Cowboy Bebop Anime Writer Expresses Frustrations With Industry

By Ishaan . July 24, 2010 . 5:16pm

Cowboy Bebop Anime Writer Expresses Frustrations With Industry

At a conference titled “Cultural Typhoon” held at Komazawa University in July 2010, story writer for anime series such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Dai Sato, expressed some of his concerns regarding the medium.

 

Issues with sub-contracting

 

One of the practices Sato takes issue with is outsourcing work for “in-between” frames of animation to smaller external contractors (often in China and Korea). Outsourcing and contracting work to external studios, Sato feels, leads to a loss in consistency, as sub-contractors are often unaware of the projects they are working on. He uses Macross as an example, where the “continuity between images was awful” and laments that, despite this, the industry has been following the same practice ever since.

 

For anyone that’s curious, this is a common practice in the games industry, too. Very often, smaller outsource studios are contracted to develop artwork or environments for games without majority of the staff ever being aware of the product they’re working on until it ships.

 

An extension of this problem, in Sato’s views, is that sub-contractors aren’t invested in their work at all, which he sees as the single largest problem plaguing the anime industry today. At the same time, however, he feels Japan can no longer claim anime as their own creation either. He accuses the anime industry of refusing to teach these Asian sub-contractors the skills required to craft their own stories because it could potentially damage the position of Japan in anime production.

 

No respect for stories

 

Switching gears, Sato also felt that the Japanese audience lacks a certain respect for storytelling. He laments the lack of an Ergo Proxy (for which he penned the story) DVD boxset in Japan, whereas the series received boxsets in other nations around the world. He went on to mention that Eureka Seven was dismissed in Japan as a clone of Neon Genesis Evangelion based on certain similarities in character designs (referring specifically to Rei Ayanami and Eureka).

 

Sato questions whether the audience is even interested in taking a deeper look into stories that creators put out. He feels the general audience is losing its ability to understand the meaning behind narratives that they experience. That works with a focus on plot and narrative are passed up in favour of those with an emphasis on cute characters and no real plot progression. As a result, he says, writers such as himself are finding it harder to find work, even as “Hollywood rips off our ideas.”

 

Anime is overly focused on materialistic escapism in his views, and no effort is being made to draw parallels with real-world problems and issues.

 

The future of anime

 

At a time like this, Sato says, the doujinshi (indie) scene is a source of inspiration. Since manga requires less staff to create something original than anime, he feels it is the last bastion of creativity within the industry. “Manga is the last hold out,” he said to his audience. “If that is lost, there will be no more anime.”

 

Personally, he feels that anime will die out in Japan in a few decades, but he wishes to continue working on it to prevent this outcome. He added that he has never had the freedom to work on something he wanted to. All the series he has written were shaped by commercial and professional restraints, and that he had to work to make them interesting within those constraints.


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← Older Comments
  • http://twitter.com/shay_guy Shay Guy

    I wonder if he's looked at, say, American cartoons of the 2000s for comparison. Avatar, for instance, is heavily plot- and character-development-based, even though some of the most passionate fandom is focused on individual characters (Zuko, Toph, Iroh, Koh, Wang Fire).

  • http://twitter.com/shay_guy Shay Guy

    I wonder if he's looked at, say, American cartoons of the 2000s for comparison. Avatar, for instance, is heavily plot- and character-development-based, even though some of the most passionate fandom is focused on individual characters (Zuko, Toph, Iroh, Koh, Wang Fire).

  • http://twitter.com/shay_guy Shay Guy

    I wonder if he's looked at, say, American cartoons of the 2000s for comparison. Avatar, for instance, is heavily plot- and character-development-based, even though some of the most passionate fandom is focused on individual characters (Zuko, Toph, Iroh, Koh, Wang Fire).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    I have to correct myself now that I've read the full article. He does seem to be talking about those series, but he doesn't disapprove of them. He doesn't seem to be bashing fanservice anime either as many animators have their roots there. He's just upset at how an excess amount of similar material has turned anime into almost strictly commercial business that lacks creativity. The only thing I seemed to be right about is his disgust in the type of crowd these anime tend to attract. The type that goes “luv anime” (anime daichuki) as the article puts it. Btw, that's the type crowd I mean by otakus. Of course that's not what all otakus are like, but I don't feel like typing out the word extreme each time.

