Anime why dont people put anime movies in theatre!!!

[mr dude guy]

It always makes me mad that i never see any anime movies in the theatre lists. This is like the only way that i kno what movies are out. And some of the anime movies could generate just as much money as regular movies. Now i dont know if its just in my city that they dont play anime in theatre. Does this make anyone else mad or am i just a big dummy?

[r2vq]

This topic is very similar to one I debate with my girlfriend all the time.

Anime in theatres. How would it work?

The problem is, it wouldn't make enough money.

Dream - Tons of Anime fans accross the country. People just love this "anime" thing from Japan. It's shway.
Reality - Not enough people. Can you honestly say that over 50% of people you go to work/school with watch Anime? And I don't mean just people you are friends with, but the entire company/school. With Hollywood movies bringing in enough money that the number of digits is double digit... Nobody wants to start showing something that will make their company [I]look[/I] as if it's not doing well. That means unless it's making millions to billions of dollars profit, Anime isn't in.

Dream - Anime in theatres will be unedited because the ratings will be fair. Thus censor boards don't have to chop the piece of art up into iddy-biddy pieces for children to swallow. People will know that anime is not just for kids.
Reality - Anime in theatres will either be edited (ala Digimon) or they will be created by Americans for Americans (ala Yu-Gi-Oh!). Large corporations still consider anime as cartoons for children. Shows that adults don't want to watch. Why? I don't know. Proof? The chopping up of glorious TV shows with the result you see on your screens.

Dream - Anime will be subtitled in the theatres so you don't have to put up with crappy voice actors. You get to see the work in its original form.
Reality - Subtitles in movies greatly lowers the audience number. Movie companies wont want to put subtitles because many people just don't like to read while they watch. These people feel more comfortable listening and watching something in their own language, rather than a foreign language that "doesn't belong".

Dream - Watching Anime will help others learn about different cultures.
Reality - People miss out on jokes and cultural references that are slipped into Anime because they don't know about everyday facts about living in Japan. Go up to a person on your street and ask them what Seppuku or who Tokugawa is. They just wont know, and many people don't want to. This foreign content makes people uneasy and turn people off.

---
Basically, there are enough reasons that large companies don't put Anime on the American big screen. Anime does exist on the big screen, visit the many regions of Asia, but just not in the Western world. Is this fair? Possibly. If the large companies did bring Anime to the Western screen the price would not be justified. I think that's fair as a whole. Though I don't think it's fair to indiuviduals who were just born in the wrong place.

-ArV

[Flashlight]

I have to agree with all r2vq's points, it simply wouldn't generate enough money/interest to put in theatres. Also there is the fact that many anime movies require some background knowledge of whatever series they are based on. People just aren't going to get it unless they've seen the series, and with so many series, the odds aren't very good except with big name titles, in which case the movie may spoil the series too.

Not saying that there aren't any good stand alone movies. I have actually seen a Ghibli movie or two in small time theatres (Dubbed, but Spirited Away's dub wasn't that bad). Big time theatres are also a bit afraid to play anime films (If the idea ever comes up) because they are cartoons, and it's a general belief that cartoons are all specifically targeted at kids, yet kids won't be aloud to see these cartoons. How do they market it? Especially without upsetting parents who take their kids to see it without knowing any better. And the prospective profit isn't very large either, as anime still isn't very big (As mentioned above by r2vq).

[Guest Takahashi Fan]

Some anime movies are in theaters, but only the art theaters. Spirited away was in theaters and so was Tokyo Godfathers (but i didnt go see either of them because my mom said it would be the same to see it as if we got it on DVD (which we did))
But, I think that more should be in theaters.

:tasty:

[Humaru]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=Red]All theaters shouild put anime in them all the time. It would make lots of money and be a greater source for anime lovers. The closest thing to anime in theater are the Pokemon and Digimon movies. I'v already seen them and they all made good money.


A list of anime movies that should be in theater:
Yu-Yu Hakusho
Inuyasha
Ranma 1/2[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Sui Generis]

[COLOR=Indigo]I have two different art theaters around my house and both play anime movies. One of them had the Cowboy Bebop movie going on for roughly a month.

I guess it just depends on where you live. I mean the theaters arn't packed by any stretch of the imagination, actually the theaters are more empty than anything else, and that itself proves the fact that anime in theaters really wouldn't work when they are competing against movies like Lord of the Rings or any other blockbuster.

It would be cool to see true anime movies in theaters but I highly doubt it will ever happen, besides in small art theaters.[/COLOR]

[Onix]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1]As much as I'd like to see Anime in theathers, it's not going to happen any time soon. As r2vq said, there just isn't enough of a market for it. Too few people care. And the only reason that the Pokemon and Digimon movies made money, and that the Yu-Gi-Oh movie is going to make money, is because they're for little kids. They're more cartoons than Anime (though I do still like Digimon. Can't help it.)

