Forum - View topicThe gap between anime and American cartoons in their worldwide popularity?
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Samuknight
Posts: 35 |
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Related to another thread I made (in fact the very first post I made upon joining this site).
animenewsnetwork.com/bbs/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2961209 I mentioned in the thread that other than Japan, its only North America that managed to dominate the animation industry on a global scale. To the point that , just like anime, many American iconic cartoon characters such as Scooby Doo are so much far more [expletive] famous than most local animated shows produced in other countries that even your 50 year old Grandma who's survived through World War II in Romania can recognize who Tom and Jerry in an instant and American cartoons (much like many anime classics) can often far exceed even the most popular locally produced live TV show in TV ratings. However looking back on that thread, it made me curious about one thing. When I was young (around elementary and middle school) and anime was just getting big in North America, I remember thinking how awesome anime was and how Japanese animation is not only superior to American cartoons but anime was far more [expletive] popular than American cartoons ever were. In fact I remember how so many kids my age (including myself) even honestly believed that American cartoons were only popular in the United States (and to a lesser degree Canada). That anime was more accessible because so many more people watched Dragon Ball Z and other classics worldwide outside the English speaking world than say Johnny Quest or the Animaniacs. Of course I grew up and forgot about anime/manga. But quite recently I've been rewatching childhood classics of various mediums including American cartoons and anime from The Slayers to Jackie Chan Adventures to Friends and with a more open mind, I was surprised just how popular many beloved classics of American animation such as Timon and Pumbaa and the Flintstones were just as beloved worldwide as many popular anime series, Granted most of these shows are now a distant memories in the foreign countries they once dominated (as opposed to many anime classics which still gets reruns on local channels in the nations they dominated such as Cardcaptor Sakura) and many anime franchises are much bigger cashcow internationally especially in merchandise sales. But man the shock I had when I learned to this day Flintstones is still beloved in Mexico that some local channels rerun it. Even moreso when I also discovered the series is essentially about the MOST POPULAR import Hungary received from America (well at least as far as animation goes; I seen conflicting statements in forum boards but the general consensus is that the show is so beloved its ratings when it first aired int he country still beats many locally produced live action dramas). Hell I seen at least one Hungarian poster state they still rerun the Flintstones on the country's equivalent of Cartoon Network and ABC! In both countries in addition to still airing the show on public TV, merchandise is selling quite well. Also the fact the Powerpuff Girls was a smash hit in Japan also shocked me too. To use an equivalent of BIg O getting another season because of its popularity when it aired in America, Timon and Pumba literally got a 5th and final season because of how well it was doing outside of North America. I was just surprised to learn this beloved classic of my childhood was only an above average hit in overall popularity in the U.S. but internationally its a beloved cult classic with so many fans. fudge we only got about 4 vhs releases here in the states while internationally at least half the show has been released on VHS and later transferred to DVD (slams computer)! Not even going into Disney which dominates the Box Office everywhere and Spongebob Squarepants (don't get me started on this one's international popularity). There are so many examples but just thes two alone makes me wonder about how much more mainstream anime is beyond its demograph outside of Japan? I mean other than the mega hits, the general populace overall doesn't know anything other than Naruto or Sailor Moon (exception being France and Italy). However I'd still give the slight edge to anime as being the overall more popular one because so many niche genres manage to sell well internationally (as opposed to North America-Heavy Metal didn't do well in the Box Office). In addition to niche genres catered to Otakus and perverts, even many big flops like Big O manage to not only find fandom among Otakus outside of Japan but even hit the mainstream and get non-anime viewers as fans. I still remember how many adults who never heard of anime before were talking about how awesome Big O was when it was still airing on Toonami and later Adult Swim. I mean its a telling thing many flops get several more seasons just because it scored well specifically in one country outside of Japan. I mean even here in North America it takes being a hit in SEVERAL countries (often sharing the same language like Latin American nations) to even be considered to have a renewed season. That certainly was the case for Timon and Pumbaa which was poular in many Spanish speaking countries along with Western European nations and Russia (and nearby nations to it). But overall back to the main question-is American animation really just locally popular like many otakus (and teens who think anime is all awesome) is? Does Japan really have the monopoly in international popularity in its animation, TV series specifically? Just the mention of Flintstones, Timon and Pumbaa, Powerpuff girls, and Spongebob Squarepants really makes me doubt the anime industry has a grip on importing titles elsewhere and has a monopoly overall in the global market. I mean American Cartoons seem like an easy contender for being a VERY VERY VERY close 2nd place as dominant force in the animation industry. Anime still dominates because of how it overshadows many local cartoons in countries its imported to by a [expletive] LARGE DEGREE (if not outright destroying the local industries). But as I note I notice American cartoons often take up the animation time slot when anime isn't showing on foreign country TV. I mean I remember seeing a commercial of a French TV's children block and in addition to Saint SEiya, Sailor Moon, DBZ, and Hokuto No Ken it also featured senes of the latest Scooby Doo series running at the time, the Animaniacs, and other beloved childhood cartoons of mine! [EDIT: Made the title less long-winded. -TK] Last edited by Samuknight on Tue Dec 15, 2015 4:29 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar  Posts: 16963 |
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You can stop bumping your own thread now please. It's bad form and frowned upon here. Since you're relatively new I'll just chalk this up to you not realizing that. Please refrain from doing it again though. If people want to discuss the topic they will come in and do so. Bumping it multiple times won't help that any. Thank you.
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