    An interesting comparison he makes is that rap and manga, as they both fight against the forces that'll make them lose there edge and don't “sell out”. As you may or may not know, the Japanese rap scene is still mostly underground and the rappers there are quite creative. So is doujin scene. He also doesn't like the fact there aren't much original works like “Eden of the East” and his “Ergo Proxy” Also, while manga adaptations are still good, he believes the industry is too reliant on them now. (Yotsu if you read this link to original titles other than Angel Beats to prove him wrong)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    I have to correct myself now that I've read the full article. He does seem to be talking about those series, but he doesn't disapprove of them. He doesn't seem to be bashing fanservice anime either as many animators have their roots there. He's just upset at how an excess amount of similar material has turned anime into almost strictly commercial business that lacks creativity. The only thing I seemed to be right about is his disgust in the type of crowd these anime tend to attract. The type that goes “luv anime” (anime daichuki) as the article puts it. Btw, that's the type crowd I mean by otakus. Of course that's not what all otakus are like, but I don't feel like typing out the word extreme each time.

    An interesting comparison he makes is that rap and manga, as they both fight against the forces that'll make them lose there edge and don't “sell out”. As you may or may not know, the Japanese rap scene is still mostly underground and the rappers there are quite creative. So is doujin scene. He also doesn't like the fact there aren't much original works like “Eden of the East” and his “Ergo Proxy” Also, while manga adaptations are still good, he believes the industry is too reliant on them now. (Yotsu if you read this link to original titles other than Angel Beats to prove him wrong)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    I have to correct myself now that I've read the full article. He does seem to be talking about those series, but he doesn't disapprove of them. He doesn't seem to be bashing fanservice anime either as many animators have their roots there. He's just upset at how an excess amount of similar material has turned anime into almost strictly commercial business that lacks creativity. The only thing I seemed to be right about is his disgust in the type of crowd these anime tend to attract. The type that goes “luv anime” (anime daichuki) as the article puts it. Btw, that's the type crowd I mean by otakus. Of course that's not what all otakus are like, but I don't feel like typing out the word extreme each time.

    An interesting comparison he makes is that rap and manga, as they both fight against the forces that'll make them lose there edge and don't “sell out”. As you may or may not know, the Japanese rap scene is still mostly underground and the rappers there are quite creative. So is doujin scene. He also doesn't like the fact there aren't much original works like “Eden of the East” and his “Ergo Proxy” Also, while manga adaptations are still good, he believes the industry is too reliant on them now. (Yotsu if you read this link to original titles other than Angel Beats to prove him wrong)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    I have to correct myself now that I've read the full article. He does seem to be talking about those series, but he doesn't disapprove of them. He doesn't seem to be bashing fanservice anime either as many animators have their roots there. He's just upset at how an excess amount of similar material has turned anime into almost strictly commercial business that lacks creativity. The only thing I seemed to be right about is his disgust in the type of crowd these anime tend to attract. The type that goes “luv anime” (anime daichuki) as the article puts it. Btw, that's the type crowd I mean by otakus. Of course that's not what all otakus are like, but I don't feel like typing out the word extreme each time.

    An interesting comparison he makes is that rap and manga, as they both fight against the forces that'll make them lose there edge and don't “sell out”. As you may or may not know, the Japanese rap scene is still mostly underground and the rappers there are quite creative. So is doujin scene. He also doesn't like the fact there aren't much original works like “Eden of the East” and his “Ergo Proxy” Also, while manga adaptations are still good, he believes the industry is too reliant on them now. (Yotsu if you read this link to original titles other than Angel Beats to prove him wrong)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    While he hasn't looked at it, at the very end even Avatar seemed to “sell out” with it's seemingly forced ending. And now Nickelodeon is creating a 2nd series just because of the popularity of the first one.

  • RAVENKam

    '…he feels that anime will die out in Japan in a few decades'. I think he's being a little over dramatic there.

  • Yotsu

    Yes. I was linked here from another site.

  • Yotsu

    “I believe Sato is more concerned with the fact that behind-the-scenes, it is getting harder for writers like him to pitch stuff that they want to do and cover the themes they want. “

    Possibly, but my post is more so directed at the comments here rather than Sato himself.

