RACS NEWS & UPDATES
Greetings Fellow Otakus From Anime Corner World Headquarters!
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January 13th, 2023 | Issue # 1772
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Store News and Tab Clearing |
MLK DAY HOLIDAY
The RACS fulfillment center will be closed on Monday, January 16th for the MLK day holiday. All orders and inquires submitted over the long weekend will be processed when we return bright and early on Tuesday.
BUY NOW, PAY MORE SERVICES
I wouldn't want anyone to think that I'm a regular reader of The Atlantic, but they did publish a good article recently about some of the issues being created with all these 'Buy Now, Pay Later' services that seem to have become so popular with the younger consumer segment. While I have discussed why I don't like these services before, I thought I might go over those reasons once again:
First, I don't like the idea of making it easier for customers to buy things that they really can't afford by making it easier for them to go into debt. I know as a retailer I'm not supposed to think that way, but services like Sezzle, Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna just feel scammy to me. There are already too many schemes out there to try to get young people deeper in debt. You know, the only reason College costs have skyrocketed so much over the past few years is because they have made it so easy to go into debt to pay for it, and universities have acted accordingly.
That leads into my second issue with BNPL. They usually advertise 4 'interest free' payments, but they are anything but. They charge the merchant anywhere between 6% to 9% up front on these transactions (vs. around 2% for a regular credit card transaction), so the merchant has to add those fees into the price they charge for the item. Adding 6%-7% to the cost of an item, or not discounting the item by that amount, to cover the origination fee charged by Sezzle (for example) equates to an 18%-21% APR on those payments that the customer doesn't even know they are paying. So basically these services have found a way to hide what amounts to high interest financing on short term loans behind the item cost. Advertising this situation as 'interest free' is legal, but quite disingenuous.
The merchant trying to pad out their top line goes along with this bc they think it will increase gross sales, at least in the short term. The worst part is that the merchant will usually spread out the extra cost across their entire business, so in that case every customer ends up paying for these extra fees, even if they don't use the service. No matter how good the prices are, they could always be lower if BNPL wasn't an option. If a merchant that offers BNPL really wanted to be honest with customers, they would offer an equivalent discount for NOT using them.
I know these services can seem very convenient, but if you have ever wondered why we don't offer a BNPL option at RACS, it's just because of these reasons.
STORE STUFF
You know, we have been (once again) just crazy busy this week. Thanks! :-)
In the adult section we finally recieved our copies of the Sex Starved Nurses BLURAY from Kitty. Thank goodness as that triggered shipment of like a thousand hold orders. The Sexual Conquests BLURAY , originally due back in December hasn't yet arrived but is currently out in replication. I would guess we will be getting that one in sometime during the week of Jan 23rd.
Something is up with the release of the Yu Yu Hakusho 30th Anniversary BLURAY Box Set, and we have temporarily suspended taking pre-orders for it until we get some sort of confirmation from Crunchymation on how many we should expect to be getting.
We finally got caught up on our upcoming manga posting, with three weeks worth of lists now up on the store site in addition to a bunch of date changes. You can find that massive list posted out on the blog here.
And finally, don't forget that pre-orders for our January slate of figurines will close on Thursday, Jan 26th so you still have a couple of weeks to let us know what you want us to reserve for you! |
IN THE NEWS
The end of the year is a time for new beginnings, according to the chart of the Top 20 Adult graphic novels in the book channel, based on NPD BookScan data for December 2022. Six of the titles on the December charts are the first volumes of manga series that have been around for a while: Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Spy x Family, My Hero Academia, Berserk, and Blue Lock, plus Volume 0 of Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s not unusual to see the first volume of a hot series, such as Chainsaw Man, in the Top 20, but first volume appearances on the chart seemed to spike in December: there were eight or more first volumes on the chart in December 2020. Interestingly, that did not happen in December 2019, so it seems to correlate with the ever rising popularity of manga. First volume sales may also be tied to multiple types of gifting, both first volumes given as gifts, and manga fans using their holiday gift cards to sample new series.
The comedy slice-of-life anime Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister! premiered recently on Crunchyroll, and fans immediately noticed that the anime has been censored in the CR release. Specifically, fans on Twitter and Reddit noted that the CR version of the show (for streaming) featured cut scenes as well as edited parts compared to the original Japanese broadcast version, prompting complaints from fans. While Onimai does have some questionable moments along with fanservice, it’s not really considered an ecchi show as it's more of a slice-of-life anime. This makes the apparent censorship unexpected.
