#3: Anime and Manga Publishing Woes

2008 has been a rough year for anime and manga publishers. Several companies have not survived the evolution of the industry, while others are casualties of the struggling economy. Here are a few bit hits publishers (and fans) took in 2008:

The Late, Great Newtype USA

Newtype USA Ceases Publication; PiQ To Take It’s Place

“Also earlier this month, ADV contacted retailers to let them know that Newtype USA would be ceasing publication after the February issue.” Continue reading our original article

After Newtype USA was cancelled, their ‘replacement’ magazine ‘PiQ’ was launched. Here’s a quote of the original press release:

PiQ Magazine

“PiQ Magazine, a publication of PiQ, LLC, is devoted to anime and genre entertainment and bringing the best coverage to readers every month, including product reviews, feature stories and interviews with creators and entertainers, as well as columns by industry experts, examinations of fan culture and insider perspectives and opinions.” – PiQ Magazine Press Release

Soon after it’s launch, PiQ Magazine was canceled:

PiQ, the Magazine Formerly Known As NEWTYPE USA Is No More

“PiQ Magazine, which was the ‘next evolution‘ of NewType USA after they ceased publication is ceasing publication with issue #4.” Continue reading our original article

I’m not too sure what happened there, but there are many, many thoughts on PiQ.

After so much turmoil in the magazine publishing industry, fans were hoping there would be better news. There was none to be found:

State of the Anime Industry in the US

“Recently there has been unrest in the US anime industry. Why is this? Not surprisingly, one big reason is money.” Continue reading our original article.

Here’s another look at trouble at ADV Films from earlier in the year.

Well actually, I guess the industry was all out of good news, ’cause Tokyopop ended up handing out layoff notices too:

Tokyopop Splits in Two

“In early June, Tokyopop announced that they would be restructuring their company. Publishing operations would still be handled by Tokyopop, Inc. However, a new company called Tokyopop Media LLC would be created. This company will take over the comics-to-film and digital units (including the Tokyopop.com website).” Continue reading our original article

UPDATE: There’s also an update regarding layoffs at Tokyopop.

Ok, the restructuring of Tokyopop, the largest manga company in North America was bad news in many ways (fewer titles, fired artists and internal layoffs). But at least stronger manga series will survive, right? Well, time will tell. I think it’s time to run away from the publishing industry and see how the film industry is doing, shall we?

#2: Speed Racer Live Action Tanked At Box Office; Dragonball Live Action Pushed Back

Ouch. Even Hollywood got bad news in 2008. Anime had a rough time in the film industry this year. Speed Racer had a disastrous box office and Dragonball got pushed back into 2009. Let’s reflect back on the two big live action anime films that made the news:

Live Action Speed Racer

Speed Racer Live Action Tanked At Box Office

Although we didn’t cover Speed Racer’s tanking…the film had a buget of $120,000,000 (120 million dollars) and big-name directors (of The Matrix) at the helm. It had a multi-million-dollar marketing blitz. It made $44,000,000 (44 million dollars) at the box office, which is literally considered a disaster in Hollywood.

Rachel wrote an outstanding review of the film, which was very positive. Here’s an excerpt:

“The visuals aren’t just a homage to anime, though, they are anime. The beautiful people and creative character designs populating Speed Racer are what make anime so appealing and unique.

But you don’t have to be an anime fan to appreciate a movie this engaging and fun. It’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement of a race, or a fight with ninjas and colorful villains. The theater audience was cheering as Speed flew down the impossible race tracks- everyone was in on the action. The pervading bubblegum feel of the movie didn’t feel childish, however, just fun. Adult fun. Fun like we imagined adulthood would be like but never was. Fun with an edge, sexy fun but not too naughty.” Continue reading Rachel’s Speed Racer review

Why didn’t audiences go to see Speed Racer in theaters? We’re left scratching our heads, because it was a great example of how anime can be adapted for live action.

