Ask John: Is Anime Distribution in America Fair Compared to Japanese Distribution?

Question:
This question was submitted by a Japanese reader in response to the “Ask John” article “Is Anime Too Expensive in America?”

Anime is not seen in many areas [in Japan]. Many Japanese otaku cannot watch anime by TV. And DVD of anime which is not seen [watched on TV], is paid [purchased] at the highest price in the world. I am sorry. I cannot speak English. However, there is only one question. What do you think?

Answer:
To a degree, I can’t offer a precise response because I don’t know enough about anime distribution in Japan and the habits of Japan’s fan community. I don’t wish of offend Japanese fans and Japanese readers that follow the “Ask John” column, but I also wish to supply an honest answer. Please excuse my rudeness and presumption.

I’ve been informed before that anime distribution in Japan is regional and limited. I’m aware that certain shows may only be broadcast on one or two stations in certain regions of Japan, and that viewers in rural areas may see little or no anime carried on their local networks. I’m also aware that the cost of new anime DVDs in Japan is the highest in the world. In my “Ask John” article titled, “Is Anime Too Expensive in America?” I tried to explain that American consumers should be thankful that new anime is significantly cheaper in America than it is in Japan; however, relative international distribution doesn’t preclude the right to feel dissatisfied or the right to complain. Awareness of the cost and availability of anime internationally may provide relative perspective, but I think it’s natural for people to relate to anime as it effects them personally, and in relation to their own expectations and standards. In other words, I understand that anime is not universally available throughout Japan, and understand that anime is expensive in Japan, but that’s not something which average anime fans are responsible for.

For the benefit of Japanese readers, allow me to explain that relatively little anime is available to average American television viewers. Only two major American nationwide broadcast television networks air any anime at all. Fox broadcasts Sonic X. The Warner Bros. network currently broadcasts Viewtiful Joe, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Pocket Monster. During the fall 2006 – spring 2007 season, Warner Bros. will not broadcast any anime in America. The Cartoon Network is a nationwide cable network that airs Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo, Cowboy Bebop, Eureka 7, Evangelion, Fullmetal Alchemist, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Inuyasha, Konjiki no Gash Bell, Naruto, One Piece, Samurai Champloo, Trigun, Transformers, and Yu-Gi-Oh GX. There are no other major American television networks that consistently air anime nationwide. Networks such as Plex, IFC, and The Anime Network have limited, regional distribution and/or don’t broadcast anime on a regular basis. No uncut, Japanese language anime is commonly available on American nationwide broadcast or cable television. In reality, the availability and distribution of anime in America isn’t that different in America than it is in Japan.

American consumers complain about the cost of anime in America because anime DVDs typically cost $10 to $15 more than single mainstream American DVDs with similar content. An entire season of an American animated television program may cost less than $50 while an entire season of a Japanese animated television program may cost over $200. Many American anime fans do obtain anime through illegal downloading. Right now there are over 100 different anime airing on Japanese television. Only 4 of those programs are available on American TV. American fans often download anime because they have no other way to watch current Japanese anime. The argument that Americans can import official Japanese DVDs is not a solution for average American consumers because Japanese DVDs are specifically designed to be incompatible with American DVD players. Furthermore, American downloaders are not solely at fault because much of the anime available online is initially uploaded onto the internet by Japanese viewers. Once again, I want to stress that I don’t wish to offend Japanese readers, but I must emphasize that Japanese fans are as guilty of pirating anime as Americans are. Not all Japanese anime fans illegally access and distribute anime. Not all American fans do. In both cases I believe that the majority of Japanese and American fans who do pirate anime don’t do so maliciously.

It’s unfortunate that anime distribution is Japan is regional, making anime inaccessible to some eager fans. However, only a handful of mostly older anime titles are easily accessible on American television. In major Japanese metropolitan areas, many new anime shows are broadcast on television. That’s not the case in America, even in America’s biggest cities and largest television markets. Japanese fans in major cities have the opportunity to watch new anime shows on television, in theaters, and purchase new anime DVDs. American fans nationwide do not have the opportunity to watch contemporary anime on television or in theaters. Anime is unquestionably expensive in Japan, but I believe that Japanese fans find a way to satiate their desire for anime. The fact that anime is steadily becoming more prolific in Japan attests to that fact. Likewise, American fans often resort to whatever means are necessary to watch the shows they’re interested in seeing. Anime is significantly more expensive than other similar types of entertainment media in America, which is cause for American consumers to compare and complain. Whenever possible, I try to encourage American consumers to recognize that their situation may seem unfavorable, but relatively it’s quite reasonable. I hope that Japanese readers will be able to understand the attitudes and circumstances that influence American anime fans and consumers.