ODA for Anime

[Mulboyne]

All film production was tightly controlled by the government during the war...the Japanese Navy felt that theatrical cartoons were an ideal medium to instill the patriotic spirit in children...Seo and a small staff created "Momotaro's Sea Eagles"...In this featurette he is portrayed as a young naval commander leading a squadron of funny-animal monkey fighter pilots
Asahi: Ministry eyes ODA for cartoons
The Foreign Ministry is considering offering official development assistance (ODA) to help TV stations in other countries obtain broadcast rights for popular Japanese animated cartoons, sources said recently. Japan's commercial animation programs, or anime, are growing in popularity around the world. Such shows as the classic Astro Boy series, aired in more than 40 countries, and Pokemon, seen in about 70 nations, are typical cross-cultural success stories. The ministry in March surveyed its diplomatic corps in various countries to determine how anime is aired and perceived abroad...The ministry concluded that promoting the popular entertainment could help to foster a positive image of Japan among young people in developing nations...more...

[dimwit]

The Foreign Ministry is considering offering official development assistance (ODA) to help TV stations in other countries obtain broadcast rights for popular Japanese animated cartoons, sources said recently. Japan's commercial animation programs, or anime, are growing in popularity around the world. Such shows as the classic Astro Boy series, aired in more than 40 countries, and Pokemon, seen in about 70 nations, are typical cross-cultural success stories. The ministry in March surveyed its diplomatic corps in various countries to determine how anime is aired and perceived abroad...The ministry concluded that promoting the popular entertainment could help to foster a positive image of Japan among young people in developing nations

From the little I have even gleaned from Pokemon, the 'stories' seem to involve pointless battles of zombie-like creatures controlled by semi-retarded greaseballs. I can see how that might foster a positive image of Japan.

[plaid_knight]

Please remember that Pokemon is a lot like He-Man in that it was a cartoon designed for the sole purpose of selling toys and games.

[Charles]

From the little I have even gleaned from Pokemon, the 'stories' seem to involve pointless battles of zombie-like creatures controlled by semi-retarded greaseballs. I can see how that might foster a positive image of Japan.

Back at the height of the Pokemon craze, I used to troll otaku by telling them that in Japan, everyone believes in reincarnation so the pokemon battles aren't fatal, but in the West, it's just teaching kids about cockfighting to the death.
You should have seen how enraged they got.

[amdg]

From the little I have even gleaned from Pokemon, the 'stories' seem to involve pointless battles of zombie-like creatures controlled by semi-retarded greaseballs. I can see how that might foster a positive image of Japan.

Back at the height of the Pokemon craze, I used to troll otaku by telling them that in Japan, everyone believes in reincarnation so the pokemon battles aren't fatal, but in the West, it's just teaching kids about cockfighting to the death.
You should have seen how enraged they got.

That must have been very amusing for you. Challenging mental midgets to a game of wits. Did you win? You must be a winner!











(Baiting loser schoolkids for fun = loser)

[Charles]

That must have been very amusing for you. Challenging mental midgets to a game of wits. Did you win? You must be a winner!

(Baiting loser schoolkids for fun = loser)

There is no sport in baiting schoolkids. Of course I am referring to baiting adult otaku. A schoolkid who likes pokemon is just being a kid. Someone in their 20s and 30s who is into pokemon needs someone like me to point out how stupid their obsession is.

[djgizmoe]

Even for someone who has a soft spot for Oshii and Miyazaki (hell, even Cowboy Bebop), I'd find it hard to recommend ANY recent tv anime worth subsidizing for foreign consumption. Inevitably, 30 minute long commericials like Pokemon and Yugi-Oh are gonna get the money, and how they're going to help others learn about Japanese culture (beyond its rampant commercialism) is anybody's guess. Why not have NHK produce a "taiga drama" style pseudo-historical anime (see The Hakkenden) and then promote that?