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Akira's Otomo Comments on State of Anime Industry

Acclaimed manga and anime creator Katsuhiro Ōtomo (Akira, Memories, Steamboy) commented to the Tokyo Art Beat website about the state of the anime industry:

I don't think the Japanese anime industry is in a particularly good state now. You have to take last year's earthquake into consideration. The proper budgets needed to bring animation to cinemas just aren't available at the moment. More time needs to pass, or perhaps collaboration with animation houses overseas is the answer. I can't see it happening yet. I think we need some more time.

Otomo spoke during this month's launch of his GENGA Exhibition, which will run in Tokyo's 3331 Arts Chiyoda center until May 30. He is also working on an anime anthology called Short Peace, and the anthology's first short "Hi-no-youjin" ("Combustible") has been completed for screenings in film festivals.

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the news tip.