Something I've been wondering about Anime

**GodofHardcore** · 05-26-2009

I got to thinking, JUST HOW MUCH of the Anime that's popular in the US didn't even leave a blip on the radar in Japan.

I know Trigun wasn't a huge hit. Big O was more or less finished JUST for the West. Afro Samurai was made for the West (though I'm sure it has a following in Japan cuz it's like....AWESOME)

But yeah....

just how much anime is bigger in the West then in Japan.

for that matter how much Anime is Mainstream in Japan to begin with?

**Midnight Milkshake** · 05-27-2009

Last year Detroit Metal City was the hit, great manga, anime and live action!

**GaijinPunch** · 05-27-2009

for that matter how much Anime is Mainstream in Japan to begin with?

Manga is much more readily available, mainly due to the time-killing on the train factor it introduces. Any large video rental shop will have all the new releases (and some old). Other than that, can't tell you. I don't watch Japanese TV.

**Tatsujin** · 05-27-2009

even you can see now some exception of animes which are probably more hitting in the US than in japan, have you any idea of how much animes are produced in japan, which never went to outside world at all?

of course 99% of it is pure crap as a lot of other things is.

same for mangas. unless you never saw a big big bookoff store or mandarake from inside, you may not be aware of how much billion tons of paper were used for those printed images of entertainment. and now imagine, just a very lil' fraction of those probably ever have reached the oversea.

**GodofHardcore** · 05-27-2009

I read somewhere (maybe ANN) the anime industry is shrinking.

I know more and more anime seems to be coming here or even made with the west in mind.

But Manga I'm well aware we're seeing a small fraction of.

I think alot of anime fans in the have a distorted view of what is and isn't popular in the very country they're obsessed with (esp the ones that watch dubs only and poorly mix english and Japanese together)

Hence, why I asked this.

**Midnight Milkshake** · 05-27-2009

Yes, they have a totally distorted view, and the same with the music, culture, etc; the majority of manga/anime fans only cares about the comercial part of manga (and Japan) you won't see many reading Shintaro Kago, or listening to Zeni Geva, for example.

**ASSEMbler** · 05-27-2009

Anime became less about creative Japanese, and more about stuff that could be made in china or korea on a good budget.

Now it's made on macs so it's sort of returning to Japan.

Overall the tendency seems to be catering to otaku and less to the masses, and this will hurt them in the end.

**GodofHardcore** · 05-27-2009

Much to my shock I found some studios (Gonzo) STILL use Cel animation.
Which made me happy.

Zeni Geva?
Hmm, Hook me up if possible, I'm looking for new Stuff to listen to.

Shintaro Kago
Guro huh? Guro isn't my cup of tea...

**GaijinPunch** · 05-27-2009

Don't forget about huge anime markets in Korea & China as well.

**GodofHardcore** · 05-27-2009

Not just China and Korea.

Isn't Animax broadcasting through most of Asia now?

I know Anime is getting pretty big in russia and there's quite a market for it in some parts of Europe. Though I'm thinking the US is the biggest foreign market for anime right now. Even with the closing of the US Branch of Geneon (which more or less was eaten up by Funimation anyway)

**madhatter256** · 05-28-2009

Originally Posted by ASSEMbler

Anime became less about creative Japanese, and more about stuff that could be made in china or korea on a good budget.

Now it's made on macs so it's sort of returning to Japan.

Overall the tendency seems to be catering to otaku and less to the masses, and this will hurt them in the end.

I think otaku is becoming the masses. I see the shit that plays here and it's derived from some great classics. It's all rehashed crap, imo.

**GodofHardcore** · 05-28-2009

too many girly men in anime these days

**GaijinPunch** · 05-28-2009

Originally Posted by GodofHardcore

Not just China and Korea.

Those are the only two in Asia with both population and money.

**Mr. Casual** · 05-28-2009

Originally Posted by GodofHardcore

too many girly men in anime these days

I know, right? I know most Japanese guys secretly want to be female or as pretty as one, but I've had ENOUGH of the bishonen antagonist guys in almost every Japanese media lately.

**GodofHardcore** · 05-28-2009

Originally Posted by Mr. Casual

I know, right? I know most Japanese guys secretly want to be female or as pretty as one, but I've had ENOUGH of the bishonen antagonist guys in almost every Japanese media lately.

More Kenshiros PLZ.

Hokoto no Ken's Movie was just rereleased in the states SOON as I found out I bought it (hoping it leads to Toei bringing the new movies out here)

Kenshiro is what every Anime protagonist should be... Then Eva came and Shinji made it cool for the protagonist to be a complete and utter pussy.

As if that wasn't bad enough now most of them are not just pussies.....you wouldn't know they were guys unless you took a good look at the urinal.

When was the last Anime Protagonist that wasn't just a Man but A MAN?

**Slade Rahl** · 08-16-2009

From Japanese I've talked to it seems Cowboy Bebop was more popular in the States. The one's I talked to anyway say they heard of it, but it came on much too late at night for anyone to really watch it due to it's violence.