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Answerman - Conventions and Nostalgia
How much of a role does nostalgia play in conventions? Answerman sorts it out.― A Reader asks: Q: "I have been a long-time fan of attending anime conventions in the USA and enjoy going to panels, both professional as well as fan-driven. As I have gotten older, I have noticed an unusual trend with fan panels, which make up a good portion of the content, especially at small and mid-sized events. That...
Answerman - Are Subtitles Getting Smaller?
Is it your eyes, your TV, or Crunchyroll's business decisions making this season's subtitles a bit of a mess? Answerman digs in.― A Reader asks: Q: "Is it just my eyes, or are subtitles getting smaller?" No, it's not your eyes. I have often thought the same thing, after my own traumatic experience managing the UK home video campaign ofEvangelion 3.33: You (Cannot) Release. Sorry! What? That's not ...
Answerman - Defamation Versus Free Speech
The Ranking of Kings manga creator is suing a woman for defamation based on social media posts she made. Doesn't that violate free speech?― Lawfully curious asks: A manga artist is suing a woman for defamation based on social media posts she made. Doesn't that violate free speech? Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences, especially when it comes to defamation and hate speech. In c...
Answerman - What's Up with the Trash Monsters inGachiakuta?
Jerome explains the importance of compositing artists, the unsung heroes of anime production.― Shonen Action Fan asks: "I was really hyped to watch Gachiakuta this season, the latest splashy shonen manga adaptation from Studio Bones. I haven't read the manga, so I went into the anime cold. The trailers had me hyped, and the pilot episode didn't disappoint. I noticed online that some fans have been ...
Answerman - Is Superhero Burnout at the Box Office Affecting Anime Films?
If superhero fatigue is affecting anime, it's only in a good way. Read on to find out why.― Mister Terrific asks: "Is superhero burnout at the box office affecting anime films?" Superhero fatigue* is real. Just take a look at the summer 2024 box office results forCaptain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four, and James Gunn'sSuperman, which I must admit, I really enjoyed. *Su...
Answerman - Why isDemon Slayer So Popular in Japan?
What's the secret behindDemon Slayer's intense popularity? According to experts, it's a lot of things.― Lynzee asks: “Why is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime and manga so popular in Japan?” Demon Slayer is popular in Japan for the same reasons it is popular everywhere else, and that is a good thing because not many of my Japan-based anime industry friends wanted to comment either on or off the...
Answerman and the Case of the Phantom Dubber
I've been working these mean streets of anime distribution long enough to know when something smells fishier than a week-old California roll, and thisTai Chi Chasers business raised more red flags than a military parade on an authoritarian's birthday.― Dear Reader,The case came to me on a Tuesday, the kind of day when the Los Angeles smog hangs over the anime industry like a cheap suit on a depar...
Answerman - Why Isn't Streaming Platform Marketing More Competitive?
Is "Genesis Does What Nintendon't" too harsh for today's marketing climate?― Annie asks: “I always enjoy learning about marketing campaigns from the old days, like Pepsi vs. Coke and "Genesis Does What Nintendon't". But then I wondered: why isn't there much competitive marketing in the anime industry, inside and outside Japan? In an age of the anime streaming wars in the West, you never see Crunchy...
Answerman - Anime and AI
Jerome examines the thorny problem of AI generated art and animation.― A reader asks: “Recently there is a trend on social media to create, share and display AI-generated imagery that looks like it came from the Studio Ghibili films, and some of it quite controversial. Meanwhile! Some others seem to be cashing in on the hype by using the Ghibli image generator to create funny or satirical posts, or...
Answerman - How to Hire a Japanese Studio to Produce Your OVA
Jerome explains the ins and outs of how to get your OVA produced by a Japanese studio.― A reader asks: “I've read your article "how to get my idea into an anime," but I want to learn the process and etiquette of how you hire a studio to make your content. I was a Japanese major and currently work as an assistant animator, so this is a serious endeavor I want to take once I can front the cost. So, h...
Answerman - Why is Anime from the '80s so Nihilistic?
