Sad State of Affairs (Post-SPC)

[adam808]

With the online commerce revolution, people can purchase many things from auction sites. With the Web, information and media is easier to find. With e-mail, instant messaging and forums, people don't even have to meet in person (there were IRC and bulletin boards earlier, though). Not as much VHS, manga, CD and other item hunting in person, right? Internet fandom: digital fanart, web sites, forums, file hosting & sharing (episodes & manga scans and soundtracks without paying for them), and online auctions. It's a different landscape. The old one: tape traders & sellers, hobby shops, word of mouth & telephone, real mail and fanzine & comics. Also in real life: fan clubs and conventions.

I'd fall into the Internet category, sorry. Mostly EE forum-going and file sharing, and buying merchandise from eBay and Yahoo Japan auctions. Not very creative, except for the future Eto Rangers website.

[Artemis-kun]

You know, being from Canada, you're able to get different perspectives on things, such as the current so-called 'anime generation' or what have you, mostly due to the fact that we lack networks like ToonAmi or whatever it is in the States. Basically, the only anime shown on-air as of the last time I even bothered to have cable, was Witch Hunter Robin... and. Um. Yu-Gi-Oh still. I think. Likely DBZ cuz it just never goes away. At any rate, my point being, and it's a similar one to what many have already stated, but seeing as I just stumbled across this place about.. 3 hours ago, I figured I'd make my intro posting an intelligent one, heh. But I digress. What I mean to say is that, in Western society, quirky stuff like SPC or Azumanga Daioh, or Kodomo no Omocha just won't find itself a niche, because from what I can tell from the younger ones these days, all they want is action in an anime. And then some darker stuffs for the older ones. Personally, my typical genre preference when it comes to anime is straight shoujo which definately will never see a market over here beyond dvd relase maybe. No, what I'm thinking is that the current generation of anime otaku, for lack of a better term, really doesn't have a large enough foothold on the market. As big as it has gotten, it got bottlenecked really fast, so that all that everyone sees, or ever cares to see, is the fare they put on TV, for the most part. Granted, that does give your average person with an interest in anime a reason to go to better resources, such as torrent sites or fansub release groups, but once they do that, it sort of eliminates them from the statistic that your major import and translation companies don't take into much consideration. It's sort of a catch-22 in that by having this inernet and electonrically based forum for accessing all this great volume of stuff, it perpetuates itself to remain in that venue, as your typical company will overlook that market and base what it brings over on what the masses are watching.
So, the only true way to return things to how they were, say, 10 odd years back, this whole online community would have to disappear, or become inaccessible to new fans. Not that I'm saying the electronic age of things is a bad venue for anime, it's just my view on the situation. Personally, I quite prefer the online version of things, because not only is it free as it is fans working for other fans, but it provides for a much wider taste and greater general acceptance. Which is why I think projects like this are great. To which, I hope that it continues on and grows into something big enough to be given notice, and hopefully it will inspire people to look into, and perhaps  continue to translate, older and quirkier series like KnO or KnT, as they likely will never find a niche in the 'official' marketplace. So we can only hope that fans can continue to have the ambition they have had, and the innovation for better methods to create, and to distribute their translations. I've seen it all, from when VHS was the only way you could find fan translation, to the very first digital fansubs, to the great migration to mIRC and private ftp's to finally the current BitTorrent evolution. And it isn't to say that everything is moving to digital, as there is still alot to be said about being able to meet and hang out with others that are just like you; ie, conventions, anime clubs, viewings and the like. I mean, personally, I don't enjoy watching anime as much as I do when I watch it with a group of people than when I watch it alone. Sadly, I live in a fairly small town and not that many people have much interest in what I have interest in, so I can only depend on conventions.

Wow. Long. lol. So basically, to sum things up, when you step back and look at things on the whole, yes, the current market is quite a sad state of affairs in some respects, but in others, it is not. It really depends  on how you look at it. There have been a good many gems released in the past year as far as the fansub community goes, and in the general market, more and more anime is making it into the mainstream. Granted, it might not be everything we want it to be, but hey, it's better than nothing. Like I said, it encourages those to reach out and look into it more, gives them an idea. And with that idea, it helps the online community to grow and expand, and in the end, makes for a better overall experience. And who knows, maybe someday the major companies will finally take notice of what is really desired by your average fan and start to show more variety, but in the meantime we aren't at a complete loss.