There is the occasional rarity like Cowboy Bebop and Spirited Away. But that's extremely rare, and will continue to be rare for some time. Wait, and it'll happen. But not for a while.

And, r2vq, Yu-Gi-Oh is based on a Japanese manga. It's not American in origin. The TV show may be, but it was originally Japanese, to the extent of my knowledge.

-ULX[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Rouge, my love]

I'm trying to save my money up for the Yugioh movie in august if I wasn't banned from the mall! I'm really not looking forward to any other movies.

Hewwo! I'm Rouge, my love. Just popping by all over the place.

[COLOR=Navy]This is somewhat off-topic, Rouge. In the future, please attempt to answer the original poster's main question. :)

~Dagger~[/COLOR]

[TheGodlyME]

Well, aside from the fact that the movies wouldn't make enough money...most of the movies are based off of a particular series, and so the people that didn't watch the anime and DID go to see the movie would be somewhat lost. That doesn't make for good marketing. The live action movies that are coming out sooner or later (sadly) are going to try to make a quick recap and re-introduction of the characters, and will be geared towards the actual movie market...and so they would work better. But having series-based movies in american theaters really has no point due to the sheer number and background that would make them work. Now...movies that are one-movie deals would probably not fly...in the American psyche, when anyone mentions 'animated' in a public place, most would immediately think 'for kids.' Trying to advertise something that isn't geared toward the younger set (i.e. Pokemon, Spirited Away), like Akira, when that came out in some theaters, would not really do to well. It may be a possibility that there will be anime movies in theaters in the future, because it is slowly getting into position to become a fad...but if it's just gonna be a fad...then I don't want it to happen.

[G/S/B Master]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1][FONT=Century Gothic]First off, like many posters said here, it wouldn't make much money. Also, the main reason why most Anime Movies can't make it to the big screen is that it's not coperated by some American company like Tristar or Disney (god forbid). Anime Movies also couldn't make it through the censor people.

"Oh it's too violent!"

"Oh it's too adult for kids!"

That kind of junk. It's annoying really.

When Anime replace American cartoons (I hope), maybe the chances of Anime Movies will appear. Also if the Yu-Gi-Oh! movie started out as a big hit.

[quote name='Unborn Lord Xion']And, r2vq, Yu-Gi-Oh is based on a Japanese manga. It's not American in origin. The TV show may be, but it was originally Japanese, to the extent of my knowledge.[/quote]

The TV show was copied off the Japanese counter part. Just censored, cut off, and replaced it with english voice.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Nwolf]

the thing is anything animated is almost always as seen for children. People who aren't aware of anime think of it as cartoons=kids, in reality some of it is not for kids and can be really dark. So putting the movies in theaters will not generate a whole lot of interest amongst the casual movie goers.

[Semjaza]

I don't know if many of you realize this... but film for major theaters is EXPENSIVE. Far too expensive for most of the anime distributors in the US to justify creating in the first place, let alone trying to convince major theater chains that there is a big enough market for this stuff. There's a reason why only companies as big as Disney have bothered to put anime in a decent amount of theaters.

[anime-nikki]

remember when they had okemon the movie in theaters? it worked (i mean there was thousands of ppl at the movies where i'm from!!!!!). so why won't do it again?! i agree with the ppl who wanna know why they won't put anime in theatres.

[densuke]

Anime clubs do put stuff in theaters, having been doing it for years, and often do it for free - so it's not like it never happens.

When anime films get put in commercial theaters they are often panned by ignorant reviewers, so I can't see that as a goal.

[bishonenNEKO]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][FONT=Arial]Yes, it would be nice to see more anime in theaters. But i agree with r2vq. Not enogh people like anime, in this country. Its almost like Russia, those poor deprived people. There are alot of people there that like anime (trust me im Russian) and anime is considered for children ONLY. And i mean only children.

But the point is not enough people like anime, or even give it a chance. I bet a lot of people would like anime if they watched it just a few times (once isnt enough) Yes, it would be great to see anime in theaters, but it cant be realised right now. Maybe in time it can be.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Sailor Ganymede]

the bakas are just too damn lazy to put anime in theaters becuz to them it's too tiring to dub the stuff and publicity and stuff like that. Hey if they can do it with the first 3 Pokemon movies, the Digimon movie, and Spirited Away (which I think got a 2002 Oscar for Best Animated Feature), why not other stuff? :flaming:

Ok, I think I'll calm down now before my brother sits me...

[Rikoshi-Sama]

Well to be honest...the basic problem why we don't see anime films in the theaters is based on the distribution companies that aquire the licensing and rights to animes. Most of these companies for the exception of 4-Kids Entertainment see releasing anime films in theaters as a horrible venture, they know for a fact that the only money it will aquire is that of hardcore anime fans which sadly isn't enough to generate the sales...that most companies would like to see in the theater because of that sole reason they head to direct video release in which they know for a fact sales will not drop but increase because it is targeted at a specific audience unlike the theater which is a more general audience.

