Downloadable Anime Hits Japanese Wii in January

December 20th, 2008, 14:16 Posted By: wraggster

The Wii looks like it could turn into a serious video-on-demand service in Japan early next year. Fuji Soft shared today final details on its Everyone's Theater Wii service, including a launch date and pricing information.

As previously announced, this service will allow Wii owners to download movies and television programs to their system and view it through a special WiiWare viewing program. The service promises to make use of Fuji Soft's "ULEXIT" technology to deliver video quality close to DVD level.

Today, Fuji Soft announced a January 27 start for the program. On that day, Wii owners will be able to download the Everyone's Theater Wii app from the Wii Shopping Channel just as they would any other WiiWare title. Pricing for the viewing program is set at 500 WiiPoints.

The viewing program gives you access to a growing library of video content. Initially, the service will have 150 franchises totaling over 3,000 episodes of programming. Titles include Astroboy, Yatterman, and other classic anime. Fuji Soft says it will offer movies too.

Users will be able to select from three types of download packages depending on how much money they want to spend and how much time they want for viewing. The cheapest "A Little Viewing Course" option, offers one title for a two day viewing period at 300 WiiPoints. The "Basic Course" includes two titles for a three day period at 600 WiiPoints. The "Relaxed Course" includes three titles for five days at 800 WiiPoints.

When renting anime, one "title" is considered to include three episodes. This means Wii owners will be able to rent three episodes of their favorite anime for 300 WiiPoints.

Following the launch, Fuji Soft says it will add 50 new titles to the service per month. It's also looking into bringing the service to other platforms, including cell phones, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/940/940029p1.html

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