Japanese Pop Culture in America

Japanese Pop Culture in America
American Otaku:
Over the past decade, the flow of Japanese animation and comics (referred to as manga) to the United States has increased Japanese animation anime differs from American animation in the range of its audiences and themes. Unlike American cartoons, anime is not exclusively made for adolescents. Anime and manga incorporate a multitude of genres such as romance, action, horror, comedy, etc., and cover a wide variety of topics like teen suicides, high school rivalries, and social rebellion. Often experts describe anime as a gateway for many fans that takes them to a whole new culture; they use it as a way to learn about Japanese everyday life. Certain cases have shown that this behavior may lead to emulation of Japanese life styles. People who are avid devotees to anime in America refer to themselves as Otaku. In Japan “Otaku" refers to those who are dedicated to a specific hobby and has a negative connotation because of the anime otaku who kidnapped and murdered little girls. Now most otaku are seen as perverts in Japan. An American Otaku is the devoted fan who mainly focuses on anime and manga. Some American Otaku also have an interest in video games since many of them are produced in Japan. Much like the punk scene and Goth trend, anime has become a subculture in today’s society; members often indicate their association through a distinguishing and symbolic use of practices, which include fashions, music, mannerisms, and jargon. Otaku incorporate Japanese words and sayings into their vernacular while using it as a means to differentiate themselves from mainstream culture. Instead of saying cute they might use the Japanese equivalent “kawaii”, often the term “baka” meaning idiot is used amongst otaku as an insult, but also a term of endearment
Anime in America
Growing in increasing popularity, the affect of anime in American can been seen in different forms
Anime Conventions
Primarily the function of anime conventions in America is to give a place to fans of anime, manga and Japanese culture. There are a range of informational panels offered at these conventions from the basics of Japanese language and culture to cutting edge news about anime releases in Japan and the US. Anime conventions also provide performances and vendors of Japanese goods, manga, anime, figurines and Anime related merchandise. Most American anime conventions are fan operated, the increase in popularity starting in the 90s, sprung forth a long standing list of annual conventions, such as Anime Expo, AnimeFest, Otakon (Otaku Convention), and Anime Boston, which continue to today with numbers of attendance reaching over 10,000.
Anime Influence and sales
Through the last two decades the introduction of anime into American main stream culture has furthered its popularity. Such famous titles as Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and most importantly Pokémon have influenced anime’s appeal to young Americans. “Anime already makes up an estimated 60% of all broadcast animation across the world.” "ICv2 estimates the size of the North American anime market at $275-300 million" (in retail dollars).”
To compete with its Japanese competitors many production companies in the US have adjusted their style to that of anime to hold onto their viewers. An important example that has sparked much controversy in the animation world would be Avatar: The Last Airbender. A popular show on Nickelodeon, the characters have a distinct anime style, even the expressions and mannerism drawn evoke that of anime style. Teen Titans on Cartoon Network is yet another example of anime’s influence on cartoons, as well as a popular comic strip turned cartoon called The Boondocks.
American Cosplayers
The term cosplay corresponds to an abbreviation of the English words costume play, though the term was coined in Japan the practice is not solely Japanese. The use of the term cosplay applies to any costumed role play out side of theaters. Characters are often taken from popular Japanese fiction. Popular sources that fans draw from include anime, manga, video games, comic books, and graphic novels. American cos-players practice this form of fandom at anime conventions. However there are a growing number of web pages and photo sites dedicated to the art of cos-playing, such as DeviantArt and Cosplay.com.
Manga influences and sales
Calvin Reid of Publishers Weekly estimated that the “Total U.S. manga sales in 2007 rose about 10%, to more than $220 million, and about 1,468 titles are estimated to have been released last year.” With the popularity of manga on the rise graphic novel artist are beginning to adapt their style to that of manga. Manga provides diversity in the graphic novel department not seen in the American comic book industry. In a different trend celebrities are getting their hands into the manga market, rock star Courtney Love has published her own manga called Princess Ai. The production of OEL (original English language) manga has recently become a popular practice in the United States. CBR columnists Joe Casey and Matt Fraction describe the increase of manga sales in America, “Manga is the 900-pound bear in the comics shop. Inescapable, unavoidable, and impossible to ignore, the manga explosion is either going to go away-which is bad, as so many mass-market bookstores seem to be bulking up their comics supply based on manga's lead-or manga will continue to grow-also bad, as the direct market scrambles to keep up. The entire industry is being forced, month by month, little by little, into a paradigm shift not seen since the advent of the direct market in the early '80s, all thanks to these strange little books from far away.”
Jpop/Rock
Japanese Pop and Japanese Rock are two music genres that are also increasing in popularity amongst US listeners. Miyavi, Utada Hikaru, and Dir En Grey. Three of the most famous names in Japan, now also imported to the US. Growing in popularity by the year these performers have toured America at least twice playing at small venues in Boston, NYC, and Los Angeles each time increasing their fan base. Utada Hikaru released an English debut album in 2004, her single "Devil Inside" topped the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay charts. Dir En Grey, in early 2006 started touring the US. They played Austin, Texas, New York City Los Angeles.
Criticisms of Japanese Pop Culture in America
Most readers who are more comfortable with English language comic books are concerned about the increase of manga on the shelves, and in the spaces of what was once reserved for graphic novels featuring Superman and Batman. A major criticism of anime and manga is that there is a lack of different artistic styles, and limited story themes. Anime/manga has also had widespread criticism from American parents as being too violent or erotic.

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