Right Stuf: Difference between revisions

| type = [[Division (business)|DivisionSubsidiary]]

| fate = MergedAcquired and folded into [[Crunchyroll|the Crunchyroll Store]]

| successor = [[Crunchyroll|Crunchyroll Store]]<br>BuyAnime

'''Right Stuf Inc.''' (formerly known as '''The Right Stuf International Inc.''') iswas an American video publisher and distributor of video programming that specializesspecialized in Asian entertainment ([[anime]] and [[live action|live action films]]). The company has been operated by [[Crunchyroll LLC]] since 2022 through a joint venture run by [[Sony]] through its [[Sony Pictures]] and [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan]] divisions, with the latter company running it via [[Aniplex]]. It hashad several divisions including: Nozomi Entertainment (production) and RightStufAnime.com (online store). In March 2012, Right Stuf launched 5 Points Pictures, its live action label.<ref name="New Label">{{Cite news| |url= http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/22409.html |publisher= ICv2 |title= Specializing in Eclectic Live-Action Films |date= March 14, 2012 |access-date= April 26, 2012 |archive-date= March 18, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120318235833/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/22409.html |url-status= live }}</ref> Right Stuf also offersoffered production services and distribution for Japanese labels [[Sunrise Inc.]],<ref name="Sunrise Distribution">{{Cite news| |url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-11/sunrise-partners-with-right-stuf-to-release-gundam-franchise-stateside/.79830 |publisher= Anime News Network |title= Sunrise Partners with Right Stuf to Release Gundam Franchise Stateside |date= October 11, 2014 |access-date= March 28, 2019 |archive-date= June 6, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230606194903/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-11/sunrise-partners-with-right-stuf-to-release-gundam-franchise-stateside/.79830 |url-status= live }}</ref> [[Eleven Arts]],<ref name="11 Arts Distribution">{{Cite news| |url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-11/right-stuf-eleven-arts-partner-for-home-video-distribution/.135361 |publisher= Anime News Network |title= Right Stuf, Eleven Arts Partner for Home Video Distribution |date= August 11, 2018 |access-date= March 28, 2019 |archive-date= March 29, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190329022602/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-11/right-stuf-eleven-arts-partner-for-home-video-distribution/.135361 |url-status= live }}</ref> [[Pony Canyon]],<ref name="PonyCan US Distribution">{{Cite news| |url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-08/pony-canyon-will-release-yuki-yuna-is-a-hero-denki-gai-no-honya-san-in-north-america/.83061 |publisher= Anime News Network |title= Pony Canyon Will Release Yuki Yuna Is a Hero, Denki-Gai no Honya-san in North America |date= January 8, 2015 |access-date= March 28, 2019 |archive-date= November 29, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201129083320/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-08/pony-canyon-will-release-yuki-yuna-is-a-hero-denki-gai-no-honya-san-in-north-america/.83061 |url-status= live }}</ref> and its corporate sibling, [[Aniplex of America]].

