Category: Ask John

Question: You have mentioned in several of your answers to fans that Americans prefer dark, mature, grim, and serious anime. Do you know why anime fans always view

Question: Other than Redline, are there any other recent “sakuga” or animator’s anime out there that are must-see? I saw it recently and it just invigorated my love

Question: What features are unique to the Japanese animation industry that makes it not atypical for a feature film to take more than 5 years in production? Redline

Question: I love Zipang and think it’s a great anime. But the one thing that bothers me is despite hammering in that it was wrong for Japan to

Question: I’ve been watching the Ah! Megami-sama anime lately & even though the show gets a little bit repetitive & it’s not really that exciting, to be honest,

Question: Why aren’t there more pregnant characters in anime? I was surprised to see a pregnant teacher in the new show Tari Tari. The only other anime I

Question: Why hasn’t Yuru Yuri been licensed? Seems like most of anime that comes out eventually gets licensed but no word on a western release for Yuru Yuri.

Question: Do Naruto and Bleach ending their runs threaten the stability of the American anime/manga market? Or will there be enough holdovers to support second-tier titles? The fickle

Question: You recently made approving- but passing- reference to Senki Zesshou Symphogear and the Black Rock Shooter anime. I’d be interested in knowing your take on both these

Question: For those like me who watched and enjoyed 2009’s NYAN KOI anime, a hint was dropped at the end of episode 12 that a second season would

Question: Besides Guilty Crown and CANAAN. do you know any other shows that, due to terrorism themes, would probably not be made in America?

Question: Do you think the 1990s were the artistic peak for anime, a period where you get a lot of different genres of really good shows? I say

Question: As I understand it, fan service shows tend to sell fairly well. Yet certain titles remain conspicuously unlicensed even though the North American industry is facing a

Question: Did The Lion King kill our chances of seeing the Jungle Emperor Leo/Kimba the White Lion manga in America? I know the argument being made by publishers

Question: Lately I’ve been watching Eureka Seven Ao, and I have to say that compared to some other big anime mecha sequels (Last Exile Ginkyou no Fam, Aquarion