Ghost Stories, also known as Ghosts at School, had a fascinating shift that defied convention before finding a voice with ADV Films. It is now regarded as a cult classic, but who exactly was ADV Films, Ghost Stories' English dub producer?
Who Was ADV Films? Ghost Stories’ Dub Producer
ADV Films, frequently abbreviated as A.D. Vision Films, was once a prominent American anime distribution company that held a significant position in bringing Japanese animation to Western audiences during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
It was based in Houston, Texas, and was founded by John Ledford in 1992. Since then, it has evolved into a multidimensional company that creates dubs, acquires licenses, and distributes many anime titles across multiple genres, catering to the diverse tastes of Western audiences.
Through savvy licensing arrangements with Japanese studios, ADV Films was able to localize renowned anime titles for English-speaking viewers, covering everything from action-packed shonen to introspective slice-of-life dramas.
ADV Films was well-known for revamping Ghost Stories, a modest anime in Japan that found redemption after becoming an avenue for improvisation and parody, with the English dub voice actors heavily involved.
Most notably, the English dub voice actors of Ghost Stories did not hold back when it came to integrating humor, pop culture allusions, mature themes, and dialogue into the script, resulting in a bold innovation.
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What Happened to ADV Films?
Despite ADV Films' success, the firm encountered financial issues as a result of rising competition and lowered DVD sales, prompting restructuring and rebranding attempts in the late 2000s.
However, all of these attempts were unable to improve the company's predicament, resulting in ADV Films' closure in 2009.
Many of its assets, including licenses and intellectual rights, were later bought by other firms, such as Sentai Filmworks, which was established by some former ADV Films staff.
Even so, ADV Films' legacy lives on in the anime world, with fans recalling how the company played a vital part in popularizing anime in the West.
Here Are Other Anime Dubs by ADV Films
In addition to Ghost Stories, ADV Films was also known for releasing the English dubs for the following anime series:
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)
- Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (1990–1991)
- Excel Saga (1999-2000)
- Princess Tutu (2002-2003)
- Elfen Lied (2004)
- Coyote Ragtime Show (2006)
- Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (2005)
- Cromartie High School (2003-2004)
- Azumanga Daioh (2002)
- GetBackers (2002-2003)
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