Ask John: Why are Only Japan, America, and China Prominent in Anime?

Question:
Why do anime shows tend to ignore that other countries exist in the world? Most anime shows tend to rarely make any mention of another country unless it’s America or China, and I was wondering why this is. If the show is a school comedy, they’ll usually have a foreign exchange student with blonde hair from America, but I was wondering why they tend to concentrate mostly on themselves? They often portray America and China as far away places, and as if these are the only other two countries in the world. They never make a mention of places like Europe, Africa, South America or even other Pacific asian countries, and I was wondering if they’re trying not to offend any other countries. Often times they’ll have characters who are implied to be from foreign countries, like L from Death Note, or Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop, but they almost always try to avoid mentioning where these people are from, and I was wondering why this is?

Answer:
Japanese citizens take for granted and may not be conscious of their own impression that Japan is a unique nation. It’s typically countless foreigners that do take notice of Japan’s native indoctrinated nationalism. And, in fact, Japanese citizens often take offense to foreigners pointing out Japanese nationalistic pride. I’m not referring to this sense of national identity to criticize; only to cite it as part of the reason why so much anime is set in Japan or has settings with Japanese roots. The other reasons for the prevalence of anime focused in or on Japan are practical ones. Anime is created by Japanese artists who write and draw what they’re most comfortable and familiar with. And anime is primarily targeted at Japanese viewers, so it’s natural to make anime accessible to its target audience. However, careful exploration of anime reveals that international settings and recognition are more common in anime than initially apparent.

Outside of Japan, America is the most prominent country to appear in anime because America is one of the world’s most prominent and influential countries. America has also been historically a major influence on the development of modern Japan. So it should be no surprise to see America so prevalent in anime. Anime including Gunsmith Cats, Red Garden, Chrono Crusade, the You’re Under Arrest: No Mercy OVA, Lupin the 3rd: Alcatraz Connection TV special, and Kimagure Orange Road: Hawaiian Suspense OVA are set in America. Anime including Ojamajo Doremi, Lucky Star, and Death Note include characters that hail from America. China has likewise been a major influence on Japan, giving Japan its first writing system and exporting religious and cultural influences into early Japan. Anime series including Chuuka Ichiban, Kumo no yo ni Kaze no yo ni, Tekken Chinmi, and numerous adaptations of Sangokushi are set in China. Chinese anime characters include Lynn Minmei (Macross), Hei Shenshun (Darker Than Black), Revy (Black Lagoon), Li Syaoran & Li Meiling (Card Captor Sakura), Suzu (Amuri in Star Ocean), and Shampoo (Ranma 1/2).

A global perspective surfaces most in anime that are typically less known to Americans. The central core of anime with international settings are Nippon Animation’s World Masterpiece Theater anime. These shows have diverse settings because they come from works of international literature. Daisougen no Chiisana Tenshi Bushbaby is set in Kenya. Makiba no Shoujo Katri occurs in Finland. Alps no Shoujo Heidi is set in Switzerland. Princess Sara occurs in England. Anne of Green Gables & Konnichiwa Anne occur in Canada. Porphy no Nagai Tabi is set in Greece. Haha o Tazunete Sanzenri travels from Italy to Argentina. Citing only examples that originate in world literature, though, paints a skewed image of anime’s global perspective. There are numerous Japanese created anime stories set outside of Japan. Master Keaton, Golgo 13, Noir, and Gallery Fake all have globe trotting protagonists. Hellsing is primarily set in England. Ristorante Paradiso & Gunslinger Girl occur in Italy. The Nodame Cantible: Paris Hen series obviously occurs in France. Much of the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure anime occurs in Egypt. Rocket Girls largely occurs in the Solomon Islands. Hayao Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso is set in Croatia. Mahou no Yousei Pelsia begins in Africa before moving to Japan. The Hana Yori Dango television series includes a vacation trip to Canada. The fourth season of Maria-sama ga Miteru includes a school trip to Italy.

An international awareness also inspires anime. The Cowboy Bebop movie occurs on Mars, but was visually inspired by the production staff’s location scouting in Morocco. Michiko to Hatchin occurs in a fictional country, but the show’s scenery was inspired by location scouting in the Sao Luis, Recife, Barreiras, Olinda and Rio de Janeiro regions of Brazil. Blassreiter occurs in a stylized interpretation of Germany. Flag and portions of Gasaraki are set in fictional middle eastern nations. The Hetalia ~Axis Powers~ anime series isn’t so much set in foreign nations as it stars foreign nations. International anime characters include Black Lagoon’s Balalaika & Sakura Taisen’s Maria Tachibana, both Russian. Perrier from Amuri in Star Ocean in French. Yawara’s Jody Rockwell is Canadian. Hakim Atawari from Victorian Romance Emma visits from India. Actually, outside of talking anime anime including Koala Boy Kocky and Fushigi na Koala Blinky, it’s only Australia that really seems to get overlooked by anime. In the same way that the majority of American television programs and contemporary movies are set in America because they’re targeted at American viewers, anime for Japanese viewers tends to concentrate on Japan. But anime definitely does have a global perspective available to viewers that look for it.