The nation of Japan has now created a new government position. To most people outside of Japan, this could be deemed as highly unusual. To those that live in Japan and those that enjoy watching anime and appreciate the craft of this art will find it highly understandable.
Me as an avid and a longtime fan of anime find it very understandable. I actually feel that the creation of this post has been long overdue. The newest post by Japan’s government is to promote animation.
Yes, there will be a new department to promote animation throughout Japan and throughout the entire world. Until the late 90s to the start of 2000, the craft of anime has not been fully brought into the mainstream.
I was only familiar with certain titles of anime such as “Sailor Moon,” “Gundam Wing,” “Tenchi Muyo,” and “Outlaw Star.” Now being 2008, the craft of anime has made the full mainstream as the creators and the voice actors have received full recognition.
In the case of the creation of this new department, Masahiko Komura, Japan’s Foreign Minister picked an actual anime character to be the “Ambassador of Anime.” The character picked was the robotic cat known as Doraemon.
Doraemon is a notable figure in the world of Japanese anime. He is one of Japan’s cultural icons. Many of the episodes of the anime tackled moral issues such as homeless animals, deforestation, and pollution.
The manga has been in circulation from 1969 to 1996. Manga is what one would call a graphic novel.
It has received a high honor of being awarded the first Osamu Tezuka Culture Award back in 1997. Osamu Tezuka is one of the fathers of Japanese anime. His most famous work was the franchise of “Astro Boy.” In the world of anime, this award is one of the highest honors one could receive.
For these reasons, it looks to be a fitting choice for Doraemon to be picked as Japan’s new anime ambassador.
“Doraemon, I hope you will travel around the world as an anime ambassador to deepen people’s understanding of Japan so they will become friends with Japan,” Komura said to the life-size model of the robotic cat.
Wasabi Mizuta, the voice actress behind Doraemon spoke as the character behind a paper screen. While talking as Doraemon, she would use the cartoons to further the understanding of what ordinary Japanese people think.
Many anime titles are visual screen adaptations of manga. To those not familiar with anime or manga, they cannot be compared to your typical cartoons or comic books.
Manga is very much a medium of its own. They should be treated as any fiction book you buy at the bookstore. There are manga for all ages. Yes, there is even pornographic manga. There are people that enjoy looking at animated porn.
There are various genres such as: action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy, science-fiction, horror, psychological thriller, fantasy, political, and so forth.
In the case of anime, the genre cannot be compared to a typical children’s cartoon. Like manga, there are various genres of anime for all ages and preferences. Whether you are young or old, there are at least two or three anime titles to appreciate. Just about any story can be made into an anime.
On a side note, Doraemon travels from the 22nd century.
Some examples include: "Cowboy Bebop," "Black Jack 21," "Outlaw Star," "Air Gear," "Full Metal Alchemist," "Bleach," "Noir," and "Nana."
These are examples of the various genres of anime. This is one example on why many familiar with the world of anime would think that this government post should have been created long ago.
One of the interesting things about anime is that there is very much something for everybody.
On a side note, I’m learning to sing the opening theme of Nana. Even though it’s sung by a female. Don’t judge me!
As a fan of anime in regards to the creation of this new government post: ANIME FOR T3H WIN!