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Veteran Animator Terumi Nishii on the Problems and Future Facing the Anime Industry
"...Full-time employees have been forced to work hard for the past 20 or 30 years—but it seems that instead of becoming 'full-time employees,' it's more like they are 'slaves.'"
― Recently, I was able to sit down and chat with Terumi Nishii, a veteran animator and character designer with credits ranging from Rurouni Kenshin and PENGUINDRUM to Jujutsu Kaisen and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. But rather th...
This Week in Anime - What Crunchyroll Purchasing RightStuf Means To Us
The changeover is finally happening. One of the community's long-standing favorite online shops will become "The Crunchyroll Store" next month. Nick and Steve reflect on the change and what it might herald for the anime community at large.
― The changeover is finally happening. One of the community's long-standing favorite online shops will become "The Crunchyroll Store" next month. Nick and Steve r...
Answerman - Why is Yuri Anime So Popular Now?
With recent hits like Lycoris Recoil and G-Witch, what explains the zeitgeist for yuri anime these days? Answerman delves into it.
― Chris asked:
We've got a lot of new Yuri/ Shoujo Ai anime coming out in 2023 and others, like Birdie Wing and G Witch, are getting continuations. I'm wondering why it's happening now. I've read the source novels/manga for about 80% of the new anime, so I know that the ...
Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History
Concerned about the "mythologization" growing up around Ghibli British academic Rayna Denison offers several alternative perspectives on the acclaimed anime studio and spotlights its less-touted but still wildly talented staff.
― It has been a decade since Studio Ghibli last released a hit film, Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises in 2013. Since then, anime films by other creators have challenged Ghibli'...
Why International Anime Co-Productions Are So Rare
International interest in anime has never been higher, but the production committee system and small government funding windows are a roadblock.
― With anime growing ever more popular with a global audience, more and more international companies have become interested in working with Japanese companies on their latest projects. This isn't a new phenomenon; Ghost in the Shell was an international co-p...
This Week in Anime - Which Recent Anime Announcements Are Most Hype-Worthy?
What's the most exciting new anime announcement? And what's the guarantee that your favorite series will get a good adaptation—or any adaptation at all?
― What's the most exciting new anime announcement? And what's the guarantee that your favorite series will get a good adaptation—or any adaptation at all? Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the v...
This Week in Anime - And the Award for Best Anime Awards Goes To...
Beyond arguing about whether your fave made it in, what's the point of anime awards? Chris and Nicky discuss the pros of the various fan and industry awards ceremonies.
― Beyond arguing about whether your fave made it in, what's the point of anime awards? Chris and Nicky discuss the pros of the various fan and industry awards ceremonies. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participan...
Studio Chizu Shares Vision of the Future at JX '23
Studio producer Yuichiro Saito emphasized family as the global core value, which the studio uses as a compass to “chart a map” into a “brighter, more hopeful future.”
― Hosted at the Grammy Museum, the inaugural JX '23 honored Studio Chizu as a cultural pioneer for its global success in film. JX, which stands for Japan Crossover, brought together guests from all facets of the entertainment industry u...
Answerman - What's With All the Delayed Aniplex Shows?
Kim explains how it's not just COVID, but shortcomings of the industry itself, that led to three anime productions' schedule crashes.
― This time, we interrupt the regular reader-submitted questions with some “behind the headlines” analysis. Kim asked:
Three Aniplex shows—NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a, UniteUp!, and Ayakashi Triangle—have recently announced delays due to COVID-19. Is COVID actually a probl...
Interview: Shuzo John Shiota, President of Polygon Pictures
Polygon Pictures president recounts his earnest beginnings, trying to win over overseas fans, and competition with Studio Orange in our newest interview.
―
In December 2022, I had the privilege of visiting the Polygon Pictures Digital animation studio in Tokyo when it was about to enter its 40th year of production. One purpose of the visit was to learn more about the studio's latest TV series, Kaina...
Answerman - Why Do Some Anime Releases Have a "Content Japan" Logo On Them?
Kim explains this specific anti-piracy measure and how it came to be used.
― Taylor asked:
I keep seeing that Content Japan logo for a variety of releases outside Japan, no matter who the licensor or licensee is. From my current collection, I see it on Blue Exorcist, Clannad, Eureka Seven (Essentials release), IGPX, My Hero Academia (on some occasions), Promare, Spirited Away, and that's just some. ...
ANN's Most Read News and Interest Articles of 2022
We bid one last goodbye to 2022 with our top stories from the year.
― 2022 was a very different year compared to 2021 and 2020. The pandemic continued, but it no longer dominated the headlines, and its effects were much less apparent in most of our readers' countries. Although it didn't make the top ANN news itself, one of the biggest stories worldwide was, of course, the return to “life as usual,” o...
