Ask Japan!: A Cross Cultural Convergence
Our club has had the honor of having 2 penpals in Japan take interest in our perspectives and activities. Mikikazu-san and Ceena-san started a cultural exchange because they wanted to know more about anime fans in the USA and to have an exchange of viewpoints. We too had questions about Japanese anime fans and were only too happy to oblige! Mikikazu-san runs a blog called 'Ultimo Spalpeen' that reports American anime activities to his many readers. Ceena-san works on translations in japan and also has website. Below are links and banners to their sites. Below that are some of the Q+A sessions we've had with our penpals. If you'd like to ask our penpals anything, please email us at delawareanimesociety at yahoo dot com!
Ask Japan Q+A Quicklist
Exchange #1: October 2005: Mikikazu-san to DAS
Finally,we came up with our first 3 questions for our
friends in America.They are....
- From a fan point of view,how much popularity
have anime and manga gained in America now?
(I have read many articles about popularity of anime
and manga in America these days.But they are all written
by the pros.I want to hear "raw" voices from the fans)
- How did you meet your first anime and manga?
What the appeal there?
- What is the most popular anime title and character
in America now? And Why?
Show/Hide Answers
- From a fan point of view,how much popularity
have anime and manga gained in America now?
(I have read many articles about popularity of anime
and manga in America these days.But they are all written
by the pros.I want to hear "raw" voices from the fans)
Mattie’s response: Anime has definitely become more popular in recent years. What was unheard of 5-10 years ago on television is commonplace today. Many channels such as G4 Tech TV, Cartoon Network, Fox, ABC and Disney Family Channel all show anime of some sort. Cartoon Network has programming blocks dedicated to primarily anime that is way beyond the level of something such as Pokemon, or YugiOH. What I mean is that they show more mature anime for a growing audience. Also we have the 'Anime Network' and 'Anime Network on Demand' available on digital cable- something that would not have happened 10 years ago because people probably didn't realize the market and need for such a thing. Additionally, anime conventions such as Otakon (www.otakon.com) now have problems because so many people attend that they have to limit how many people are allowed to attend (no more than 22,000-23,000 people). New anime conventions and anime clubs are formed in the USA all the time so that groups of anime fans can get together to share in their interest. As far as popularity of manga, that has grown substantially. Companies like Tokyopop and Viz have manga in most bookstores, and the manga sections continue to grow and become even more diverse. It’s hard to find any reputable bookstore now that doesn’t have some manga in it. That is pretty impressive! I would say that the popularity of anime will continue to grow and the anime fandom will become even more accepted.
Annie D of DAS PA Chapter says :
"I would say, in the past decade, anime has had a steady gain in popularity ever since Sailor Moon began playing on television. After the success of Sailor Moon, anime geared towards children began being dubbed and aired on television, and eventually a new block called "Adult Swim" on our Cartoon Network began focusing on anime geared toward a young adult audience. So, on a whole, anime has gained more and more popularity over the years ... and it is most likely that this trend will continue to climb."
- How did you meet your first anime and manga? What the appeal there?
Mattie’s response:
I always liked animation of many kinds, American and foreign. When I was growing up in the 1980's I was watching Disney animation in addition to Thundercats, Voltron, Transformers and Unico. When Sailor Moon came along, it was my 'gateway' anime. That was the first anime I watched where I started to become aware of what anime was and then when I attended college, I wanted to see more anime. I found friends who had anime tapes such as 'Slayers'. I found anime clubs to join and saw much more anime that way too. My experience began to expand. I think the appeal of animation for me was the cheerful characters and upbeat music and storylines. Anime in particular has the more 3 dimensional characters with realistic personalities, great music and much more in depth plot than most of American animation so it appeals to me more.
Annie D of the DAS Pennsylvania Chapter says:
"Me personally -- it was Speed Racer on television. I didn't really get into anime until Sailor Moon, though. The appeal is the same as it is today -- the detailed storyline geared towards an older audience, varied with anything from action to comedy to drama."
- What is the most popular anime title and character
in America now? And Why?
Mattie’s Response:
I would say probably either Naruto or Full Metal Alchemist. Both these shows get alot of press and attention in the media. Additionally, they are easy to get to know because Cartoon Network shows them on TV and it is a channel included in many cable packages. Also, one way to see how popular an anime is is to look at the cosplayers at the anime conventions. Cosplayers tend to have certain trends that you notice at conventions and the 'popular' anime is what the most cosplayers make costumes for. For example, if you look at some of the cosplay photo websites such as 'A Fans View' or 'Cosplay.com' you will find many pictures from group photo shoots. I will use Otakon 2005 as an example in that it is the largest convention on the East coast of the USA with about 22,000 attendees.
Here is Fansview group cosplay gallery page:
http://www.fansview.com/2005/otakon/ot21a.html
On this page you will see many many Full Metal Alchemist cosplayers
On this page are some Naruto Cosplayers:
http://www.fansview.com/2005/otakon/ot21a0005.html
Bleach is also gaining in Popularity:
http://www.fansview.com/2005/otakon/ot21a0004.html
That page has mostly group shots of Bleach cosplayers.
The cosplayers aren’t the only way to estimate an anime's popularity but I'd say a combination of what is being shown on TV, magazines like Newtype and what the cosplayers are doing is an indication.