Dragonball Evolution

Dragonball Live Action Delayed

As for the Dragonball live action film…reports have been all over the place. There have been reshoots, pulled trailers and delays from it’s original August 15, 2008 release to April 3, 2009. Oh, and it’s now called ‘Dragonball: Evolutions‘. If you care, there’s more info at the official Japanese Dragonball: Evolutions website and dbthemovie.com.

So depending on your viewpoint, the Dragonball delay news could be a good thing because it either A) delays it’s enevitable release or B) gives them time to improve it.

Ok, I’m going to sweep away all of the bad news that 2008 brought to the anime and manga fans and the industry. Let’s look to the internet for hope!

#1: Digital Distribution & Legal Anime Downloads

2008 was the year that anime began to blossom online. Thanks to sites like Hulu, Crunchyroll, iTunes (and YouTube) finally playing well with Funimation, Viz and others…we’re seeing the release windows shrink between Japan and North America (and the world!). Let’s talk about the key video players who helped ’save’ anime in 2008:

Digital Distribution of Anime in 2008

Watch Anime On Hulu

Hulu is one of the best places to watch television online. Their anime section is continually growing, so keep an eye out for new show announcements. Current titles include Slayers, Peach Girl, Shuffle!, Black Blood Brothers, Mushi-Shi and XXXHOLiC. You can check out Funimation’s Anime Series on Hulu or visit the Hulu Anime Directory.

Anime Channels On YouTube

Youtube has only recently begun to add official shows to their site, but there are quite a few to choose from. Current shows include Funimation Anime at YouTube.com and Kadokawa Anime at YouTube.com.

Joost Anime

Joost competes with Hulu for viewers, so expect to see shows you wouldn’t find there like Viz Media Anime at Joost.

Digital Downloads

Digital downloads are different than streaming anime because you can purchase individual episodes and series that you then download to your computer. CrunchyRoll went through some major changes in 2008, which will probably grow exponentially in 2009:

CrunchyRoll Anime Shows

CrunchyRoll features lots of anime series and has a unique pricing model. Check out what CrunchyRoll’s Anime Shows have to offer.

Apple iTunes Store

The iTunes Store has a lot of great content, unfortunately it’s a little difficult to navigate directly to their anime titles. Here are a few links that open to various sections of the store that have anime (all links open in iTunes):

• Funimation Series on iTunes
• iTunes Anime Search
• iTunes Animation Category

NetFlix

Netflix has the most complete anime dvd rental library. They also feature lots and lots of streaming titles through their ‘Watch Now’ feature. They’re also Mac and television set-top friendly. Check out their NetFlix WatchNow Anime Series and Films.

In Conclusion

2008 brought a lot of tough changes to the anime and manga industry. With massive changes to well-established companies, it might look like ‘doom and gloom’ for us fans at first. But look at the bright side: legal digital distribution NEEDED full support from the industry, and that is beginning to happen. Let’s hope 2009 has more positive things to talk about this time next year!

Thank you loyal (and new) readers for traveling with us at The Anime Blog on this crazy anime journey during 2008. Have a safe and happy new year!

The topic for last year’s Blog Action Day was the environment. We talked about Japan’s Cool Biz Initive, which “aims to reduce Japan’s emissions of greenhouse gases”.

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Japan is dedicated to achieving the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, which includes the eradication of extreme poverty. They’re also a member of the G8 Summit, a group of eight nations.

This year’s summit took place in Japan, where one of the major discussions was about how rising food prices (worldwide) are creating additional hardships on the poor. There’s also a great organization called Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) which is “the world’s largest civil society movement calling for an end to poverty and inequality”.