Right Stuf was founded onin July 31, 1987, by Robert "Todd" Ferson and [[Shawne Kleckner|Shawne P. Kleckner]]. The company iswas headquartered in [[Grimes, Iowa]]. OnIn August 4, 2022, Right Stuf was acquired by [[Sony|Sony Group Corporation]], and made a part of the [[Crunchyroll]] brand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Crunchyroll Purchases Anime Retailer Right Stuf|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-08-04/crunchyroll-purchases-anime-retailer-right-stuf/.188366|website=[[Anime News Network]]|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=August 4, 2022|access-date=August 4, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127011054/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-08-04/crunchyroll-purchases-anime-retailer-right-stuf/.188366|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the acquisition, Right Stuf ceased distribution of all [[hentai]] content on its storefronts, for which it and Crunchyroll drew criticism from fans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2022 |title=Crunchyroll Bought A Popular Anime Video Store, Removed Its Hentai |url=https://kotaku.com/crunchyroll-right-stuf-fakku-anime-merger-hentai-manga-1849378887 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |website=Kotaku |language=en-us |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923112443/https://kotaku.com/crunchyroll-right-stuf-fakku-anime-merger-hentai-manga-1849378887 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salkowitz |first=Rob |title=How Crunchyroll Is Building An Empire Of Anime |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2022/08/12/how-crunchyroll-is-building-an-empire-of-anime/ |access-date=September 23, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923112442/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2022/08/12/how-crunchyroll-is-building-an-empire-of-anime/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Crunchyroll LLC|Crunchyroll, LLC]] operated the company through a joint venture ran by Sony through [[Sony Pictures]] and [[Aniplex]], itself a division of [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan]]. Prior to the acquisition, Crunchyroll LLC, then known as Funimation, had partnered with its subsidiary Nozomi Entertainment to stream its select titles on the FunimationNOWFunimationNow app in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-07-05/funimation-right-stuf-nozomi-ent-announce-partnership-for-anime-streaming/.148671|title=Funimation, Right Stuf/Nozomi Ent. Announce Partnership for Anime Streaming|date=July 5, 2020|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|website=Anime News Network|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731223954/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-07-05/funimation-right-stuf-nozomi-ent-announce-partnership-for-anime-streaming/.148671|url-status=live}}</ref>

OnIn December 8, 2022, Kleckner said thatannounced he would be leaving the company after 35 years of being its co-founder and CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pineda |first=Rafael Antonio |title=Right Stuf President, Co-Founder Shawne Kleckner Leaves Right Stuf/Crunchyroll |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-08/right-stuf-president-co-founder-shawne-kleckner-leaves-right-stuf-crunchyroll/.192653 |date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127210756/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-08/right-stuf-president-co-founder-shawne-kleckner-leaves-right-stuf-crunchyroll/.192653 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Farewell Tweet|url=https://twitter.com/shawnekleckner/status/1603138316911738887|access-date=June 5, 2023|archive-date=December 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215171853/https://twitter.com/shawnekleckner/status/1603138316911738887|url-status=live}}</ref>

OnIn September 22, 2023, Crunchyroll officially announced that RightStufAnime.comRight willStuf would be merged into Crunchyroll Store onin October 102023, 2023. After merged intowith Crunchyroll Store,adopting the Right Stuf "exclamation mark circle" logo will used for global earthquake warningpricing and detectionshipping mobilepractices, applicationshutting '''QuakeXpress'''down made by Belizean-Americanin Jonathanthe Gutierrezprocess.<ref name="rightstuf.closure">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-22/right-stuf-phases-out-migrates-all-products-to-crunchyroll-store-on-october-10/.202711|title=Right Stuf Phases Out, Migrates All Products to Crunchyroll Store on October 10 (Updated)|date=September 22, 2023|last=Mateo|first=Alex|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 23, 2023|archive-date=September 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922190351/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-22/right-stuf-phases-out-migrates-all-products-to-crunchyroll-store-on-october-10/.202711|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/announcements/2023/9/22/crunchyroll-store-anime-merch-manga-rightstuf-integration|title=Crunchyroll Store Becomes Ultimate Destination for Anime Merch, Manga and More Following Right Stuf Integration|date=September 22, 2023|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=September 23, 2023|archive-date=September 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923025658/https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/announcements/2023/9/22/crunchyroll-store-anime-merch-manga-rightstuf-integration|url-status=live}}</ref> The initial service experience was succeeded by BuyAnime.

