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Asian Entertainment News and Pop Culture

In a recent article by Tom Baker for the Daily Yomiuri, Baker wrote, “In the United States, Japanese manga and anime are both increasingly popular, yet the manga business is thriving while anime sales are languishing. More people seem to be enjoying anime, but fewer are paying for it.”

“At the Tokyo International Anime Fair held late last month, the U.S.-based Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime (SPJA) hosted a panel discussion to address the anime paradox.”

“In opening remarks, SPJA Chief Executive Officer Trulee Karahashi said U.S. manga sales had grown from 60 million dollars in 2002 to 200 million dollars in 2006, with the number of titles released rising from 1,008 volumes in 2005 to an estimated 1,700 volumes in 2008.”

“But meanwhile, she said: “The sales of anime [DVDs] in the U.S. have dropped dramatically, from 500 million dollars in 2002 to 400 million dollars in 2006, and that is expected to drop further.” The number of released volumes has also fallen, from 756 in 2005 to just over 500 expected when the final numbers come in for 2007, she said.”

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In a recent article on Daily Yomiuri written by Tom Baker, Baker wrote, ”

Anime characters both new and familiar crowded the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2008 in the form of video clips, plastic models and costumed mascots, but the seventh annual event, which ran from March 27-30 at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center in Ariake, Tokyo, also showcased the newest in animation technology and the oldest in stories from ancient history.”

“The fair has grown considerably since the first time it was held in 2002, when 104 exhibitors set up display booths that drew 50,163 visitors. In 2007, there were 270 exhibitors and 107,713 visitors, while this year’s numbers were 289 exhibitors and 126,622 visitors.”

“This year, in front of the Nikkatsu Corp. booth, a masked young woman in a slinky black costume posed as cartoon villainess Doronjo to promote the upcoming live-action movie version of the classic anime Yatterman. Elsewhere, people in robot and dinosaur costumes waved to passersby, as did numerous women in maid costumes throughout the hall.”

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