Ask John: Why is Most Anime in America for Teens?

Question:
Why most anime that is released in America are for teenagers?

Answer:
Most of the anime released in America is targeted at teen viewers for two reasons. First, the majority of anime produced in Japan is targeted at teen and preadolescent viewers. Second, young viewers are the largest audience and consumer market for anime, so it’s natural for companies seeking profits to distribute a product with a sizable potential consumer base.

Japan does periodically create anime targeted at adult viewers, such as this month’s new Mainichi Kaasan television series based on the newspaper comic strip by Rieko Saibara, and the Fuji TV network’s line of Noitamina late night anime including the recently concluded Genji Monogatari Sennenki. But while some American anime viewers will eagerly watch these types of shows, these anime for adults will never be as successful, popular, and profitable in America as young boys’ anime like Dragon Ball, Naruto and Bleach, or anime series for teen otaku like Full Metal Panic, Fullmetal Alchemist, Gundam, and Suzumiya Haruhi. Most of the anime released in America is targeted at teen viewers because most existing anime is targeted at teen viewers. Furthermore, it’s simply more financially viable to market anime to American teen and young adult consumers than attempt to commercially release mainstream anime for adults in America.