Mish from DAS Dover Chapter says:
"As far as most popular character/anime right now, I'd say Edward Elric and Full Metal Alchemist. I believe that it has been at the top of the Cartoon Network ratings since it started, and not a month goes by anymore that you don't find some kind of article about it in the major anime magazines like NewType and Anime Insider. "
Jrock from DAS North Chapter says:
“In my eyes, the most popular is Dragon Ball Z. Many anime shows has become popular in the US, and most of the shows have the popularity waning. But DBZ persevered. I began watching DBZ in 1994, way before it came in US TV. I watched it because it featured people doing things that never could be done in real life. Basically becoming so powerful you can blow up planets. Not to mention the action scenes. A lot of them are so energetic; there were occasions when I had to remember to breathe. And there's no sign of its popularity fading away, Shonen Jump US's subscription and sales figures exploded, The games are selling extremely well, and the DVD's are selling by the truckloads. "
Exchange #2: December 2005: DAS to Mikikazu-san
- What is the most popular anime in Japan right now and why?
- The Japanese musical group 'Move' just came to the
United States to do a live concert at an anime
convention called AnimeUSA (http://www.animeusa.org/).
How popular is Move in Japan?
And who is the most popular Japanese and American artist in Japan right now?
- How accepted is bootlegging (copied CDs, dvds and
other things) in Japan? Is it popular and/or legal to
download anime on the internet?
- What is the most popular anime in Japan right now and why?
Our penpals also gave us lists from multiple sources of the most popular rated anime a the time. To see these lists, please go here: DAS Livejournal
Viewers' Opinions
" I would say the most watched anime is probably ONE PIECE.My personal favorite is Cowboy Bebop,though. (by Wanted)
"If you mean the popularity among amateurs,I think there is no blockbuster right now."(by Ocha-Yousei)
"Typical Anime fans' favorite may be either Gundam Seed or Full Metal Alchemist.But common people would prefer to ONE PIECE or NARUTO. (by Nichi)
"I think ARIA,Gundam Seed Destiny,BLEACH,and Pretty Cure Max Heart are the popular titles for the present time." (by Shimeji)
"Most popular titles among the general public are ONE PIECE,NARUTO,and BLEACH.Because they are so successful in both of anime and manga.And ordinary anime fans' favorite are Gundam Seed or Full Metal Alchemist.But more 'hard-core' fans support such mid-night airing titles as Mai-HiME,Rozen Maiden,and Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha,which are so successful that they have the sequels airing now." (by Umisuika)
"I would say the most poplar is Full Metal Alchemist,even though the peak of popularity has gone already.My personal best is Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha." (by Masube)
"I think BLEACH is the best for all ages.Because its world,music,sword fighting,and storytelling style are so special.If you want more anthropocentric anime, I recommend Eureka 7. And if you want cute girls(bishoujo),Mai-Otome is the one." (by Runa Mikami)
"I work at a secondhand bookstore.BLEACH and Ueki no Housoku are always out of stock,which shows their huge popularity,I guess.And ONE PIECE and NARUTO are also well-sold." (by Ryo Tachibana)
"When I write articles about Negima! in my blog, the number of visitors always skyrockets." (by Ceena)
- The Japanese musical group 'Move' just came to the United States to do a live concert at an anime convention called AnimeUSA (http://www.animeusa.org/). How popular is Move in Japan?
"I don't know about the sales of CD and live tour,but I think M.O.V.E is such a group of middle standing.Not so on the top in the record company." (by Nichi)
"M.O.V.E is just one step further to so-called 'A-class'." (by Shimeji)
"I know them only because of 'Initial D' songs .But, just the name." (by Piponeko)
"Never heard of them." (by Tataki)
"Very sorry to say this,but M.O.V.E is not so popular in Japan anymore. I barely see them on TV these days." (by Runa Mikami)
"Your question notices me of M.O.V.E for the first time in my life." (by Jun Sasaki)
And who is the most popular Japanese and American artist in Japan right now?
Maybe ORANGE RANGE?" (by Tataki)
"I think the most popular Japanese artist is Ken Hirai." (by Wanted)
"For teens,ORANGE RANGE is the one.But the older would listen to Ayumi Hamazaki or Hikaru Utada." (by Nichi)
"I agree that Ken Hirai is the most popular."(by Shimeji)
"I think Kumi Koda is the next big thing.She sings the main theme of Japanese version of FFX-2." (by Runa Mikami)
"B'z is the most popular,even though I don't like them at all." (by Jun Sasaki)
"I would say the most popular American artists in Japan are BON JOVI or Aerosmith.Because every time they come to Japan, their huge stadium tour are always sold out. (by Mikikazu)
- How accepted is bootlegging (copied CDs, dvds and other things) in Japan? Is it popular and/or legal to download anime on the internet?
Viewers' Opinions
"We shouldn't accept any kind of illegal download." (by Wanted)
"Most Japanese may think downloading anime is illegal." (by Ocha-0Yousei)
"Perhaps some people download anime on the net,but they are very few.If you like anime,you may want the original,not illegal stuff." (by Nichi)
"Of course downloading anime is illegal.I hope American know that the price of anime DVD in Japan is usually as twice as in the U.S.So,Please buy them to help the anime industry."(by Shimeji)
"Illegal downloading is very few,I think. A part of reason is that we can watch and buy the newest anime easily in Japan."(by Piponeko)
"As common sense,most anime fans see downloading anime is illegal" (by Tataki)
"I have never heard that anyone download anime in Japan.Or just I don't know?" (by Runa Mikami)
"People who download anime illegally are always criticized severely in Japan when they are found out."(by Ichigen-san)
2006 Exchange #1: Coming Soon!
