AKIRA CREATOR TALKS ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ANIME INDUSTRY

Anime News Network has posted comments by anime and manga creator, Katsuhiro Otomo, on the state of the anime industry. Here is what he said.

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.

He is absolutely correct, the 2011 earthquake, 2008 Financial Crisis and the falling US Dollar are having a tremendous impact on how anime is produced and distributed.