[Voogie's Angel]]'', ''[[Iron Virgin Jun]]'', ''[[Ultimate Girls]]'' and ''[[Blade of the Immortal]]''.

==History==
===Founding and growth===
Before Media Blasters was founded, John Sirabella had previously founded Software Sculptors in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dennis A. Amith interviews John Sirabella (1994)|url=http://www.nt2099.com/INTERVIEWS/john_sirabella/|website=NT2099|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055018/http://www.nt2099.com/INTERVIEWS/john_sirabella/|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> After it was purchased by [[Central Park Media]], Sirabella decided to leave and found Media Blasters in 1997 in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name=porn/><ref name=history/> The company is divided into several divisions that target different aspects of the video market.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.media-blasters.com/main/index.php/history|title=Media Blasters History|publisher=Media Blasters|access-date=May 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604060410/http://www.media-blasters.com/main/index.php/history|archive-date=June 4, 2013}}</ref> They license titles for release and are involved in the production, localizing, and distribution.<ref name=history/> The Anime Works 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]]''.<ref name=history/><ref name=zim>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2003-11-06/media-blasters-acquires-invader-zim|title=Media Blasters Acquires Invader Zim|publisher=Anime News Network|date=November 6, 2003|access-date=May 20, 2013}}</ref> 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'' of the [[Zatoichi]] franchise.<ref name=history/> Another division, Shriek Show, was founded in 2001 to focus on re-mastering horror titles for DVD release.<ref name=history/> In 2004, Media Blasters began publishing [[manga]]. The company first published [[Shōnen manga|''shōnen'' manga]] titles for older readers, and later on it increased its ''[[yaoi]]'' manga line.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/1918-media-blasters-drops-shonen-adds-yaoi-.html|title=Media Blasters Drops Shonen; Adds Yaoi|last=Cha|first=Kai-Ming|date=March 13, 2007|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=July 27, 2010}}</ref> At the height of its success, they released around five titles a month and had about 50 employees, but as the market decreased, so did the company.<ref name=max>{{cite web|url=http://www.media-blasters.com/main/index.php/the-news/811-mb-tries-to-clear-some-posts-up|title=Pardon the Interruption for a message!|publisher=Media Blasters|access-date=May 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516050346/http://media-blasters.com/main/index.php/the-news/811-mb-tries-to-clear-some-posts-up|archive-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref>

===Financial problems===
In January 2012, John Sirabella announced that the company would be laying off approximately 10 employees, reducing its workforce by about 60 percent. He stated that this will not affect their production rates.<ref name=Employees>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-10/media-blasters-lays-off-60-percent-of-its-staff|title=Media Blasters Lays Off 60% of Staff|date=January 10, 2012|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 10, 2012}}</ref> In May 2012, it was reported that the New York State Department of State listed them as an inactive company due to not filing their taxes properly. The company later stated on [[Facebook]] that they had filed extensions for 2009, 2010, and 2011, but without their notice the Secretary of State took action. They also said that, at the time of posting, they had completed their filings properly and that they will continue to release titles.<ref name="people">{{cite web|title=New York Lists Media Blasters as Dissolved as of April 2011 (Update 2)|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-04/new-york-lists-media-blasters-as-dissolved-as-of-april-2011|website=Anime News Network|date=May 4, 2012|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> In March 2013, the company released a statement saying that, because a major back accident occurred in their warehouse, they were unable to travel to Japan to acquire licenses. This resulted in business associates of the company going around Japan showing a tax paper stating they were out of business, which ended up resulting in the company losing a majority of their titles, most notably ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]'', ''[[Berserk (1997 TV series)|Berserk]]'', and ''[[Bakuman]]''.<ref name=max/> In January 2015, the company signed a deal with MB VoiceWorks to help produce English dubs for its anime titles in-house.<ref>{{cite web|title=MB VoiceWorks To Produce English Dubs For Media Blasters|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-01-23/mb-voiceworks-to-produce-english-dubs-for-media-blasters/.83624|website=Anime News Network|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Despite the closure of MB VoiceWorks in May 2016, Media Blasters would still continue to produce its English dubs in-house and that MB VoiceWorks co-founder Brittany Lauda would continue to lead the dubbing department and direct dubs for the company.<ref>{{cite web|title=MB VoiceWorks Dubbing Production Company Closes|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-17/mb-voiceworks-dubbing-production-company-closes/.102221|website=Anime News Network|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>