Jerome gives us a history lesson in '80s economics, student protest, post-war sentiment, and how it gave us some of anime's most dire storytelling plots.― guyzer9x asks: “Having watched a ton of '80s to early 90's OVAs and movies over the decades, I've come to an interesting conclusion: many of them were quite nihilistic in nature. I wonder what was the particular reason for this? I know some examp...
Answerman - How Will President Trump's Proposed Foreign Film Tariff Affect Anime?
If you need answers about this developing story, Jerome lays out if anime will likely be affected and, if it is, the potential economic fallout for the anime industry.― Readers ask: “Many, many people are asking how Donald Trump's announcement that America will impose a 100% 'tariff' on movies 'produced in foreign lands' will affect anime. How will this work?” Let's get straight into it and break t...
Answerman - How Hard Was it to Get the UK Rights forDragon Ball Z?
Jerome shares his very personal experience navigating the in-fighting within Toei branches, the parent company of Dragon Ball Z.― Michael asks: “How challenging was it for Manga UK to originally acquire the rights for Dragon Ball Z?” Whoa! Triggered! Reflecting on my negotiations with Toei Animation regarding the license acquisition of all 291 episodes of Dragon Ball Z, along with the various anima...
Answerman - Why is There an Overlap Between Moe and the Alt-Right?
The weaponization of irony makes it hard to distinguish sincerity from sarcasm. What can we do to counter the online radicalization of anime fans?― Overworked 9-5 Employee asks: “From the K-On! profile pic meme to accounts that post images of Anya Forger with white nationalist undertones, there's an unhealthy number of alt-right internet users who spout hateful content and have an affinity for cute...
Answerman - Anime References in Western Media
Jerome digs into the details of inserting explicit references to anime in western media.― Jake asks: Hey Answerman, I was recently watchingThe Bookie on MAX and Sebastian Maniscalco's stepson in the first episode is cosplaying as Levi from D. Gray-man. This happens a few times throughout the show's run as well. His actor even openly references anime and manga. This had me wondering about Hollywood...
Answerman - Do Cultural Differences Justify Watsuki's Punishment?
Jerome weighs in on the hot-topic debate: Was $1,900 a fair punishment for the Rurouni Kenshin creator's collection of CSAM?― James J. asks: Dear Mr. Answerman, This may be a serious subject, but I have noticed that some American fans believe that Nobuhiro Watsuki's punishment was too lenient, and, as an American, myself, I can fully understand that sentiment, but Japan is a radically different cou...
Answerman - How Bad is School Truancy in Japan?
Jerome looks at the issue of futokō as it appears in anime and the upsetting trend behind it.― Julie W. asks: I've noticed in some recent anime that it's apparently possible for Japanese kids not to go to school for long periods of time. Does this happen in real life as well? Do Japanese parents allow their kids the option of just not going to school altogether? I know this would NEVER happen in co...
Answerman - Will the Recent U.S. Tariffs Affect Home Video and Collectible Prices?
What will happen to Blu-ray prices when one of the largest production factories is in Mexico? What about collectible anime goods produced in China? Jerome shares the stark effects the tariffs can have on collectors and consumers.― The news asks: Will the recent U.S. tariffs affect home video and collectible prices? You are correct. On February 1st the new US administration announced its intention t...
Answerman - Are We At Risk for Censorship of LGBTQ+/Adult Material Because of U.S. 2025 Federal Policies?
The short answer to your question is yes. Of course, there is a risk of increased censorship of LGBQT+ and “adult material” in 2025 and beyond for those of you living in the United States.― traverse390 asks: Are we at risk of censorship of LGBTQ+/adult material re: U.S. 2025 federal policies? The short answer to your question is yes. Of course, there is a risk of increased censorship of LGBQT+ and ...
Answerman - Why isSpace Battleship Yamato a Big Deal in Japan?
Hideaki Anno is creating a new Space Battleship Yamato film. Jerome gives context on why this series remains popular in Japan.― The internet asks: Hideaki Anno is creating a new Space Battleship Yamato film. What is the enduring legacy of this series in Japan? Part of the reason I was asked to contribute to the Answerman column is because I am a salty, older anime industry exec type with lots of ex...
