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Answerman — Anime

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Answerman - What's With All the Overpowered Characters in Anime?

Web novels with overpowered protagonists have a niche appeal, so why are so many adapted into anime? It all comes back to the production committee system. ― Eric asked: Why is there a recent trend in making the protagonists of anime—especially isekai—so overpowered? In shows like One-Punch Man, That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime, and Isekai Cheat Skill, the heroes are so far ahead of their oppo...
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Answerman - What Happened to the Next Episode Previews?

They used to be a staple each week to get fans excited for the next episode. Are they not needed anymore? ― Chris asked: What has happened to the next episode preview? Growing up on anime in the 90's and early 2000's every show had a roughly 30 second preview after the end credits made of clips from the next week's episode often accompanied by voice over narration. Now it seems most shows end withou...
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Answerman - What is the Villainess Isekai Trend Actually Parodying?

You've noticed the trend of "girl gets reincarnated into an otome game as the villainess," but thinking back on it, does this type of character even exist in most otome games? ― RW asked: Lately, there's a huge trend across multiple forms of media (manga, web novels, light novels, etc.) of stories of people getting reincarnated into a villainess character from some book/game/etc. they had read/playe...
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Answerman - What Happened to Shoujo Anime?

It's not your imagination—there are fewer shoujo anime adaptations than ever. Kim explains the factors behind the genre's long-term decline. ― Matt asked: Back when I was growing up (US circa ~2000s), it felt like shoujo anime were a powerhouse of the medium, closely on par with their shonen counterparts, assuming popularity at anime clubs and conventions was representative. Now in the far future of...
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Answerman - Who Writes Anime Filler Episodes?

Kim discusses when anime goes "off script" from the manga and how those original stories are created by anime staff. ― AG asked: Hello, Answerman! If I take a liking to a particular filler arc (for example, One Piece's well-regarded G-8), then it stands to reason that I'll enjoy other things the writers did. Is there a way I can find out who is responsible for why one filler arc's writing and execut...
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Manga Answerman - Is Translating 'Lolicon' as 'Pedophile' Accurate?

Deb Aoki tackles the Hensuki episode controversy ― There's been some controversy recently about an anime translating the world “lolicon” as “pedophile.” Is that what “lolicon” means and how it is perceived in Japan? For starters, “lolicon” or “roricon” is short for “Lolita Complex.” “Lolita” as a term for an under-age girl comes from the book of the same name by Vladimir Nabokov. It's about a man wh...
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Answerman - Will The Macross Franchise Ever Be Made Available In The West?

Harmony Gold announced at AX that its license has extended into the future to the dismay of some fans. What would it take to get uncut Macross in the West? Well...it's complicated. ― Jake asked: During this year's AX, Harmony Gold held a panel stating that they have extended the right of the original 1980's Robotech/Macross franchise. This shocked many fans, who hoped Harmony Gold would lose the lic...
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Manga Answerman - Is the Word “Hentai” Misunderstood or Misused by Fans Outside of Japan?

When Western fans think "hentai" they think "lewd," but the word actually has origins beyond just cheesecake. ― Is the word “hentai” misunderstood and/or misused by fans outside of Japan? This isn't exactly an Answerman mailbag question, but one that came up thanks to anime producer and industry veteran Yoshihiro Watanabe. Watanabe happened upon an article from The Guardian, describing how a contest...
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Answerman - How Much Control Do Japanese Producers Have Over Dubs and Subtitles?

The subtitle changes in Netflix's version of Neon Genesis Evangelion have fans searching for answers. Could Khara have made the call? ― Bill asked: There have been a lot of people talking about translation differences in the Netflix version of Evangelion, with both the dub and the subtitles. How much control does Japan have when American companies make the translations and the dubs? As much as they ...
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Answerman - Do Movies Experience "Production Crunch" Like TV Series Do?

A few missteps and a television anime production can implode under pressure, but does the same apply to films? Justin discusses when disasters make it to the big screen. ― Matt asked: We've all heard about the hellish work schedules, impossible deadlines, and cornucopia of problems that the TV anime industry is swamped in (thanks, Shirobako!), but I was wondering: is the anime movie landscape any di...
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Answerman - How Popular Are Anime Songs In Japan?

Everyone loves anisongs, but just how popular are they really in Japan? Justin digs in. ― Fredrik asked: I've been to Japan twice, and one thing I noticed (and was disappointed about) is the relative lack of prominence of anison in Japan. I didn't get to hear radio much but in the few times I did most of the time they were playing non-anison J-Pop or even Western music. The same went for store ambia...
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Answerman - Is Hunting Allowed In Japan?

In a country with famously strict gun laws, how exactly does hunting for sport work? Justin digs in. ― Sarah asked: A few months ago I was watching Flying Witch and it had a gag where the uncle sees a pheasant and tries to catch it with his bare hands. Originally I thought getting a gun would be a lot quicker, but then I remembered Japanese gun laws are much stricter. I was wondering if there is a d...
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Answerman - Are There More Anime Remakes And Sequels These Days?