===Recovery===
In August 2020, the company created a new [[Twitter]] account to promote their new releases.<ref>{{cite web|title=Media Blasters' Twitter page|url=https://twitter.com/mediablasters1|website=Twitter|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> The company also teased that many new releases would be coming in the future.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=mediablasters1|number=1293508499612336128|title=Can you feel the excitement in the air? So many exciting {{sic|annou|nements|nolink=y}} coming soon. I can barely contain myself|date=August 12, 2020|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref> In November 2020, the company announced that they will stop using their DVD-on-demand system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Media Blasters Discontinues DVD on Demand System Starting in 2021|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-12/media-blasters-discontinues-dvd-on-demand-system-starting-in-2021/.166257|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 12, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020}}</ref> In January 2021, the company introduced a new opening animation.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=mediablasters1|number=1345022778630615040|title=As we start 2021 we keep the trend from 2020. We have a WIP of new logo opening animation. Having that feel of "rusty gold, barn find" you find and get up and running again. We also want to thank everyone for the wonderful messages and support in our quest!|date=January 1, 2021|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref>

==Distribution==
Their titles are streamed on [[Crunchyroll]], [[Tubi]], [[Amazon Prime Video]], [[Cineverse|RetroCrush]], and [[CONtv|Midnight Pulp]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Crunchyroll to Stream Holy Knight Anime with Exclusive New English Dub Across North America|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-02-19/crunchyroll-to-stream-holy-knight-anime-with-exclusive-new-english-dub-across-north-america/.85179|website=Anime News Network|date=February 19, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|title=As we work on several uploads for DMR (retro-crush) figure give you the opening of Yami since working on it now. So start checking out our titles on DMR or pick up the blu ray.|user=mediablasters1|number=1318168054208122880|date=October 19, 2020|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tubi TV Streams Yamibo, Melty Lancer Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-11-02/tubi-tv-streams-yamibo-melty-lancer-anime/.165884|website=Anime News Network|date=November 2, 2020|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mazinkaiser SKL|url=https://www.midnightpulp.com/details/63cffd436a2b7e0d3c226bf2/mazinkaiser-skl|website=Midnight Pulp|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Some of their titles were available on [[Hulu]], but they have been removed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Media Blasters Anime Titles to Expire on Hulu|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-06/media-blasters-anime-titles-to-expire-on-hulu/.101756|website=Anime News Network|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>

On December 31, 2015, the television network [[Toku (TV network)|Toku]] was launched, replacing the [[Funimation Channel]]. It aired many anime and live action titles from the Media Blasters catalog, such as ''[[Juden Chan]]'', ''[[Ladies versus Butlers!]]'', and ''[[Rio: Rainbow Gate!]]'' They were the main anime provider for the network.<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympusat's FUNimation Channel is changing its name to TOKU|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-12-17/olympusat-funimation-channel-is-changing-its-name-to-toku/.96656|website=Anime News Network|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> Media Blasters later revealed Blu-ray releases of retro ''[[ecchi]]'' comedies such as ''[[Jungle De Ikou!]]'' in 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://otakuusamagazine.com/exclusive-interview-media-blasters-ceo-on-companys-reemergence/ | title=Exclusive Interview: Media Blasters CEO on Company's Reemergence | date=April 6, 2021 }}</ref> ''[[Eiken (manga)|Eiken]]'' and [[Grenadier (manga)|Grenadier]] was added on Tubi.<ref>https://www.fandompost.com/2020/09/16/tubi-tv-adds-eiken-blu-ray-anime-streaming/</ref><ref>https://www.fandompost.com/2024/01/23/tubi-adds-grenadier-anime-streaming/</ref>

