Anime Industry Expanding at Record Pace

According to a Japanese language newspaper article published by Asahi.com, demand for anime in Japan is now at its highest peak ever. There are more anime programs broadcast on Japanese television now than at any previous time in Japanese history. Satellite TV network Animax debuted several years ago broadcast anime re-runs. As of last year the network began airing new, original series and now has over a million paying subscribers. Pay-per-view anime and streaming broadband internet distribution of anime in Japan are also now increasing in frequency. Overseas interest in anime is also fueling market interest in anime from major Japanese corporations including Mitsubishi, who see anime as a possible investment against the depressed Japanese economy.

In April 2000 there were 20 new anime TV series broadcast. Now there are 34 new works being broadcast. This sudden massive increased demand for anime has some critics speculating that the current anime industry in Japan may not be big enough to be able to meet demand. As a result, some are speculating that the quality of current and future anime productions may suffer in a compromise of quantity over quality.

Source: Natsume Goushin Ryu Dojo