TV5 Animega – Episode 1: The Emerging Tiger
May 20, 2009 – 11:29 pmhttp://www.tv5.com.ph/showsmain_anime.html
In the last episode of my Animax-Asia series, we see Animax-Asia make TV history. This time, one of our own Philippine TV channels is about to make its own TV history too. It's an exciting time to be an anime fan!
Well, admittedly I don't follow Filipino dubs of anime anymore, so it's not as exciting to me. However, I certainly appreciate its existence, because I used to watch them regularly. Today, there are a lot of people who are still not into DVDs and fansubs, heck I think some don't even have cable TV. That is why when progress is made at the local TV front, I had to be there up close. I used to be fairly active in a number of Philippine-based anime forums some years ago. Ah those were the days. We'd nitpick every cut being made in the anime, be it for censorship reasons or just to insert more ads into the timeslot. We'd bash and praise bad and good voice acting, compare the Filipino dubs to the original, and try to see how the translations fared during the conversion.
While I have graduated from watching dubs on local TV and on cable, I still follow a bit of the local scene to see how anime is being treated. As I had said in the Animax-Asia article, choice is good. What's quite amusing is how fast they catch up to me today. Animes that are being licensed and acquired by our local TV companies are getting newer and newer. There used to be a couple of years gap between an anime's airing in Japan and its airing in the Philippines. That gap is slowly shrinking. I am seeing acquirations left and right of anime which are fairly recent. Now, much like Animax-Asia, there is a new tiger in town… TV5.
Since the new management change, the channel has revived its anime primetime block. This will be the first time in 5 or so years that anime can be seen on evening, because the other major channels have trashed this idea in favor of more lucrative markets like gameshows, the usual teleseryes and more meh reality series. TV5 goes a step further, with its anime selection seemingly and surprisingly relevant to the very discerning anime fan. Maybe their staff are anime fans too, probably knowing about the fansub and internet world and also what's critically acclaimed and popular in anime. In any case, they know their stuff. They do decent dubs, they never cut anything badly, and they show full openings and endings. Also, they are pushing the bar in turnaround time. Currently they are airing Code Geass R2. How about that? Within half a year, the anime is here. I don't know anything about the television business, but they must have a decent amount of budget dedicated to anime licensing, localization and promotion. I heard that TV5 has partnerships abroad, and so maybe there's the source of their finances. What's amazing here is that they see the potential of anime in primetime. They know that someone is bound to stick to their channel during the anime slot while the other big two channels are showing crappy soap operas. For better entertainment, watch anime instead.
Now they are pushing further. Remember Toradora? It just ended in Japan this spring. Guess what… they're airing it NOW. But wait, there's more! Remember Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? THEY'RE GONNA AIR IT TOO! WEEKLY! Alright, this is not the "same week in Japan" treatment in Animax-Asia, but they are merely 7 episodes behind. This is TV history by any respects, the very first near-simulcast broadcast of any anime in the Philippines. The fastest acquired anime, and it's no sloppy anime either. This is freaking Fullmetal Alchemist. I'd give up Naruto and Bleach for this thing (then again, I've already given them up long ago)! Suddenly the tables have not only turned, but tumbled over. I now regard TV5 as the new local TV anime authority.
They aren't even in this business for a year yet! They just showed anime after anime since August of 2008 as if they were insane. One of their very first lineups was Shakugan No Shana, and I was fashionably late in discovering about it. I didn't care much about the anime, except that I exclaimed that this is good news. Some months later, I saw more anime being acquired, and I started to take notice. The rest is history. Everytime I see something new in TV5, I always get surprised. From classics like Ranma 1/2, mild hits like Special A, DNAngel, and Ragnarok to REALLY good stuff like Azumanga Daioh, Code Geass, and Cowboy Bebop, this is really a powerhouse lineup that trumps even the 24-hour anime cable channel selections.
I really hope they're generating profit with this, because I'd hate to see a major stumble in their awesome run. At this point, I don't care if they start showing reruns of their old anime licenses. The selection is vibrant anyway. In any case, I'll be following the progress of this channel's anime block from now on. I do admit, I don't watch dubbed anime regularly anymore, and so I am not their audience. With this post I'm merely spreading the word. If you live in a cave like me sometimes, and you still like your anime served in Filipino dub, please tune in to TV5 every primetime evenings to see what you're missing.