==Divisions==
===Anime Works===
Anime Works is the division used for the bulk of the company's [[anime]] titles. Some of the series released under this imprint include ''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'', ''[[Rurouni Kenshin]]'', ''[[The King of Braves GaoGaiGar]]'', ''[[Berserk (1997 TV series)|Berserk]]'', and ''[[Blade of the Immortal]]''. The imprint also produced two original series with [[Yasuomi Umetsu]], those being ''[[Kite Liberator]]'' and ''[[Mezzo Forte]]''.<ref name=history/>

===Kitty Media===
{{Distinguish|Kitty Films}}
Kitty Media specializes in adult anime ([[hentai]]) and pornographic films.<ref name="porn">{{cite journal|date=July 1998|title=The Anime 'Porn' Market|journal=[[Animation World Magazine]]|volume=3|issue=4|pages=27–29|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.4/3.4pages/3.4patten.html|access-date=June 3, 2011}} Also available [http://www.awn.com/articles/reviews/anime-porn-market here] and [http://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.4/awnmag3.4.pdf here (PDF version of the issue)].</ref> The division also specializes in films and anime series that contain scenes of rape and graphic sexuality. Its first release, and the first release by Media Blasters as a whole, was ''Rei-Lan: Orchid Emblem''.<ref name=porn/> Media Blasters also publishes both hentai and [[yaoi]] manga under this imprint.  It has also released several titles formerly released by [[Central Park Media]]'s Anime 18 imprint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-08/central-park-media-licenses-offered-by-liquidator|title=Central Park Media's Licenses Offered by Liquidator|website=Anime News Network|date=July 8, 2009|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref>

In 2011, they entered a licensing partnership with [[Fakku]] to stream select titles, starting with ''Immoral Sisters''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.fakku.net/?p=26|year=2011|title=Kitty Media Partnership, Immoral Sisters Streaming Press Release|access-date=July 23, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218043233/http://blog.fakku.net/?p=26|archive-date=December 18, 2011}}</ref> In 2017, they were acquired by [[Fakku]] for digital distribution, while physical distribution was maintained by Media Blasters. In late 2020 however, CEO of Fakku Jacob Grady announced in the official forums of Fakku that they have indefinitely deprioritized video streaming of Kitty Media adult anime because of distribution and copyright issues, causing some titles to be removed from the site. As of January 2023, Kitty Media is no longer part of Fakku after its nearly six year, unsuccessful venture in legal adult anime video streaming, giving Media Blasters back full control of the adult label. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N8ioGFi121aLik2yNQuJKpTLhf1qhKJ0/view|title=Kitty Media Press Release.pdf|work=Google Docs|access-date=November 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fakku.net/anime|title=Fakku adult anime streaming page quietly shuts down for good|website=Fakku| access-date= April 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fakku.net/forums/feedback-suggestions-and-support/whats-going-on-with-the-anime-on-this-site|title=What's going on with the anime on this site?|website=Fakku| access-date=April 17, 2023}}</ref>

===Tokyo Shock===
The Tokyo Shock division covers [[live action]] movies and television series from Japan and other Asian markets, such as several notable films from Toho Co. Ltd and Shaw Brothers (HK) Ltd.<ref name=history/>

===Shriek Show===
The Shriek Show division handled distribution of obscure horror and exploitation films.<ref name=history/> This division and the Fresh Meat line were discontinued in 2013.<ref name=max/>

====Fresh Meat====
The Fresh Meat line was a part of the Shriek Show division that handled horror films from new directors.<ref name=history/>

===Fever Dreams=== 
The Fever Dreams division specializes in original films. The company focused heavily on this division in 2013.<ref name=max/>

===Guilty Pleasures===
The Guilty Pleasures division specialized in releasing B-tier [[Cult following|cult-classic]] films.<ref name=GP>{{cite tweet|user=mediablasters1|number=1350115902738587651|title=Guilty Pleasure was a line we started and now getting some of those releases on BD starting with Nick Philips films. Getting all these releases back into the marketplace|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> This division was discontinued in 2013,<ref name=max/> but the company decided to start re-releasing some of its titles in 2021.<ref name=GP/>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.media-blasters.com/}}
* {{anime News Network|company|7}}

{{Region 1 home video}}

[[Category:Media Blasters| ]]
[[Category:Anime companies]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Home video companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Home video lines]]
[[Category:Hentai companies]]
[[Category:Mass media companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1997]]