[Sailor Ganymede]

*sigh* people just don't know, do they? :frown: I'm an otaku, and if they release the first Inuyasha movie (release date Sep. 7) in Albuquerque, then I'll get SOOOOOOOO hyper that I'll get at least 100 sits from my brother. but it'd be worth it! :D

[r2vq]

As many have said, Pokémon and Digimon have suceeded in theatres. As others have said, these shows were for kids. I have to add that not only are these for kids but these shows are very heavily marketted and advertised. And although Disney did try with Spirited Away (Sen To Chihiro) I heard that that movie (as well as Princess Mononoke) did not do so well. Shame, I liked Sen To Chihiro...

I didn't know they had Tokyo Godfathers in theatres, if I had known... *gr...* What a wonderful movie.

Ah, I wish more Anime would work... Damn money-based philosophy.

[quote name='Unborn Lord Xion][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1]And, r2vq, Yu-Gi-Oh is based on a Japanese manga. It's not American in origin. The TV show may be, but it was originally Japanese, to the extent of my knowledge.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]
The Anime, Manga, Card and Video games were mostly made in Japan. The movie coming out this summer was first announced by 4Kids and is a joint project with the American company and TV Tokyo. Trust me Xion-san. I know my Yugiou. :P

-ArV

[Onix]

[QUOTE=r2vq]
The Anime, Manga, Card and Video games were mostly made in Japan. The movie coming out this summer was first announced by 4Kids and is a joint project with the American company and TV Tokyo. Trust me Xion-san. I know my Yugiou. :P

-ArV[/QUOTE]

From the sound of what you said, it made it seem like you thought Yu-Gi-Oh was an American product. It was a simple misinterpretation. And I didn't know that the Movie was a join product with America and Japan. Huh. You learn something new every day.

-ULX

[Black Moon]

[B]Why wont they put anime in theatres?[/B]
I look around my school and only (and this is litterally) about 3 people (including me) are aware of Japanese animation such as Inuyasha, Wolf's Rain, Cowboy Bebop, ect. I also go to the mall in the DVD section, barely anything there, about 10 different Inuyasha DVDs, and maybe 5 other animation. It's just not as popular (as many have stated) as we think. Only one person in my entire family, not encluding me, was aware of "anime", and that was my DAD! I swear, no one in my HUGE family had ever heard of it, they always assume when they hear "animation" they think of Spongebob Squarepants or Rugrats or something else American-made. I know it's been stated many-a-time before me, but it just isn't as popular as we anime freaks would hope. :grumble:

(Apologizing: I was not reffering to everyone when I say "anime freaks". I am just thalinh about the ones that believe they are anime freaks.)


-With great love, Black Moon :love2:

[Heero Darkangel]

I too get mad, you see half the animes that everyone talks about I've never ever heard before...why? because in my country you have to have sky to watch them or they just wont play them because of the amount of violence. They're trying to band violent cartoons because they think it's the cartoons that are making teens or even children go physco...if you ask me the government over here are just looking for something to blame so they blame cartoons... they're just idiots, the only way we can ever see a good violent cartoon is if we go online and buy it from over seas...this countrys pathetic!!!!!!!...it makes me sick!!!!...why blame cartoons when it's the movies that actually started it first now don't get me wrong i like the movies but somethings just really piss me off, I can't stand it, this country has no sense of adventure and danger...I suppose to some thats a good thing but for me when you have a soul for adventure and freedom well its suffocating and its like living in hell!!!!

[natetron46]

i think producers just want to make money. while i would love to see an anime movie or movies, how many people would really see them. it would be for exclusively anime fans. i think producers want to attract non anime fans to see them and they dont think they can. more people that see the movie=more money for them, get it?

i dont think they are a gauranteed success for studios, i want movies badly, but i cant see that happening in america, maybe in japan, but its not big enough or mainstream here.......yet :(

[Guest Ranma 1/5]

I for one think it is only a matter of time before Anime begins to be released in first run theatres. If you take a look back at its history in the U.S. it has grown quite a bit in just the last five years. Right now though it is still not seen as a profitable avenue for major studios to go. Though the numbers are promising. Manga graphic novels are the fastest growing market in book sales. Anime DVD/VHS sales are also growing. There is also the fact that a few Anime movies that aren't geared toward children have been released in a limited distribution. The next logical step would be wide Theatre distribution. This leads me to believe that as the Anime viewing audience ages and expands one day this will happen. Right now its a matter of most people over 25 have never heard of Anime or think its for kids. Of course if Tarentino makes the anime of O-ren Ishii's life like he has hinted about and it is successful this could speed the process along by light years. Since if anything makes money the Hollywood Whores will imitate it. :devil:

[Davethestampede]

Anime is something you watch from the safety of your own home. Its hard to pick up chicks when the know you used to watch Sailor moon or DBZ or even kenshin. It would be nice to see vash or kenshin on the big screen, but i still wouldnt go because i would have no one to go with. I also believe it's just not popular enough on the wide american scale, much like soccer.