Production I.G and Studio Wit President George Wada
The newly minted president and CEO of Production I.G talked to us about why Wit Studio has seemingly passed on later seasons of its hit series, whether work-life balance has improved for animators, and how Netflix could better promote anime.
― George Wada at Anime NYC. Photo by: Lynzee Loveridge. George Wada has forged a considerable legacy in the anime industry in the last 20 years. The newly minte...
A Discussion Among Unions - 100% Union Power at Little Secret
Voice actors Kyle McCarley and David Errigo Jr,. discuss the hurdles of unionization with colleagues from the VFX and gaming industry, including how Crunchyroll squashed a potential union contract for Fena: Pirate Princess.
― Members from the animation, gaming, voice acting, and VFX industries came together to discuss unionization efforts across games, VFX, animation, and voice acting. Initially sch...
Interview with ANN's CEO and Publisher Christopher Macdonald
Following the news of Kadokawa's acquisition of Anime News Network, many of our readers have asked questions about what this means for the site going forward. ANN CEO and publisher Christopher Macdonald answers your biggest questions.
― Following the news of Kadokawa's acquisition of Anime News Network, many of our readers have asked questions about what this means for the site and its content going ...
Answerman - What Can We Do to Help English Voice Actors?
Kim Morrissy lays out some of the things fans can do to support their favorite VAs amid all the news about fair wages and recasts.
― Jake asked:
I was shocked to hear that the highest paid actor on Jujutsu Kaisen 0 wasn't even paid $1,000 on a movie that made $30 million. Even TV shows like Mob Psycho 100 have come under fire for refusing to use SAG actors, leading to recasts. Will companies like So...
Answerman - Will HIDIVE Be Able to Compete Against the Megacorps?
Viewers noticed that HIDIVE is ramping up its seasonal streaming offerings, but is it on its way to be Crunchyroll's competitor, or should it even try?
― MAD asked:
In the last year or so, HIDIVE has ramped up their anime offerings. Thanks to the AMC acquisition, they now have the extra money to pick up more seasonal picks and scored big with anime like Ya Boy Kongming! and the upcoming Urusei Yatsu...
Mob Psycho 100's Kyle McCarley on Anime Dubbing and #JustAMeeting
McCarley gives a detailed breakdown of the negotiations with Crunchyroll, discussions with other cast members, concerns between Texas and Los Angeles-based voice actors, and his opinion on the benefits of unionization for the anime industry.
― On September 20, voice actor Kyle McCarley dropped a bombshell video announcing he would likely not be returning to voice Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama in the dub of t...
Answerman - Do the Animation Cuts at HBO Max and Netflix Spell Trouble for the Anime Industry?
The fan-favorite column returns with a new host! The first question: Do recent cuts to domestic animation spell bad news abroad?
― UPDATE (10/2): The Answerman email written in the original article pointed to an outdated address. This has now been corrected. Please direct your questions to [email protected]. After two years of hiatus, Answerman is back! For those of you who need an introd...
How Kadokawa is Redefining the Anime Market (Updated)
Japanese publishing giant Kadokawa has its hands all over the manga, light novel, and anime industries. ANN sat down with the heads of Kadokawa's Anime Business Division to discuss its expanding ambitions in the anime sphere.
― Japanese publishing giant Kadokawa has its hands all over the manga, light novel, and anime industries. ANN CEO Chris Macdonald sat down with Kadokawa's Takeshi Kikuchi (CEO o...
Interview: Viz Media Senior Vice President of Animation Brian Ige
Ige talks about Viz's strategy with regards to anime licensing and cross-promotion, possible shifts in anime licensing prices, and the future of the U.S. anime market.
― ANN CEO Chris Macdonald sat down with Viz Media's Senior Vice President of Animation, Brian Ige, to talk about Viz's strategy with regards to anime licensing and cross-promotion, possible shifts in anime licensing prices, and the fut...
How True Is the Trickle Down Effect in Anime?
Disney's Gaku Narita claimed in a recent interview that “It's not just the select few who are getting rich; the artists on the ground are starting to make decent money,” but the truth is much more complicated.
― Anime is bringing in more revenue than ever, even through COVID times, but to what extent is the workforce at large feeling the trickle down effect? Gaku Narita, executive director of origina...
Crunchyroll's Move Back to In-Person Dub Recording Sparks Union Discussion
ANN confirmed with multiple industry sources familiar with Crunchyroll's dubbing procedure that the company is focusing on casting Texas-based talent in its dubs. This season's dub cast list has half as many actors outside the Lone Star State.
― In March, I wrote about a growing group of anime voice actors demanding more union productions in the anime dubbing industry. Since that article was publishe...