Sometimes it feels like everything these days is a sequel or a remake - but is that really even a new phenomenon? Justin digs in. ― Jitendar asked: Today, I take a look at the anime industry, and it feels as if half of the output is either a remake or a continuation, as it's the established franchises that companies seem to turn to again and again. Right now one of the biggest shows streaming is a F...
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Answerman - Why Do Opening and Ending Song Lyrics Sometimes Get Subtitled In Japanese?

Anime openings and endings sometimes have Japanese sing-along lyrics included - why is that? Justin explains. ― Todd asked: I've noticed that some, but not all openings seem to have hiragana/english subtitles (like in my hero academia). I had long been told that this was common in anime for kids, but i've also seen it in shows squarely aimed at adult otaku (the wisemans grandchild) do this as well. ...
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Answerman - Why Did Anime Companies Start Including "Clean" Openings And Endings?

Anime DVDs and blurays often include creditless opening and closing animations - but how did that tradition begin? Justin's got the lowdown. ― Joseph asked: One of the most common special features found on DVD/Blu-ray releases of anime series in the west are opening and ending sequences with the opening and closing credits removed. I'm curious to find out when this trend began and what got it starte...
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Answerman - Do Japanese School Kids Really Get To Go On Class Trips?

Pretty often in anime you see high school kids taking big, eventful class trips - does that really happen in Japan? Justin digs in. ― Jake asked: I have watched a lot of school anime over the years and I have always found school trips to be a bit peculiar. Most of the time they are beach trips, which is pretty normal fare. But more often than not it's to some exotic expensive local that is multiple ...
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Answerman - Why Do Funimation's Dragon Ball Z Re-Releases Look Like That?

Funimation announced a new 30th anniversary bluray box for Dragon Ball Z and the internet exploded over the picture quality - Justin explains why it looks the way it does. ― Several people asked: I've seen promo material for Funimation's upcoming Dragon Ball Z 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition Blu-ray boxed set, and it looks terrible! All of the film grain (and some detail) has been smeared away,...
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Answerman - Why Doesn't Viz Automatically Get Every Show From Their Japanese Parent Companies?

A handful of American anime and manga distributors are owned outright by enormous Japanese publishers - so why don't they automatically license everything those publishers release? Justin explains. ― Ryan asked: I learned recently that Viz Media is actually jointly owned by shueisha and shogakukan. The two biggest manga publishers in Japan. I wonder why viz media doesn't automatically get the licens...
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Answerman - What's With All The School Uniforms In Anime?

Anime as a medium is absolutely swimming in school uniforms - are they really that ubiquitous in Japan? Justin gets into it. ― James asked: I have noticed that a large percentage of Japanese anime and manga series that I have followed feature schools, and almost invariably, the students at those schools wear uniforms (with Dragon Ball being the only series that I can recall where students do not wea...
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Answerman - How Do Japanese Producers Factor Cultural Differences Into Their Sales Plans?

Some of Japan's biggest hits - like Doraemon and Detective Conan - have failed to find much of an audience in the west, despite their studios' best efforts. What gives? Justin gets into it. ― Matt asked: I've been curious about how certain shows Japanese licensors think will be massive hits in North America end up getting cult status at best due to those shows being so ingrained into their culture; ...
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Answerman - What Happens When A Japanese Licensor Goes Out Of Business?

What could happen if a Japanese Licensor went out of business while their shows are still licensed? Justin gets into it. ― Tristan asked: What could happen if a Japanese Licensor went out of business while their shows are still licensed? Like, for example, back when Funimation had Fullmetal Alchemist, what would've happened if Aniplex went under? Would Funimation have kept the license or would it ha...
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Answerman - Why Is Alice In Wonderland So Popular In Japan?

Countless anime and manga are based on the classic story Alice in Wonderland - why is that? Justin gets in to it. ― James asked: I have noticed that there have been a significant number of Japanese adaptations (manga, anime, and video games) of Alice in Wonderland; why are the Japanese so fond of that story? If you ask an average Japanese person why the country loves Alice in Wonderland so much, the...
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Answerman - Will There Ever Be A "Next Cowboy Bebop"?

It's a pretty common question among anime fans - will there ever be another series quite like 1998's Cowboy Bebop? Justin gets into it. ― Jake asked: Every now and then I will here somebody talk about “the next Cowboy Bebop” is coming down the pipe and how it's going to completely ripple through the anime community now and for years to come. In the last few I have heard this when Space Dandy, Devilm...
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Answerman - Why Do New Episodes Sometimes Get Delayed?

New episodes of TV anime are sometimes delayed for broadcast due to a variety of factors - what causes that to happen? Justin gets into it. ― Ashley asked: This might be too broad of a question to ask, but what's up with production delays in anime? You usually hear about studios working on an anime at least a few months prior to release, but if that's the case, why do you hear about production delay...
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Answerman - How Are Old Releases of Anime Preserved, And Why Aren't Manga Preserved Too?

