Main Page Editorial Column Anime 101 Features [1] [2] [3] [4] Reviews [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] ___________ Home    Email		The Editorial: Anime and Commerce - What’s The Link?      Of the multitude and variety of anime that we see come and go, a rare spark appears and it becomes a huge success or turns into the latest fad. Whether we’re in America or in the Philippines, the most popular anime shows have been the ones with mercantile tie-ins from Gundam Wing to Pokemon to Let’s & Go.      Money talks and that’s the main reason why studios in Japan continue to do animation. If they don’t bring home the bacon, then it’s time to look for a new business prospect. So far, the anime and manga industry has been doing well...in Japan. For other countries such as the Philippines or America, anime needs a stronger tug to survive, preferably from a huge corporate sponsor. Aside from the ads on television, they usually need another means of financial returns from the show. If toys and other such paraphernalia worked in Japan, then it’ll most probably work for us as well.      During the period Gundam Wing was on the air-waves, you’ll notice that people were looking for model kits which were previously not in demand. Pokemon also spawned a variety of items from toys to lunchboxes to games to band-aids. Currently, here in the Philippines, the previously unbeknownst hobby of mini-4WD (four wheel drive) racing has surfaced and every shopping mall has them nowadays. This is the power media possesses and it’s not surprising why these shows are popular and remain that way.      In this materialistic world we live in, money is the driving force in most things. How can anime not shy away from this? Usually, a show which has proven itself and given a higher budget has been the one that becomes successful (e.g. Gundam). There are exceptions to this rule but that is not the norm. There is no better way for fans to speak out what they like and dislike than their power as consumers. If we continue to support the shows we like, then it will thrive. If not, it’ll wither and join the ranks of obscurity. The more we support anime, the more we will see it. If there is a demand for it then by golly, the business honchos will invest in it. This’ll result in more anime and related products as well as cheaper prices for them and at more quantifiable amounts. One day, we may hope to see anime alongside other videos on the local video rental store. One day, we may also hope to find anime soundtracks alongside hit albums on the local music store. Lastly, one day, we may hope to read manga alongside popular novels at the bookstore. Yes, this may all happen someday but only if we exercise our power as consumers and support anime. Yes, we may see ridiculous ads about supporting anime and watching it all the time but the fact remains that if we continue to support it then we are propagating it and who knows, there might be a day when the anime we finally see on TV are subtitled with the original Japanese dialogue kept intact. - Charles Tan, Editor in Chief Erratum: In the previous issue, the Editor In Chief bungled up and Tamahome’s name was written as Tomahome. The correct spelling is Ta-ma-ho-me. Got that? Okay, let’s now move on to the current issue. [ top ] [ next article ]
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