Manga's Growth In Popularity Is Here To Stay, Industry Leaders Predict
The momentum behind the likes of Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Demon Slayer continues to outpace domestic comics.
― It has been over two years since My Hero Academia landed a spot as the first manga to crack the top three in the New York Time's best-selling graphic books list. Since then, manga has continued holding its place among the top of the list – with My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and ...
The Battle for Union Anime Dubs
The Crunchyroll merger has created the largest and most powerful anime company outside of Japan. Yet, pay rates for dubbing are among the lowest in the acting business, and the problem is even worse in anime.
― Crunchyroll and FUNimation are competitors no longer. Now merged into a single company under their parent company Sony, this new incarnation of Crunchyroll is the largest and most powerful ani...
Maid Cafés Aren't Just For Male Otaku Anymore
The maid cafés of Akihabara need no introduction. Yet unbeknownst to many, maid café culture has been undergoing a sea change in the recent COVID years. Kim Morrissy visited two cafés to see how the iconic establishments are adapting.
― For anyone with a keen interest in anime subculture, the maid cafés of Akihabara need no introduction. Despite their ubiquity in anime, however, they feel representat...
What We Know About the Funimation-Crunchyroll Merger
Crunchyroll brand will takeover home video releases, company is working on streamlining sub, dub options
― With Funimation's anime content heading to Crunchyroll, fans have raised many questions about how the transition will be handled from a consumer perspective. After speaking with representatives of Crunchyroll and Funimation, here is everything we know right now: Which Funimation titles will be ...
What Is Happening In the Anime Industry in 2020-2021? An Analysis of The Animation Industry Report 2021
The global anime market, which was enjoying record-breaking growth for the past decade, contracted for the first time in 11 years. Acclaimed anime industry journalist Tadashi Sudo gives his full analysis.
― The Anime Market Shrinks For the First Time in 11 Years On November 4, the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) released its annual “Animation Industry Report,” which details the latest inform...
In a Struggling Anime Workplace, “Cool Japan” Feels Like a Joke
On paper, the Japanese anime industry may be seeing impressive growth in the short and medium term, but its continued success is far from certain, especially as the chronic labor problems remain unaddressed.
― More than ever before, Japanese pop culture is “cool.” Anime has made its way to Hollywood, video games were shown off at the Olympics, and celebrities across the world have been loud and proud...
How Anime Dubs Were Made During COVID
Abhi from The Cartoon Cipher walks us through how simuldubbing adjusted during the pandemic and the positives and negatives of this new work-from-home approach.
― Like everything else, anime was undeniably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including anime voice actors. There were delays, hiatuses, plus the introduction of remote work and recording voice acting from home on a large scale for the sak...
How Much Does It Cost to License Anime Series?
ANN CEO Chris Macdonald spoke with multiple industry experts to get you the figures on how much it really costs to bring anime stateside.
― Hint: it's not cheap Recently there's been some discussion about how much it costs to license an anime series, especially in the wake of the recent AnimeTube Kickstarter campaign. There are many factors that impact the cost of the license, including, but not limi...
'I Have Some Horror Stories': Animator Talks Industry's Problems, Hopes for the Future
According to former Science SARU animator Joan Chung, the studio's positive work environment was tainted by the anime industry's chronic problems.
― Overwork and overproduction – these are some of the main problems currently facing the anime industry. Animator wages remain low even as the demand for anime climbs and mega corporations become steadily more involved on the financing side. Under these ci...
Crunchyroll Originals Have Been A Disaster
Callum May evaluates the streaming services attempts at original content and Crunchyroll's questionable lack of clarity about its own projects, including its seemingly shuttered Tokyo studio.
― It's difficult to sum up exactly what a “Crunchyroll Original” series is. If you ask Alden Budill, head of global partnerships and content strategy, she'll tell you that “a CR Original is a piece of content th...
Imitations, Fakes and Piracy in Manga and Anime
LUDiMUS COO Takumi Furusato details the history of piracy in Japan from the 1950s on and how the government continues to combat leaks, fakes, and knock-offs.
― 150 million copies; 39.6 billion yen (US$364.67 million) of box office sales; 28.7 million viewers. The numbers above are all related to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Since the manga debuted on Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2016, this dark ...
Why Seven Seas Altered Its Light Novels
The recent discoveries of omitted paragraphs and rewrites in Seven Seas' light novel releases reignites censorship fears in the fandom community. What led to the changes and why was the negative reaction so strong?
― Back in January, light novel fans on Reddit pointed out something disquieting about Seven Seas Entertainment's English version of Classroom of the Elite volume 7: Entire paragraphs from ...
Derivative Content and Property Rights: How Does Fanfiction Work in the Anime and Manga Industry?