Japan and the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

At the Millennium Summit in 2000, world leaders committed themselves to the achievement of 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Countries agreed to work towards the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, the elimination of gender inequalities, the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, protection of our environment, and the provision of education, healthcare and clean water…Continue reading at endpoverty2015.org

GCAP Korea representative hands over Tanabata wishes to Japanese PM

G8 Summit 2008 in Japan

The G8 Summit is a conference where eight of the world’s heads of government meet to discuss world issues. Participating countries include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

There were a variety of topics discussed during this year’s summit, which was held on July 7-9, 2008 on the northern island of Hokkaid?, Japan. Regarding poverty, the rising cost of food worldwide was discussed:

“With regard to rising food prices, the leaders shared the view that they should come out with a coordinated and coherent action to address this issue, which was severely damaging the poor. They agreed that aid and investment in the agricultural sector, as well as domestic measures to boost output, should be promoted.”

“In the context of development, it was emphasized that support for smallholders should be prioritized. Furthermore, the leaders discussed the removal of export restrictions, the sustainable production and use of biofuels, and the need to address the influence of speculative capital”…Continue reading at g8summit.go.jp/eng/

Although the main topic of the G8 Summit ended up being the economy, I think we can all agree that in addition to affecting the wealthy, it will have a lasting impact on the poor.

Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)

GCAP is the world’s largest civil society movement calling for an end to poverty and inequality. They’re involved in helping impoverished people throughout the world, including Japan.

For this year’s G8 Summit in Japan, the GCAP G8 Working Group developed a new online action to share with all GCAP national coalitions and supporting organisation’s websites. The action is called Action Now – End Poverty and Inequality and asks people to choose a message on Aid, HIV/AIDS, Climate Change and Education. The messages were sent to the leaders at the G8 Summit and will be sent to other meetings throughout the year.

Reducing world poverty is a difficult challenge, but the dedicated work of these organizations and others could have a positive impact on the situation. If you’d like to learn more about organizations dedicated to ending poverty, here are some additional places for information:

• Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
• http://www.whiteband.org/Action/take-action/gcap-mobilisation-2008/g8-japan-2008
• http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/summit/index.html

Write a comment if you have ideas about reducing poverty in Japan (and worldwide)! Also, feel free to post links (there’s a two link limit for each comment) to other organizations that are working hard to reduce poverty.

Otaku is one of those words which can either raise the hackles of an anime fan or whip them into a frenzy of appreciation. It’s a divisive word, one which some people use derogatorily while others happily declare themselves such. Some people wear the word like a badge of honor, while others are unfairly labeled with it and still others fill the stereotype of otaku and may not even know it.

My perspective on otaku has changed over the years, and I’ve re-evaluated just what it is that makes an otaku an otaku. To me what makes an otaku who he/she is, is an asocial and obsessive personality. I also strongly feel the term otaku has been unfairly overused in describing fans of anime who really like the medium. Just because a fan of anime decks out their room in merchandise, doesn’t mean they’ve crossed the line into otakudom. Fandoms through the ages have always had their fair share of strange fans, and otaku are just the next wave. In my mind otaku-ism should be weighed on an in depth case by case analysis, if at all.

The below definitions aren’t my definitions of an otaku, but they are some of the perceived characteristics of what is known as the quintessential hardcore anime fan.

The Stereotypical Otaku is a person who’s:

• asocial
• unhygienic
• obnoxious
• obsessive
• unrealistic

The American Otaku may also:

• Have an unhealthy obsession with Japanese culture.
• Identify closely with anime and manga characters.
• Speak broken Japanese in everyday life.
• Talk about nothing but anime and manga.
• Have a skewed perspective on relationships and women.
• Only wear anime logo tees.
• Dress in cosplay outside of conventions.
• Learn martial arts.

However, my definitions of the word, and the persona, are much more individualized.

In the Beginning

There was a time when I was first getting into the fandom that I thought anybody who called themselves otaku was someone who was out of touch with reality. Who would blatantly label themselves an anime fanatic so blithely? I also figured anyone who wore cat ears in public and randomly interjected Japanese words into an unrelated conversation was a moron.

But was I so bitter because I was projecting something I didn’t like about my relationship with the fandom onto these other people? In a word, yes. I was a grown woman getting acquainted with an animated art form and didn’t much expect that I would be accepted anymore in the company I kept, i.e. professionals who weren’t anime fans.