Answerman - Why is theMacross franchise streaming in the UK/Australia/Canada but not in the U.S. yet?
Jerome looks for answers as to why the storiedMacross franchise remains unavailable to American fans.― "Why is the Macross franchise streaming in the UK/Australia but not in the U.S. yet?" We have two questions to answer here. The first one is,“Why has Disney+ made the Macross anime library available in some English-speaking countries since August of this year, apart from the United States?” The ...
Answerman - Is Overtourism in Japan Real and Why is Japan Mad at Tourists?
Have a couple of bad actors ruined it for everyone? Jerome gives some context on 'overtourism' and what to do when traveling abroad.― Alex asks: In the last couple of years, Japan has implemented major restrictions on tourists in areas like Kyoto. My question is, what have tourists done to upset the Japanese to the point that such measures had to be taken? You are absolutely right. In March this ye...
Answerman - What is 'NAFCA' and How Are They Trying to Help Animators?
Jerome talks with Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association representative Ayano Fukumiya about labor shortages and other issues affecting Japan's anime production.― Worried in Wisconsin asks: I am alarmed to read more and more news stories about what sounds like an existential crisis for the Japanese anime industry. Headlines such as "Anime in crisis: Japan's signature art form at risk" seem to sugg...
Answerman - Why is Sony Offering to Buy Kadokawa?
Sony has made an offer to Kadokawa to purchase the multimedia conglomerate. What does this mean for the anime industry, and why does Sony want Kadokawa in the first place?― George P. asks: I've noticed that several anime companies and distributors have been purchased by Sony: Right Stuf, Crunchy, and Funimation. They are currently in negotiations with Kadokawa. Why is this occurring now? Are big co...
Answerman - Why is there a huge push for Western companies to make their own original anime content?
Jerome discusses collaborations between Western and Japanese animation studios.― Mister M. asks: "With the cold reception for Adult Swim's Uzumaki adaptation, there's been a lot of blame placed on Warner Bros. Discovery and AS for its failure and how 'Western companies need to stay out of anime.' But I want to know why there is a huge push for Western companies to make their own original anime cont...
Answerman - Why is the nudity removed from theRanma 1/2 remake?
Jerome discusses the recent "kewpie-fication" of Ranma in MAPPA's animated remake of the classic series.― The internet asks: "Why is the nudity removed from the Ranma 1/2 remake?" [context: it's not censored; the new version doesn't include nipples like the previous version, and Ranma's been kewpie-dolled. Butt cracks were removed in a bath scene, too.”] This wouldn't be anAnswerman column if we d...
Answerman - The Return of Answerman (And Why Companies Bother to Take Down Piracy Websites)
Anime industry veteran Jerome Mazandarani takes up the Answerman mantle to answer your burning questions!― Hello! I'm Jerome, and I'm honored to be your new Answerman correspondent. I started my anime career 20 years ago with Manga Entertainment, one of the OG anime labels operating in the West. I've distributed thousands of hours of anime and even had a hand in making a couple, too. I know the bus...
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, andIsekai Cheat Skill, the heroes are so far ahead of their oppo...
Answerman - Why Is K MANGA Not a Subscription Service?
Kodansha explained it opted for in-app currency because it better benefits manga creators.― Earlier this month, the K MANGA app launched in the U.S. We saw your questions in the forums and social media and posed them to Kodansha. ANN readers asked:In the U.S. market, a number of manga services such as the Shonen Jump app use a subscription model. What was the reasoning behind K MANGA using a coin ...
Answerman - Why is Yuri Anime So Popular Now?
With recent hits likeLycoris Recoil andG-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 ...
Answerman - What Kind of Content Restrictions Does Shonen Jump Impose?
Kim discusses the Youth Ordinance Bill and how a series of heinous crimes forever changed the popular manga magazine.― Kyle asked:With American TV and comics for kids, there's a pretty strict standards and practices, but it seems very lax in Japan. I've heard stories about PTA getting upset over anime and manga in the past, but I was wondering, typically for, say, something like Shonen Jump, what ...
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...
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...
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. ...
Answerman - Why Do So Many Manga Artists Have Health Problems?