The rapid growth of the doujin market and its popularity is bringing controversy to its continued existence. LUDiMUS' Takumi Furusato discusses the changing landscape for fan works in Japan.
― The last year has been a nightmare for Japanese doujin (fanfiction) creators. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 is remembered as the first year in the last 45 to not have a Comiket event. In addition, a nu...
How Black Creatives Are Influencing The Anime Fandom
One of the most delightful aspects of fandom is how it brings so many diverse people together to celebrate one thing. Dennis Banda interviews creators like Adorned by Chi's Jacque Aye to find out how the Blerd community is transforming fandom.
― One of the most delightful aspects of fandom is how it brings so many diverse people together to celebrate one thing. In this atmosphere of diversity, it is...
Hunting for Anime Fandom in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican native Jean-Karlo Lemus discusses the flourishing fandom on the island despite hurdles of availability and a slice of the series that thrived on local TV.
― Even though Puerto Rico is a U.S. colony, anime consumption on the island was for a very long time
fairly unrecognizable to anime fans in the United States. The island lies in a very convenient
geographical position, putting us betwe...
How Is Voice Recording in Japan Adapting to COVID-19?
We interviewed Seiichi Nakayama, head of sound engineers at the production company G-angle, to gain some insight into the voice recording process post-COVID.
― For the past few months, we've been hearing about one delay after another in the entertainment world. There's no doubt at this point that the pandemic has affected production and voice recording, among other processes integral to the creation ...
How Many Black Guests Are There at Anime Conventions?
Evan Minto takes a look at the data to see how many Black guests are invited to North America's biggest conventions — and the numbers could be much better.
― A few weeks ago, amid the global Black Lives Matter movement against racism and police brutality, this screenshot made the rounds on social media: Tweet from Professional Bald Nerd @Proz, posted on June 4, 2020. Tweet 1: We got tagged asking why...
Sharing A House With The Never-Ending Man: 15 Years At Studio Ghibli
Ghibli alum Steve Alpert isn't a spy, but interesting people, fine dining and high-level secrets figure heavily in his book as he reveals the world behind marketing Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and more.
― Stephen Alpert (by-lined as Steve Alpert here) used to be a man of mystery, the Westerner at the fabled Studio Ghibli. Alpert even played a man of mystery in Ghibli's The Wind Rises, voicing t...
Amplifying Black Voice Actors in Anime
It's time to spotlight some of the Black voices behind your favorite characters. You know Jet Black, Hawks, Chise, Char Aznable, and Boruto, now get to know the VAs bringing them to life.
― The art of localization is one that often goes underappreciated, and a lot of the talent behind it tends to go unnoticed. Anime dubbing is unfortunately, no real exception. While dubs themselves have a much better...
The List - 5 Korean Animation Companies Anime Fans Should Know
Callum May and Jacki Jing are leaving Japan this week to take an inside look at some of the most notable animation studios in Korea!
― When we think of the creators of anime, we often think of people all crowded together within a singular animation studio. But that's ignoring the work done by all of the other animation teams around the world who can get the show done. Most animation created in South...
CygamesPictures Company Director Nobuhiro Takenaka
CygamesPictures is the new anime studio on the block but the company's director Nobuhiro Takenaka has big dreams for the mobage company spin-off.
― While you may not have heard of CygamesPictures, you've certainly heard of Cygames, the mobile game developer that has expanded into anime, manga, music, and so much more. The anime branch of the company, CygamesPictures, was established as a way of creat...
The Pokémon: Twilight Wings English Release Should Credit the Staff
Kim Morrissy explains the importance of giving credit where it's due; an animator's career could depend on it.
― The web mini-series Pokémon: Twilight Wings directed by Shingo Yamashita at Studio Colorido is an incredible piece of work. Every episode so far tells a heartfelt and beautifully animated story about people and their bonds with Pokémon. The soft, gentle directing style and the nuanced char...
How Deeply Is COVID-19 Impacting Anime Production?
The COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching effects to businesses around the world. Evan Minto looks at how the illness has struck the anime industry.
― Unless you've been living under a rock (and maybe even if you have been) you've probably heard a thing or two about COVID-19, the pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus that's quite literally sweeping the globe. The flu-like virus has already caused...
The Incredible Artists of Kyoto Animation: Part 2
Anime News Network continues its look back at the lives lost in the tragic Kyoto Animation arson and the art that the creators left behind.
―
How do you write a responsible obituary for a tragedy of this magnitude? The attack on Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 was unlike anything the country had seen since World War II. It was a place overflowing with love that was imbued in each of the studio's works an...