Unless people actually take the time to talk to a person, in depth, they don’t have the right to use the word otaku derisively

Times change, I completely accepted my anime fandom and have balanced my perspective of it and myself. Now, I can better look at the word otaku, those who call themselves otaku and those who supposedly fit the definition.

Asocial and Obsessive

Many times people think otaku are these strange brand of fan, who seldom bathe and who can’t read body language. Fans like these can also range in otaku-ness from being a shut-in living on the internet, to the more adjusted fan who can go out into the world and hold a job, yet nonetheless can’t adeptly interact with the rest of society. This is the stereotype.

Socializing is important in the world, so it’s a priority we know how to interact with people who aren’t like us or who we don’t like. This skill comes with age and experience. A lot of people labeled otaku are just young people who may not necessarily have developed their social skills. This isn’t otakudom, it’s life. That doesn’t mean that being asocial and maladjusted is a part of life, it could be just a stage,something we stutter through on our way to adulthood. Getting through that can be tough, but it needs to be done.

However, there are people for whom it isn’t a stage. It might be a part of their personality, or they might never have thought they needed to change and thus, have never made the effort. These are the type of people who think the world revolves around them. They’re always right, their opinion is the best and quite frankly, the world owes them.

As long as people know who they are, accept who they are and don’t try to morph into something they’re not and will never be, they’re not otaku. Not in my eyes.

These are the “scary” fans. The fans who’ll shout down any naysayers and torch a site that opposes their view on anime. They don’t realize that an opinion on an anime isn’t an opinion of them. This is what people think of when they think negatively about otaku- people who identify too closely with a piece of fiction and take things too personally.

Where’s the Line?

Being a fan of anime means getting to know all about the medium. Watching anime doesn’t automatically make someone an anime fan. Fans take the time to learn about the background of a series, the voice actors, the meaning of an anime, and most importantly, the culture which produced it. The more devoted the anime fan, the more they’ll look into the language, the food and the culture of Japan.

There will always be those people who take this journey into fandom a little too far. But where’s the line? Otaku are those people who are said to have crossed the line from lively interest into unhealthy obsession. Is it crossing the line to wear anime logo tees? To have an anime ringtone? To have anime posters and plushies all over the house? To only eat with chopsticks? To call your friends (insert name)-chan? To learn the language? When’s it too much of a good thing?

For me, the line is crossed into “otakudom” when there’s a profound disconnect and loss of identity. People can still have their plushie collection, learn the language, draw fanart, have their pet names among their anime friends and the like, and still be on the opposite side of otaku. As long as people know who they are, accept who they are and don’t try and morph into something they’re not and will never be, they’re not otaku. Not in my eyes.

Folks who can’t accept that they are Jim Smith living in Nebraska going to Average High School, are at risk for otakudom. Jim Smith is not in an anime, he’s not going to be dating a moe girl (because I believe they, like Tinkerbell, don’t exist), and he’s nowhere near being Japanese, but there’s nothing wrong with being Jim Smith who loves anime

Fanatics of any stripe can be described as having “social blinders”, in that they only see certain parts of society.

Otaku are those who don’t pick up on the clues and mores of society. This is disconnect. It occurs when there’s a lack of awareness of what’s going on all around us. We need know that what we say and do has an effect on the people in our lives. A lack of interaction with people not like us is one reason for the disconnect. Talking too loudly, ignoring body language, not taking care of one’s public appearance, are some of the characteristics of a person who’s out of synch with their surroundings- all of which are things otaku are ascribed to. It’s almost as if they’re wearing blinders.

Social Blinders

Fanatics of any stripe can be described as having “social blinders”, in that they only see certain parts of society. Whether this is by choice, from a chemical or emotional imbalance or lack of experience is highly individualized. And otaku are anime fanatics. They only see anime, moe girls, yaoi action, big breasted figurines, etc. They don’t see they’re making someone uncomfortable when they describe a hentai scene, they don’t notice when someone doesn’t want to talk about anime, they can’t get the hint that bathing improves their aroma, they don’t see that there’s something wrong with never leaving the house or they do and simply don’t care.

