The beginning of the end of anime in America?

ADV Removes Titles from Website

This link, over the past few days, caused mass panic in the internet community. People believed something was terribly wrong with ADV, and since they weren't acting fast enough to release a statement, it was decided they must be going under (and are too ashamed/afraid to admit it). You can't really blame anyone for worrying, since a big anime company in the US, Geneon, recently died out last year. The anime industry here is having a lot of financial trouble, and this is true for Japan, too. In October of last year, the Japanese asked America to stop illegal net releases of anime (HERE) as they considered it very damaging and was no doubt mostly to blame for all the problems.

I have been a fan of anime since 1997 - back then, you had to know somebody just to know where to get certain things. Fansubs were on VHS and you had to wait a week or longer to get them in the mail from special distributors (I should know, I was one for awhile). Even when you got them, the tapes could be 3rd generation recording or worse, with muffled audio and fuzzy video. The market was far from oversaturated - you bought almost anything because there was so little you could get.

These are ideas people have come up with that I have found, on satisfying alternatives/solutions. A few are mine.

For Japan:

1. Many people watch fansubs because they want to be a part of what's airing NOW in Japan. They are tired of waiting months or years for any North American license, and if it IS licensed, it could be half a year or more before it's even on store shelves. By then, the hype and excitement has likely fazed out. To counter this in a good way, Japanese companies should:

A. Release FREE (or cheap - say $1-2), subtitled versions of episodes online a few days or a week after it's original airdate.
B. Put subtitles on the Region 2 DVDs. This may not help much, but anyone looking to support a show, but can't find justification in spending $60 for 2 episodes they can't understand 99% of, will be tempted. There are a handful of shows I would buy with gusto if they did this.
C. Release series in the US (or in another country) themselves. Cutting out the middle man (licenser) may cut back on costs and fees, so the end result could be cheaper.
D. Understand that they can't ask for outrageous amounts of money for rights for their shows. Back in the early 2000s, when companies were snatching up whatever they could get, this became big. But now, if they don't get off their high horses, nobody will want what they've got. They won't get the money they need, the profit they need, to help fund other things.

If they don't "get with the times" and adjust to a new market there will be serious trouble.

For America:

1. Focus on releasing season sets and thinpaks. These days a lot of fans wait for those, not only because it's cheaper and takes up less space, but you can get everything all at once, and know the company won't suddenly cancel on you halfway through. Of course, with season sets, this can still happen.
2. Don't be quick to cancel series! Buyers are reluctant to purchase singles, and this is one of the reasons. If they don't think you'll give them everything, why should they bother if their collection will end up incomplete? Even if it's not your top seller, you should do what you can to get to the end. I myself have been burned a few times with this.
3. Get your shows on TV. Put ads in appropriate magazines. Market market market.

Kirarin Revolution, episode 18

(きらりん☆レボリューション) 2006

Kirari (voiced by Koharu Kusumi of Morning Musume!) is a middle schooler who LOVES her food. So much so that it's scary! While girls her age swoon over idols, Kirari swoons over her dad's cooking, and couldn't care less about the life of a celebrity. But when she saves the pet turtle of Seiji of pop group SHIPS and falls in love, she decides to become an idol herself so that they can be together (or so she hopes).

Because a job Kirari was scheduled for has been delayed, she now has a day off (which her manager would prefer she used to do her homework), and decides the perfect way to spend it is with her friends. But things are not meant to go smoothly for the tired idol who just wants a summer vacation. While she, Sayaka, and Miku are on the train to the beach, a crowd of excited people try to get close to her for photos/autographs. After making a break for it, the girls decide on a plan b: an amusement park, and this time Kirari thinks to put on a disguise. This works only until they got onto a roller coaster, and her wig and glasses fall off. Then it's the same thing over again.

Plan C is the movie theater. Naa-san gives the idea that Kirari should walk with her face covered in shopping bags. And it does work, until they reach the ticket counter and Kirari is declared the theater's 100th customer. When asked her name, she tries to give something like "the pitiful girl," but the man who gives out the prize recognized her, and they once again had to flee. What worry free place could the teens possibly go to now? Sayaka and Miku feel sorry for her - she can't have any fun. Kirari apologizes for all the trouble, but her friends say it can't be helped.