Anime News Network's Top Headlines of 2019
Vic Mignogna court case, KyoAni arson, Demon Slayer among most viewed
― The business of anime continues to be huge and 2019 was no exception. Anime News Network's team published over 6,000 articles this year whether it was about new anime licenses, the latest trailers, or up-to-the-minute coverage of industry's highs and lows. What headlines best represent what fans were wanted to know in 2019? Pleas...
Answerman - What Does An Anime Producer Do?
For all the work they do to get a project off the ground, it's about time producers got their dues. Justin breaks down the grueling work of an anime producer.
― Mikosh asked:
I noticed that anime have different kinds of producers listed in their credits, like executive producers, producers, animation producers, etc. So what is the job of each one of them and in what way each producer impacts the pro...
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...
Answerman - How Do Japanese Guests Get Invited To Conventions?
Justin breaks down the many hoops event staff have to jump through to get your favorite artist stateside.
― Joey asked:
Anime fans in America tend to complain that there are not enough Japanese guests being invited to conventions. I understand that it is very costly to bring Japanese guests to American conventions, so I was wondering what other barriers are considered before a convention can decide ...
Answerman - What Will Happen To Kyoto Animation?
After such a senseless catastrophe, what will become of the beloved studio and what can fans do to help?
― Safedork asked:
I have a lot of questions after the tragedy that befell Kyoto Animation. What's going to happen to the studio? Will they be able to pull through this? What about the projects they were working on? Is there anything that I can do to help? The Kyoto Animation incident is, simply, ...
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 ...
Answerman - How Much Control Do Manga Artists Have Over Hollywood Adaptations?
The former Dragonball manga editor revealed how much it costs to be a Hollywood heavyweight, but what about the comic's creator? Justin revisits Dragonball: Evolution to find the answer.
― Skerlly asked:
With Kazuhiko Torishima stating how much money he'd have to pay to supervise the movie Dragonball: Evolution, and the infamy that's attributed to how Hollywood film adaptations of anime/manga fail t...
ANNCast - Bursting the Bubble with Lance Heiskell
Industry veteran and former Funimation Director of Marketing Lance Heiskell takes a magical and occasionally terrifying journey through his storied career during the American anime DVD bubble of the mid-2000s. Strap in!
― ANNCast 349 - Bursting the Bubble with Lance Heiskell Industry veteran and former Funimation Director of Marketing Lance Heiskell takes a magical and occasionally terrifying journe...
Answerman - Why Did Funimation Partner With China's bilibili?
Funimation and Chinese streaming giant bilibili recently announced an anime licensing partnership - what does that mean for both companies, and the industry? Justin has a few ideas.
― Jacob asked:
In the last week Funimation just announce a partnership with the Chinese streaming platform bilibili. This has had a lot of anime fans wonder why they would do this? In the last few years Funimation was so...
Answerman - Why Don't Netflix Anime Get Home Video Releases?
Why can't we get Netflix anime like Devilman Crybaby or Aggretsuko on bluray in the West? Justin breaks down some of the reasons why.
― DarkShadow asked:
So, several folks in anime circles are complaining that whenever Netflix gets an anime exclusive (i.e. Little Witch Academia TV series), that anime title is effectively condemned to not be released on home video, like it will never be released on h...
Interview: Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us Character Designer Shizue Kaneko
Get an in-depth education on the crucial art of character design from key animator and veteran designer Shizue Kaneko, the artist behind the designs of Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us!
― It'd be difficult to overstate the importance of a great character designer on any anime. Not only are they responsible for creating the aesthetic and style of the characters themselves, but it's also their job to...
Answerman - Why Would Crunchyroll Partner With Adult Swim?
Justin weighs the benefits of a partnership between anime streaming giant Crunchyroll and cable TV's venerable Adult Swim, which are now both owned by the same company.
― Jacob asked:
It was recently announced that Crunchyroll and the Cartoon Network anime block Toonami were forming a partnership. For me I have a hard time understanding why they would do this. For years Crunchyroll has been one of t...
Answerman - What Do Actor's Unions Actually Do?
What's the difference between a "union dub" and a "non-union dub" and why does it matter? Justin digs in to the details.
― Anonymous asked:
This might come across as a naive question but what does it mean when a role is 'non-union' and why are so many anime roles non-union? For clarity I am a trade union rep myself but for an office job in the UK and I have an idea of what SAG, Equity and the other ...
Answerman - How Important Are Dub Voice Actors To American Anime Publishers?
Just how much power, influence and control do English dub voice actors have at the companies they do contract work for? Justin gets into the details.
― Anonymous asked:
There's been a lot of controversy about a handful of voice actors behaving badly at conventions lately. But one argument that I see coming up a lot is that it might be a coordinated attempt by other anime companies to smear their com...