Restoring and rereleasing old anime can be a whole lot of work, and shaky preservation practices by anime studios can make it a whole lot harder. Justin gets into the fun details. ― Melissa asked: It seems like when companies like Discotek license rescue older shows, they're usually able to get the old dub or subtitle scripts from whatever original company released it. I imagine this is because the ...
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Answerman - Why Is Crunchyroll On So Many Production Committees?

Crunchyroll sits on a number of production committees, the organizations that collectively produce an anime series - what advantages does this model have over simple licensing? Justin digs in. ― Alex asked: Recently, Crunchyroll has increased the number of anime titles in which they are a member of the production committee. What benefit does being part of the production committee have over just lice...
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Answerman - Is Japan Or America More Prudish About Sexual Content?

With the phenomenon of fanservice being so common in anime, does this mean that Japan is more relaxed about sexual content than the USA, or is it actually the other way around? Justin Sevakis has the answers. ― James asked: Many American fans of Japanese animation and manga believe that Japanese media and culture in general are more liberal-minded on the subject, and accepting, of nudity and sexuali...
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Answerman - Why Were Anime Budgets So Big In The '80s?

The animation quality of '80s OVAs and movies can be absolutely jaw-dropping, so what changed to bring so many of these ambitious productions down to earth in the following decade? Justin Sevakis has the answers. ― Jacob asked: I was looking back at the anime that was made during the 1980's and have had something that has always had me curious. I have heard from several anime podcasts and as well as...
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Answerman - Is It Possible To Kickstart Your Own Anime Series?

With the success of so many kickstarted movies, games, and other pop culture ephemera, could the dream of "making your own anime" really be as close as a month or two of crowdsourcing? Justin Sevakis has the answers. ― PAL asked: I know several web comic artists who have popular strips and are always asked by their fans “Any chance of an animated series?” To which they reply “No. Never. It's impossi...
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Answerman - Why Don't More Details About New Anime Leak To The Press?

When it comes to American films, pre-release details "leak" all the time to the movie press - why doesn't this seem to happen as often with anime? Justin considers the angles. ― Tim asked: I was thinking, if an anime movie takes around 1 year or so to make, how come there aren't much leaks about the contents of the film? In the case of the final naruto film, wouldn't leaks about its contents be rele...
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Answerman - What Is DNR/DVNR, And Why Do People Hate It?

DNR is a filter that allows film restorers to remove grain and noise from the image, but plenty of people hate what it does and how it looks. Justin gets into the reasons why. ― James asked: I have recently been hearing about digital noise reduction (DNR) being applied to reissues and remasters of older media, and some fans complaining about it. However, noise is, by definition, something that is un...
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Answerman - Are Artists Apologizing and Self-Censoring More These Days?

It feels like every other week a manga artist or light novel writer is apologizing for a story element they didn't expect fans to hate - is this actually on the rise, or does it just feel like it? Justin considers the angles. ― Matthew asked: I've recently read several stories about anime creators who have either censored, apologized for, or otherwise regretted explicit content in their programs (Sw...
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Answerman - Do Companies Ever Go Back And Dub Shows They Released Subtitled?

Every now and then, an anime gets a subtitled-only physical release - how rare is it for that same show to get a dub down the road? Justin breaks it down. ― Matthew asked: If an anime company licenses an anime but chooses not to dub it, is there ever a chance that it might get dubbed in the distant future? When Fate/Zero first came out, I was certain that it wouldn't get dubbed after Aniplex started...
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Manga Answerman - What exactly does a “manga editor” do?

Industry legend and Dark Horse manga editor Carl Horn joins Deb this week for a little enlightenment on what exactly a "manga editor" does. ― Editor's note: Manga Answerman is on hiatus this week, so we're republishing one of our favorites - please look forward to a new installment next Friday! What exactly does a “manga editor” do, on both the Japanese side and the English localization side? In my ...
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Answerman - Do You Have To Be Outgoing To Work In The Industry?

Is being an extrovert a requirement for working in the anime industry? Do you have to be a social butterfly? Justin considers the angles. ― Tyler asked: One thing I've noticed with a lot of anime fans is they're either extremely extroverted or extremely introverted—there's very little middle ground. I know a good number of voice actors who claim to be introverted, yet they attend cons that would pou...
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Answerman - Why Do I Hear Echoes of Japanese Voices in Dubs of Old Anime?

Every now and then when you're watching an old dub, sometimes you'll hear faint echoes of the Japanese track behind it. What's responsible for this phenomenon? Justin digs in. ― Sami asked: Why does the Japanese dialogue track sometimes leak to music & SFX track used for dubs? I've noticed this issue in many dubs of older anime. Also many of the ME Tracks have this weird "ghosting effect" in which t...
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Answerman - What's With The Multiple Versions of Kiki's Delivery Service?

