Central Park Media

Central Park Media was founded in 1990 by John O'Donnell as an anime supplier.{{cite web|title=The End of Central Park Media |url=http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art12969.asp|website=Bella Online|access-date=December 28, 2020}} During its heyday, CPM incorporated MD Geist as part of its U.S. Manga Corps logo. Curiosity by anime fans seeing the "corporate spokes mecha" in CPM's titles resulted in MD Geist becoming one of the company's bestselling titles. In 1996, CPM commissioned MD Geist creator Koichi Ohata to write and direct a sequel; at the same time, Ohata made a director's cut of the first title, adding new scenes and expanding the storyline.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/buried-treasure/2008-10-02/buried-garbage-m.d-geist|website=Anime News Network|title=Buried Garbage - M.D. Geist|date=October 2, 2008}}

In 1992, CPM – through its Anime 18 division – released Urotsukidōji: Legend of the Overfiend, which became the first animated film to be given the NC-17 rating. Since its release, Urotsukidoji has become a cult classic among fans of anime, science fiction and horror genres, while at the same time, being one of the first anime titles to introduce the western public to the hentai genre. It was released in theaters across the United States in both subtitled and dubbed formats.{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdvisionjapan.com/cpm.html|title=Interview with John O'Donnell|access-date=May 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209084922/http://www.dvdvisionjapan.com/cpm.html|archive-date=December 9, 2008|url-status=dead}}

In the mid-1990s, CPM expanded to distributing manga and manhwa through CPM Manga and CPM Manhwa, respectively. CPM Manga also featured adaptations of MD Geist, Armored Trooper Votoms, and Project A-ko by American writers and artists.{{cite web|title=Manga Spring preview|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-01-04/manga-spring-preview|website=Anime News Network|date=January 4, 2001|access-date=December 29, 2020}}

Central Park Media headquarters was in the Fisk Building, located at 250 West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparkmedia.com/contactus.html|title=Contact Us|website=Central Park Media|date=March 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312030906/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/contactus.html|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-date=March 12, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.250west57th.com/|title=250 West 57th Street|website=W&H Properties|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-date=August 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828045820/http://www.250west57th.com/|url-status=dead}} They started out with just 3,400 square feet, but grew to 7,000 square feet in 1996 and would expand further to 10,000 square feet in January 2000. Through its history, the company has employed numerous figures in the video retail industry like Steven Kramer,{{citation |title=Kramer walks into central park media.(People)(Brief Article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116341186.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116203949/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116341186.html|archive-date=November 16, 2018}} Peter Castro,{{citation |title=Two promoted at Central Park Media.(people)(Brief Article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112367428.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409051610/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112367428.html|archive-date=April 9, 2016}} and Tom Reilly. In 2003, John Davis, Allen Rosenberg, and Stacey Santos were hired as account executives.{{citation |title=Three new execs park at Central Park Media.(people)(Brief Article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112740570.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032545/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112740570.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}

On May 26, 2006, Central Park Media laid off many of its employees, and rumors erupted that the company was planning to declare bankruptcy, supported by a statement from a representative at the convention Anime Boston. The following Monday, the company's managing director issued a statement acknowledging the lay-offs and attributing the cost-cutting to creditor problems following the January bankruptcy of the Musicland group.{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-01-12/musicland-files-for-bankruptcy|title=Musicland files for bankruptcy|publisher=Anime News Network|date=January 12, 2006|access-date=October 5, 2009}}

The previous year, in 2005, CPM had discontinued its CPM Manga and CPM Manhwa line, also due to monetary problems. But CPM representatives have said that they had relaunched their manga and manhwa lines in January 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-10-17/central-park-media-to-restart-manga |title=Central Park Media to Restart Manga|publisher=Anime News Network|date=October 17, 2005|access-date=October 5, 2009}}

On March 19, 2007, Japanese yaoi publisher Libre posted a notice on its website saying that CPM's Be Beautiful division was illegally translating and selling its properties. The titles in question were originally licensed to CPM by Japanese publisher Biblos, which was bought out by Libre in 2006 after a bankruptcy.{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6428918.html|title=Japanese Publisher Claims CPM Infringes|first1=Kai-Ming|last1=Cha|first2=Calvin|last2=Reid|work=Publishers Weekly|date=March 29, 2007|access-date=July 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017222511/http://publishersweekly.com/article/CA6428918.html|archive-date=October 17, 2007}}