    “Like everyone else has said on here, if the empty-headed anime makes it almost impossible for more complex fare to be released (AND to make money), then it's a loss for all of us. “

    There is no evidence of that happening and that's never how it's been. Either way, the complaints here are saying that there has already been a shift–not complaining about a future shift.

    The top selling anime nearly every year are still mecha anime. The two best selling anime of the year? Eva 2.0 and Gundam Unicorn. I don't see anyone bringing that up.

    I enjoy slice of life comedies, romance, action, mecha, “intelligent” stuff. I enjoy everything. I don't like this idea some people have that only what THEY like is what is allowed to be popular.

  • Yotsu

    “I believe Sato is more concerned with the fact that behind-the-scenes, it is getting harder for writers like him to pitch stuff that they want to do and cover the themes they want. “

    Possibly, but my post is more so directed at the comments here rather than Sato himself.

    “Like everyone else has said on here, if the empty-headed anime makes it almost impossible for more complex fare to be released (AND to make money), then it's a loss for all of us. “

    There is no evidence of that happening and that's never how it's been. Either way, the complaints here are saying that there has already been a shift–not complaining about a future shift.

    The top selling anime nearly every year are still mecha anime. The two best selling anime of the year? Eva 2.0 and Gundam Unicorn. I don't see anyone bringing that up.

    I enjoy slice of life comedies, romance, action, mecha, “intelligent” stuff. I enjoy everything. I don't like this idea some people have that only what THEY like is what is allowed to be popular.

  • Pichi

    I don't know, he's talking exactly how some Japanese developers are talking. The “gloom and doom” stuff. Japanese developers have to cater to the west, some anime companies pandering to certain otaku and the likes.

    I just don't see it for either situation, mostly. Its just the sign of the times of what's popular these days. There are plenty of good anime works still being made and also Japanese games sticking to their roots. Not seeing a “gloom and doom” anytime soon.

  • Pichi

    I don't know, he's talking exactly how some Japanese developers are talking. The “gloom and doom” stuff. Japanese developers have to cater to the west, some anime companies pandering to certain otaku and the likes.

    I just don't see it for either situation, mostly. Its just the sign of the times of what's popular these days. There are plenty of good anime works still being made and also Japanese games sticking to their roots. Not seeing a “gloom and doom” anytime soon.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    I'd like to point out that those 2 titles are established franchises with large fanbases and a majority the titles you mentioned are manga and light novel adaptations. Right now the anime industry is using those as crutches There needs to be more original animation works like Angel Beats, Senko no Night Raid, and I'll list Eden of the East as Sato uses that as one of his examples of good original anime.

    Many people here are letting nostalgia jade their senses. You should just let them clamor around since they're as stubborn as mules. That doesn't change the fact that slice of life anime, which I do enjoy, with an all female cast has become the second most highest selling anime group in Japan for mostly the wrong reasons. Sato notices that and is rightfully disgusted with the kind of attention they have been getting and the fact the anime companies have been catering to their fetishes more. Until this past spring, there have been plenty of good titles that have just gotten lost in sea of pure fanservice. Thankfully the there are more good ones this year, especially this summer. There were plenty of bad anime in the past too, but those were just plain bad.

    Sorry if this seems disorganized, sleeping next to a loud street is not a fun thing.

  • thaKingRocka

    they've been hitting me with that combo of misery for years.

  • Some1onearth

    “nowadays, anime focus on fanservice and moe which is :(“

    That alone is what made me quit watching and only watch those which are recommended to me by specific people who know me well enough to not just recommend what they think would be good…sigh. I wish it wasn't this way…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/TheWon-Jodecideion/100000708937172 TheWon Jodecideion

    Glad to read some of the comments here. Anime like everything else is becoming a cliche of it's self. Everything is going too mecha or too magic girl big eyes harem adventures. Anime use to have more of a variety, and those shows did a better job of telling a story. With very interesting characters that made you want to learn more and see them more. I look at the problem with anime is being the same problem with the Japanese gaming industry right now. There is no more creativity, or imagination.

  • EvilAkito

    Definitely agree. Not every contemporary anime is a shallow, slice of life moe comedy meant to attract viewers with excessive cuteness. Yet for some reason, that's all anyone seems to notice. It's a shame that many people are missing out on enjoyable shows just because they refuse to take a closer look and filter out the shows that don't interest them.