Justin tells the story behind Disney's original VHS & Laserdisc dub of Kiki's Delivery Service, starring Kirsten Dunst and featuring two original songs! ― Fred asked: I recently was at a second hand shop, and came across an old VHS tape of Kiki's Delivery Service, I guess from when it was first released by Disney. I already had the movie on Blu-ray but it seemed like a collectable, and it was only 5...
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Answerman - Is It Safe To Replace My Physical Media Collection With Streaming?

It feels like everything's available streaming now - all the anime you could ever want - so is it cool to jettison my physical media library? Not so fast, says Justin. ― Will asked: With most of the anime I want to watch being on Crunchyroll or another streaming service these days, it's harder and harder for me to get excited about buying Blu-rays or DVDs. Is it worth buying everything I like? Will ...
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Answerman - Is There A Point In Suggesting Titles for Licensing to Publishers?

Whenever a licensor announces a new title, there's a herd of people who shout the names of shows they'd like to see licensed next. Does this have any impact? Justin explains. ― Jill asked: Whenever I see an anime or manga (but really mostly anime) publisher post something online, especially on Facebook, I see a small army of people just respond by posting an endless list of shows that they license n...
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Answerman - What Are Japanese "Family Restaurants" Like?

You see Denny's-style "family restaurants" in anime all the time - but how similar are they to what we have in America? Justin counts the ways. ― Gareth asked: I see a lot of restaurants in anime that basically look like American diners, but they seem like they're modeled after specific chains -- one of them clearly being Denny's. Is Denny's in Japan basically the same as in the US? What other resta...
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Answerman - When Is It OK To Adapt An Anime Dub Script?

Some English dub scripts are pretty extensively adapted, in some cases to the point where they've changed the story. When is it "okay" to adapt an English dub script this way? Justin gets into it. ― Brandon asked: When dubbing an anime, there is the matter of the script. There are some anime that are nearly identical to the original with some changes, like Attack on Titan; and there are some that sl...
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Answerman - Why Are DVDs and Blu-rays Sold As Combo Packs?

Anime DVDs and Blurays are often sold together in a combo pack that provides both formats - but what if you only wanted one or the other? Justin gets in to the reasons media is most commonly sold this way. ― Danette asked: Ever since Viz started started releasing the new Sailor Moon BD/DVD box sets I've stuck with the standard DVD editions over the BD/DVD editions because it doesn't make sense to me...
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Answerman - Who Was Cloverway, And What Were They Doing With Anime?

In the early '90s, Cloverway Inc. was a familiar credit on shows like Sailor Moon, but who was this company and what did they have to do with licensing anime? Justin Sevakis has the answers. ― Job asked: What was the purpose of Cloverway Inc, as a licensing entity in the Americas? Why didn't Cloverway got more involved in distributing anime in North America, like in Latin America? Why did Cloverway ...
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Answerman - Why Do Edited for TV Dubs Change An Anime's Music?

If you watch the original version of an anime that's been edited for American broadcast, you might notice some potent - and crucial - changes in the background music. Why is that? Justin gets into it. ― Denzel asked: I was wondering why some English dubs that are made to air on US TV get new music. I understand well enough they change music with Japanese vocals as to not alienate their audiences but...
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Answerman - Why Don't Publishers Announce License Renewals?

You often hear about it when a North American publisher loses the license to an anime, but rarely do you hear about it when they renew licenses - why is that? Justin gets into it. ― Taylor asked: I noticed a variety of Section23's (Sentai Filmworks, Maiden Japan and AEsir Holdings) licensed anime came from its predecessor, ADV Films, which is technically a renewal of a previous license. Believe me, ...
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Answerman - Why Do Guys In Anime Raise A Pinky Finger When Talking About Girls?

Happens all the time in anime: ask a guy if he's married, and his pinky finger goes up. What's behind it? Well, it's actually kinda sweet - as Justin explains. ― Terry asked: When asking a man whether he's in a relationship with a woman, male anime characters will make an odd finger-raised gesture, almost always accompanied by a chuckle and/or a leer. What's with that? And is it as rude a gesture as...
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Answerman - Why Are Old People In Anime And Manga So Short?

In anime and manga, old people are frequently presented as comically short - what exactly is the reasoning behind this stereotype? Justin gets into it. ― Marie asked: I've been wondering about this for a while now: why do the elderly are often presented as really short and small in anime/manga? But if there's a flashback and we see them in their youth, they have a regular height. No one finds this a...
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Answerman - Why Do Anime Students Always Sit In The Same Seat?

Anime protagonists in high school always seem to take the same seat - second to the back, next to the window. What makes that spot so special? Justin gets into it. ― Darrel asked: Why are anime characters always sitting in the same exact spot in classrooms? Is it because it is easier to draw them isolated? Ah yes, that seat in the back next to the window. That is THE hot-spot in a surprising number ...
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Answerman - What's The Difference Between A License And A Distribution Deal?

