Japanese Animation Catching on in U.S.

AP via Yahoo ^ | Thu Dec 9, 3:30 PM ET | By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer

[Simmy2.5]

Being a fan of Japanese Animation, from dark sci-fi series like Ghost in the Shell, Evangelion, to more light hearted series like Tenchi Muyo or Spirited Away, it is becoming clear that it is becoming a phenomenon here (especially with some series like Pokemon. :-/ Though I'm not a fan of this, you can't argue that even now it still has appeal). Some of the stories are truely amazing that I wished more American animation would offer. Now yes, many are quite violent or have a butt load of unnesscessary sex (and yes, themes that would raise eyebrows here). Like all formats, it has its extremes. But, with the ones I've seen, they all offer great stories that are missing from Hollywood. Just as long as you keep away from the more bizarre and quite disgusting ones.

I am still a fan of American animation, especially with great movies like The Incredibles. But, as of right now, it is clear that anime is pretty much taking over.

[KneelBeforeZod]

yeah but what about tentacle pr0n

[weegee]

Took way to long for Lupin III to be released over if you ask me. Too much mecha and not enough variety in what gets imported (Japan DOES have diverse productions).

[Boundless]

I had to double-check the dateline.

This would have been news in 12/1999.
Done deal now.

[Simmy2.5]

Obviously some people are a little slow on this trend...like the AP.

[elmer fudd]

Yeah, those tentacle monsters sure seem to have sex on the brain.

[freebilly]

But, as of right now, it is clear that anime is pretty much taking over.

What I've seen of it looks dark, perverse, violent, sexual repressed and sexually explicit (at the same time!), immature, and misogynistic.

Other than that it's pretty good....

[Simmy2.5]

Like I said, it does have its extremes. And I do mean extremes! :-P

And I truely never understand the appeal of this. And I hope I never! All well, I'm going to stick to more saner anime thank you.

[swilhelm73]

This isn't exactly new...

[weegee]

AP picked it up from a local story in the Houston Chronicle (local business recently inked a cable deal).

The Comical also ran a hackwork piece on "midnight movies" yesterday that hyped one theater and few "cult" movies. If you can rent it at Kroger's video department, there is little need to screen a second run movie for $8. Can't even bring alcohol into the theater now (they applied for a beer and wine permit).

[weegee]

What I've seen of it looks dark, perverse, violent, sexual repressed and sexually explicit (at the same time!), immature, and misogynistic.

This sounds like the tv commercial I saw for ABCDisney's new tv show Desperate Housewives.

[dts32041]

Let's see Witch Hunter Robin, R.O.D, Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Wolf Rain, and Trigun, but the best of the crop is Hellsing.

These are the assertional anime and the ones that happen to be in my collection. Of course the only other animation I have are the two heavy Metals, American POP and Batman Beyond.

I have come to dislike any of the so called main stream animation.

[LdSentinal]

I used to watch 'Robotech' and both versions of 'Voltron' when I was a kid. Good stuff.

[Liberal Classic]

I was geek before geek was cool.

[freebilly]

What I've seen of it looks dark, perverse, violent, sexual repressed and sexually explicit (at the same time!), immature, and misogynistic.

"This sounds like the tv commercial I saw for ABCDisney's new tv show Desperate Housewives."

Either that or an NBA game....

[weegee]

I've got 20 year old imported laserdiscs of Osamu Tezuka films: Cleopatra Queen Of Sex (1969) and a double disc collection of short films (3minutes to 40+ minutes) with work from the mid 1960s up into the 1980s. Both have interviews with Tezuka (in Japan) and Cleopatra even has a commentary track.

Too bad my Japanese isn't that good (I was only able to fit one semester into my schooling, got an A).

Again, what I want isn't what gets celebrated by the mainstream anime fans.

[Mustng959]

Okay, I'm an old stick-in-the-mud, but cartoons ought to be ... funny.
I've seen some of these Japan-made toons and IMO the drawing is not to my taste and the few attempts at humor are pathetic.
Give me Foghorn Leghorn, Tom & Jerry, etc. any-day.

[KneelBeforeZod]

I'll put these guys up against any japanimation heros any day!

[mastercylinder]

lol