Recently, a popular comment
forum in Japan has been filled with heated debates over recent
announcements of remakes of classic series such as “The Rose of Versailles,”
“Magic Knight Rayearth,” and “Ranma 1/2 . ” Users have expressed
their concern and frustration, going so far as to call the current anime
industry an “elderly shelter” due to the tendency to resurrect extremely old
series.
One user commented that he had never seen “Norakuro” and
would like a remake, while another mentioned that he wouldn't be surprised to
see a remake of “Astro Boy . ” Another forum participant
argued that the industry is simply responding to Japan's dominant
demographic, the baby boomer generation, rather than trying to attract a
younger audience .
Several users highlighted that many current
directors and screenwriters are over 50 years old , which could
explain the inclination towards nostalgic content. “ Entertainers
that age form a clique and it's inevitable ,” noted one commenter.
Some users called for developing more anime
focused on adult characters to reflect the aging audience. One
commentator compared the situation to a historical drama, suggesting
that the industry has become stuck in the past. There were also complaints
about the constant changing of voice actors and the lack of innovation in the
remakes.
Other participants were concerned about the impact
of low birth rates and the advancement of artificial intelligence on
the anime and manga industry, speculating that there could be a greater
dependence on the foreign market to keep the industry alive. One user even
suggested that in ten years young creators could revolutionize the
industry by creating anime individually .
One featured comment mentioned that remakes
are preferable to adapting little-known light novels , while another
user said that Japan is becoming a nursing home and that
remakes only reinforce this image. However, some argued that remakes
are a way to discover new audiences and revitalize classic series .
In short, the forum community is divided, but
concerns prevail that the anime industry is becoming complacent and
dependent on nostalgia instead of innovating and attracting new generations .
Can the industry find a balance between honoring the past and embracing the
future? Only time will tell.
Source: Yaraon!
