Latest Update on the State of Japan’s Anime Industry

The Nikkei Business newspaper has published a lengthy Japanese language article analysing the current condition of Japan’s anime industry. The article cites Studio Ghibli’s Gedo Senki as a possible example of anime from newer generations of Japanese animators that aren’t able to compare with the appeal and quality of works by veteran Japanese animators. While Gedo Senki has consistently topped the Japanese box office, the film is reportedly only generating 60% of the performance of 2001’s Spirited Away. There are more anime television series broadcast in Japan now than ever before (103 per week in the Tokyo area as of July), but relatively few of these titles are profitable on DVD.

Increasing export of animation work overseas to countries including South Korea and China has reduced costs, but has also resulted in fewer Japanese animators with skilled experience in creating animation. Reportedly most Japanese anime studios now color animation cels by computer, but the long running Sazae-san is one exception. A staff of 50 animators still hand paint every one of the show’s animation cels.

Source: Anime News Service