Central Park Media filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 27, 2009, and liquidated with a debt of over US$1.2 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-28/central-park-media-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy|title=Central Park Media Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy|website=Anime News Network|date=April 28, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2009}} Officially, the company had plans to re-release some older titles in the future.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-03/cpm-re-releases-fencer-of-minerva-sins-of-the-sisters|title=CPM to Re-release Some Older Titles in the Future|website=Anime News Network|date=March 3, 2007|access-date=October 5, 2009}} Right up until their bankruptcy, CPM still licensed their anime titles for North American television and VOD distribution, despite having not released anything on home video for over a year. Many of their titles have been shown on the Sci-Fi Channel,{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-07-14/sci-fi-channel-and-manga-entertainment-add-new-anime-programming-as&lsquo-ani-monday&rsquo-block-is-renewed-for-a-second-season|title=Sci-Fi Channel and Manga Entertainment Add New Anime Programming as Ani-Monday Block is Renewed for a Second Season|website=Anime News Network|date=July 14, 2007|access-date=October 5, 2009}} as well as Anime Selects, AZN Television and the Funimation Channel,{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-04-10/funimation-channel-adds-anime-from-central-park-media|title=FUNimation Channel Adds Anime from Central Park Media|publisher=Anime News Network|date=April 10, 2007}} and were available through iTunes.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?i=262800702&id=256717023&s=143441&ign-mpt=uo%3D4|title=Black Jack OVA|website=iTunes |access-date=December 23, 2010}} Some of their titles were also re-licensed by various anime companies, such as ADV Films, Bandai Entertainment, Funimation, Sentai Filmworks, Discotek Media, Nozomi Entertainment, and Media Blasters,{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-05-05/adv-adds-grave-of-the-fireflies-now-and-then-here-and-there|title=ADV Adds Grave of the Fireflies and Now and Then, Here and There|website=Anime News Network|date=May 5, 2009|access-date=October 5, 2009}} and were re-released from 2004 into the present day. Some of their titles were either re-dubbed, such as Here Is Greenwood and Area 88 by Media Blasters and ADV Films, respectively, or have retained the original dub. Grave of the Fireflies was later re-licensed by ADV's successor Sentai Filmworks and was re-released in 2012.{{cite web|title=Sentai Filmworks Adds Grave of the Fireflies|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-12-01/sentai-filmworks-adds-ghibli-grave-of-the-fireflies|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=December 1, 2011}}

Its website became offline permanently after its closure. The centralparkmedia.com domain was eventually transferred to a New York-based art dealer Atelier VGI several years later.

Central Park Media was a key player in popularizing anime, with numerous firsts and promotions designed to introduce various works to American viewers. They were one of the first suppliers to sell anime box sets.{{cite web|title=Boxing Anime : Boxed DVD Sets Cater to the Collector.(Brief Article)|website=|access-date=May 8, 2013|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-85902230.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921210030/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-85902230.html|archive-date=September 21, 2014}}

In 2002, the first instance of an anime having the storyboards as an alternate viewing option was released on the Collectors Edition of Grave of the Fireflies, more than 2,700 hand drawings synced to the audio tracks.{{cite web|title=Grave' is first anime DVD with storyboards. (DVD Watch).(Central Park Media Corp. releases Grave of the Fireflies)(Brief Article)|website=HighBeam Research|access-date=May 8, 2013|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94236826.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224205431/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94236826.html|archive-date=February 24, 2016}} They also focused on increasing TV airings of shows to capitalize on the International Channel, the Encore Channel and the streaming service Cartoon Network short-lived Toonami Reactor website.{{cite web|title=Anime Supplier Central Park Boosts TV Tie-ins.(Central Park Media)(Brief Article)|website=HighBeam Research|access-date=May 8, 2013|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-85532771.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224192521/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-85532771.html|archive-date=February 24, 2016}}

Anime Test Drive was a promotion that started in 2003 which tested the markets and introduced American's to anime at a discounted rate.{{cite web|title=Central Park Media Unveils anime 'Test Drive' program.(Anime)(Brief Article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-107445366.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117104656/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-107445366.html|archive-date=November 17, 2018}} It was a way to market titles that may have been viewed as to expensive or inconvenience to purchase separately.{{cite web|title=Central Park Media expands.(expands office space in Fisk Building)(Brief Article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60016048.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052936/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60016048.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}} Anime Test Drive DVDs offer two episodes of the listed anime series and 45 minutes of trailers.