Not Just Anime

However, this describes any number of fanatics in any fandom. Before anime hit the States, there was Dungeons and Dragons and LARP-ing (live action role playing). Then of course there are the Sci-Fi/ Fantasy and Ren Faire fanatics, as well as the MORPG (massive online role play gamers). Not to mention the hardcore sports fanatics who can be just as loose with their grip in reality as any otaku.

These fandoms and anime all have one thing in common: projection and escapism. People who are prone to isolation, who don’t like to interact with a harsh judgmental world, will find it easier to relate to anime, science fiction, fantasy and gaming. It only becomes a problem when it becomes their sole interaction.

Overuse of Otaku

Nowadays, the term otaku is a mixed bag. Some American fans have embraced it as a positive, while others slap the term on anyone who gives off a creepy or annoying fan vibe.

Whenever I hear someone being called otaku based on their appearance, it’s usually negative, and I think of the unfairness in labeling someone for how they look. While I think a Naruto headband and cat ears are a poor fashion choice and I may snicker at the fashion faux pas, I don’t feel it’s my right to sit as judge and jury and condemn them to a negative stereotype because of it. Unless people actually take the time to talk to a person, in depth, they don’t have the right to use the word otaku derisively.

While there is much, much more that can be said about obsessive anime fans, to me otaku is just a synonym for someone who wears social blinders and has lost themselves to their hobby. This phenomena happens in any fandom, but we as anime fans are so protective of our fandom, we feel the need to distance ourselves from these people so as not to be guilty by association. Finger pointing and name calling will only go so far, however, and we need to accept that we as individuals are making a positive impact in our fandom, and stop concentrating on the few who are doing so negatively.

• Mei
• Elezend
• Death By Moe
• Calamitous Intent
• Hynavian World
• Hikikimori-chan
• Fujoshi Scribblings
• Simplicity
• Such a Small World this is…
• Gar Gar Stegosaurus

Please share your thoughts on otaku in the comments below!

Related Posts

Continue the discussion in Rachel’s post, What’s Your Definition of Fan Service?

What pops into your head when you think of fan service? Generally, fan service includes stuff like panty shots, bath scenes and all sorts of other stuff that’s seen throughout anime. Over the years, fan service has grown to include a variety of other things like ‘mech action’ and ‘catgirls’.

Which is why I think fan service has become an easy phrase to use as a dumping ground for things that some of us love and others hate. It could be considered almost anything. Do you like maids? They’re fan service. How about meganeko (girls with glasses) or gothic lolitas? Yep, fan service too. Bad guys with white/silver hair, characters with large eyes, teenage mech pilots and everyone else? They too are considered fan service.

Maybe it’s time to revise our definition of fan service. It’s become so ‘all encompassing’ that to me the word itself has become essentially meaningless. I think most things we call fan service are more of a cliché, like these:

• Shower/Bath House/Hot Spring Scenes
• Light Yuri/Yaoi Scenes
• Holiday Episodes (with Beach Scenes)
• Panty Shots
• Boob Shots (Jiggly, Cleavage, etc.)
• Old-School Combiner Mechs
• Girls with Guns
• Naked Transformations
• Boob Grabs
• Blue Crystals with Magic Powers
• Cameos
• Panty Shots
• Movie or series homages
• Catgirls
• Large, shiny eyes
• Moé characters
• Panty Shots
• Meganeko characters
• 15 year-old mech pilots
• And the list goes on…

Let’s look at a definition of Fan Service:

Fan Service (UrbanDictionary.com)

In general, fan service refers to scenes designed to excite or titillate the viewer. This can include scantily-clad outfits, cleavage shots, panty shots, nude scenes (shower scenes especially), etc. Some broader definitions also include things like cool mecha, big explosions, battle scenes, etc. Basically, if it has little plot-redeeming value, but makes the viewer sit up and take notice, it’s probably fan service in one form or another.

