Ask John: Why Aren’t There More English Subbed Japanese DVDs?

Question:
Why can’t more Japanese companies put English subtitles on Region 2 anime DVDs?

Answer:
I don’t think this is really a case of “can’t.” I suspect that most Japanese anime DVDs don’t include English subtitles mainly because there’s no demand for them. Certainly, the American market loves import DVDs that include English subtitles, but these discs aren’t intended for American consumers. That’s why they’re region coded in the first place. Japanese anime DVDs aren’t made for English speaking consumers living in countries beside Japan. They’re made for Japanese fans who predominately speak only Japanese. While English isn’t uncommon in Japan, it’s not a commonly spoken language either, so the vast majority of Japanese consumers have no need of or interest in having English language subtitle options on their DVDs. Japan is a very different market than the US, especially when it comes to DVDs. In America, consumers simply expect anime DVDs to have multiple language options. American consumers also expect animated menus and supplemental material on the DVDs they buy. In Japan, bonus material including multiple audio and language settings, simple image galleries and even animated menus are not the standard but the exception. Perhaps because Japanese consumers are still so used to the basic, no frills but instant accessibility of laserdisc, Japanese anime DVDs seem to focus on straightforword, quick loading, bare-bones presentations. Already we’re seeing more special edition anime DVDs released in Japan, though, and as the market and complexity of DVD grows in Japan, I’m sure that we’ll see more Japanese DVDs that include English language subtitle options. But, for the time being, the Japanese market simply doesn’t bear out the need for multiple language options on anime DVDs.

Some of the Japanese issue anime DVDs that do include English subtitle options include:

Ghost in the Shell: Final Edition
FLCL volumes 2-6
Graveyard of Fireflies
Kochira Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo movie
Legend of Lyon: Flare Plus
Lupin III: Cagliostro’s Castle
Katsuhiro Otomo presents Memories
Gauche the Cellist
Tonari no Yamada-kun