introduce
A Kickstarter campaign to bring an English dub to the 1985 classic Dirty Pair animated series has been a huge success, going from eager to launch back in October 2021, nine months before Crunchyroll unexpectedly acquired RightStuf Supporters raised more than $731,000 in August 2022.
Originally scheduled for release in August 2022, fan enthusiasm is palpable, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the iconic series and the desire for an all-new voice cast that could introduce Kei and Yuri’s space adventures to a new generation . However, after Crunchyroll was acquired, there were delays in the process from successful financing to completion of the project.
A promising update came in May 2024, announcing that all audio material had been completed after months of constant project updates, but campaign backers were suddenly left in the dark, with no further official announcements about production in the following weeks. renew.
Silence is enough to attract industry attention
The silence has also fueled speculation and concern among supporters, who have been waiting more than two years to see the finished product of their contributions.
This silence has also led to media obsession CEO Justin Servakis He investigated the matter himself, which led to the revelation on Twitter that several producers of the version have since left Crunchyroll, with no sign of a replacement. This has resulted in affected backers and many others struggling to reach out through official channels to provide some sort of production update and official statement, all within the past 11 days.
sign of hope
The latest update, as of Monday, August 26, sheds more light on the situation and sparked initial reasons to celebrate, as a Twitter user was able to get in touch with the recording studio involved in its production via Facebook and reveal the project It’s currently in the reproduction phase, which suggests production is finally complete after years of delays and final production of sets, bonuses, and shipping is about to begin. Some backers of the campaign have invested hundreds of dollars into the project but have lost hope due to a lack of updates.
The update culminated in an official Kickstarter update on Thursday afternoon EDT, with the following statement provided to Comics Beat at press time:
Thank you for your patience as we update you on the production of the dubbed version of the 1985 classic series Dirty Pair. Thank you to all the producers and voices who contributed to this project, and of course your pledge to make it happen.
The show is still in post-production, and like many productions, delays do occur at times.
You should receive updates from Dirty Pair every 2-4 weeks prior to release. We hope the new communication cadence and frequency will help alleviate any concerns you may have. Please note that we remain fully committed to this title, especially given the passionate fan base eagerly awaiting its release.
As part of your Kickstarter pledge, starting on September 3rd, we will begin sending out the available portion of your backer rewards while the series is being prepared for post-production, editing, and shipping.
Stay tuned to this space for more (and regular) updates soon.
The situation highlights the complexities and risks inherent in crowdfunding ventures, especially in the animation industry. When updates cease and the silence that ensues, it can erode vital confidence in the crowdfunding model and drive away potential backers of future projects.
in conclusion
Further acquisitions of production companies by larger entities, such as the integration of Crunchyroll Hope entertainment can and has introduced additional complexity to project management. Changes in ownership and strategic direction can, and often do, impact ongoing projects, which can lead to relative silence and leave supporters feeling ignored in the wake of company changes.
Despite these challenges, the Dirty Pair English Dub Kickstarter Legend is a testament to anime fans and their willingness to support their favorite shows. It also emphasizes the importance of clear communication and expectation management throughout a long-term project, even one affected by multiple delays.
While silence is never a good thing for a project of this size, action does help achieve results. Let’s hope Crunchyroll sticks to their self-imposed update schedule from now on until every backer receives their campaign rewards.