Answerman - Is Netflix Good For Anime?
Funimation president Gen Fukunaga had some choice words for the way he thinks Netflix will handle Evangelion - does he have a point? Justin considers the possibilities.
― Kasra asked:
Funimation's president Gen Fukunaga got very salty about Netflix getting Evangelion. It seems like to him and some of fans that Netflix will not do the series justice. But it should be celebrated since well eva is back...
Answerman - Why Did Crunchyroll and Funimation Divorce?
Crunchyroll and Funimation's short-lived romance is over - but why? Justin has a few angles on what happened, and what might happen next.
― Jonathon asked:
Funimation ended the partnership with Crunchyroll recently, and a bunch of their shows are getting pulled off of VRV, which sucks. Why did this happen? What will happen to the two companies? Should I be concerned that one of them is going to go a...
Anime News Network's Interview Avalanche
We've had a real busy summer interviewing over 30 unbelievably talented artists, directors, screenwriters, musicians, animators and more both in Japan and across conventions in America - here's a handy guide to more than 30 of them!
― It's been a long summer, and an exceptionally busy one for our editorial team, who spent the last few months interviewing dozens of creatives from across the anime indu...
Answerman - Could Patreon Be "Better For The Industry" Than Crunchyroll?
A recent video from anime youtuber Digibro suggested that Patreon would be a better funding solution for the anime industry than Crunchyroll - is that idea even viable? Justin considers the angles.
― Kasra asked:
Youtuber digibro has been against crunchyroll saying how it a garbage product. Their is so many bad anime they license(he also hates Netflixs)and their video still uses flash video which it...
Answerman - Are Dub Crew Members Taking Over Voice Actors' Jobs?
Oftentimes in the credits of an English dub, you'll see the same name in a couple different slots - maybe director, producer, and also the lead actor. Is the crew invading the booth? Justin explains.
― Tess asked:
Looking at the dub credits on various anime, I noticed that a voice actor (who is often a lead) may also be credited as a producer. Because they're a producer on a series' (or an episode's...
Answerman - Why Are Big Hollywood Studios Buying Anime Distributors?
The entire entertainment industry is a swirling mass of mega-mergers and anime seems caught right in the middle of it. Justin discusses the current climate, how we got here, and what we might expect to see next.
― Anonymous asked:
I just read that Crunchyroll's parent company, Otter Media, was officially bought 100% by AT&T, who says they plan to integrate it into Warner Media (which is Warner Broth...
Interview: Shinji Higuchi, Chief Director of Dragon Pilot
The internationally-known director of Shin Godzilla gets delightfully candid about the process of making Dragon Pilot: Hisone & Masotan, a creative collaboration with renowned screenwriter Mari Okada, due on Netflix this fall.
― Shinji Higuchi has been in and around the anime industry for a while. He's an old friend of Hideaki Anno and the others at Studio Gainax, and participated as a storyboard art...
Interview: Studio Eallin Japan and Director Kenji Kawasaki
One of Japan's burgeoning short-project anime directors discusses his process and the growing trend of 3D with interviewer Callum May.
― Although the anime industry is open to new forms of creativity, there's always space for creative animation outside of a TV series. Eallin Japan is one such company that offers avenues for creative animated projects within advertisements, music videos and short film...
Answerman - How Well Paid Are Dub Voice Actors?
It's a pretty simple question with a somewhat complex answer: how much do anime dub voice actors typically make for their services? Justin gets into it.
― Patricia asked:
I've often wondered just how well paid voice actors are, are they contracted to any particular company or are they basically self employed? Is it a bit of both? Do they have managers or work for talent agencies who get them new pro...
"Helping the Industry": Otaku Coin, The Flying Colors Foundation & You
A bunch of different fundraising projects have popped up lately claiming to help fans "help the industry". Callum May discusses the problems with some of these projects, and how you can protect yourself while actually helping working-class animators.
― Not too long ago, the options for supporting the anime industry were not nearly as numerous as they are today. For fans outside of Japan, it was simpl...
Answerman - Why Do Credits Only Sometimes Get Translated?
How exactly do anime companies go about deciding how to translate anime credits into English? How come you almost never see English credits in an anime OP? Justin gets into it.
― Jayke asked:
I love it when publishers translate anime credits and put them into the OPs and EDs in English. Funimation used to do this with like every release (although they've faltered on this a bit as of late), and other...
Answerman - Why Is Some Merchandise So Hard To Find?
"Limited Edition" figures and books and blurays sure do dry up quick, and once they're gone, they're gone forever. So why don't they print more? Justin gets into it.
― Chad asked:
Recently some anime merchandise is more difficult to purchase outside Japan, whether for old anime or new. I've purchased collectable figures for years, but some figures now go on sale for less than the day of release or t...
