After reading Angela Wong’s blog post #3 on her Gundam models. I decided to write this blog to share my ideas on how to promote Japanese animation better in North America. I am also a big fan of building Gundam models, here is the picture of the one i am currently working on. It is really hard and it took me 4 hours to build only two legs. 🙁
I got into Japanese animation because of these guandam model sold in China when I was very young. Since then I started watching Japanese cartoons, not only Gundam series but also Naruto, Bleach, etc. However, some people buy animation figures or models after they have watched some cartoons or manga that they really like. Thus, cartoons, manga and character figures are complements. Some cartoons are with a lot people while they grow up, just like Walt Disney cartoons, so it could be hard for people in North America to accept Japanese animation since heir styles are completely different. I came up with the following ideas.
Fisrt of all, promote japanese animations more in North America region. Let people here have more chance to know more about them. Introduce and advertise more animation movies to cinemas and series on TV, so far only Riverport cineplex carries a few Japanese animation movies but they are not advertised. I hope to see more in the future. There are many stores where we can get all these animation figures and models like Sakura on Robson and in Richmond center. But the price of the dvds and figures are quite expensive, i think they should lower the price so that more people will accept them and loyal consumers like me will be ableto buy more. With more movies, episodes, promotions and lowered price introduced to us, the sales of these toys will also increase. These action willnot only satisfy loyal consumers buy also attract new consumers as well. Most importantly, Japanese animation producers can introduced their animation culture to the whole world.