RIAP Writes

Caveat Emptor o Sailor Moon Fans!

This part of the column was going to be a word of warning to all those who were going to participate in the grass roots campaign to pay for the continuing dubs of the unreleased episodes of SAILOR MOON, however DIC has already done that with their official statement from August 30, 1996. For those of you who do not know what I am referring to, let me quickly explain.

For a while now, there has been a series of posts from Steve Mittler, a gentleman who claims to have been asked to look into fan financing for the production of more SAILOR MOON TV episodes and three SAILOR MOON movies.

In early September, DIC's official statement was posted to rec.arts.anime-info which states that DIC has no knowledge of any such activity, does not condone any such activity, and that Toei (the Japanese rights holders) also has no knowledge of this activity.

Later posts by Steve Mittler do not acknowledge the official statement by DIC.

In addition to these announcements, Buena Vista Home Video is the company that holds the distribution rights to SAILOR MOON on video for at least the US and for the already produced episodes. Buena Vista would probably have a very large say in how future episodes could be distributed (Right now, even current episodes are only available through Toy's R Us) and would probably condone direct sales.

While I haven't read any actual contracts, it is possible that only Buena Vista has the rights to sell video versions - even to the direct market, and since DIC is disowning this project, this project sounds highly suspect.

One possibility is that the dub will simply be a fan quality dub by fan voice actors. Be very certain before you send any cash that this is a valid deal!

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DIC'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT
FROM DIC'S LEGAL / BUSINESS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
AUGUST 30, 1996

We have become aware that there is a claim circulating on the Internet that DIC has granted permission to certain individuals to produce and distribute new English-language episodes of SAILOR MOON. This claim further alleges that these same individuals are in negotiation with Toei Animation to acquire rights in and to the animated SAILOR MOON movies. These claims are disturbing not just because they are untrue, but because they are being used as the basis for requesting that SAILOR MOON fans send money, specifically to Wizard Productions Inc., to (purportedly) fund these efforts.
First and foremost, please be advised that DIC has not granted permission to anyone to produce and distribute new English-language episodes, and there is no "unwritten permissive contract" to the contrary. Even more important, we certainly have not and would not authorize the solicitation of monetary contributions from fans to fund production of new episodes. To repeat, any efforts by Wizard Productions Inc., Brad Lascelle, Steve Mittler or any other individuals to solicit fan contributions are being undertaken without the authorization, support or involvement of DIC. Please be aware that DIC has no control over the handling of any such contributions, and cannot be responsible for how those monies are ultimately used or misused.
There is absolutely no "order to tow the company line" that requires DIC employees to "remain ignorant about what is going on." The plain and simple fact of the matter is that DIC continues to retain for itself the right to produce and distribute new English-language episodes, both for broadcast and home video distribution. Any claims to the contrary are false, and anyone actually producing or distributing "new" episodes is doing so without authorization, and in violation of the rights of Toei Animation and DIC.
As we have previously announced, DIC is continuing to explore all options available to us which would allow for the production of new English-language episodes. Those efforts are ongoing, and we will certainly make an announcement if and when we are able to once again undertake production. Any such announcement, if true, will be made directly by DIC, and not "solely" by individuals claiming to have received word from "DIC representatives."
Second, we have been advised by Toei Animation that they are not negotiating with Wizard Productions Inc., Roland Parliament, Brad Lascelle, Steve Mittler or any other individuals concerning the acquisition of rights in and to the animated SAILOR MOON movies. We must therefore advise you to be so forewarned before sending contributions in support of such negotiations which, to the best of our knowledge, are not taking place. Frankly, if the existence of such negotiations are not publicly announced or acknowledged by Toei, we would advise you to question the accuracy of any claim that they are currently being conducted.
Third, we have been advised directly by Kaleidoscope Entertainment that none of the "statements" attributed to them in recent posting are true. Without limitation, Kaleidoscope Entertainment has specifically denied the claim that they are financing the production of new episodes. In all the time that DIC and Kaleidoscope Entertainment have worked together on SAILOR MOON, DIC has never been told that Steve Mittler speaks on behalf of Randy Zalken or Kaleidoscope Entertainment. We must therefore question the accuracy of such a claim. Again, if statements attributed to Randy Zalken or Kaleidoscope Entertainment are not posted on the internet directly by them, you are advised to question the accuracy of the same.
DIC strongly warns against fans sending monies to individuals claiming that they have received permission from us to produce new English-language episodes. We cannot stress enough that we have no control over have such contributions are, or will be, handled. We are truly sorry that the devotion of fans to SAILOR MOON is being misused in this fashion.