Ask John: Where Are the Straightforward Adult Anime?

Question:
Tentacles, rape, bondage and similar fetishes seem to constitute the overwhelming majority of adult anime that reach Region 1 via legitinate distribution. Is there any indication from your viewpoint whether the Region 1 industry is showing any interest in marketing adult anime that doesn’t fall into that category?

Answer:
Last August Media Blasters CEO John Sirabella publicly explained that there are two primary varieties of erotic anime that American consumers want: the “craziest stuff” and the “straightforward stuff.” Numerous recent and upcoming domestic H anime releases, including “Hypnolove” (Saimin Gakuen), “Sinner’s Paradise” (Shitsu Rakuen), “Jiburiru Second Coming” (Makai Tenshi Jibril 2), and Bondage Game do fall into the category of “crazy stuff” involving fetishistic rape, domination, bondage, and tentacles. Recent Japanese releases including Rape! Rape! Rape!, Dream Note, Kimi no Na wo Yobeba, Bakunyuu Maid Gari, Hitoriga, and Uchuu Kaizoku Sara provide evidence that extreme fetish content accounts for a large amount of contemporary erotic anime. But Mr. Sirabella’s statement, along with recent American releases including “Lover-in-Law” (Aniyome wa Ijipari), “Booby Life!” (Oppai Life), and “Destined for Love” (Futari no Aniyome) signify that “straightforward” adult anime still makes it to America these days, as well.

I can appreciate the impression that all of the erotic anime hitting America these days is strong fetish material. That’s what sells well. That’s what’s most common in Japanese circulation. And with American distributors re-acquiring and rereleasing many titles, numerous shows with heavy fetish content are getting repackaged and rereleased in America now, heightening the impression that all of today’s releases are fetish titles. But America’s distribution industry hasn’t entirely abandoned the consumers that prefer erotic anime that’s more sensual than shocking. We’re not seeing a steady march of new H anime license announcements in America, but there are a number of excellent potential “straightforward” adult anime titles in Japan waiting for American licenses, including Stringend & Stretta, Mizugi Kanojo, Kimihagu, Sora no Iro, Mizu no Iro, Cafe Junkie, Love Selection, and Mamapuri.