5 Big Problems that Often Plague the Modern Anime Industry

Kapanlagi.com - Written by: Lily Ariani

Anime has become a global phenomenon in pop culture. Especially in recent years, the popularity of anime has increased. Now, anime has become a favorite pastime for many people from various backgrounds.

Anime has been around since the 1900s. Since then, anime has always presented interesting shows with various genres and creative stories. In the modern era, anime has continued to evolve. The visuals and animations are of much higher quality. Even the OST and voice acting of the voice actors have improved.

Unfortunately, despite its skyrocketing popularity, there are several major problems that plague the modern anime industry. If these problems continue to be ignored, the future of the anime industry could become bleak. Here are 5 major problems that often plague the modern anime industry.

1. Low-Paid Animator

Studio MAPPA

Have you ever wondered why the quality of an animation can decline? Or why the airing schedule of an anime is sometimes delayed? These two things are usually caused by animators who are overloaded with work but are paid low wages.

This production crisis has actually been going on for a long time in the anime industry. However, this issue has gained more attention since the controversy surrounding Studio MAPPA and JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2. Many animators complain about the poor culture and working environment at Studio MAPPA. Some even resign and quit working.

As a result, the animation quality of JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2 is seen to decline in some parts. One of them is the fight scene between Sukuna and Mahoraga. The scene was later fixed in the Blu-ray version released a few months later.

Not only affecting the animation quality, this production crisis also caused other projects to be delayed. Some anime titles like ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD and ATTACK ON TITAN final season are real examples.

2. Rushed Manga Adaptation Process

Studio CloverWorks

Adapting manga into anime is a common practice in the Japanese animation industry. Unfortunately, in modern times, many animation studios rush the adaptation process. This is done due to limited production costs or inexperienced teams. Poor planning and scheduling can also be reasons.

The studio may understand how fans want a manga to be adapted into an anime and appear on the screen. However, a rushed and immature adaptation process actually ruins fans' expectations and experiences. Some examples of anime that have faced this issue include THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, TOKYO GHOUL, NOBLESSE, and THE GOD OF HIGH SCHOOL.

3. Excessive Fan Service

Toei Animation

Fan service is an additional scene to attract the audience and satisfy fans. Fan service can be in the form of humorous, cute, adorable, or sensual scenes.

There is nothing wrong with fan service as it has become a culture in the anime world. Unfortunately, the fan service displayed in modern anime tends to be more sensual and excessive.

Excessive sensual scenes can actually lead to the objectification of a character. You can see how many female characters in the anime ONE PIECE are objectified. In addition, not everyone likes fan service. Too much fan service can make viewers nauseous.

4. Original Anime with Few Fans

Studio Bones

In the 1990s and 2000s, there were many original anime such as NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, COWBOY BEBOP, CODE GEASS, FLCL, and SAMURAI CHAMPLOO. These titles were able to attract fans' attention and made it into the list of popular anime with high ratings. However, that success is now gone.

Currently, animation studios are having a hard time attracting fans with original anime. Although there are many interesting original anime such as SK8 THE INFINITY, LYCORIS RECOIL, LINK CLICK, BUDDY DADDIES, these titles have not been able to match the previous success. Fans hope that animation studios can bring forth original anime with diverse genres and more creative stories.

5. Recycling Stories

Studio Ufotable

In addition to unpopular original anime, another problem is the monotonous and boring storyline. Most modern anime only recycle old tropes, presenting a monotonous plot and cliché protagonists. The arcs presented are also the same. For example, shonen anime protagonists will go through training or the Big Three formula that is so prevalent in the market.

Actually, it's not entirely the animation studio's fault. The studio clearly follows popular market trends. However, if the story presented is monotonous and predictable, fans of anime will also get bored. The studio can do a story or character reboot to make the anime better and more interesting.

(kpl/lly)