Anime references abound in the National Football League (NFL) in recent days. The NFL posted a viral clip of a moment from the "Sunday Night Football" TV program showing Detroit Lions player Jamaal Williams referencing the Naruto anime series. Williams introduces himself as the "Swagg Kazekage, leader of the Hidden Village of the Den." The line references the leader figure of Sunagakure, or the Hidden Village of the Sand. Williams is also shown wearing a Naruto-inspired headband.
Crunchyroll announced that Johnny Yong Bosch will return from the original 1998 Trigun anime to reprise his role as the main character Vash the Stampede in the English dub for the Trigun Stampede anime.
The government of Belarus passed a law on January 3 permitting residents to access audiovisual media and computer software without the consent of copyright holders from "unfriendly" nations, of which Japan is a part of. The new law will be in effect until December 2024.
Online holiday sales from November 1 to December 31 were up 3.5%, according to Adobe Analytics, as reported by Chain Store Age. Although booked as online sales because of the ordering method, one in five of those orders were picked up curbside from retail stores. Toys saw substantial growth, but at big discounts. That’s a relatively slow rate of growth for online sales compared to recent years.
Amazon is laying off over 18,000 employees, according to the Wall Street Journal, substantially more than the 10,000 reported in November. The new round of layoffs is concentrated in the retail and recruiting areas of the company, according to the report.
Sony's Jim Ryan announced at the company's CES 2023 presentation that “Everyone who wants a PS5 should have a much easier time finding one at retailers globally, starting from this point forward.” He also announced that the PlayStation 5 console has crossed 30 million units in sales.
RACS CUSTOMER CORNER
Long time RACS customer Steve writes in this week to let us know what happened after USPS used his parcel for testing on the Navy's new prototype gauss rifle...
"Hello Robert and everyone. Concerning my recent RACS order, it arrived today despite efforts by USPS to destroy my manga. The USPS carrier left it in the snow. Because RACS packs books so well they were dry and undamaged. USPS punched a fist size hole in the box just to try and thwart your caring packing. Putting all the effort RACS does into everything concerning orders is why RACS Rocks. Have a successful New Year!
Steve, From my sod hut on the Snow Swept Prairie"
Thanks Steve! I'm glad everything arrived in good shape. After shipping over a million parcels, packaging for impact is always a given. But packages are also left in the rain or snow, and truck trailers often leak. One of the reasons we always take the extra step to bag your manga in transit is because taking a hit isn't always the worst thing that can happen to a parcel. ;-)
NEW RELEASE DATE CHANGES
WAS - Jan 3, 2023
WAS - Jan 10, 2023
WAS - Jan 17, 2023
WAS - Jan 24, 2023
WAS - Mar 7, 2023
WAS - Jul 18, 2023
WAS - Sep 19, 2023
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If you haven't noticed yet, we've added a previously owned section to the store site. That section keeps getting bigger and bigger, and I just wanted to give you folks the inside scoop. Everything we add there is a (1) unit only proposition, so be sure to check back often to make sure you don't miss out on anything cool we might just drop in there!
[PRE OWNED] Blood Reign : Curse of the Yoma DVD [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Burn the Witch BLURAY (61 Minutes) [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Cat Planet Cuties DVD/BD Combo Set [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Doomed Megalopolis Mega Omnibus Edition DVD [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : Dead Zone The Movie / The World's Strongest BLURAY (105 Minutes) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : The History of Trunks / Bardock Father of Goku BLURAY (96 Minutes) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : Tree of Might / Lord Slug BLURAY [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : Return of the Cooler / Cooler's Revenge BLURAY (90 Minutes) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : Android 13 / Bojack Unbound BLURAY [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : Broly Triple Feature (Broly/Broly Second Coming/Bio-Broly) BLURAY (165 Minutes) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Dragon Ball Z : Fusion Reborn / Wrath of the Dragon BLURAY (110 Minutes) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Food Wars! The Fourth Plate BLURAY (Eps 1-12) [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Season 1 DVD (Eps 1-26) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Knights of Sidonia: Season 1 DVD (Eps 1-12) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Needless Complete Collection BLURAY (Eps 1-24) [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Patlabor the Mobile Police Special Edition Set BLURAY [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Scar on the Praeter BLURAY (Eps 1-13) [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Senran Kagura : Ninja Flash! BLURAY (Eps 1-12) [GRADE 7]
[PRE OWNED] Tales of Phantasia The Animation BLURAY [GRADE 8]
[PRE OWNED] Vampire Hunter D : Bloodlust BLURAY (106 Minutes) [GRADE 7]
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When an accident takes the life of Yuta’s childhood friend, he’s left with her cursed spirit. As she harms the people near him, a depressed Yuta must choose between execution or the Jujutsu sorcerers.
Can the curse of love turn into his greatest gift?