Excerpt: Mari Okada's 'From Truant to Anime Screenwriter'
Curious what it's like to write anime for a living? Read a fascinating chapter from the biography of Mari Okada, the anime screenwriter behind Anohana and Anthem of the Heart.
― Earlier this week, we published our exclusive interview with anime screenwriter Mari Okada, the voice behind Anohana, Anthem of the Heart and a small mountain of instantly-recognizable works. 2018 is really shaping up to be O...
Interview: Legendary Anime Screenwriter Mari Okada
The voice behind Anohana and Anthem of the Heart is having a spectacular year, with both her autobiography and her directorial debut seeing international release this year. Kim Morrissy goes in-depth in our exclusive interview.
― If you're an anime fan, you've probably watched an anime Mari Okada has worked on at some point. Most famous for her anime-original works Anohana and The Anthem of the Heart...
Answerman - What "Editing" Needs To Be Done To Anime For US Release?
Justin digs in to what "video post-production" means when it comes to anime - how we handle the masters Japan sends for home video production.
― Craig asked:
Just finished watching the third Berserk film, The Advent and in the credits I saw your name for Video post production. What exactly do you do in terms of post production(clean up, video/audio compression, restoration?)? Do all companies who re...
Answerman - Why Aren't More Original Anime Made?
There's an avalanche of anime these days, but a huge percentage of it is adapted from a manga, light novel or video game - why isn't there more original work? Justin considers the angles.
― rajkovic asked:
Why do so many anime studios in Japan produce anime based on a light novel, game or manga series but rarely create an original anime? Is it simply less time-consuming and less expensive to make an...
Answerman - What Software Is Used In Anime Production?
What software do they actually use to MAKE anime? Justin runs down the list.
― Isamu asked:
What programs do anime studios use nowadays for animating anime? I know Photoshop and after effects have something to do with it, but are there others like ToonBoom or SAI involved? Anime like Fate/Zero and Kill la Kill are so wonderfully animated, I'm curious. Even Pokémon has improved in animation. Now, thi...
Answerman - Why Do Streaming Sites Block VPNs?
Ever try to visit Crunchyroll or another streaming service with your VPN on, only to be turned away by a message telling you to come back when you've got direct access? Why do they do that? Justin has a few answers.
― Jerry asked:
Crunchyroll in late March, 2018 apparently decided to black-hole the entire network - that is, the entire ASN - of cloud service provider DigitalOcean, where I run a perso...
Answerman - Is It A Big Deal When A Voice Actor Changes Agencies?
You hear about voice actors changing agents every now and then in the news - but how big a deal is it really when an actor decides to change their representation? Justin gets into it.
― Rajkovic asked:
Is it big deal when a famous voice actor/actress decides to change agencies when the contract for their current agency expires? Is it difficult for voice actors to work as freelance instead of being s...
Haoliners, Anime, and the Future of Chinese Animation
An in-depth behind-the-scenes look at Haoliners, the Chinese animation house that has aggressively entered the television anime market with some success, some failure, and a lot of ambition.
― It is often said that China has a huge impact on the Japanese anime industry. Although the Chinese government has had a habit of restricting access to anime titles even in recent years, the anime market in Chin...
ANNCast - Scotland Loves Anime
Andrew Partridge , founder of Europe's Anime Limited and the Scotland Loves Anime film festival drops by to share his history and insight into the world of European anime distribution.
― ANNCast Episode 324 - Scotland Loves Anime Andrew Partridge, founder of Europe's Anime Limited and the Scotland Loves Anime film festival drops by to share his history and insight into the world of European anime di...
Answerman - Is It Intimidating For Japanese Guests To Visit American Conventions?
Dozens of Japanese creatives visit American conventions every year - how much culture shock is really involved? Justin considers the angles.
― Frubam asked:
When these Japanese anime voice actors[actresses] come to an US anime convention, do they take a translator with them? I'd imagine it'd be pretty scary coming to a country you've (probably) never been before, without even knowing how to speak th...
Answerman - Why Don't Dubs Cast Real Kids?
In Japanese, shows like Barakamon typically cast an actual child actor as the child character in the show - but in the English dub, this is almost never the case. Why is that? Justin gets into it.
― Marc asked:
In anime, it doesn't seem to be at all unusual for small children's rolls to be voiced by actual small children (“Barakamon”, “Sweetness and Lightning” and the currently airing “School Babysi...
Answerman - How Do Blu-Ray Subtitles Work?
They seem a lot more complex than regular DVD subtitles - how exactly do they get subtitles on bluray discs? Justin has the shockingly complex answer.