Funimation "licenses" Attack on Titan but Right Stuf is the "distributor" for Mobile Suit Gundam - what's the difference between these two arrangements? Justin gets into the details. ― John asked: I was wondering what is the difference between a distribution and licensing deals? What entail a distribution deal? And in case of the Sunrise's Gundam deal with Right Stuf could a another company still li...
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Answerman - Why Aren't Licensed Anime T-Shirts Nicer?

Your average licensed anime tee-shirt is a giant piece of key art on a Hanes Beefy-T. Where's all the fashionable stuff? Justin considers the angles. ― Anonymous asked: There are a ton of anime that I would love to buy T-shirts and other clothing for. I'm also aware that there's an absolute TON of unlicensed T-shirt websites out there, and I'd prefer to buy the official ones that support the creator...
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Answerman - Why Don't Anime Companies Release Sales And Viewership Numbers?

We almost never get exact sales figures for anime DVDs and blurays, or really any other merchandise for that matter - what gives? Justin gets into it. ― Michael asked: I was wondering if you could explain the mindset behind why anime companies seem to be so secretive with their sales numbers. I could be wrong about this, but I don't see any benefit to not releasing how many units "title x" sold or h...
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Answerman - How Is Funimation Producing So Many Simuldubs?

It's a little unbelievable how many simulcast dubs Funimation produces - so how do they do it? Justin talks about the process. ― Anonymous asked: It's been absolutely incredible how Funimation is able to have many shows dubbed only a few weeks after it airs in Japan. How is Funimation able to pull off their simuldub schedule while other studios take months or even years to produce a dub? Surely it's...
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Answerman - What Does It Cost To Remaster A Classic Anime?

Justin dives deep into all the fun details about exactly how much effort - and money! - goes in to remastering classic anime from the original film elements for home video release. ― Allan asked: What are the costs of doing a full-on remaster of an older show as opposed to upscaling an existing version? In a recent column you discussed how some new releases are made by upscaling, say, a DVD master f...
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Answerman - Why Doesn't Anime Record Voices Before Animating?

Western animation - particularly the big-budget mainstream kind - tend to record performances before they animate, but when it comes to anime, this is rarely the case. Why is that? Justin gets into it. ― James asked: Some time ago, you stated that one of the major differences between western animation and Japanese animation is that, in western animation, all dialogue is recorded first, and then the ...
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Manga Answerman - Why Do So Many Manga Artists Avoid Being Photographed?

Many mangaka are notoriously camera-shy, choosing instead to only represent themselves with an illustration. What are their reasons for this? Deb gets into it. ― Editor's note: Originally published June 2018 - Manga Answerman is taking the week off, but we'll be back next week with a new column. Q: Why do a lot of manga artists prefer to not have their photos taken at events, like comic or anime con...
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Answerman - What Determines Whether An Older Show Should Be Released as SD-BD?

"Standard Definition Blu-ray" means you're getting a LOT of anime on a single disc - but not in HD quality. Justin Sevakis discusses exactly how - and why - a show might get released in this format. ― Jeff asked: My question gets a little technical but I was reading over the Skip Beat kickstarter campaign recently and I saw a statement from Pied Piper where you said Skip Beat was perfect candidate f...
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Answerman - Why Do Colors Look Different In Remastered Classic Anime?

Oftentimes the "remastered" version of an old anime doesn't quite look the way you remember it - why is that? Justin gets in to all the fun technical details. ― Stanley asked: I have a technical question about new film-to-Blu-Ray video transfers. I've been starting up a Blu-Ray collection recently and was looking at some comparison screenshots from a lot of classic anime titles and films to see whic...
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Answerman - How Does A New Distributor Get Permission To Reuse Old Dubs?

Aniplex of America is re-releasing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on bluray with Funimation's original English dub intact. How do anime companies work out a deal like that? Justin gets into the details. ― Ivan asked: It's well known by now that ANIPLEX USA is distributing Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood after FUNimation did it for years, and the English version with the voice actors and actresses ...
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Answerman - Why Isn't Idol Culture Bigger In America?

Hollywood might make a live-action Perfect Blue, but it's tough to imagine them greenlighting a live-action Love Live. Justin gets in to some of the reasons why that might be. ― Riku asked: I remembered few weeks ago I asked you about an American adaption of Love Live and you stated that it would not make sense since America does not have idol culture. Then how come Hollywood attempted to adapt Perf...
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Answerman - Why Do Sports Anime Bomb In North America?

The idea that sports anime "bomb" in America is an old truism that still has some truth to it - even though we've seen some pretty big exceptions in recent history. Justin explains the phenomenon, and how things are changing. ― Nick asked: I have begun to wonder why sports anime tend to do so poorly in the United States? I know of a few (Prince of Tennis, Big Windup!) that were fairly popular in Jap...
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Answerman - Why Do Dubs Cast Men As Boy Characters, while Japan Casts Women?