Contrast that with a definition of Gratuity:

Gratuitous (Dictionary.com)

Without apparent reason, cause, or justification

Now let’s read a definition of Cliché:

Cliché (Wikipedia.com)

A phrase, expression, or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its intended force or novelty, especially when at some time it was considered distinctively forceful or novel. The term is most likely to be used in a negative context.

Which one do you think sounds better Рfan service, clich̩ or gratuity? Personally, I think clich̩ works pretty well, but not for every instance. It might fit for things like naked transformations, but how do we classify others?

Anime fandom has been using ‘fan service’ for a long time and it’s going to be difficult to let go. But rest assured, your panty shots, jiggle factors and repeated magical transformations aren’t going away any time soon! Let’s continue the discussion in the comments section!

Additional Reading

For added enjoyment, I encourage you to check out some additional reading on anime fan service:

Anime Fan Service: A Double Standard? (www.basugasubakuhatsu.com) – While checking out some reviews on some of the new season’s anime, I noticed some conflicting opinions on fanservice. For those not in the know, fanservice generally refers to gratuitous scenes that are only there to please the (mostly male) fans. This includes shower scenes, panty shots, and, in entire episode form, the anime beach episode.

fanservice: (n) Service for the Fans (anime.miao.us) – The most braindead way, of course, is to introduce nakkidness, but it doesn’t mean that other ways do not exist. Take the long spewings of mecha for the hardcore fans such as all those money shots for Strike Freedom and Destiny. They struck a pose more often for Strike Freedom than for Meer (though, this probably explains that show’s general problem). Another example would be the SDF transformation sequence to Macross.

Anime Fan Service Gallery ( Anime-Fanservice.org) – A gallery of ‘fan service’ shots from different anime series. Caution: Nudity!

How to Identify Fanservice in Anime (www.ehow.com) – This is an easy-to-read guide on identifying anime fan service…if you believe in it, lol.

All you anime fans who feel the need to lord over other fans because of how they got started or because you feel your tastes are better and more refined than theirs: Screw You. No, Fuck You.

So what if someone saw a series you hold near and dear on Cartoon Network and now they just love it? Everyone needs to start somewhere. Aren’t you glad they like the same thing as you? Not everyone has a neat-o Japanese friend who is ultra modern and keeps them supplied and updated with the best anime (I doubt you do either). Is it one of those, “I liked it when I was the only one who knew about”? Do you want a fucking cookie and a ribbon saying “I’m Special”?

Be thankful that there are more fans creating a larger demand so you don’t have to drive 100 miles to get the new Hellsing manga or the new Yoko Kanno soundtrack. I should think you’d be grateful so many people are making the anime scene more accepted, appreciated and diverse.

If you think for a moment you’re better than everyone else for your elite-otaku-dom, please refer to the below chart and check yourself:

The Level of Public Acceptance of Anime

This chart shows the accepted levels of geekiness in America now. How many people have rolled their eyes when you try to explain anime to them? How many times have people just replied, “Oh, you like cartoons?” Or my favorite reply: “You like Japanamation?” (thinking of Yugi-oh, Pokemon – or worse yet – Dragonball Z). Hell, Trekkies get more respect than we do. Sad.

Also, don’t start a pissing contest with other people who may or may not have seen the same thing as you for whatever reason. An example of that being: “I saw GTO, I’m da man. So have you? But I saw it first and discovered it in a dark alley behind a biker bar when there was a full moon and my left nut was swollen.” Live and let live.

I personally think most mecha and all sports anime blows. You can stroke yourself over it and I’ll still respect your right to like crappy anime and not belittle you for your choices. Just don’t judge me for what I like and prefer. Your tastes don’t put you any higher on that chart.

The Fonze says 'AYYY!'

*note: To all you folk out there who are tired of their fave thing going mainstream, try liking sex with dead kittens. I project that will never be popular.