Where they currently are, Kirari's company is nearby, and she decides to take them there to meet SHIPS. Being big fans, who would say no. After sparkly glee from handshakes and autographs, Kirari tells them she can take them to see SHIPS anytime they ask. Sayaka and Miku comment that their world and the entertainment world are very different - they feel distant somehow. While resting from the day's exercise at a cafe, Kirari asks them how things are at school. While they prattle on about teachers, it's her turn to feel left out. Then they are once again harassed by fans, causing trouble for the cafe. Miku, fed up, tries to protect Kirari and demands that everyone leave them alone. Kirari, knowing she has to act like a cheerful idol at all times, takes over and sweet talks the crowd into letting them through. This doesn't bode well with Miku. Walking home, Miku says that Kirari has changed. She stopped her friends from helping, and she must care more about her fans than she does for them. If that's how it's going to be, they can't see each other anymore.

Kirari is now alone, and it starts to rain, hiding her heartbroken tears. Furthur away, Sayaka and Miku talk about the lovable food fiend, and how, despite the setbacks, running around was fun. The two girls discover that she has accidentally left behind a special book called "Soul of an Idol," notes written by her and her manager on proper behavior. Reading the notes brings about laughter, and they realize what Kirari means to them. After the storm has passed, and Kirari reaches home, she is surprised to see them waiting for her in the doorway. They make up, and Kirari's dad declares they have a party. Everything is OK again.

It was nice to see this show move beyond the goofy, and show some REAL human sadness. I nearly cried myself when Kirari did.

Ai Kago, what was and can't be

This information came out a looong while back, but I never got to write about it. I can honestly say... I never saw it coming. Fans of Morning Musume wondered how sweet, enthusiastic Ai could possibly do such things as smoke (yes, I know a lot of people in Japan and the world smoke, and really, that's not what upset me so much) and date a shady guy decades older than her. It's like finding out your pig-tailed, 8 year old sister runs an underground drug ring. I'm very disappointed in her actions, and since she even went out of her way to demolish any chance of returning to Hello! Project, I doubt we'll ever hear from her again unless she writes a tell-all book, or somebody puts photos of her in a paparazzi magazine. Some time ago (several months to be exact) I heard a rumor she was in New York. I don't know if it was for vacation, or simply a getaway tactic until all the scandal died down. If she was planning to relocate, there's a lot she'd have to do - apply for citizinship, learn English, etc. and that's a big step, so I doubt that idea.

Anyway, despite the fact that I can't look at her the same way again, when she was in her early teens, and during her time in Mini Moni, she was just the cutest little thing - and I really want to remember her that way. She had talent, too. Shame.

Yes, I know that when it comes to celebrities, especially Jpop idols, what you see may only be a little of what they are. They "market" a part of their personality, they play it up in front of the camera, and unless you're a member of the staff or a close friend, you'll never know who they truly are. But that doesn't make everything a lie!

Kaze Hikaru, volume 8

-Yamanami and Todo wait to be sentenced to seppuku (honor suicide) following the events at Rokkaku prison, where they witnessed the inhumane murdering of its prisoners, and insulted the officials. There is also a rumor going around that the Shinsengumi were the ones actually responsible for what occurred. Todo falls in love with a prostitute who witnessed them entering the establishment, and doesn't know what to do or how to handle caring for a girl who hates him so much for what he is.
-Soji's childhood is openly explored, from the minutes following his birth to his early days in the Shinsengumi.

Poor Soji had a very difficult childhood. I didn't think we'd actually get to have a "look" at it at some point, but it was a great addition to the book. It's so awesome that Sei and Soji met when they were kids, if only briefly, and they don't even realize it. And the little girl actually left an impression on Soji's mind! I grinned so wide after reading it. You also come to understand why Soji is so casual with a few people, and why he thinks of them so highly. There are still a few things about this series I try to overlook/ignore (like, ahem, the suggestive stuff), and I still can't get some of the names straight. But it's still a really good series that NEEDS more attention. Viz, you aren't marketing this very well.

Kirarin Revolution, episode 17

(きらりん☆レボリューション) 2006

Kirari (voiced by Koharu Kusumi of Morning Musume!) is a middle schooler who LOVES her food. So much so that it's scary! While girls her age swoon over idols, Kirari swoons over her dad's cooking, and couldn't care less about the life of a celebrity. But when she saves the pet turtle of Seiji of pop group SHIPS and falls in love, she decides to become an idol herself so that they can be together (or so she hopes).

