In a recent interview with Mantan Web, Takuto Yahata, the head of Disney’s anime division, provided insights into the company’s approach when it came to the distribution of Japanese anime on a global scale.
He emphasized on Disney’s commitment to adopt expressions that are widely accepted and politically correct.
In the interview Yahata acknowledged that anime as a medium has grown and garnered fans all across the globe. What was once created for Japan was now being consumed worldwide, and naturally, the focus was to make sure all these fans can enjoy the medium equally.
“Just a few years ago, the focus was on the North American market, so we concentrated on storytelling that would appeal to North American audiences. We were also aware that different genres were popular in Asia, and as creators, we were catering to specific tastes across Japan, North America, and Asia. However, nowadays, the goal is to ensure that viewers worldwide can experience the same level of entertainment and excitement simultaneously, regardless of their region. This reflects the growing global popularity of Japanese anime. What was once considered solely for Japanese audiences is now embraced by viewers everywhere, demonstrating the current maturity of the market.”
Yahata was then asked if there was a need to change the style of anime for global distribution, raising an important point about the cultural and artistic implications of globalizing anime.
On one hand, preserving the unique aspects of anime is seen as crucial to maintaining its authenticity and appeal to its core fanbase. On the other hand, expanding anime’s reach to a wider audience requires considering the sensitivities and cultural norms of diverse viewers worldwide.
According to Yahata, while the core aspects of storytelling and action precision in anime remain relatively unchanged, Disney’s strategy for distributing anime involved embracing expressions that are widely accepted across cultures.
He added that the shift towards politically correct expression was a natural evolution to ensure that content does not hurt people or lead to misunderstandings.
He emphasized that this evolution should not be viewed negatively but rather as a necessary step in catering to a diverse global audience.
“I don’t think there has been any significant upheaval. Fundamental storytelling and the precision of action haven’t changed much, but there might be a tendency to adopt more widely accepted expressions. To reach a wider audience, it’s natural to adopt expressions that don’t hurt people or lead to misunderstandings. It’s not a negative thing; it might be considered evolution.“
Highlighting the transition from traditional distribution methods to modern streaming services, Yahata illustrated how the accessibility of anime has expanded dramatically.
He referenced a past era where anime was primarily distributed via videotapes, catering only to those willing to purchase physical copies. However, with the advent of streaming platforms, anime has become available to audiences of all ages, anytime and anywhere.
Source: Mantan Web