We hear about manga artists taking breaks due to poor health regularly; is there anything that can improve their work conditions?― Jon asked:I have been a long-time manga reader, and ever since the death of Berserk's creator Kentarou Miura I have been keeping a closer watch on mangaka that need to take breaks due to health issues and was shocked at how common these situations are. I was hoping you...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Answerman - Where Do We Go From Here?
Justin sends off readers with advice for a constantly changing and sometimes frightening fandom.― And so, we've come to the end of the road. After six years of answering your questions, this will be my final Answerman column. My life has gotten increasingly busy, and to be honest, I was starting to reach the limits of what I could answer here. I mean, seriously, go look at that archive page! Almost...
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 - How Much Of The Doujinshi Scene Is Porn?
Over 700,000 attendees visited Comiket this year, the mecca of self-published comics. But how much of it is Adults Only?― Jake asked:Comiket has become an institution of anime and manga nerd culture over the last several decades. But at a recent convention panel I attended, it was mentioned that is often overlooked or hidden in most media representations is the vast amount of 18+ erotic adult douj...
Manga Answerman - Is Translating 'Lolicon' as 'Pedophile' Accurate?
Deb Aoki tackles theHensuki 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...
Answerman - Will TheMacross 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 - Does Being Nominated or Winning an Eisner Award Impact Manga Sales?
Can a prestigious award drive up sales or do manga readers even care? Deb Aoki looks at the stats.― So what's the deal with manga and the Eisner Awards? Does being nominated or winning an Eisner Award impact sales of a book? So first off, a little bit of background on the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. It is named for legendary comics creator Will Eisner, who is best known for coining the term ...
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 Have Anime Conventions Changed Over Time?
How do conventions of yesteryear compare to modern shows like Anime Expo or Otakon? Justin looks back on old video rooms and industry panels to find out.― Fred asked:I've only been going to conventions for the past year or so, and I'm curious how they've evolved over time. You'd actually be surprised by how little has changed for anime conventions over the years. The crowds are bigger, the shows p...
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 fromThe Guardian, describing how a contest...
Answerman - What Is That Little Round Outdoor Grill In Anime?
These portable stoves haven't changed since the Edo period! Justin talks about how these tiny grills have remained so popular.― Samuel asked:What is that little barbecue grill that looks like a flower pot? Are they even easy to make as a D.I.Y. project? There are a few different kinds of Japanese barbecue grills, but that one, which is common for home use, is called a shichirin (七輪). These simple ...
Manga Answerman - Why Aren't More Anime-Related Manga Published in English?
Each season we get tons of new anime to stream, but the original manga doesn't always make it to readers. Deb talks about the considerations publishers have to weigh before licensing a manga, even if it has an anime adaptation.― A lot of anime series are based on manga, but why are so many manga that inspired anime series that have aired recently not published in English? It's certainly true that i...
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 - Do Arranged Marriages Still Happen In Japan?
Birthrates on the decline! Marriages getting rarer by the minute! Are parents still formally arranging their kids' future spouses? Justin has the answer.― Jacob asked:I was recently watching the second season of Aggretsuko, which dives into the world of marriage and the different viewpoints on the subject. I was surprised to see such a diverse views from the young, middle-aged, and older generatio...
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...
Manga Answerman - Can Non-Japanese Comic Creators Call Themselves 'Mangaka'?
Deb weighs in on what itreally means to be a "mangaka" and if referring to yourself as one is such a good idea.― This week's Manga Answerman is slightly different this week – I saw an interesting conversationon Twitter from manga scholar and translator Rachel Thorn. Rachel is a professional translator (her latest translated work is The Poe Clan by Moto Hagio, which is due out in late August 2019 f...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Manga Answerman - What's With All The Omnibus Releases?
American manga publishers seem to be leaning more and more toward collected releases - why is that? Deb digs in, with some commentary from industry pros.― Why does omnibus volumes seem to be increasingly common for US manga publishers nowadays? Not that they don't ever release the individual volumes, but it seems like whenever there's a modern re-release, or a never-before-released English edition ...
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. ...
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...
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 ...