  • Yotsu

    The majority of anime being adaptations isn't new at all. Non-mecha original anime have always been big risks for studios.

    “That doesn't change the fact that slice of life anime, which I do enjoy, with an all female cast has become the second most highest selling anime group in Japan for mostly the wrong reasons.”

    And what would the right reasons be for an anime becoming popular?

    There have been three slice of life anime–K-ON, Azumanga Daioh, and Lucky Star–that have gotten particularly big in the last 10 years. When you look at the anime coming out every season, it isn't dominated by slice of life. There are maybe two them in the larger seasons maybe one in the smaller. Their prevalence is exaggerated by people who simply don't want them to be popular.

    “Sato notices that and is rightfully disgusted with the kind of attention they have been getting and the fact the anime companies have been catering to their fetishes more.”

    I don't know what is meant by simply catering to fetishes. That isn't the only reason why these anime are enjoyed and it's just something people say to argue against anime that aren't filled with action but cute girls.

    “Until this past spring, there have been plenty of good titles that have just gotten lost in sea of pure fanservice.”

    Such as?

    We can go back to any point and pick out some bad anime that were popular and good stuff that weren't. There will always be some “good” stuff ignored even compared to the stuff considered lowbrow. That isn't just with anime, but everything.

  • http://twitter.com/frigidpyro Ben

    Thanks for the link. Totally agree with him. The amount of fluff shows now are nauseating. Funny how people even admit to watching a show solely because a character or two are cute.

  • lostinblue

    I think we need more people like him, fighting for the medium. Otherwise it'll get more and more irrelevant like it clearly has gotten lately.

    I think he's it's a fight no one can win though, bucks against well… creative vision. Since it's the bucks that make all the stuff possible in the first place they'll always “mostly” triumph eventually.

    Like Hollywood, not many movies that get to the cinemas are any good but it's the bucks that literally order them.

  • RupanIII

    “I enjoy slice of life comedies, romance, action, mecha, “intelligent” stuff. I enjoy everything. I don't like this idea some people have that only what THEY like is what is allowed to be popular.”

    No one has said this, not Sato or people in the comments section. Did you read the article?

    “He (Sato) did not say that he disliked “atmosphere-type” works like “K-On!” – rather he likes the incredible designs. He also did not criticize fan service, because, just as many Japanese film directors came from the “pink movie” industry, many animators are coming from a background in erotic material (doujinshi, eroge or ero-anime/manga). Sexual desire is part of the creative drive.”

    Actually, he praised it. If you did read it, don't twist what people are saying. Most here don't mind moe/cutesy/lighter fare, and in fact enjoy it, just like they enjoy other genres. But they don't like it dominating the whole industry, which they feel is happening. Is that such a controversial notion that no one can discuss it? Sure, there's still good stuff coming out, no one said ALL anime nowadays is crap. We're talking about general trends, and it's hard to refute that in general there is a lot more vapid original material coming out, some adaptations and such aside. Vapid meaning stuff that is, intended or not, produced and makes money based mostly off characters that are sexual surrogates for the otaku set. Of course people question that kind of popularity; for one thing it’s arguably highly dysfunctional, though not everyone here thinks so, and many think it just doesn’t make for a compelling story (I know, that opinion is off-limits).

    Also, come on, the Eva movies? NEWSFLASH, Anno even said some of the reasons he decided to remake the series were PRECISELY BECAUSE he felt the industry had grown stagnant, with portrayals of technology rather than will, and that not a lot of interesting work has been done lately. (http://www.liquidskydesign.org/rebuild-of-evang…)

    I’m sick of this cynical relativist attitude that it's wrong to think a bit critically about the industry or to question trends. Don't think or analyze too much, just shut up, if you don’t like something and have a reasoned argument why you’re just pretentious, if it’s popular that means it’s above reproach and must be automatically accepted by all, etc.