― John asked:
What are the technical differences between creating subtitles for DVDs and Blu-ry Discs? And were HD-DVDs any better or worse? Subtitles are a pain in the ass. No other part of making a DVD or Blu-ray is as complicated, error-prone, or a...
Interview: Bryce Papenbrook, David Vincent Chat Unlocked
Attack on Titan's Bryce Papenbrook and Kill la Kill's David Vincent sit down for a chat about their new approach to connecting fans and voice actors.
― Fans may recognize veteran voice actors Bryce Papenbrook (Attack on Titan, Sword Art Online) and David Vincent (Fate/Zero, Kill La Kill) from their work in a number of anime and video game series, but the two have a unique off-screen collaboration, as...
Answerman - Are Streaming Revenues Improving The Lives Of Animators?
Wow! Hundreds of millions of dollars are flowing into the anime industry thanks to streaming! Is any of that money going to the people who actually make anime? Justin gets into it.
― Custom Gundam asked:
With ANN recently reporting that Crunchyroll royalties to the Japanese industry exceed US $100 million and also the huge amount recieved from global companies like Netflix and Amazon and also the va...
Answerman - Why Do Discs Use Different Audio Formats?
Sentai Filmworks blurays mostly use DTS-HD Master Audio, while Funimation usually goes with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 - but why isn't there a single audio standard across anime releases? Justin gets into it.
― Edward asked:
I have recently started to care about the audio of the anime I buy, and wish to know why the English/Japanese audio differentiates from one another and why there is no consistency in anim...
Answerman - Why Is Anime Still Region Locked?
Region locks feel like the most unnecessary thing in the world, from a consumer standpoint. So why do we still have them? Justin dives deep on this one.
― José asked:
Regional lockout has always rustled my jimmies. Living in Western Europe, I am able to import Japanese DVDs (since oddly, our regions were the same) but ever since Blu-Ray came out, importing effectively became cordoned-off to me (Amer...
Interview: Yuichi Terao, Chief of Ufotable's Digital Team
Learn how ufotable's stellar digital team blended 2D and 3D to create some of the most spectacular fights in anime history in Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel!
― If you ask “What makes Ufotable anime so unique?”, any anime fan or creator will likely point towards their digital compositing. Ufotable productions blend 3D backgrounds, elaborate VFX and 2D animation to create exciting scenes that impress f...
Answerman - Did The Fans Kill Anime Strike?
Amazon's Anime Strike is no more. What's the likely culprit behind its demise, and what does this mean for the industry? Justin has a few angles.
― Jimmy asked:
I and pretty much every other anime fan out there am over the moon that everyone hated Anime Strike enough that Amazon finally gave up and all the stuff on there is now open to anyone with Amazon Prime. This is probably good for the industry...
ANNCast - Ecchi Sketches
Jacob Grady, FAKKU founder and freshly-minted owner of Kitty Media drops by ANNCast for another round of questions and answers about the business of ero (plus skateboards).
― ANNCast Episode 313 - Ecchi Sketches Jacob Grady, FAKKU founder and freshly-minted owner of Kitty Media drops by ANNCast for another round of questions and answers about the business of ero (plus skateboards). You can listen to...
Answerman - What Social Networks Are Used In Japan?
Fate/Grand Order prompts one reader to ask - which social media networks are most popular in Japan, and how does that compare to the west? Justin gets into it.
― Kimi asked:
I noticed that when the NA version of Fate/Grand Order was released, a lot of the fan engagement landmarks in game were on Facebook while they were originally for Twitter during the JP release of the game and it got me thinking ...
The Mike Toole Show - Stream Warriors
Mike straps in to the wayback machine for a tour of the earliest days of anime streaming, with services like Toonami Jetstream and something called "Joost".
― One day a few months back, I was wandering around Boston doing some shopping, and decided to hunt for used video games. I spied the anime shelf at the local CeX store, and made my way over, because first of all, I can't resist checking out the ...
Answerman - How Are Theaters For Theatrical Releases Decided?
Anime has been showing up in movie theaters across America more and more these days - but how is it decided which theaters it plays at? Justin digs in.
― Peter asked:
How do companies decide which cities these movies will play in? I've been fortunate enough that my city, Windsor, Ontario, has gotten screenings of a lot of anime so far, but I'm not sure why. There's nothing particularly noteworthy ab...
Answerman - Why Do Japanese-Owned Publishers Still Have To Pay For Licenses?
Kodansha USA has to pay Kodansha licensing fees for the manga it releases in the US. What? Why? Justin explains it.
― Mason asked:
There's something that I've been curious about for a while. Why do manga companies, like Kodansha USA or Viz, still have to pay licensing fees to companies like Kodansha or Shueisha when they're pretty much owned by them already; they pretty much ARE them. It seems count...
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