Shinji Ikari is voiced by a woman in Japanese, but he's voiced by a man in the English dub - and he's far from the only character in anime like this. Justin gets into the reasons why. ― Kevin asked: In many anime in Japan, the roles of young men are played by female voice actors. Shinji in Evangelion (Megumi Ogata), Ed and Al in Fullmetal Alchemist (Romi Park and Rie Kugimiya, respectively), and (th...
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Answerman - Why Are Teen Sex Comedies Only Acceptable When They're Live Action?

Some folks find lurid anime sex comedies featuring teenagers like High School DxD deeply offensive, but won't bat an eye at an American live-action sex comedy set in high school. What gives? Justin gets into it. ― Dave asked: Recently an anime company was on facebook promoting an upcoming release of a fanservice heavy show set at a Highschool. The comment section got pretty toxic pretty quickly with...
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Answerman - What Will Become Of Takahata's Legacy?

Shocking revelations about Isao Takahata's treatment of his staff in Toshio Suzuki's recent book have some fans asking: what are we supposed to think of his films and his legacy now? Justin considers the angles. ― Fartball asked: Isao Takahata was one of my favorite anime directors, and I was heartbroken when he died a few months ago. Now Ghibli's producer Toshio Suzuki is saying Takahata was an awf...
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Answerman - Why And How Was Fist Of The North Star Censored?

Justin digs in to the (many) urban legends and tall tales surrounding the original theatrical cut of Fist of the North Star, which has never been seen outside of its original run in Japan in the 1980s. ― Joseph asked: I have read that people who used to rent Streamline Dubbed Fist of the North Star movie on Orion pre-release VHS rental copy, remember all gore scenes uncut and uncensored with no blur...
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Answerman - How Do Anime Staff Feel About Working On Controversial Anime?

Dark and edgy anime like Future Diary and this season's Happy Sugar Life attract controversy with gritty storylines, but how do the staff working on shows like these feel about it? Justin has a few ideas. ― Alen asked: Lots of anime has extreme amounts of violence, adult situations and abuse of its characters, or a combination of all three. At the top of my head the (in)famous Future Diary/Mirai Nik...
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Answerman - How Do Lucky And Unlucky Numbers Factor Into Anime?

You often see the number 4 (and sometimes 9) mentioned as "unlucky" in anime and manga, but is there anything behind that? Justin digs in to a little bit of number trivia. ― Evan asked: As a westerner watching anime, should seeing the number 4 or 9 immediately set off alarm bells? I know that both 4 and 9 are considered "unlucky" in Japan because in Japanese. This comes up in Outlaw Star where the C...
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Answerman - Is Ecchi Anime As Controversial In Japan As In America?

Fanservice can be a selling point or a deal breaker for North American anime fans. But is the same content a big deal in Japan? ― Shaun asked: I am among probably the most vocally reviled groups of American Anime Fans, the one who unabashedly enjoys Ecchi and Heavy Fanservice shows. There is a debate waiting around every corner in online anime communities to discuss how distracting Fanservice is, Ho...
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Answerman - Why Don't More Publishers Take A Chance On Older Titles?

Long-running action shows that aren't called Naruto or Dragon Ball frequently struggle to find an audience big enough to justify the licensing cost - why is that, and why aren't more publishers willing to take the risk on something like Toriko? Justin gets into it. ― Warsama Omar asked: Should licensing and Publishing companies give older series a second chance? I asked this because as I was pre-ord...
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Answerman - Why Did US Anime Publishers Experiment With Western Cartoons?

Once upon a time, Funimation and ADV Films licensed western cartoons for release into the fabled "mass market". Justin gets into this bit of history. ― Taylor asked: I've gone through Funimation's catalog on DVDEmpire and watched the "not-so-hidden secret" videos from Skippy on Youtube, and from what I saw, during the mid-00s, Funimation licensed several cartoons for release on DVD and VHS (includin...
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Answerman - Who Dominated Dubs Before Funimation?

Funimation produces a towering mountain of English dubs every year, but they weren't always the most prolific dub studio in the country. Justin gets into the history of it all. ― Samuel asked: Before Funimation was founded, what was the big-time, English-dubbing company and is it still in existence? Maybe it's because I've been in the anime business so long (20 years!!), but until I got this questio...
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Answerman - Why Are Some Old Anime Never Re-released?

Justin goes in-depth on the numerous reasons your favorite unlicensed anime remains unlicensed, from music clearing headaches to personal grudges between licensing parties. ― Tony asked: One of my favorite anime in the early 90's, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, in Japan got a VHS release, but never got a single DVD release. It aired in Japan in October 1991, and got all 46 episodes released on ...
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Answerman - How Is A Dub Made in 5.1 When The Japanese Version Isn't?

