AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Question:
Are there any anime series based on Korean manhwa?

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Question:
A few weeks back I noticed that the Gankutsuou boxset had made it into [AnimeNation's] top three bestselling anime for two weeks in a row. I had no idea this show was popular enough to still sell this well. I remember when Rightstuf was trying to get rid of the older Geneon sets each week at a very low price, likely to move in the new Funimation sets. From the sales data as presented through AnimeNation’s newsletter, is Gankutsuou a popular title that actually sells that well? I never hear people talk or write about it on the internet, so it was just a surprise!

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Question:
You answered the question of why do Americans seem to hate lolicon quite well, but why does it seem like Americans almost completely ignore shotacon?

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Question:
Kyoto Animation has experienced wild success in adapting Key visual novels. Would you care to speculate whether this trend will continue?

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Question:
I recently watched Ah My Goddess, (I know, old school, but I still love it) and it got me thinking about something. It’s a nice, waffy (Warm And Fuzzy Feeling for those who don’t know), and slightly ecchi show that you just don’t see around much anymore. So what I’m wondering is, what other animes are like this? I can’t seem to find many that are a nice middle ground between harem romcom animes and the more hard core stuff.

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Question:
With the current explosion of moé anime series in Japan, I can’t help but notice that they are all targeted at men and feature cute girls. Why do you suppose that there aren’t moé shows made for female otaku that feature cute boys? Must moé shows feature girls, or do you think there would be room for moé featuring cute boys also?

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Question:

In the 1990′s DBZ was the most popular anime overall in Japan. In the 2000′s it was One Piece. What animes were the most popular and decade-defining in Japan in the 1970′s, 1960′s and 1950′s? And which one do you think is gearing up to be the “it” show of the 2010′s?

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Question:
A look at this screenshot of Kamijou Touma of To Aru Majutsu no Index brought back to my mind that catch phrase from those Timex Watch commercials, “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” Assuming you are familiar with Index and the likely reasons why that catch phrase might apply to its male protagonist, who else does John recall from any other corner of the anime universe who might also qualify to be described by said phrase?

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Question:

While roaming online, I found the question, “What are some anime characters that will be fondly remembered years from now? You know, characters like Char, Lupin, Minmay, Astro Boy, etc.” I thought the question was intriguing and wanted to address it myself.

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Question:

Why are Japanese anime companies reluctant to do sequels to manga adaptations, even when they have the material for them? Everyone’s been waiting for new Berserk in animated form, not just a shiny retread of what’s already been available. Is it because the later conent in Berserk is too “violent” to sell on certain timeslots? Though even the Fist of the North Star and Saint Seiya anime franchise had follow-ups, even if it took a few decades. And the same question applies to Hunter X Hunter. Or is it just possible that the OAD market isn’t as lucrative as the industry would prefer, and it’s currently cheaper to stick with the formulas which were successful, even if everyone who was interested already bought the original incarnations of those properties? And does the fact that Hellsing Ultimate’s been a disappointment also factor in with anime companies’ reluctance to adapt newer material?

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Question:
With the success of Tiger & Bunny and the popularity of its main character, Kotetsu, do you think that the anime industry will see more adult main characters? In a broader scheme, do you think Japan’s aging population will lead to more grown up characters?

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PriceCharting.com performed some extensive research and compiled a list of America’s most valuable anime DVDs. I’ve taken the liberty of contributing some supplemental commentary.

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Question:
Casual browsing indicates that Wikipedia seems to be on the way to becoming an alternative reference/information source for anime and manga in its own right, as compared to the encyclopedias over at Anime News Network – even if, so far as I see it right now, opinions may differ as to whether it is or might one day be, as comprehensive as ANN’s encyclopedias.

Does John have any particular opinion or point of view on that subject?

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Question:
Has there been a gradual trend toward anime with familial themes? I’ve been seeing many shows lately that prominently feature parents/guardians or highlight the struggle to define & maintain an (often unconventional) family. Usagi Drop is an overt example, but other series like Mawaru Penguindrum (esp. later episodes), Ikoku Meiro no Croisee, OreImo and Hanasaku Iroha seem to revolve around family issues as well. One could look a little further back to shows like Toradora and Clannad.

My stereotype of anime has always involved eerily non-existent parents — teenagers living alone for whatever convenient reason to exclude guardians from their idyllic anime worlds. I remember being shocked by Jubei-chan’s inclusion of a believable and compelling parental protagonist in a (1999) magical girl anime. Is anime with a greater family focus coming into prominence, or has it been around all along?

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Question:

As an anime otaku, what is the 5 best space anime you have ever seen?

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