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Get the latest store updates on the RACS BLOG:
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Be sure to share these links with your friends too - We Appreciate It!
RACS Collectors Cards - Now Shipping!
We are very glad to hear so much positive feedback regarding our new batch of RACS collectors cards. There are 10 cards in all, each featuring a unique piece of Anime art created exclusively around our group of RACS spokes characters. You can't order the cards, we are including one card at random in all outgoing RACS store orders. We have printed a limited run of 5,000 of each card, and we hope this gives everyone a chance to collect them all. Good luck!
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Fund Your Anime Habit with BitCoin @ RACS! |
You can now use BitCoin to satisfy your Anime addiction here at RACS, and it's easy! Just select BITCOIN as your payment method when you checkout. We will process your order and calculate the amount based on the current exchange rate for BTC and send you an e-mail with the amount of due and the wallet address to send it to. Once we confirm transfer of your funds, we will process and ship your order. It's easy, and you can fund your order in BitCoin from anywhere in the world without all those high bank fees or exchange rate woes. Many of our customers already buy their Anime this way, so why not give it a try!
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Amazon Gift Codes? - You Can Use em @RACS!! |
If you have an Amazon gift card or code (or codes), and you want to use them here at the Anime Corner Store instead, don't worry - you can! The process is simple - just setup and place your order, and while you are checking out, drop the Amazon code (or codes) you want to use in the comments box on the order form along with the amounts next to each code that you want to use. Then finalize and place your order. Once it's done, we'll manually apply the codes to your order on our end and only bill your credit card for the balance left over after we deduct them.
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*** ANIME BD/DVD - NEW ARRIVALS!! ***
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Lucifer, Satan, and the other five princes of hell are students at the Royal Academy of Diavolo, where they train to rule the demon world. Will their everyday antics get them expelled, or will one of these infamous brothers come out on top?
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Cosmic Era 73. Amidst the calamitous fall of Junius Seven, two employees of the Deep Space Survey and Development Organization (DSSD) struggle to escape the chaos. Engineer Selene McGriff and Deputy Security Director Edmond Duclos are both part of a special technological development team working on the GSX-401FW Stargazer, an advanced mobile suit designed for deep space exploration. As the city begins to collapse around them, Edmond opts to assist the local military and provide protection for Selene as she sets out to return the Stargazer to space for its final development. All the while, the Earth Alliance has had their sights set on the Stargazer's AI control module. Deploying a special task force within Phantom Pain led by Sven Cal Bayang, a young Natural and pilot of the GAT-X105E Strike Noir, the Earth Alliance military soon moves forward with their plans.
The mission: assault the DSSD's Trojan Station and capture the Stargazer and all its research, no matter the cost.
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Naruto takes a troubled Kawaki under his wing and tries to use compassion to break through his defensiveness. Eps #190-210
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When Mirai attempts to take his own life, he’s saved by an angel offering him a second chance...
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When it comes to imagining a story for his own life, Buntarou Hojo has a bad case of writer's block.
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Contains the movies .357 Magnum, Bay City Wars, and Million Dollar Conspiracy, and TV Specials The Secret Service, Goodbye My Sweetheart, and Death of the Vicious Criminal Ryo Saeba.
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Earth is under alien attack!
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This is the story of the brave men and women who will defend our world.
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Yoh is a Shaman, and not only can he see spirits, he can unite with them and unlock incredible powers.
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Decades have passed since Shotaro Kaneda and Tetsujin 28 protected the world but evil continues to strike!
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*** MANGA & BOOK - NEW ARRIVALS!! ***
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NEW BOOKS & MANGA IN STOCK:
FEATURED NEW ARRIVAL:
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Hearing the news of the passing of his childhood friend Ushio,Shinpei returned to his hometown on the remote island of Hitogashima to attend her funeral.
Little does he know that it is the beginning of a summer full of mystery and horror!
No one is prepared for the time-twisting adventures ahead
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Trade In Your BDs, DVDs, CDs, Manga, or Games - IT'S EASY! |
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Did you know that you can trade in your previously viewed BD's and DVD's, CD's, Manga, and Video Games for store credit? |
Trading in your excellent condition previously owned stuff for credit is now very easy, and we've even expanded the program for some non-Anime items too! Just click on this link to see the trade in values of your used stuff, then pack-up your items and send them to us - there is no need to contact us first or obtain an authorization number. Once they arrive and are inspected, we'll e-mail you with a credit code you can spend on our store.
It's that easy! So why just let your stuff collect dust? Trade it in and get something you really want!
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Thank you for reading! Have a great weekend, and enjoy your anime! |
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ROBERT'S ANIME CORNER
332 Independence Road, Winchester VA
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