Ask John: How Do American and Japanese Anime Prices Compare?

Question:
What is the realistic cost difference in anime between Japan and the United States? How seriously does the HK video market influence this?

Answer:
Honestly, I don’t know exactly how much effect bootleg Chinese anime DVDs have on either the American or Japanese markets. I’m sure that HK anime DVDs do effect the number of legitimate anime DVDs that are sold, but I don’t know how great this impact is in relation to total sales of official, licensed anime releases.

I’ve always imagined that the relative scale price of anime in Japan and America isn’t all that different; however, I may be mistaken. Anime is very expensive in Japan. But anime isn’t exactly cheap in America either. However, by selecting particularly illustrative examples, it becomes fairly clear that anime is often much more expensive in Japan than it is in America.

In America, the Outlaw Star, Silent Mobius and Saber Marionette J TV series were released to DVD in three double disc sets. The first set in each collection contained 9 episodes and retails for $44.98. The Azumanga Daioh TV series has the same running time as Outlaw Star and Silent Mobius, and is also being released in three double disc DVD collections in Japan. The first Japanese Azumanga Daioh double DVD set retails for 14,800 yen, or roughly $120.

Many fans have complained about the 3 episode per disc format of the American Inuyasha DVDs, which retail for $24.98 each. The Japanese Inuyasha DVDs also include 3 episodes per disc but retail for 5800 yen each, or roughly $46.

The Ah! My Goddess movie and Card Captor Sakura movie that retail in America for $29.98 each on DVD cost 6800 yen ($55) and 9800 yen ($78) respectively in Japan.

The biggest difference between American and Japanese anime prices, though, lies in the realm of adult anime. Adult anime OAVs in Japan usually range in price between 5800 yen ($46) and 7800 yen ($66) for each 30 minute episode on DVD or VHS. The most extreme difference in price among hentai titles in America and Japan, that I’m aware of, is the Cool Devices series. The American Cool Devices DVDs contain 3-4 uncensored episodes per DVD and retail for $29.99 each. Each Japanese Cool Devices DVD contains one censored 30 minute episode and retails for 5800 yen ($46)!