I think the lack of consistency on AoA’s part stems at least some from trying to customize the Japanese approach to work in North America. Some of what they’ve released was almost pure or pure Japanese product, some was customized.
Pony Canyon is going the semi - customized route with these first two releases.
The way the Anime market works in Japan was fairly well settled long ago, in the 1970’s (?), and has slowly evolved since. The North American market went down a completely different path and has ended up only vaguely resembling the Japanese market, which when you think about it it is surprising that they resemble each other at all.
The market here will push back, which is different and likely more effective now than it would have been in 70’s Japan, so smooth sailing it won’t be.
Mark Gosdin