Ask John: Could Kamisama Kazoku Get an American Release?

Question:
Could Kamisama Kazoku be a good anime to be licensed for American viewing?

Answer:
At one point in time I would have called Kamisama Kazoku a longshot for American release. But in light of the present state of America’s anime industry, the show seems like it could be a viable and likely acquisition. Kamisama Kazoku is a relatively innocuous show. It’s pleasant and amusing, but not particularly brilliant or memorable. During the height of America’s anime licensing in the early 2000s, it’s a show that would probably have been overlooked because it’s not a high profile title with strong market potential. However, the state of America’s anime licensing as of late 2006 is not what it once was.

Over the past two years America’s anime distributors have largely scaled back drastically on the number of titles licensed, and high profile titles are being increasingly condensed into the hands of a smaller number of distributors. AD Vision has significantly scaled back its licensing and focused on acquiring “smaller” less high profile titles. Likewise, Media Blasters has publicly stated its newly developed strategy of licensing shorter, lower profile, and more affordable shows. Series like Kamisama Kazoku, which would have been too obscure or which don’t have obvious major market potential in mainstream America, are increasingly becoming the acquisitions of choice for many of America’s licensors because they’re more affordable and a smaller financial risk. Kamisama Kazoku falls into the same tier of anime series as shows including Kita he, Jinki:Extend, Muteki Kanban Musume, Joshikosei, Kasimasi ~Girl Meets Girl~, Kirameki Project, Green Green, Zipang, Nerima Daikon Brothers, the Moeyoken TV series, Gokujo Seitokai, and Peach Girl. All of these shows have been licensed for American release despite being totally ignored by America’s fan community, or being of only minimal interest to America’s hardcore fan community.

Since many of America’s anime distributors are apparently looking at acquiring affordable “second tier” titles instead of very expensive, high profile shows, the odds of shows like Kamisama Kazoku being licensed are rather strong. Distributors including Viz, FUNimation, and Geneon are still licensing high profile series like Bleach, Full Metal Panic Second Raid, and Ergo Proxy, but thankfully current market conditions are forcing many of America’s licensors to take a second look at lower profile, but frequently excellent shows that may otherwise have gone overlooked. High profile titles like Ergo Proxy and Shakugan no Shana may be flashy and stylish, but I’ll gladly take more substantial and affecting shows like Kamisama Kazoku, Zipang, Kasimasi, and Kamichu any day. In summation, I don’t know for certain whether or not Kamisama Kazoku will ever reach America, but I think it’s chances of an official American release are relatively good.