It's time for an idol swimming meet! Included in the lineup is SHIPS, Kirari (of course), Erina (who doesn't want her designer French swimsuit getting wet), Arashi (who seems to have debuted as a magicial idol), and Mochida (who has debuted as a "muscle idol"). They are divided up into teams - White Team (Arashi, Mochi, and Erina) and Red Team (SHIPS, Kirari).

The first game is called "Water Basketball" - basically, the team that gets the most tiny balls into a basket wins. Erina tries to cheat by scooping everything up in a fishing net, while her dog Tantan pushes the raft she's sitting on (she got wet once, she won't ruin her designer ITALIAN suit now!) - however, this backfires when her teammates try to climb aboard, knocking them and their basket over.



The second game is a treasure hunt - whichever team finds the most items under the water wins. Poor Kirari has trouble holding her breathe and can't dive far enough to be of much use. Erina, who is now wearing a designer suit from London, throws Arashi into the water to look. When she tries to push Mochi in, she accidentally sends herself. Coming to the surface, though, she finds she is holding a few coins, putting White Team in the lead. At the last minute, however, Kirari is approached by Kame-san, who is holding a diamond. This alone is enough for Red Team to win, as it is the most valuable treasure. Arashi laments that Kirari didn't get to see how cool he is, and Erina comes up with a plan upon hearing the love-sick illusionist. She can use this person. During break, she approaches Arashi and flatters him, suggesting that they should work together in making Kirari quit the idol business.

The third game is a sort of obstacle course involving rafting over waves and a water slide. Arashi gives White Team a lead by causing sea urchins to poke holes into Red Team's raft. Luckily, Naa-san is quickly there with tape to save the day. When everyone gets to the water slide, Arashi then makes seaweed appear, and Kirari and SHIPS are sent sailing into the nearby ocean. Things look helpless and hopeless, but thanks to Naa-san and his ocean whistle, they are given a ride back by friendly dolphins. Knocking White Team over, they sail to the finish line.

For the fourth and final game, each team must swim two laps, from one side of the pool to the other. Kirari is afraid, due to the fact that she can't swim very well. But because Erina and Arashi messed up, she helps bring victory. Red Team wins the idol swim meet.

Watching this episode, I got to thinking that Erina and Arashi might make a cute couple. Considering that this show doesn't stray far from cliches, it's not impossible. Nothing particularly special about anything, but it's cute. Erina was in comedy form here.

New Team Rocket cel

Coming soon to CELS OF SUGAR, one of my favorite scenes in all of Pokemon. After having caught Togepi, Team Rocket is taking it easy. James makes breakfast, Jessie eats happily, and Meowth shines the egg that Togepi has not yet hatched from. Jessie isn't wearing her gloves or boots :D :D :D It's so adorably cute, I could cry. I can't really afford to have this, but I knew I'd regret it if I didn't get it. Sigh... buyer's remorse.

Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru

I don't often get sucked into the world that is Jdrama (Japanese TV drama) - it's usually only because a celebrity I'm a fan of or am interested in is featured. But when I saw an article about BusuKoi in a summer, 2006 issue of Nicola, I had to find it somehow.



BusuKoi (or In Love With The Eyes of an Ugly Girl) is the story of Miyuki, a 25-year-old aspiring actress who works in a ramen restaurant. Unfortunately, despite Miyuki's name (which roughly means "beautiful") she is a full-fledged busu (impolite term meaning ugly) and nobody will hire her as a result. Miyuki is aware of her disadvantages, and only wants a chance at happiness. Enter Osamu Yamaguchi, a writer for variety TV shows. With all the pressure and expectations of his job, along with dating a model, he has forgotten his true self. Now an empty shell of the younger him, he yearns to recreate that spark. After an unforgettable first encounter with her, he finds Miyuki intriguing and amusing, and wants to use her on his good-as-cancelled show, Zbat x Zbat. But she refuses to work in comedy, and doesn't want to be laughed at all. Can he change her mind?



It's for personal reasons that I got sucked into this show. Life can be very difficult for those of us who can never hope to have stunning beauty and hour-glass figures. So I admit that I did cry a few times during Miyuki's daily struggles, and I was pulling for her when she found herself falling for Osamu (and really, that's a brave thing to do when your competition is a model!). From the very beginning it's built up that Miyuki really isn't that ugly - maybe it's the "real" attractive people of the world that can be true monsters.



So if you've ever had self-esteem issues, or just want to cheer for the underdog, check this out. It's got a nice soundtrack, and features Inagaki Goro of SMAP!

Ugly Ramen My webpage about the show