Ask John: Is Anime a Luxury?

Question:
Do you consider now in this age that anime and manga to be a luxury item already? They’re expensive. The goods, DVDs and mangas are so expensive that only few people (with lots of money) can afford them. Well, ain’t that considered luxury items?

Answer:
The current time period has no relation to the commercial classification of anime and manga. Anime and manga have always been luxury items based on the fact that they’re non-essential leisure merchandise. While it is possible to acquire inexpensive anime merchandise in Japan, the average price of anime goods in Japan is higher than the average price of live action film merchandise. Likewise, in America the price of an average anime DVD is higher than the average price of a domestic movies on DVD. Anime is an expensive hobby partially because its not mainstream enough to have its costs offset by mass consumption, and partially because it’s art. Art is always a luxury, and always more costly than more bucolic entertainments.

The free distribution of fansubs and anime copies and manga in the international fan community, combined with the increasing domestic availability of anime on television and home video have all contributed to a common misconception that anime should be free and commonly available. To cite the traditional mantra, “Anime is a privilege, not a right.” Anime and manga are arts created by artists who depend upon the sales and royalties of their art to pay their living expenses. It’s perfectly fine to be eagerly devoted to anime and manga, but seeking to be a devoted fan and collector at the expense of its creators is selfish and disrespectful. It’s perfectly reasonably to seek out the best prices for legitimate anime and manga items and releases, but attempting to cheat the system by accumulating only free fansubs or purchasing only inexpensive bootlegs ultimately harms the hobby for everyone. Import anime is expensive because it’s exclusive. Since it’s not made for American consumption, it’s reasonable for Americans to pay more for access to it. Domestic anime that’s designed for American consumption is less expensive now than it ever has been in the past, but it will never be as cheap as domestic products because it’s not a domestic product.

In order to fully appreciate anime, fans should acknowledge and remember that anime and manga are luxuries. Without question, anime and manga art are commercial products, but diamonds and precious jewels are also commercial products that no one expects to receive for free. The commercial origin of anime doesn’t conflict with its status as a leisure extravagance. For Japanese consumers, manga is a cheap luxury, and a lot of anime is freely available through television broadcast because more Japanese consumers buy anime and support Japanese corporate sponsors than do American consumers. But collecting anime is always expensive, even for Japanese natives. Fans outside of Japan should remember that anime and manga are things that were never originally intended for their consumption. I’m not trying to sound elite or privileged. I’m just stating a fact. Anime and manga are not made by Japanese artists for Japanese consumers, therefore non-Japanese consumers have no right to presume an entitlement to anime or manga.