[CyberFox]

as far as i'm concerned, US anime distibutors are fond of 3 things: Anime based on Shonen Jump manga, Giant Robts and Sexy Women.
They RARELY license unique anime. Take "Case Closed" (aka "Detective Conan") for example, The anime was popular worldwide but, When FUNimation licensed it and renamed for a rediculous legal reason, America never gave the series a chance especially Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. The same goes for Super Milk-Chan, Nobody understood the unique material of the anime SO what do they do? they brag [adult swim] to cancel it.
This is what I'm talking about: The Anime fanbase in the US never take unique anime like Case Closed, Super Milk-Chan or PANDA-Z for granted. all they care about is Animes that is based on a Shonen Jump manga (i.e. Bleach, Naruto), Giant Robots (i.e. Gundam) and Sexy Women (i.e. Sailor Moon) PLUS they never respect the animes that introduced the US to Anime, Namely: Astro Boy, Gigantor, Kimba The White Lion & Speed Racer

[Marurun]

as far as i'm concerned, US anime distibutors are fond of 3 things: Anime based on Shonen Jump manga, Giant Robts and Sexy Women.
They RARELY license unique anime. Take "Case Closed" (aka "Detective Conan") for example, The anime was popular worldwide but, When FUNimation licensed it and renamed for a rediculous legal reason, America never gave the series a chance especially Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. The same goes for Super Milk-Chan, Nobody understood the unique material of the anime SO what do they do? they brag [adult swim] to cancel it.
This is what I'm talking about: The Anime fanbase in the US never take unique anime like Case Closed, Super Milk-Chan or PANDA-Z for granted. all they care about is Animes that is based on a Shonen Jump manga (i.e. Bleach, Naruto), Giant Robots (i.e. Gundam) and Sexy Women (i.e. Cardcaptor Sakura) PLUS they never respect the animes that introduced the US to Anime, Namely: Astro Boy, Gigantor, Kimba The White Lion & Speed Racer

Uh, I don't think Super Milk Chan did well in the US due to it's psycholoigcal humor which made almost no sense at all unless you thought in circles.

[PizzaCatFan]

..... Sexy Women (i.e. Cardcaptor....

A bit freaky there if you ask me.  Sailor Moon would fit your example better.

'Cardcaptor Sakura' and 'sexy'...<shiver>  'Cute' would be more like it.

(CCS happens to be a favorite anime of mine too.)

[Ravenos]

I first watched SPC when i was between the ages of 2 and 4 on what was STV's verison of the afternoon kids crap known today as cITV. (I'm british if ya havent guessed). I loved it enmorously, and watched it all i can. I'm 16 now, 17 next month. When i found out neko was re-encoding SPC i went over the moon, it brought back memories of my early childhood when there wasn't a cloud in my small sky. Yes, i like other animes, not very many because some are either too serious or too wacky. (DBZ was ok when i was 12 for one year, that about it... Tenchi now thats funny)

Most people dont remember SPC because only a select few areas in this country got access to it and when Meridian outbidded STV for the area the bastards burned (yes thats right) all off any of the STV tapes etc etc. If that didnt happen, SPC would be much bigger, and we would have more people of my age on this forum.

The Samurai Pizza Cats are a one off and therefore is a rareity and should be treated as such, in its time and in our time its the best anime arguebly of its generation.
Sailor moon is for sexy women... THEY ARE SCHOOLGIRLS... I only watched that coz it made me laugh so much i cried. I dont find it erotic or any of the chara in that sexy in any way, shape or form because it is a cheap series based on a manga originally designed for schoolgirls that was adapted into anime by men... Thats the only reason why they are possibly classed as 'sexy women'

[No insults please - MM]

[CyberFox]

as far as i'm concerned, US anime distibutors are fond of 3 things: Anime based on Shonen Jump manga, Giant Robts and Sexy Women.
They RARELY license unique anime. Take "Case Closed" (aka "Detective Conan") for example, The anime was popular worldwide but, When FUNimation licensed it and renamed for a rediculous legal reason, America never gave the series a chance especially Cartoon Network's [adult swim]. The same goes for Super Milk-Chan, Nobody understood the unique material of the anime SO what do they do? they brag [adult swim] to cancel it.
This is what I'm talking about: The Anime fanbase in the US never take unique anime like Case Closed, Super Milk-Chan or PANDA-Z for granted. all they care about is Animes that is based on a Shonen Jump manga (i.e. Bleach, Naruto), Giant Robots (i.e. Gundam) and Sexy Women (i.e. Sailor Moon) PLUS they never respect the animes that introduced the US to Anime, Namely: Astro Boy, Gigantor, Kimba The White Lion & Speed Racer

fixed!

[fjdfjtj]

The current generation of Anime fans only care for:
Naruto
InuYasha
Bleach
Fullmetal Alchimest
One Piece (even though 4Kids butchered it)
Dragon Ball (Original,Z)
Pokemon
Gundam
Yu-Gi-Oh!

I don't think anybody mentioned it, but all of those (except for Bleach, I think) are on Cartoon Network or were at one time. That might have something to do with it.

And this is TV we're talking about. Most people don't think much about what they watch, other than "Woah, s/he's hot."

