Animax

Animax is a television network owned by Sony Pictures Corporation. Animax operates in Japan, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Latin America (where it took over Locomotion) and sooner in Korea Republic. Its programming consists of mostly anime from Japan, though the network has aired other international animation from North America and the United Kingdom, including Men In Black: The Animated Series.

About Animax Latin America

Locomotion, a Florida-based Spanish-language animation network in Latin America and Spain formerly owned by Hearst Corporation, was bought by Sony Entertainment Pictures Latin America in January 2005. On July 31, Locomotion officially became Animax Latinamerica.

Animax Latinamerica, along with Sony Entertainment Television Latinamerica and AXN latinamerica, forms the Sony Networks Latinamerica chain of networks.

Animax Vs. VTR

After the acquisition of Locomotion by Animax, VTR (the biggest cable operator in Chile) announced in March 2005 that Animax would be available for all it suscribers by November 2005. A few months after the announcement, VTR issued a statement saying the following:

"Due to the fact that almost 150 hours a week of animation are shown both on cable channels and in open television, we have decided not to add Animax to our programming grid . . . Also, we don't have the technical avaiability to do so . . ."

As a response, several anime-related communities like "Animeportal.cl" and others started creating petition forms both online and off-line as a way to issue a formal complain about this situation. *Forum thread related to this topic on Animeportal.cl

List of Anime aired by Animax Latin America

For a list of anime airing on Locomotion before July 31, 2005, go to Locomotion's entry:
Lunar Legend Tsukihime
Vandread
Get Backers
Scryed
Soul Hunter - Also known as "Sekaiden Houshin Engi"
I Wanna Be An Angel! - also known as "Tenshi ni Narumon!"
DNA2
Gantz
Full Metal Alchemist
Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
Wolf's Rain
Di Gi Charat Nyo
Crayon Shin-Chan
Martian Successor Nadesico
.Hack//Sign
.Hack//Legend of Twillight - also known as ".Hack//Udeden"
Tsukikage Ran
Stratos 4
Galaxy Angel
Pita-Ten
The Prince of Tennis
Hunter × Hunter
Initial-D
Burning Heart
Hellsing
Arjuna
Dear Boys
Saber Marionette J
Saber Marionette J to X

Criticism

Animax has been criticized for its questional dubbing practices throughout its non-Japanese outlets. Viewers of Animax Asia have also complained about the use of voice actors from its hosted programming blocks in its programming.

Animax in the United States

Sony Pictures Entertainment has provided some original titles from Animax to the North American audiences, particularly the 2000s version of Astro Boy. Sony has also sponsored several anime events in the United States under the Animax brand.

After the acquisition of MGM/UA by a group of investors led by Sony and Comcast, the two entertainment companies have formed a joint venture that will launch several cable networks in the United States. Media observers have repeatedly suggested that Sony and Comcast will launch an American version of Animax, though Comcast currently owns a competing network, G4. If Animax launches, its primary competitors in the United States would be ADV's Anime Network, The Funimation Channel, and Cartoon Network.