November 13, 2003

• In a recent attempt to bid for Geneon (Pioneer Entertainment) to entrust our company with their anime dvd designs, the marketing department decided to research and understand anime/manga as a medium. I appreciate that people are working so hard to learn more about this awesome genre they don't understand, albeit for the wrong reasons, and thought this short list of FAQ may help others.

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  Q: Why is anime so compelling? (Is it the storyline or the style (or both) that draws you in more?)
  A: Characters are iconic, easy to relate to and very likable (at times). Anime, as opposed to Disney films, is willing to grow up along side of its audience and offers sophisticated stories and character interaction.

  Q: How do you usually watch anime? (on TV, on DVD, in theatre, etc.) and is one experience much better than another? Why?
  A: Cartoon Network and WB shows a lot of anime, while most of them are tamed enough and suitable for the younger audience, there are still good titles from time to time ("Fooly Cooly" being one of those cool titles). Of course, with DVD and theatre, you have a chance to watch anime at its purest, most intended form, perhaps better visual quality as well. Personally, I don't particular watch anime as much I would set my VCR to record the next episode of SmallVille. But if I happen to surf to an anime showing on tv. I'll give it a few minutes and see if it interests me.

  Q: Do you ever use anime websites? Which ones and why? Where do you buy your anime DVD's?
  A: I've not logged onto anime title-specific websites such as Pioneer-Ent.com, but I've logged onto different online stores to look at art books or other accessories that are related to the anime I thought was good (good reference material for my own skill enrichment as an illustrator). I usually don't "have to" have something, so if I do see a good do see a good discount at a convention or a trade show, I'd pick it up.

  Q: What are your top 2 titles of all-time? Why?
  :: "Castle In The Sky" (Hayao Miyazaki, released stateside by Disney) - By far the best tale about a forgotten civilization that existed in the sky, with advance technology that turned out to be the cause of its own demise. The concept and designs were so good, Disney ripped it off to make Atlantis.
  :: "Cowboy Bebop The Movie: Knock on Heaven's Door" - Tragic Heroes trying to define their own existence by constantly putting lives on the line as bounty hunters. No super powers, just mature characters that kids find boring.

  Q: Would it make more sense for the US audiences to think of anime like COMIC books versus CARTOONS, or do you guys see these as the same?
  A: Actually, I wouldn't say anime is closer to comic books than it is to cartoons. American comics are nothing but different variations of people with special powers running around in spandex, while anime/manga have subjects at much broader scale (basketball, sushi making, ninjas...etc). I think that's why the animated shows are called "anime" instead of "Japanese cartoon" and illustrated books are called "manga" (motionless picture) instead of "Japanese comics". They are really in a category of their own.

  Q: How do Pixar movies (Toy Story, Nemo, monsters, etc.) stack up to Anime in your minds?
  A: Pixar movies, in my opinion, is really just Disney cartoons coated in technology. While the presentation medium has changed, it's STILL very childish. Its 3D graphics wows the kids and simple-minded viewers, but ultimately does not make any breakthrus to make adults think animation isn't just for kids. Happy ending saccharine is a good escpape once in awhile. But to believe it in today's world is just unrealistic. Anime obviously doesn't rely on Pixar's flashiness. It generates the wow-factor by dealing directly with social issues in clever and sophisticated writings, without patronizing the viewers.

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