In some cases, anime come with a Japanese 2.0 audio track, and an English language track in 5.1. How do they manage that? Justin gets into it. ― Troy asked: I've noticed that many US disc releases of anime titles (especially in the past decade) have English dub tracks that were listed as having 5.1 or "Dolby Digital" English audio, which would lead one to believe that it features "surround sound." H...
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Answerman - How Expensive Is Housing In Japan?

This season's Hinamatsuri raises a question: the rent is too high in pretty much every major metropolitan city, but what about Japan's housing market? Is it too expensive to live in Tokyo? Justin gets into the details. ― Cuspy asked: Affordable housing is a pretty big crisis in the States, but if there's an issue with affordable housing in Japan it certainly isn't shown in anime. Anime characters li...
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Answerman - How Do TV Ratings Apply To Anime?

How do TV ratings work in Japan? Are they just using the Nielsen system like the US, and how much do ratings really impact late night TV anime? Justin gets into it. ― Rachel asked: Many Americans know that the Nielsen rating system determines which show stays on television and which show goes off the air. This is how many networks make or lose money. But not everyone knows that it doesn't just apply...
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Answerman - Why Don't Drama CDs Get Released Outside of Japan?

Drama CDs are incredibly commonplace for anime from almost every genre, so why aren't English translations made available for them? Justin breaks down the practical problems with bringing this material stateside. ― Rachel asked: Many anime, manga and video game series sometimes get adapted into a audio drama CD, why aren't audio drama CDs released here in North America? Few people want them, and the...
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Answerman - Does Getting Free Copies Of Stuff Sway Opinions Of Critics?

Anime and manga critics often get free copies of the shows and books they're reviewing. Doesn't that compromise their opinions? Justin gets into it. ― Anonymous asked: How do you feel about screeners and review copies? I've heard some people argue that screeners are problematic because reviewers end up "owing" publishers good reviews, in some form or other. Yet, every mainstream review source--your ...
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Answerman - What Are Some Japanese Superstitions?

Cultural superstitions often influence art, and anime is no different! Justin runs down some of the most common superstitions you see in anime. ― Rajkovic asked: There is a multitude of superstitions in the world. The one I keep hearing often in Japanese anime is “If you sigh you'll chase happiness away” or something like that. What are some other common Japanese superstitions that foreigners would ...
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Manga Answerman - Do They Ever Retouch Unpolished Manga?

Sometimes manga pages go to the printers before the mangaka is completely finished polishing up their last few pages - do they ever go back and touch it up for the collected release? Deb gets into it. ― Q: I've noticed that sometimes a chapter of a manga had some unfinished panels likely due to a shorter timetable to finish the chapter. Is this something that typically gets touched up before the tan...
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Answerman - Why Aren't There Japanese Voice Actor Bloopers?

One reader wants to know why you never seem to see blooper reels for anime voice actors - bad takes can be fun to watch, so how come we never get to see them? Justin gets into it. ― Rodolfo asked: I was watching the Panty and Stocking bloopers on youtube and started wondering if there were any original Japanese anime bloopers floating around. I couldn't find any. Not one. So i was wondering, do the ...
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Answerman - Lightning Round

It's another batch of enlightening quickies: small faces, crime in Japan, High School of the Dead and more! ― Doc Fraga asked: I have wondered about this for almost 30 years. But what is the meaning of the three finger point "Sign of the devil" hand sign in anime. it's usually seen in Ranma 12 or Urusei Yatsura when someone gets knocked out. The hand-sign often associated with the devil and heavy me...
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Answerman - Why Is It Such A Big Deal When Anime Characters Cut Their Hair?

Happens all the time: the music swells, some major character changes are about to happen, and someone cuts their hair off. Justin explains this surprisingly common bit of symbolism. ― Darrel asked: It seems like a very common theme in anime where a character cuts her hair to signify moving on from something. This is a popular theme in the Monogatari series and was also recently shown in Gun Gale Onl...
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Answerman - How Do Publishers Choose Which Older Shows To Re-License?

Anime publishers in the US release classic titles all the time, but it can be a crapshoot if you're waiting for a specific obscurity. Justin explains the process. ― Chibi Chetsko asked: There is a particular pre-2010 anime series I want a different company to license for US release (I am pretty sure the old license expired) but is there anything I can do to to convince them to pick it up? If I conta...
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Answerman - Why Don't DVDs Contain Japanese Commentary Tracks Anymore?

Once upon a time, anime DVDs occasionally came with commentary tracks from the Japanese artists who made the film. What happened? ― Tyler asked: On some of Central Park Media's DVD releases, like MD Geist and World of Narue, one of the “disc set-up” options were commentaries from a few of the original Japanese staff, which I think is really cool. However, when ADV released these titles, they scrappe...
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Answerman - What Is Golden Week?

This holiday gets mentioned in plenty of anime series, but what's the cause for celebration and how does it affect the anime industry, if at all? ― invalidname asked: Hey, it's Golden Week! What effect does the holiday have on anime production, if everyone's taking a week off? On the flip side, do ratings go up from people having more free time to watch? Golden Week is a cluster of holidays that all...
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Answerman - Why Don't Anime Characters Go To Therapy?