Update:
I FACEPALM IN A POSITIVE WAY.
Another big arsenal. Regardless of whether you like Haruhi or not, you know it's big.
28 Responses to “TV5 Animega – Episode 1: The Emerging Tiger”
Wow, I'm still just surprised as to just how in god's name they were able to get all that awesome (and recent!) stuff. (if only they were subbed…)
By Zeroblade on May 21, 2009
TV5's anime assault just doesn't stop there at FMA:B and Toradora. There will be several more hot titles that will be aired in the future.
We all have to thank the Malaysian investors for shaking our TV's, just as the network's slogan says.
By Moonlight Bomber on May 21, 2009
I've come to realize that we are a minority among anime fans in the Philippines. The majority of anime fans internationally (or at least in the US) are dub-watchers who see the shows on TV.
We aren't representative of these fans — just go to any local convention and see if you can relate to 20% of the participants.
In that case, I'd rather that the local anime distributors service the market as it is, if it means a larger anime presence locally, which will result in a larger base even if remaining a minority — of fans like us.
By ghostlightning on May 21, 2009
Yes, we're talking internet vs. television penetration rate in our country. But I could say that the vast majority is now catching up. When I had gone to a few early anime conventions of my own, I'd realize that most will tend to like the old stuff and be oblivious about new ones. Nowadays, because we have a lot of choices available for free and also for cheap (cable), fans would tend to like different kinds of stuff.
The next revolution will be subbed anime on local TV. I don't think I'd live to see that day… and even if it does, I bet it'll be a flop. But then again we never know what's shaking in the future.
By bluemist on May 21, 2009
Yeah. Im starting to like my local cable even better. CG R2 is airing too in TV5 right? Their dubs for Toradora wasnt bad at all too.
By Kairu Ishimaru on May 21, 2009
I just saw Toradora a while ago (which last replaced Witchblade last week), and… I almost shat bricks when I first realized it. TV5 sure is on the bleeding edge when it comes to anime picks, due to Toradora.
The dub wasn't half bad, but the episode had a surprising lack of Ami~n, which would probably be remedied tomorrow (her introductory episode's next, iirc). Although, I had this seiyuu stereotyping of Kugimiya Rie's Tagalog dub voice from Shakugan no Shana… but the VA now sounds just as bitchy and tsundere as the real thing, at least to me.
With Toradora on TV now, I wonder what kind of shows will they pick up next in the same vein? Gundam OO? =D
By meganeshounen on May 21, 2009
A new Gundam or even a new Macross will be interesting, because they will certainly retrieve old fans of those mecha stuff.
By bluemist on May 21, 2009
I actually appreciate what TV5 is doing. I honestly thought they're doing what GMA did before where they claim that their viewers are not knowledgeable about anime. And TV5's anime staff sure know what they are showing.
Yes, a Gundam or a Macross is definitely another step for them. Or maybe that's just me as a mecha fan.
By sadakups on May 22, 2009
AFAIK Haruhi Suzumiya is coming on TV5 sometime next month(YEY!!!)…I wonder what happened to thier one of thier animes that they should air which is Seto no Hanayome??
Yeah subbed animes on local TV would be a great thing and i hope those guys at TV5 would notice that and do something about it!!
By maxie on May 24, 2009
The other best thing about what TV5 is doing is allowing some viewers to catch up what they miss by doing reruns on weekend afternoons.
This is what I call niche TV5 programming: paying real attention at what fans actually want, and doing what 2 and 7 could no longer do anymore.
By soulassassin on May 25, 2009
hi!!pho gnda po ng pinapalabas nyo quest ko lng po yng la corda de oro s animega
sna po mapalabas nyo yn hehehe!!!!!!!
By cathy jane on Jun 27, 2009
ahhhH!!!!
i want The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Right now on TV 5!!
I wnt to watch it again, but this time. in
Tagalog Version ahhhaah >.<
By Rikitchie on Jul 3, 2009
Sana bukod sa Melancholy, mai palabas nio din
po ung class anime na Chobits pwease!!!
love u TV5!!! Shake ko tlaga TV koh!!!
