JAPAN: International animators eye the lucrative Japanese market at the Tokyo international anime fair

Record ID: 463548

  • Title: JAPAN: International animators eye the lucrative Japanese market at the Tokyo international anime fair
  • Date: 30th March 2006
  • Summary: MAN IN A SPONGE BOB SUIT AND CHILDREN
  • Embargoed: 14th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Entertainment,Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVA1K8TTUU2L1GZ7P6QUFJLZ0WHY
  • Story Text: Buyers and sellers of animated films from all over the world flocked to the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2006's business day opening on Thursday (March 23) with hopes of grabbing a piece of the very lucrative Japanese anime industry action.
    The 5th fair sponsored by the Tokyo metropolitan government brings together over 180 different Japanese companies -- 19 percent more than last year.
    All forms of anime ranging from children's cartoons to violent ones with adult content were showcased and is considered one of the world's largest fairs for the anime genre.
    "In this event, we expect the anime industry in Japan to become more and more prosperous through international business opportunities and thanks to a whole bunch of new emerging Japanese creators who are forging the future of this industry," said Yuji Kikuta chief producer of the fair and officer of Tokyo metropolitan government in which nearly 80 percent of Anime productions are based.
    Not only is the Japanese anime market enormous -- around 200 billion yen (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) in the year 2002 alone (according to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Infrastructure) -- but it is often seen as the cutting edge and far more diverse than any other -- leading the world and often clinching international film awards.
    Studio Ghibli, a bluechip animation production house, is famed for its Academy award winning "Spirited Away" and Oscar nominated "Howl's Moving Castle".
    This year they were already presenting their next blockbusting animation called 'Gedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea)' slated for July 2006 release in Japan and based on the novels of Ursula K Le Guin.
    The film is directed by Goro Miyazaki -- the son of Japan's foremost animation director Hayao Miayzaki.
    Other production houses such as Production I.G. showed the trailer of the latest TV series animation "Le Chevalier D'Eon" which is based on the real life story of French knight in the 18 century.
    But the fair was more than just domestic producers showing their latest creations.
    Over 70 foreign firms also set up booths to showcase their works and to try to break into Japanese market.
    "As we look for ideas around the world, that would give us special emphasis on Japan. Because clearly a lot of global phenomenon starting Anime have emerged out of Japan. So We think it's important that we are in japan talking creators so we're on the top of the next big things whenever it happens," said Steve Grieder senior vice president at Nickelodeon,US based company which has made a lot of popular cartoons for kids including 'Spongebob Square Pants'.
    Some admitted that Japan was a very competitive and difficult market.
    "We think it's an important event for the animation industry in Europe and off course in Spain. It is a difficult market to get into. We haven't sold any animation films in Japan that means the level of Japanese anime is very competitive. We hope this event will give opportunity for bring our anime to Japan," said Tania Pinto Da Cunha, executive producer at Dygra films, a Spanish company which attended the fair for the first time this year.
    Organizers expect about 100,000 people to attend the fair during the four days event, including nearly 100 foreign buyers, sellers and media and in response to this increasing demand have expanded the floor space this year by more than 50 percent.
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