Wired Discusses the State of Anime in America

Wired Magazine has published an incisive new article discussing the penetration of anime into American culture. According to the article, “Anime has a serious demographics problem in the United States. Other than The Simpsons and King of the Hill, two popular prime-time cartoons, American grown-ups have been wary of animation.” However, the article does mention that “Adults might be slow to embrace the anime, but kids continue to lap up the Japanese shows.”

According to TOKYOPOP, “the entertainment industry is searching for the breakout [anime] hit” that will bring anime to widespread American commercial and critical success. TOKYOPOP is hoping that Initial D will make it onto American television and become that breakthrough success that will make Americans realize that anime isn’t merely for children.

Also according to the article, Threshold Entertainment, the distributor of “the best entertainment in the world for guys,” including online sponsorship and distribution of such properties as “Pete the P.O.ed Postal Worker,” and “Mortal Kombat Federation of Martial Artists,” considers anime “the next big thing,” and is at work developing “a live-action anime movie.” The film project Threshold Entertainment is hoping to develop as a live-action picture is the distinctly not anime Galaxy Grand Prix.

Based on this article, and “Galaxy Grand Prix,” it seems as though while anime is making significant progress into mainstream American cultural awareness, it still has a long way to go.

Source: Anime News Service