[BurkeWorld]

I first watched SPC when i was between the ages of 2 and 4 on what was STV's verison of the afternoon kids crap known today as cITV. (I'm british if ya havent guessed). I loved it enmorously, and watched it all i can. I'm 16 now, 17 next month. When i found out neko was re-encoding SPC i went over the moon, it brought back memories of my early childhood when there wasn't a cloud in my small sky. Yes, i like other animes, not very many because some are either too serious or too wacky. (DBZ was ok when i was 12 for one year, that about it... Tenchi now thats funny)

Most people dont remember SPC because only a select few areas in this country got access to it and when Meridian outbidded STV for the area the bastards burned (yes thats right) all off any of the STV tapes etc etc. If that didnt happen, SPC would be much bigger, and we would have more people of my age on this forum.

The Samurai Pizza Cats are a one off and therefore is a rareity and should be treated as such, in its time and in our time its the best anime arguebly of its generation.
Sailor moon is for sexy women... THEY ARE SCHOOLGIRLS... I only watched that coz it made me laugh so much i cried. I dont find it erotic or any of the chara in that sexy in any way, shape or form because it is a cheap series based on a manga originally designed for schoolgirls that was adapted into anime by men... Thats the only reason why they are possibly classed as 'sexy women'

[No insults please - MM]

One of the best rants I've ever read.

And it even got editted too, before I had a chance to jump in!

Burkey

[dfd3657]

I grew up watching SPC (I think Robotech, SPC and Sailor Moon were the first anime series I saw), and to this day it still remains one of my favorites. There really isn't anything quite like it. But yes, I know what you mean about those anime you mentioned. I was never able to really get into Inuyasha or Naruto. It just really didn't hold my attention. I mean, we all have our own tastes, but I think that many of these shows are overrated, with fanboys claiming "ZOMG! BEST ANIME EVAR!" I actually heard some kid at my college claim One Piece to be the best show ever devised by mankind. But yeah, there's nothing really quite like SPC. It is indeed a "diamond in the rough." The one series that almost comes close in my mind is Excel Saga. Very whacky and very quirky, and it's one of my favorites. Oh, and I just have to say that I actually liked Sailor Moon when it was being aired.

[NPC]

I don't watch most anime. Partly, I'm too lazy to try, plus, I just don't get into most of
them. The only ones I even CARE to watch are the Kirby anime, Sonic X(Both of course
in the orignal version. Fooley Cooley and SPC. I thought nothing could beat Fooley Coo-
ley in the wacky department... till I saw SPC. My buddy who showed me Fooley Cooley
agreed that SPC is just as weird, but unlike FLCL, doesn't make sense at the end.
But at least FLCL gets shown on Adult Swim every so often...

Edit: I failed to mention Fullmetal. I like it.

[D-Mac]

My buddy who showed me Fooley Cooley
agreed that SPC is just as weird, but unlike FLCL, doesn't make sense at the end.
But at least FLCL gets shown on Adult Swim every so often...

What part of SPC's ending didn't make sense? 

[NPC]

You misunderstand me. Storywise, FLCL's giant Iron, robots spawning out of
a guy's head, all the crap, it had a REASON. In the last two episodes of FLCL,
all the supposedly unexplainable stuff was explained. It was still wacky, but
it's wackiness had a meaning. SPC on the other hand...
I suppose I should have worded it a bit differently. SPC makes sense, yes.
(Not much, but a bit ^_^) But it's wackiness was just there for no real
reason except to make people laugh. (Like a gun in the top of a pizza parlor
is SERIOUS.)
... Am I making ANY sense??

[D-Mac]

Heh heh, alright, I understand what you getting at.   

But, The Fishhead Gun is SERIOUS BUSINESS. 

[Methid Man]

The one series that almost comes close in my mind is Excel Saga.

I thought nothing could beat Fooley Coo-ley in the wacky department... till I saw SPC.

If you want a really quirky anime title, you should check out Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. Watching that show is like washing your brain with Clorox.

-- Sam the Methid Man

[Marurun]

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo is weird I must admit, but they ruined it in English. What happened to all he puns?!!!

[NPC]

I have never heard of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo(I had to look at your post to get that right), which may or may not be for the best...
As for the fish gun... I liked Polly's attack with the spear better. It somehow... just fits the show.

[Blackcat]

Dude, SPC has a Big fan community and we have episodes online that are “Bitorrent free”, what else do you want?. A online comic that is fanmade as Sonic has? That’s impossible because we don’t have 183 issues of a real SPC comic to base stuff from!.

[D-Mac]

Dude, SPC has a Big fan community and we have episodes online that are “Bitorrent free”, what else do you want?. A online comic that is fanmade as Sonic has? That’s impossible because we don’t have 183 issues of a real SPC comic to base stuff from!.

You're responding to CyberFox now, right? Just wanna be clear on that, cause you didn't use any quotes.

[Puutarou]

Dude, SPC has a Big fan community and we have episodes online that are “Bitorrent free”, what else do you want?. A online comic that is fanmade as Sonic has? That’s impossible because we don’t have 183 issues of a real SPC comic to base stuff from!.

Hmmm. What you say is true, but we do have 52 eps to base stuff on. Is there any particular reason why there needs to 183 issues of a "real" SPC comic, before an online fan comic can be made?