    Finally, taste is subjective. For all the 'jaded' and 'superior' people you think are here, absolutely no one has called you an idiot or told you to get your head out of your ass because you of your preferences, so you have no call to say that to anyone who likes yesteryear’s stuff, whatever their reasons may be. We Siliconera-ites may be stubborn, perhaps a tad old-fashioned, but when we disagree, we discuss, not hurl insults in yet another battle-of-the-intarnet-dimwits. I wouldn't be saying this if you weren't so rude and just argued your point amicably, but really, you went out of your way to make an account just to hassle people, not have a discussion. Grow up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tommy-Lee/518924335 Tommy Lee

    Uhmm… This may not be the right time or place to tell you this, but I just wanted to point out it's not only the American girls that are like that. I'm sure you've heard of “enjo kosai” or “compensated dating.” For others who read this and don't know, the most simplest way to explain is it's when a schoolgirl wants to be an escort just for quick cash. It's obviously an underground thing, so I don't know exactly how prevalent it actually is, but just this past year, I think 4 girls, all separate situations, got busted doing it in just this past year, with the youngest being 13, so I'd say it's pretty problematic there. So I wouldn't be surprised if there are lot Japanese anime fans that think like that too about their female peers.

    I also have a personal story from about 5 years ago, where I met a 15 or 16 year old girl from Hong Kong or some big city in China that practically bragged about her drinking and being wild at clubs. When I had the attitude of “That's just wrong.” written of my face(I still can't hide my thoughts well) she scowled at me.

    So, I think it's not only an American or Western problem, but it's a problem in many first world countries and many big cities of second world countries. Sorry for going way off topic here.

  • RupanIII

    Oh yea, I know it's like that in real life. I just said American high school girls specifically because that's what I experienced. It might've been more accurate to drop the 'American' and just say I like the innocence portrayed in those shows because in contrasts from many real life girls that age. Yea, materialism tends to run high in many first world countries, to the point where an LV bag or whatnot is assigned more value than one's virtue. Incidentally, speaking of Anno and enjo kosai, if anyone's interested he made an interesting live action film on the subject called Love & Pop.

  • Jirin

    And you know, he's really got some balls complaining about Hollywood ripping off anime, considering he's most famous for writing a space western.

    I just think, if you're a good writer there's always going to be an audience who wants to see what you write. But, it's not always going to be the biggest audience where the most money is. Saying you want to make lots of money and still have creative control is like having your cake and eating too. And then blaming the audience for not liking what he wants to write? If he really wants to write compelling storylines, he'll happily settle for a smaller paycheck.

    I don't watch very much anime, but Monster finally started coming out on DVD in America and I'm excited about seeing that. There are still intelligent, story driven animes coming out. You just have to look a little harder for them.

  • Jirin

    Yes, but who really cares who knows? Good stories do come out. Winter's Bone is an effing excellent movie. What do I care if not very many other people go to see it? I went to see it and I loved it.

  • RupanIII

    Point taken about making money vs. doing what you want. But I don't think he was saying he wants to make a lot of money, I think he was saying that there's just not as much room to be creative overall. Also, although 'space western' of course owes certain genre influences to, among other things, Hollywood (specifically older Hollywood), C.B. is anything but derivative imo, so much more than a genre label can do justice to, unlike most Hollywood takes on anime

  • Aoshi00

    That's what I was thinking all this time, while manga/anime is an art form, ultimately it's still a business, just like movies or gaming, it's always been a bit of compromise, give and take. All the manga authors who serialize weekly work w/ a personal tantou assigned by the publisher, to keep him in check or bounce ideas off of, like he would tell the artist “nah readers won't like that” “if the story goes into that direction, readers might lose interest in a couple of weeks”, which is a common thing, because magazines constantly put out survey to gauge readers' interest. If the artist only draws something he likes but his readers are not entertained, he get knocked off and someone else replaces him. But there's still room for the artist to express his or her creativity of course, w/ limits.

    In movies, you have director's vision, producer input, and expectation from fans, etc.. I think he's thinking a bit too highly of himself, Cowboy Bebop was good, but it wasn't be all and end all, btwn that time and now there's tons of good anime. If he wants to really make artsy stuff, it might not be the most commercially viable, like indie movies vs mainstream hollywood, just like he mentioned dojin, there's less at stake. Not necessarily one better than the other, both kinds of movies have their pros and cons. Anno's Eva was a unique case, he hooked everyone slowly w/ a more or less conventional robot anime, then bam came the surprising ending (and the cop out animation in the last two episodes when he ran out of budget), which people didn't know what to make of at the time, and hence caused even more of a controversy, so the series was both famous and infamous.