Manga Answerman - Does Manga Need An Anime Adaptation To Hit In The West?
Is there any truth to the perception that a manga series "needs" an anime adaptation in order to seriously catch on in the west? Deb digs in deep.― A friend of mine and I had an argument about this and I was hoping you had an opinion on it. Do you think it's true that outside of a few cases, most manga needs an anime adaptation in order to really catch on in the west? Hm. Let me preface my thoughts...
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,...
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...
Manga Answerman - What Are The Best Digital Manga Services?
With an almost overwhelming number of places to read digital manga, it can be hard to sort out where to find everything you want to read. Deb does her best to sort it out!― Where do you personally read digital manga, and with several apps now all competing for a similar manga-reading audience, which ones do you think are the most useful? Well, as you mention, there are many places where you can buy...
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...
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 ...
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 Are Most Manga Published in Black and White?
American comics are (mostly) published in color - but virtually all manga is published exclusively in black and white. What's the reason for the difference? Deb gets into it.― Why are most manga published in black and white and not color, like American comics? The simple answer is that it's simply cheaper, faster, and easier to publish comics in black and white than it is to print in color. When yo...
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...
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...
Manga Answerman - Why are there so many sound effects in manga?
The pages of your favorite manga are often overflowing with unique onomatopoeia - Deb gets into a discussion about this phenomenon.― This might sound like a simple question, but I've always wondered: why are there so many sound effects in manga? Sound effects are a part of Western comics too (e.g. Ka-Pow! Whoosh!), but Japanese comics are unique in that besides onomatopoeia (words for sounds that m...
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; ...
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...
Manga Answerman - How often do English manga publishers sell at a loss?
Not every manga series published in English will be a hit, but how often do the publishers themselves sell books at a loss? Deb digs in to it.― How often do English publishers sell at a loss? Viz and Kodansha have so many different series and there has to be a good amount that they aren't making money on. Nearly a decade ago, Viz Media dropped Hitman Reborn, Gintama and a few others and I often sti...
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...
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 ...
Manga Answerman - Which forgotten or underappreciated manga do you think deserve a big splashy omnibus rerelease?
Which manga do you think deserve a lavish rerelease? Deb weighs in.― Which forgotten or underappreciated manga do you think deserve a big splashy omnibus rerelease? Hm. This is a tough one, since a lot of terrific manga that would have otherwise not have had a chance to get an official release five or ten years ago are now getting picked up for publication. As a result, my “impossible dream” or “re...
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...
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...
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...
Manga Answerman - What Makes A Great English Translation?
Do you prefer an extremely literal translation to a more "lyrical" one? What really goes in to a truly great Japanese-to-English manga translation? Deb's got a few ideas.― This is more of a personal question, but what do you prefer: a “lyrical”, adaptive translation, or a no-frills one that goes for the very direct approach? Hm. That's an interesting question. Let me preface my response with a few ...
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 ...
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...
Manga Answerman - Do Comic Book Stores Still Hesitate To Stock Manga?
Deb and two experts from the field weigh in on an old stereotype: are traditional comic book stores in North America still reluctant to stock manga?― Do comic shops still hesitate to stock manga or is that just an old stereotype at this point? I'd find it hard to believe they would still resist it. For this particular question, I decided to ask some folks on the front lines of selling manga in comi...
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...
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...
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...
Manga Answerman - Why Do Publishers Sometimes Stop Publishing Manga Before They're Finished?
Every now and then a manga being published in English will suddenly get canceled - what goes into that sort of decision, and is it possible to bring them back from the dead? Deb gets into it.― Why do publishers stop publishing some manga before the series is completed? There are many reasons why a publisher might opt to stop publishing new volumes of a manga series in English before the story is co...
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...
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...
Answerman - Is It Possible To Eat Gluten-Free In Japan?
For people with specific dietary restrictions, Japanese cuisine can be a bit of a minefield. Justin has some advice.― Anonymous asked:I've celiac disease so I live on a gluten free diet and have for basically my entire life. I've always wondered how celiacs or other people who live on a gluten free diet are taken into account in Japan. There are a lot of food I see in anime that a celiac wouldn't ...
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