Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyororin
I think that a lot of people automatically assume that anime is hugely popular in Japan just because it`s *from* Japan.
It`s just another form of media. It really isn`t all that particularly special, really.
Normal people will watch an anime here or there, and read manga every once in a while.
Just like people will watch a soap opera here or there, or read a fashion magazine every once in a while.
Anime doesn`t take up much time on normal tv - sure, you can get an anime only channel via satellite or cable, but you can also get a 24 hour golf channel. It doesn`t mean everyone watches it.
On normal broadcast channels, series have one episode a week. Little little kiddie shows aren`t even usually on every day. It really is a very tiny percentage of programming, and anime "fans" are really a very very small percentage of the population. It`s silly to assume that fringe culture is mainstream - like cosplay, otaku, etc.
I`d say that anime and manga are no more popular that any other type of media.
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Some interesting satistics:
weekly manga sales are higher in Japan then yearly comic sales (of any kind) in america.
In Japan they sell enough Gundam models for every single person in the country to have at least 3.
I know you live in Japan so you probably know more then I do,
but does it make sence that they make so many with such high quality if it didnt sell well?
There are probably just a few that are really popular that everyone has seen and the rest still sell incredibly well but just among otaku, who probably try to keep there obsessions secret.