In 2004, Central Park Media introduced Korean animation works into America after the success of the Animatrix, Aeon Flux, and Cubix with the release of Doggy Poo.{{cite web|title=Korean animation comes to U.S. market|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113823789.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414090455/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113823789.html|archive-date=April 14, 2016}} In 2005, it sub-licensed seven anime titles to the US-based International Channel.{{cite web|title=The US-based International Channel, which has upped its focus on Asian American audiences, has signed licensing agreements with Korean film distributor Mirovision for nine Korean films and Central Park Media for seven anime titles.(in the news)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-128251575.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222054700/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-128251575.html|archive-date=February 22, 2016}} It also licensed titles out to the broadband streaming service Movielink.{{cite web|title=Movielink adds more anime.(Show Time)(Brief Article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-128784577.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222054749/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-128784577.html|archive-date=February 22, 2016}} In 2006, Central Park Media licensed some of their works to IGN Entertainment's digital download retail store Direct2Drive.{{cite web|title=Direct2Drive now has movies, TV, anime.(IGN Entertainment Inc. contracts with 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Central Park Media and Starz Media)(Brief article)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155029006.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117110243/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-155029006.html|archive-date=November 17, 2018}}

In 2007, Central Park Media licensed out Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie, Roujin Z, the Record of Lodoss War series, the Project A-ko series, Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, and Grave of the Fireflies to the Funimation Channel. These titles aired on the channel in 2007 before ADV Films took over the rights to Grave of the Fireflies and the film was streamed on VOD in the United States and Canada by Anime Network,{{cite web|url=https://forums.theanimenetwork.com/Watch-Anime/Grave-of-the-Fireflies|title=Grave of the Fireflies on Anime Network|website=Anime Network}} following their bankruptcy.

Asia Pulp Cinema was CPM's East Asian live-action film distribution division that began in 1999.{{cite web |url=http://www.asiapulpcinema.com/ |title=Asia Pulp Cinema |website=Central Park Media |date=March 30, 2004 |access-date=October 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20040330043848/http://www.asiapulpcinema.com/ |archive-date=March 30, 2004 |url-status=dead}} They were most known for carrying Japanese erotic films, mostly starring actress Kei Mizutani, and films targeted at admirers of the otaku subculture, such as the Akihabara Trilogy.{{cite web|title=Legend of the Doll Theatrical Premiere Set: First Movie of AkihabarabTrilogy to be Screened at The ImaginAsian Theater|url=https://www.jacneed.com/Archives/Archives_2007/022807CtrlPark.htm|website=Jacneed|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011005951/http://www.jacneed.com/Archives/Archives_2007/022807CtrlPark.htm|url-status=dead}}

US Manga Corps was the main anime distribution division for Central Park Media, catering to middle/high school students and older audiences.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmdb/cpmnew.cfm|title=U.S. Manga Corps New Releases|website=Central Park Media|date=April 7, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407155520/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmdb/cpmnew.cfm|access-date=October 5, 2009|archive-date=April 7, 2004}} The US Manga Corps mascot is from MD Geist, from an OVA from the 1980s.

Software Sculptors was founded by John Sirabella, Sam Liebowitz, and Henry Lai in 1993, and specialized in anime-related software, such as screen savers featuring Ranma ½ and Bubblegum Crisis, as well as releasing anime on CD-ROM.{{cite web|url=https://nt2099.com/INTERVIEWS/john_sirabella/|title=Dennis A. Amith interviews John Sirabella (1994)|publisher=nt2099.com|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055018/http://www.nt2099.com/INTERVIEWS/john_sirabella/|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.software-sculptors.com/|title=Software Sculptors CD-ROMs and Anime Videos|website=Software Sculptors|date=January 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129050249/http://www.software-sculptors.com/|access-date=October 5, 2009|archive-date=January 29, 2007}} They also released several anime titles, most notably Slayers, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and Cat Soup. The company was bought by CPM and was turned into one of their division labels. Sirabella stayed on with CPM until 1997, after which he would go on to form Media Blasters.{{cite journal|date=July 1998|title=The Anime 'Porn' Market|journal=Animation World Magazine|volume=3|issue=4|pages=27–29|url=https://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.4/3.4pages/3.4patten.html|access-date=June 3, 2011}} Also available [https://www.awn.com/animationworld/anime-porn-market here] and [https://www.awn.com/mag/issue3.4/awnmag3.4.pdf here (PDF version of the issue)].

