| At Animazement, executives from the Japanese anime industry noted that
major companies were creating of a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, all-anime television
channel in Japan. No such creature exists in the U.S., although there will
be three all-animation cable channels by the end of the year. At AWA IV's
industry panel, John Sirabella of Media Blasters predicted that the chances
are good for an all-anime U.S. television service. Sirabella noted that
the increasing amount of anime on the Science Fiction Channel and the Cartoon
Network shows that there is enough demand for that form of animation to
justify such a channel. However, Sirabella warned that an all-anime TV
service in the U.S. would be expensive to create, and the company that
produce anime for the American market would have to pool their resources
to make that channel happen. |
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| Matt Greenfield of ADV Films noted that the economic problems in Japan
have changed the nature of the anime industry. Fewer films are being sold
to the direct market as OVA's. Instead, the anime industry is creating
a larger number of short, 13-episode weekly series, hoping the shows will
succeed so producers can make another 13 episodes. And, the anime industry
is going to make more of its series with the U.S. and world market in mind,
he said. Already, ADV Films has been part of the production of the Burn
Up W series and is working on another series as a partner with a Japanese
animator. |
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| The emphasis on the American market, which, along with Spain and Italy,
are the hottest anime markets outside Asia, has meant more work for freelance
translator Neil Nadelman. Gundam for Bandai, Fushigi Yuugi for Pioneer
and Aika for Central Park Media - all have been Nadelman's translations.
And he has done more translating work that he can't mention until it gets
on store shelves. |
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| In the midst of all of the anime talk, Carl Horn of Viz might feel
left out - because his branch of the California company handles only manga.
However, Viz' manga follows the pattern of more cooperation between U.S.
and Japanese companies. Inu-Yasha and Neon Genesis Evangelion manga get
to American store shelves not long after they've been distributed in Japan,
he said. |
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