Robert’s Anime Blog posted a dire warning regarding the future of ADV, once the cornerstone of the U.S. anime industry.

Because ADV has so much business exposure to the failing mass market retailers, I’m currently putting ADV’s survival at only about 50/50 into next year, and the only reason I’m commenting on this is that a lot of people are e-mailing in asking us about it. I am currently recommending that you fill in any ADV titles you want in your collection before the end of this year, and I would also recommend that you try to purchase any ADV titles complete and be wary of committing money to promised future releases. I’m just trying to give it to you straight, which no one else seems willing to do these days.

I have noticed a slew of former ADV releases being re-packaged by FUNimation, a company which seems to be doing quite well, actually. What the difference in their business models is, I’m not sure – but it seems to be working for FUNimation. Either way you cut it, should ADV fall, it will be one of the most stunning collapses in the anime market ever witnessed.