Geneon Universal Entertainment

Background

Geneon Entertainment was formed in 2003 after Pioneer sold off its entertainment division to another Japanese giant conglomerate known as Dentsu. The new name is a portmanteau of the English words "generate" and "eon", which means to signify innovation and longevity. This name would become bitterly ironic as in late 2007, the struggling Geneon USA stopped manufacturing and distributing DVDs, although they still existed as a licensing entity. In 2008, it licensed several of its titles to Funimation. Geneon Japan continued to distribute DVDs in various genres, including some mainstream Hollywood films.

On November 21, 2008, Dentsu announced to sell 80.1% of the company to NBCUniversal. The company was merged with Universal Studios Japan (the deal was closed on February 1, 2009) and was renamed to Geneon Universal Entertainment, part of Universal Pictures International Entertainment. On December 13, 2013, the company was renamed to NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan.

Geneon Entertainment

Logo (2003-2009)

Widescreen version

Visuals: On a black background, in a similar manner to the 2000 United Artists logo, streaks come from all sides of the screen to gradually form a stylized red and gray "G". "geneon" fades in below in a futuristic font.

Variants:

A widescreen version of the logo exists.
On North American DVDs released by the company, the logo fades into another screen with the text "Presented by GENEON ENTERTAINMENT (USA) INC.".
A sped-up version is used at the end of commercials in Japan.
A still version of the logo exists.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: A calm synth/violin stinger, with a 5-note woodwind ditty at the end.

Audio Variant: For commercials, a two note synth sound is used with a male Japanese announcer saying ジェネオン (Geneon).

Availability: Can be seen on Geneon videotapes and DVDs of the era. Also generally preserved on later prints of their titles, like on Adult Swim broadcasts of Samurai Champloo and Paranoia Agent, as well as Funimation rereleases of Geneon DVDs, such as Black Lagoon and digital prints of Serial Experiments Lain.

Geneon Universal Entertainment

Logo (2009-2013)

Visuals: The last seconds of the 1997 Universal Pictures logo (which is also the basis for the first Universal Music Group logo), but when it's almost complete, the globe slides up to make room for "GENEON UNIVERSAL" fading below, with the words resembling the main font, but brighter.

Technique: CGI by Picturemill.

Audio: The ending of the Universal logo soundtrack, or the 1997 long version of the Universal Television fanfare, composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

Availability: Can be seen on Japanese DVDs and occasionally on some Funimation (now Crunchyroll) prints.

Final Note

Newer productions from NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan simply use the 2013 Universal Pictures logo.

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Geneon Universal Entertainment