Hello all! It's been a while.
Apologies for the lack of posts lately - between graduating from college, getting a new job, and waiting for Japan P.I. to finish their report, not only have I been pretty busy, but I haven't really had too much to say regarding the search for Phantom Blood.
...That is, until recently.
Not too long ago, Japan P.I. finally completed their investigation on Phantom Blood, and wrote up a report. It can be viewed below.
To sum things up:
We know for certain that Shueisha owns the rights to the film as a whole.
We also know that Another Push Pin Planning, the production company, is no longer contactable, likely due to entering liquidation.
The Qu'Ran controversy surrounding the Stardust Crusaders OVAs in 2008 was a major factor in the shelving of the film.
However, for those who have been following the search for a long time, you might have realized that most of these things are publicly known information... And you'd be right! In fact, I had already known about the article that was referenced in this report long before I had contacted Japan P.I. - heck, I knew about it at least 2 years ago!
For full transparency, I am not trying to devalue the work of Mr. Koyama and his team over at Japan P.I.; however, it really feels like I had crowdfunded $600 from the supporters who want this film found just as much as I do for what feels like little to nothing. I feel like I've let not just those people down, but myself as well. I thought that hiring a private investigator would give me some concrete answers or some sort of foot in the door to actually try and get this film back out to the public, but from this report, I was clearly wrong. Yet, I can't help but ask myself: did I hire a bad company? Is the film just under that many wraps? So many questions left unanswered in my own mind...
Now, you might be asking, "What now?" And, you know what?
I have absolutely no idea.
As it stands at the moment, I have no clue what my next possible step could be. I don't want to - no, I can't back down from searching for this film, and yet my well of opportunities seems to have run dry for the time being. Outside of fabricated rumors/claims and the occasional vague lead, there isn't much left to go off of - at least, on my end. And no, before anyone asks, I do not feel confident in trying to hire another private investigator.
Before anyone says "Andy is stepping down from the Phantom Blood search!" Well, first of all, read what I just said above, and second, for full clarification, I do not plan on backing down from this search; I think I just need some time to process the situation and think of my next move - or if I have any moves left, for that matter.
I'm sure another opportunity or idea will present itself in due time... I just need some time to think.
I'll keep you posted.
Hello. No updates on the search on 2024? The winmax file was fake, or someone out there has a copy and is not willing to make it public?