How come therapy never seems to come up as a solution in anime? Justin discusses the differences in mental health culture and why we might not expect to see therapy explored much in anime. ― Julia asked: I've noticed that in a lot of anime, when characters have very deep, psychological problems, nobody ever considers going to therapy or telling someone to seek professional help. After watching anime...
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Answerman - Are "Upscaled" Blu-Rays Worth The Upgrade?

If a show was produced in a low resolution and has to be "upscaled" to HD, is it worth buying the HD version? Justin gets into the details. ― Patrick asked: I have a very simple question. Are blu-ray upscales of shows that have been out on dvd for years (I.E. Gungrave, Fate/stay night, etc) worth the money? Does the upscaling actually make a big enough difference to justify another purchase to see a...
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Answerman - Why Do Some Series Have Long Gaps Between Seasons?

One Piece shows up every week without fail, but there are gaps between seasons in My Hero Academia. What gives? Justin explains it all. ― Emily asked: I've been wondering why some anime have gaps of a year or more between seasons and others have gaps of a few months or just continue for long periods of time. I've also noticed that the number of long running series (especially those with lots of fill...
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Answerman - Why Are People More Upset By Nudity Than Violence?

One reader wants to know why western fans clutch their pearls over anime boobs but give blood and guts a free pass. Justin has a few ideas. ― Steven asked: What's up with the Double Standards in Anime? Something full of blood-n-gore murder-death-kill trends towards the most popular, well received and reviewed shows. Meanwhile, the fan service, T & A heavy shows get lambasted for their content? Is th...
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Answerman - Is It Really Illegal To Take Pictures Of People Without Permission?

You hear it often that taking photos of anyone in Japan without their permission is illegal - is that true, and how did those laws come about? Justin gets into it. ― Stefan asked: I've seen characters in Japanese anime say that filming somebody or taking their picture without their consent is illegal. Is there really a law in Japan like this or something similar? Here in the US and many other countr...
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Answerman - Where Have All The Mechanical Designers Gone?

Traditionally animated cars, motorcycles, tanks and planes look awesome - have they all been completely replaced by CG? Justin considers the angles. ― Cameron asked: I've been watching older anime recently, and what stands out to me is the inspired and, frankly, super cool mechanical designs! I'm acutely aware that production of “mecha anime” has waned over the past couple of decades. Even anime tha...
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Answerman - What's A "Mainstream" Anime Fan?

Back in the day you'd say a "mainstream" anime fan just watched Toonami on TV and didn't buy DVDs or blurays. But what does a mainstream fan look like in the modern age? Justin gets into it. ― Jake asked: I have been wondering this for a while but what is now considered to be a “main stream” anime fan? I know up until the when the economy crashed in 2008 whatever played on TV was considered to be ma...
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Answerman - Do I Need To Check All My Anime Blu-Rays For Errors?

Is it necessary to individually inspect each anime bluray you purchase for errors that might be unique to that copy? Justin explains. ― Melissa asked: Every time I order a new anime series and it comes in the mail, I watch it asap, skip nothing the first time around, and force myself to watch the dvd discs that come in the combo pack. The reason behind it, to make sure all the discs are error free. ...
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Answerman - What Does An ADR Engineer Do?

People know what a voice actor and a voice director do, but rarely do they know the role of the ADR engineer, the secret MVP of the world of anime dubs. Justin files an appreciation of their craft. ― Roman asked: I was watching some of my favorite anime and noticed a title of ADR engineer in the credits. I'm somewhat familiar with the role of ADR director, voice actor and script writer in anime dubs...
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Answerman - Is Anime Fandom More Dysfunctional Than In The Past?

"Anime fandom is so much worse now than it was when I was just getting started!" is a common sentiment, but is there really any truth to it? Justin considers the angles. ― Marshmallow Cello asked: With how everything being divisive and politicized nowadays, how badly has the anime fandom been affected by this? I notice that certain groups among the fandom often clash with others over such hot topics...
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Answerman - How Long Does An Anime Episode Take To Make?

How long does it actually take for a production team to create a single episode of anime, end-to-end? ― Mark asked: I have a pretty simple question. About how long prior to a show airing does animation production start? So not pre-production meetings or voice acting or anything like that, but the artists sitting down and drawing the whole dang thing. How much of a lead time do these artists need to ...
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Answerman - There's Bara Manga... Why Isn't There Bara Anime?

Bara manga is pretty common in Japan, even if it might not be as widespread as yaoi - so why isn't there any bara anime? Justin has a few angles. ― Harris asked: I confess that I really like bara manga because of its incredible art style, sexy situations (depending on the subject), and most certainly its appeal to gay male readers such as myself. Given the fact that hentai and yaoi titles are often ...

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