Brethen-in-bishoujo, Adun's candid post on losing/recovering his 2D mojo struck a deep cord with me. While our experiences and expenditures do not directly correlate (woah, not even close - my anime spendings over 4 years could barely rival his epic 4 week Japan trip), I could identify with how excessive 2D merchandising could throttle The PassionTM.
Reflecting on the issue of unbridled anime consumerism, I can't help but ask myself and fellow collectors this question -
"Why do I collect 2D merchandise?"
Too often, I realised otaku-folk (myself included) get too caught up with The MomentTM and end up investing good, hard-earned money in "bad purchases" - buys that are incongruent with the basest reason why we collect something in the first place. Such purchases make us lose sight of our true passion and can induce 2D fatigue as the eventual lament sets in.
To prevent that from happening too often (let's face it, like cockroaches, bad buys cannot be fully eliminated), I have previously laid some ground rules on all my 2D related purchases (which I still work very hard to comply with). Yet I think that's not sufficient. It's not merely enough to stick to the tracks but more importantly to know why we're on the road at all so that we don't lose sight of the destination. So here's sharing my my motivations for my 2D collections, starting with my anime DVDs.
Anime DVDs
I was browsing through some Shakugan no Shana DVDs recently (which I eventually bought) when a teenage couple went by and gleefully commented, "Ha! Can download!" Indeed, I have all the .avi and .mkv of the DVDs I own, why do I buy them in the first place? Anime DVDs are probably the hardest purchases to justify of my 2D related collections. Personally I'm in for the higher quality and DVD specials. Not frills like post cards or film strips but interviews, omakes that directly contribute to an increased appreciation of the anime itself. That would explain why I was previously adverse to Odex DVDs - no specials with questionable visual quality. (Though that has changed with their recent Code Geass R3 release.) And also why I continue to be sore about my Scrapped Princess and Onegai Twins (both Bandai Anime Legends) which have a visual quality marginally higher than my fansubs and they were not even DVD rips! Nowadays whenever I buy R1s or R3s, I ask myself - "Is there value added? Is it worth that price-tag?" Somehow these questions eliminate the dilemma of buying Limited Edition DVDs.
However I have to admit, the recent HD anime fansub releases are making me look very silly collecting DVDs. My Kurenai HD downloads are on par if not better than several of my anime DVDs (namely Scrapped Princess and Onegai Twins) which defeats the primary reason of the acquisition. Of course the comparison is unfair (old vs new anime) and not every HD fansub release is of Kurenai quality. Given my reluctance to graduate to Blu-ray, there's a real possibility I may hold my DVD spendings until Blu-ray discs become cost-viable.... Or not. With R1 releases like SHUFFLE!, Seirei no moribito and True Tears on the horizon, it'd be hard to resist the DVD trap. And yes, I do watch my anime DVDs... A LOT. Remember, buy them only if you're going to watch the series repeatedly, tirelessly. Else you'd just be wasting money.
Part 2 to touch on PVC figures and artbooks.
Edit: Alright, alright I confess, the real reason why I started buying DVDs a couple of years back.
Related posts:
- Why I collect 2D merchandise (Part 2) – Artbooks
- Original or bootlegged? – 4 classes of anime DVDs
- Asatte no houkou DVDs – Getto!
Danny Choo
December 10th, 2008 - 12:18
It’s more a question of ethics than of self-interest, in my opinion.
December 10th, 2008 - 12:58
When a bootleg is better than the real deal, the company isn’t doing something right.
December 10th, 2008 - 18:59
It depends on the virtues of the consumers and rationally, there are no obligations to support the industry.
December 10th, 2008 - 22:32
lol For a second there, when I read “Code Geass R3″ I was quite confused. Darn second season title.
I’ve never really questioned why I buy DVDs of which I’ve read some some negative reviews in regards to quality. lol I suppose there’s a voice in my head that says there’s a line of stealing I still shouldn’t cross? Although, usually once I find out there’s extras (for me, it’s the English commentaries) or LEs, I’ll be all over them in an instant. I must spoil myself too much to not take into consideration what I purchase and what I absolutely must have in my collection. I admit that there are some DVDs I’ve bought that I may never watch again. Lots of the series I’ve watched fansubbed, I do eventually consider purchasing once licensed. Oh well, I may eventually learn my lesson. Ugh, this current release spree in America is really making me sad, as I really have no money. It’s all currently saved up for pre-orders.
Hm, I suppose not buying at the retail price makes me feel a bit better. lol Seriously, the retail price is more than twice what I have actually spent, according to my (currently incomplete) records.
Haha, would you get the ender box for R1 Shuffle if you could, along with that special extra?
December 11th, 2008 - 02:34
As a proud moocher of my brother’s PS3 I have to say I can justify purchasing anime DVDs in the short term since I am hoping costs will go down for some of the stuff still in print (Granted that most the stuff I buy these days are second hand due to some old stuff being out of print price is usually decent if you know where to look, plus I no longer have cable), still PS3 upscaling is pretty good considering how Escaflowne looked great just find a friend with a PS3…
Besides I wouldn’t hold my breath for Blu-Ray anime yet, not in the States at least and I have doubts about your local cartel.
