Ask John: What Anime Aren’t Getting Enough Publicity in America?

Question:
What anime aren’t getting enough publicity in America? There are anime that are fantastic, but no one knows about them, like Eureka 7. It’s great, but I don’t think anyone knows about it. And Chrono Crusade too. What anime do you think need more exposure?

Answer:
I know that I’ve composed articles before about anime series that I think are under appreciated or unrecognized, so in order to make this answer relevant and interesting, I’ll focus only on relatively recent American releases. My opinions are subjective, and they’re based on the amount of interest and discussion I see about particular titles in the fan community relative to my own judgment of show quality. In other words, anime that aren’t high profile aren’t under exposed if they don’t deserve attention. Under exposed titles are ones that rightly should be more popular and respected than they are.

Speaking as both an anime fan and as an employee of AN Entertainment, I have to mention Risky Safety and Miami Guns. We licensed both of these shows because we believe that they are good series. I think that Miami Guns is a particularly fun and funny show, although I now recognize that it may seem a bit too conventional for some fans. Risky Safety is a charming, beautiful show animated by a skilled studio and directed by Koji Masunari, who also directed all of the R.O.D. anime and the award winning Kamichu. Of course, as a professional with a vested interest in these titles, I’d like to see them sell better. But as a private anime fan, I also think that these shows are better than they’re given credit for being.

Now, to be honest and objective, I actually have a hard time thinking of recent anime releases that I think are genuinely under appreciated. For example, Chrono Crusade isn’t a runaway hit, but it’s also not an exceptionally outstanding series. Chrono Crusade is an average quality show, and I think its relative popularity in America accurately reflects that. Eureka 7 hasn’t become a sensation in America yet, I suspect, because the show reportedly develops slowly. I haven’t personally watched more than the first domestic DVD, so I can’t speak from experience. I think that Eureka 7 will develop a bigger following in America over time.

Among recent releases the singular title that comes to mind is Gankutsuou. Although the show is definitely flashy, it has a substantial weight and drama. The atmosphere of the show is lush and involving. The characters have unique, individual personalities, motivations, and desires. The story is filled with captivating intrigue and uncertainty. However, the series’ American DVD release seems to have made barely a ripple with consumers (at least, with AnimeNation customers) and the American fan community. The Gonzo production seems to have been overshadowed by the success of Gonzo’s Samurai 7, which is being released concurrently with Gankutsuou.

The other two examples of unappreciated recent anime I’d like to point out are both victims of peculiar circumstances. Within the trio of recent girl fighting anime that consists of Air Master, Tenjho Tenge, and Ikkitousen, Air Master is the least attractive looking, but has the most intense action and the best animation quality. Sadly, the sub-par American DVD release was prematurely canceled, aborting any chance this excellent series had of coming to greater attention. Discriminating consumers avoided the release because of the technical flaws that marred the DVDs. The canceled release prevents consumers from watching the show, even if they’re willing to overlook the technical problems with the DVDs. Regrettably Air Master seems destined to not receive the recognition in America it deserves.

My second example is Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. I may be splitting hairs to distinguish the first and second anime series, but I think that the quality of the original Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure OAV series makes the distinction necessary. The original six episode Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure anime series was released in Japan in 1993. The prequel seven episode series was originally released in 2000. The earlier anime series is an exhilarating, tense, violent, and exciting action fantasy series. Regrettably, the second series is neither as attractive looking nor as intense and exciting. For its American release the second anime series hit America first, on four DVDs released over an extended release schedule plagued by delays. Unfortunately, even though the last two DVD volumes containing the earlier six episode series were well worth the wait, only the most hardcore fans had any patience left for collecting the series. The final two volumes of the American Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure DVD release can stand alone as an independent, self-contained anime series. And that series is one of the best adult oriented action anime available in America, but very few Americans seem to know or realize that fact.