{{further|:Category:CPM Press}}

CPM Press (originally CPM Comics, then CPM Manga) was the manga and manhwa publication division.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmcomics/cpmcomic.htm|title=The CPM Comics Page|date=February 7, 1997|website=Central Park Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970207201614/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmcomics/cpmcomic.htm|access-date=October 5, 2009|archive-date=February 7, 1997}}{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmcomics/index.cfm|title=CPM Press|website=Central Park Media|date=June 8, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030608084418/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmcomics/index.cfm|access-date=October 5, 2009|archive-date=June 8, 2003}} Manga titles were published under the label CPM Manga, and manhwa under CPM Manhwa. CPM also had an adult division under CPM Press known as Bear Bear Press, which largely published Americanized versions of some of their Anime 18 releases such as La Blue Girl. This division started in 1996 and folded the same year releasing only La Blue Girl and Demon Beast Invasion.{{cite web|title=Bear Bear Press website|url=http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmcomics/bareb.html|website=Central Park Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970207203253/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/cpmcomics/bareb.html|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=February 7, 1997}} Bear Bear Press was succeeded by Manga 18.

{{further|:Category:Anime 18}}

Anime 18 (A18 Corporation) was Central Park Media's distribution division for pornographic anime.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparkmedia.com/anime18/anime18.htm|title=Anime 18|website=Central Park Media|date=February 7, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970207202414/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/anime18/anime18.htm|archive-date=February 7, 1997}} Among its releases were Toshio Maeda's Legend of the Overfiend and La Blue Girl.{{cite web|title=Anime erotica potential growing strong.(Animated erotica)|access-date=May 8, 2013|website=HighBeam Research|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116341275.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611135353/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-116341275.html|archive-date=June 11, 2014}} The release of Legend of the Overfiend was the first hentai released in America.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenation.net/blog/2008/03/26/ask-john-how-did-hentai-become-popular-in-america/|title=Ask John: How Did Hentai Become Popular in America|publisher=Anime nation|access-date=April 26, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925211808/http://www.animenation.net/blog/2008/03/26/ask-john-how-did-hentai-become-popular-in-america/|archive-date=September 25, 2013}} Anime 18 released its titles under several labels, with the main label – Anime 18 – used for hentai anime, Manga 18 for manga and manhwa pornography, and Be Beautiful Manga for yaoi manga. When Central Park Media went bankrupt in 2009, the licenses for some of Anime 18's products and movies were transferred to Critical Mass Video and Kitty Media.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-08/central-park-media-licenses-offered-by-liquidator|title=Central Park Media's Licenses Offered by Liquidator|website=Anime News Network|date=July 8, 2009}}

Some Anime 18 titles were published under the label Anime HotShots starting February 2005 {{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-11-22/anime-18-hotshots-from-cpm|title= Anime 18 Hotshots from CPM|website=Anime News Network|date=November 22, 2004|access-date=May 3, 2024}}

Manga 18 was an English-language publisher of pornographic manga and manhwa which was the manga counterpart of Anime 18 and successor to Bare Bear Press.{{cite web|title=La Blue Girl - Destiny (GN 1)|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/releases.php?id=17409|website=Anime News Network|date=July 17, 2010|access-date=January 3, 2021}}

The counterpart of Anime 18 that specialized in yaoi manga. On March 19, 2007, Japanese yaoi publisher Libre announced that Be Beautiful Manga was illegally translating and selling their properties to their original owners.

Below the Radar was a label that focused on live-action independent and non-mainstream media. Formed in March 2007.{{cite web|title=Live Action Cult Programming Below the Radar Launches in March 2007|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-01-09/live-action-cult-programming-label-below-the-radar-launches-in-march-2007|publisher=Anime News Network|date=January 9, 2007|access-date=August 29, 2012}}

Central Park Media's website unit that operated AnimeOne.com, a website that was dedicated to anime fandom,{{cite web|title=AnimeOne in the Internet Archive|url=http://www.animeone.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020127013017/http://www.animeone.com/|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2002}} and UFOCity.com, a website that specialized in alien UFO sightings and hosted a community of UFO enthusiasts. It was shut down in 2004.{{cite web|title=A Note from the Editor|url=http://www.ufocity.com/modules/news/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041011032112/http://www.ufocity.com/modules/news/|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=October 11, 2004}}

Releases are only listed if the subtitling, dubbing, or other production work was handled by Central Park Media; rather than being licensed from prior versions. All of the titles are now published by other companies, if at all, due to Central Park Media's liquidation.

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090624075903/http://www.centralparkmedia.com/ Official Website] (Archived 2009)
• {{anime News Network|company|6}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Anime companies

Category:Defunct mass media companies of the United States

Category:Dubbing (filmmaking)

Category:Manga distributors

Category:Manhwa distributors

Category:Video production companies

Category:Entertainment companies based in New York City

Category:Mass media companies based in New York City

Category:Mass media companies established in 1990

Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 2009

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009

Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Category:Defunct companies based in New York City

Category:1990 establishments in New York City

Category:2009 disestablishments in New York City