December 11th, 2008 - 06:48
Anonymous: It’s all about the product for this tanuki.
Beowulf Lee: As one who owns legit, bootlegged and downloaded anime, I have to be fair and say that most official goods are indeed superior to their illegitimate counterparts. The issue of course is the price disparity. Why fork out extra when it can be downloaded for ‘free’? Personally, the onus is on the company to convince us to buy their products. Japanese R2 and Taiwanese R3 are on the right track. US R1s and Singapore R3 need to play catch up on understanding the purchasing fans’ psyche. (Non-purchasing fans are lost cause anyway.) Of course Nozomi Entertainment and Odex’s recent releases do show that they are indeed heading the right direction.
Let’s hope things improve.
The Sojourner: I would beg to differ on this issue
I’m not adverse to downloading anime but I’m also of the view that we would support the industry as much as one is able. Personally I just want to give back some when I’m been so greatly benefited. 
Asrialys: Ahhhh…. I’m not sure what specials SHUFFLE! may have to entice me but I remember my Otoboku specials (trading cards and character stickers) which I have looked at since my purchase. Have got through the DVD numerous times though, especially the DVD specials
Crusader: I was informed that PS3 is currently the cheapest Blu-ray player there is out there.
Very tempting. Actually I’ve been storing up a list of Blu-ray dvds on Amazon JP. Macross Zero, AIR and 5cm/s tops my Blu-ray to get list. I hope not in the near future though XD
December 11th, 2008 - 11:45
Argh. My sentence was phrased in a poor manner. :p
I believe the relationship between the fan and the “industry” is somewhat similar to a social contract; also, I presume this epic struggle between “downloading and buying DVDs” has been brought too often so I shall not go tl;dr! phew!
Personally, I find a dedication to buying DVDs a form of servitude to the industry. It is not a political truth but a factual truth in my opinion! But this minor little issue (of servitude) can be a healthy and beautiful relationship between the fan and the industry as long as the fan is willing to pledge his support with the full understanding that he is doing so under his free will and good intentions, and not simply by a “doctrinal” belief that it is the duty of all fans to buy DVDs. Also, the industry must understand that the support of the fans is only morally binding and it should give its best in providing the best possible products.
Yeah. When the R1 DVD set for Nanoha A’s is out, you can bet I will be one of the first few to obtain it based my free will in being a “slave!”
December 11th, 2008 - 11:58
Yeah, I’ve been thinking my anime DVDs aren’t going to get as much use lately, just because it’s so much more convenient to watch fansubs, even of things I already own on DVD. Maybe I’m just getting lazy, but there’s a definite appeal to being able to watch a fansub by just double-clicking with my left hand, while holding my daughter up with my right–not really something I can do as easily when it involves running up to get a DVD
I’m still hoping that more series will follow the Gonzo/Crunchyroll/BOST model down the road, where I can support the industry without having to buy the shiny disc.
December 12th, 2008 - 08:42
Generally speaking, I only buy DVDs for one single reason – if the work itself is, in my eyes, worth spending money on. (ie: ARIA, 5cm, etc.)
December 13th, 2008 - 08:02
Anime DVDs is one of the items that I rarely touch but I still purchase them. Though my reasoning in buying DVDs is simply collecting purposes. I prefer to watch the fansub version for easier access but on a rare occasion I do get the DVD and watch in the lounge room. In essence it’s mostly a waste of money for myself, but hey, when haven’t I wasted money.
December 14th, 2008 - 17:47
You’ve got a good point with the quality issue – I always forget that fansubs generally aren’t the best with technical quality. Then again, I never worried myself about it too much since I wouldn’t be able to watch Japanese DVDs anyway >_>
December 18th, 2008 - 07:02
The Sojourner: Indeed, industry-fan should be a symbiotic relationship.
I never buy DVDs with ‘supporting the industry’ as the primary reason. I buy cos I want to own not just the anime but the improved quality of the series in the form of a DVD. 
suguru: That’s something about holding that shiny plastic that I still enjoy
As mentioned on your blog, the way my TV’s hooked, it’s easier to pop in the DVD than connect my laptop to my LCD. 
Zeroblade: Yes and of course besides the anime itself, the DVDs must have value-added features (visual quality or specials) to make forking out the moolah worthwhile
Adun: heh maybe when work is less heavy, you’d be digging out your DVD goodies to relive the good times
ETERNAL: R1 and R3 with good English and Chinese subs are very viable buys too
Especially during Therightstuf sales – very good value for money.
December 18th, 2008 - 08:56
Time to move on to Blu-ray, brother. ^^
December 19th, 2008 - 09:15
I think your reasons for the dvds are perfectly normal… some animes just deserve that spot in the cupboard. but but I am currently sad coz my hunting spree for the DN Angel limited R2 dvds have proved fruitless sighs… just when my japanese has reached the level of able to watch anime without subs… T_T
December 21st, 2008 - 07:17
muhootsaver: I want to. My wallet refuses XD
cyw1988: If you don’t mind R1, TheRightStuf having a Xmas sale offering DNAngel for a really low price! Only USD 25! XD