    Moe has been quite prominent in recent years, but there's still lots of good manga being adapted into anime. I haven't watched much anime in recent years though..

    And his views on the in-between, I didn't really quite agree w/.. (the art direction/storyboard and main frames were still prepared by Jpn staff a lot of times, the overseas studios are only doing the grunt work, filling in the gaps)

  • Yotsu

    “No one has said this, not Sato or people in the comments section. Did you read the article? “

    As I said, my post isn't just directed at Sato but the comments. Yes, people are looking down on people who enjoy cute anime and you are doing it yourself by pushing this idea that the only reason fans of the show enjoy it are for the most superficial reasons.

    “We're talking about general trends, and it's hard to refute that in general there is a lot more vapid original material coming out, some adaptations and such aside. Vapid meaning stuff that is, intended or not, produced and makes money based mostly off characters that are sexual surrogates for the otaku set.”

    No, I see anime that have cute girls in them, and people who don't like the shows saying that the only reason anyone would enjoy them is for the cute girls. “Moe” isn't even observable to the average viewer. It's only something that people with a vague understanding of it can speak about and “see”.

    Making anime characters desirable is nothing new. Being obsessed with and falling love with them and buying the merchandise isn't new. This goes way back. The otaku of now isn't that much different from the otaku of 20 years ago.

    “Also, come on, the Eva movies? NEWSFLASH, Anno even said some of the reasons he decided to remake the series were PRECISELY BECAUSE he felt the industry had grown stagnant”

    He also said the same thing about the original Eva. Anno is a very pretentious man.

    That wasn't my point though. I was just showing what the most popular anime are, and how saying stuff like “They don't make stuff Evangelion anymore!” is absolutely ridiculous.

    “I’m sick of this cynical relativist attitude that it's wrong to think a bit critically about the industry or to question trends. Don't think or analyze too much, just shut up, if you don’t like something and have a reasoned argument why you’re just pretentious, if it’s popular that means it’s above reproach and must be automatically accepted by all, etc.”

    I am sick of the people blinded by nostalgia and the people who just got into anime a year ago forcing this idea and warped usage of “moe” on everyone because the shows they like aren't as popular as K-ON.

    They are allowed to criticize the industry, but much of this criticizing isn't justified. It is mostly thinking their tastes are superior to everyone else's and cherrypicking. The people who do it don't have a clue what they're talking about, as they're unable to see anything except the popular things they don't like.

    “Finally, taste is subjective. For all the 'jaded' and 'superior' people you think are here, absolutely no one has called you an idiot or told you to get your head out of your ass because you of your preferences, so you have no call to say that to anyone who likes yesteryear’s stuff, whatever their reasons may be.”

    They are allowed to like it. Nobody is saying they're not allowed to like old anime. But they're not allowed to critique industry trends and direction when they themselves obviously don't have a grasp on what's being released or what was released–just a very limited understanding based on what's popular on the internet and what they saw when they were 12.

    The fact is there's been a lot more anime compared to 15 years ago, and there's been more diversity in what airs. Most of these “classics” were far and few between. If you only look at what's “good” in a time period of course your feeling of what's been released is going to be off, especially compared to a time where you have everything–the good and the bad. That is a concept that seems to be completely beyond their understanding. Much of what they understand about anime before the 00s is based on what was handpicked for them by licensors and fansubbers who were of course going to pick out the stuff they expected a 14 year old boy would be interested in.

    “I wouldn't be saying this if you weren't so rude and just argued your point amicably, but really, you went out of your way to make an account just to hassle people, not have a discussion. Grow up.”

    I am annoyed, and reasonably so. I deal with these attitudes far to often within the anime community. I know who I'm dealing with. You guys aren't that much different site to site.

  • MisterNiwa

    This man completely understands my feelings towards Japan nowadays and Anime.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/S42ONH6C3L63N2MEAFXB6E26XE wahyudil

    wow … now I know why less and less good animes are released nowadays …

  • Exand

    Well a good chunk of anime is based off manga. So I guess the manga industry is going to hell too, since he specifically points to doujinshi manga as the “last bastion”.