==CurrentFormer divisions==

'''Nozomi Entertainment''' iswas Right Stuf's studio focusing on "collector-grade releases for audiences of all ages." It publishespublished classic and modern anime programs for people of all ages, including ''[[Astro Boy (1963 TV series)|Astro Boy (1963)]]'', ''[[Dirty Pair]]'', ''[[Gundam|Mobile Suit Gundam]]'', ''[[The Irresponsible Captain Tylor]]'', ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]'', ''[[Princess Knight]]'', ''[[Kare Kano]]'', ''[[Kimba the White Lion|Kimba the White Lion (1965)]]'', ''[[Macross]]'', and ''[[Junjo Romantica: Pure Romance|Junjo Romantica]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=7470#contribute-information|title=The Right Stuf International|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 16, 2023|archive-date=June 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616132958/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=7470#contribute-information|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[Anime Expo]] in 2007, CEO Shawne Kleckner announced that Right Stuf had changed the name of their production division to Nozomi Entertainment. The first title released under the new Nozomi Entertainment label was ''[[The Third]]''.<ref name="Anime Expo">{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/anime-expo/right-stuf |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |title=Anime Expo 2007: The Right Stuf International |date=June 30, 2007 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804232826/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/anime-expo/right-stuf |url-status=live }}</ref> Some titles are licensedwere previously licensed under the '''Lucky Penny Entertainment''' label<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2012-07-03/right-stuf-inc-announces-acquisitions-of-ristorante-paradiso-hyakko-and-aoi-hana-creation-of-lucky-penny-studio-label-and-nozomi-limited-edition-releases |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |title=Right Stuf, Inc. Announces Acquisitions of Ristorante Paradiso, Hyakko & Aoi Hana; Creation of Lucky Penny Studio-Label; and Nozomi Limited-Edition Releases |date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804232821/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2012-07-03/right-stuf-inc-announces-acquisitions-of-ristorante-paradiso-hyakko-and-aoi-hana-creation-of-lucky-penny-studio-label-and-nozomi-limited-edition-releases |url-status=live }}</ref> before it was discontinued.

Despite the Right Stuf merger into Crunchyroll Store on October 10, 2023, [[Crunchyroll LLC|Crunchyroll]] confirmed that Nozomi willwould continue to operate under the Crunchyroll banner, licensing its back catalog of classic anime, and the English-dubbed Blu-ray of the 1980s ''[[Dirty Pair]]'' television series that was crowdfunded on [[Kickstarter]] would be released as planned.<ref name="rightstuf.closure"/>

'''5 Points Pictures''' iswas Right Stuf's former distribution division for live action programming. In March 2012, Right Stuf, Inc. established 5 Point Pictures and announced its film distribution agreement with [[CJ Entertainment]].<ref name="5 Points Pictures ">{{Cite press release |url=http://www.rightstuf.com/rssite/main/news/individual/?ForumThreadName=FT0000003581&Offset=0&ReturnTo=Archive |publisher= Right Stuf Inc|title= Right Stuf Inc Establishes 5 POINTS PICTURES, Announces Agreement with CJ Entertainment |date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref>

'''Critical Mass Video''' iswas Right Stuf's former studio for adult anime programming. It offersoffered titles catering to an assortment of different preferences. The label was taken over by Adult Source Media and EroAnimeStoreBuyAnime.com after Right Stuf removed all adult content following the Crunchyroll acquisition.<ref>[{{Cite web |url=https://eroanimestore.com/ |title=Ero Anime Store] |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804191617/https://eroanimestore.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[{{Cite web |url=https://eroanimestore.com/faq.html |title=Ero Anime Store FAQ!] |access-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804214405/https://eroanimestore.com/faq.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://avn.com/business/articles/video/adult-source-media-signs-hentai-studio-critical-mass-for-distro-909658.html|title=Adult Source Media Signs Hentai Studio Critical Mass for Distro|publisher=AVN.com|date=August 25, 2022|access-date=September 4, 2022|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904051021/https://avn.com/business/articles/video/adult-source-media-signs-hentai-studio-critical-mass-for-distro-909658.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Category:CompaniesAmerican basedcompanies disestablished in Iowa2023]]

[[Category:PrivatelyFormer heldSony companies based in Iowasubsidiaries]]

[[Category:SonyPrivately Picturesheld Televisioncompanies based in Iowa]]