By Rikitchie on Jul 3, 2009
sana tangalin nyo na ang toradora at ipalit ang lupin the third
By joven on Jul 14, 2009
ahh..??? REQUEST KO NAMAN POH PALABAS NYO SA TV5 ANIMEGA YUN "FRUIT BASKET" ANG GANDA POH KASI NUN..???? KUNG PWEDE LANG POH SALAMAT..
By michelle on Jul 27, 2009
KUNG PWEDE POH PLS..???
MARAMING SALAMAT POH..???
MORE POWER..
ANG GAGANDA POH KASI NG MGA ANIME
NYO LALO NA POH YUN
YAMATO NADESHIKO
MARAMING SALAMAT POH..??
By michelle on Jul 27, 2009
ahh.. IPALABAS NYO RIN POH
YUN HIS ANG HER CIRCUMTANCE..???
MAGANDA RIN POH KASI YUN EH
AHH…?? XENXHA NA POH ADIK LANG
POH TALAGA AKO SA MGA ANIME NYO
MORE POWERT POH..?
SHAKE KO TV PROMISE..???
By michelle on Jul 27, 2009
LAGI POH AKONG NANONOOD
SA TV5 PROMISE
ADIK POH TALAGA KAO SA MGA
ANIME NYOIPALABAS NYO NAMAN POH YUN
"FRUIT BASKET"
"HIS AND HER CIRCUMTANCE"
"GET BACKERS" AT
"FULL METAL PANIC"..??
MAGAGANDAPOH YUN PROMISE..???
SANA POH TUPARIN NYO WISH KOH..??
PLS..PLS..PLS..PLS..PLS..PLS..PLS…
POH..??? MARAMING SALAMAT POH..???
By michelle on Jul 27, 2009
hello poh
muxtah na poh
sana poh ipalabas nyo
sa tv5 yun fruit basket
maganda poh kasi yun
tsaka namimiss ko na poh
yun palabas na yun
promise sana poh pls..pls,..
ngatx na lang poh..???
By mitchie on Jul 30, 2009
sana poh ipalabas nyo na poh
pls..pls,.pls..pls..pls..pls..
hayxxzzz pls poh..??
guxto ko poh talaga yu fruit basket
sana poh iplalbas nyo na
maraming salamat poh..???
By michelle on Jul 30, 2009
fruit basket..??
fruit basket..
fruit basket
fruit basket
fruit basket
pls poh ipalabas nyo na
pls..???
PLEASE..???
By michelle on Jul 30, 2009
ASTIH PUHHH CHANNEL NYO SARAP PANORIN
PWEDE PUHH ADD PO KAU DA CAPO PLS….AND GURREN LAGGAN
DA CAPO PLS….
DA CAPO PLS….DA CAPO PLS….DA CAPO PLS….
DA CAPO PLS….DA CAPO PLS….AND ALSO GURREN LAGGAN
ASTIG PUH KAU I SALUTE
By evil death on Aug 5, 2009
sana reply nyo nmn ang melonchony of haruhu suzumiya hehe!!
para kcng d natapos ang season eh!!
pero pinalitan nyo ng bagong anime
By louie on Aug 17, 2009
sana po palabas nyo ung clannad, clannad after story, kanon, air, sola. sobrang gaganda po nian…c; I SWEAR!
By ayu-chan tsukimiya on Aug 29, 2009
ang ganda ng mga anime.matagal napo me adik pero naaadik pa ko lalo dahil sa anime!!! yung nickelodean cartoons din po kahit ulit-ulit maganda pa rin!!! sana po tapusin nyo na ung kwento ng avatar ang ganda po kasi eh!!!
By marjo on Oct 7, 2009
paki reply naman poh
yun SPECIAL A
ganda poh kasi nun eh
tsaka poh yun
YAMATO NADESHIKO
plss naman poh..????
By michelle on Oct 7, 2009
sana poh..??
magpalabas poh kayo ng mga
anime nadi pa poh
napapalabas para naman poh
kakaiba..??
nakakamiss rin poh yun
azumanga daioh
more power poh sa inyo
take care always
By michelle on Oct 7, 2009