    Not to mention for every fluff anime like Strike Witches 2 or Sekirei, you get things like Durarara, Senko no Night Raid, Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin, Shi Ki, that have good story and character.
    Even the more visual / action / “brain dead” anime like Sengoku Basara have contributed to the history boom in Japan, so I don't see anything wrong with the anime.

    Sounds like he's just having a hard time being creative (Ergo Proxy was a tangled mess of an anime trying to be too smart and artsy for it's own good) and lashing out.

    I do agree about the quality of out-sourced anime though. It's really evident sometimes when faces or backgrounds deform into 2nd rate drawings. Bleach is a really good example of just how bad things can get with out-sourced anime.

  • RupanIII

    “As I said, my post isn't just directed at Sato but the comments. Yes, people are looking down on people who enjoy cute anime and you are doing it yourself by pushing this idea that the only reason fans of the show enjoy it are for the most superficial reasons.”

    And as I said, not everyone is doing this (Sato or the comments sections). I even said cute anime can be cathartic, something I'd hardly call a 'superficial reason' for liking it, and something that implies that for some people out there, on a personal level, cute anime could be more meaningful to them than more serious fare. Again, just because people question a trend doesn't mean they hate it. What it really boils down to is that you seem to be taking this whole thing a little personally, clumping everyone here (plus Sato, plus Anno, plus other people you are apparently forced to deal with “far to[sic] often within the anime community”) into this same rather extreme image. Many are just reasonably commenting on a trend, some saying that Sato's being bitter, some absolutely loathe moe, some are in between, some feel there is a general trend/shift going on.. point is, there are a lot of diverse opinions and subtle gradations that you're just mashing together into this vilified ‘you guys’ Other. And, just my opinion, but just cause some people around here don’t dig moe (which, if you browsed the site for any length of time, you’d realize they’re in the minority) seems like a trite, not 'reasonable,' justification to degenerate dialectic into petty name calling.

  • http://kanjiiz.wordpress.com/ Art Rodriguez

    How can Dai Sato badmouth anyone about anyone being original when he worked on motherfreakin' Halo Legends. And not just any segment, he worked on The Package, one of the weak ol' ones. And while it's not ripping off anyone, it's taking an already popular franchise and taking Western ideas.

    I feel this guy should really practice what he preaches and stop talking and start acting. This guy must be in some position at some anime production company to at least make some sort of change in the industry. All it takes is one anime. We can all blame ToHeart and it's success for what's happening right now with all these titles with no crossover appeal for gods' sake. That's right, ToHeart is to blame for EVERYTHING!

  • SeventhEvening

    That no respect for stories point could be extended to any country and any medium. Most people don't seem to understand deeper meanings and seem to hardly grasp fairly straight forward narratives. By that I don't mean everyone, but just what seems to be the general public. For example, I saw Inception a week ago, and it is detailed, but quite straight forward and easy to understand. But most of the people in the audience were complaining that the ending was ambiguous and that made it “suck”, and many people I have talked to who've seen it needed me to explain many of the plot points of the movie. I've worked in a game store, a book store and a movie rental place, and at all three places I consistently encountered people who had little understanding or respect for narratives. The worst was with movies, where many customers flat out refused to watch anything with subtitles.

    Additionally, just because Ergo Proxy got a boxed set release in the US doesn't really mean anything. To my knowledge, that boxed set sold relatively poorly and as a whole is a rather obscure, under appreciated series. I mean, Niea_7 had a US boxed set release as well, but that doesn't mean that Americans have an appreciation of it, or even a passing knowledge of it. On the reverse side, Galaxy Express 999 doesn't have a boxed set release in the US, but is a rather well known, well respected series (partially thanks to the movie adaption).

  • karasuKumo

    I agree with him to a certain extent. Hollywood's “greatest” horror films have been rip off's and remakes of Japanese films and most of the time the western audience doesn't know it's a rip off. And it's not just horror look at the Lion King and Kimba the White Lion.

    As for the storytelling I like the lesser known Anime such as Durarara and Noein (I emphasize this one if you haven't watched it do!). Depends on what floats your boat really.

    I just despise how Anime in the west is dominated by Naruto and Bleach, you go and ask if a store has something you want in stock and they say “No we discontinued to sell that because of low sales, we do have Naruto though.” >_< And they wonder why people prefer to buy stuff online haha

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