As the year winds down, it’s kind of nice to look back and remark on the incredible events that have taken place. 2008 saw its fair share of controversy, negotiations, victory, and decline. No, I’m not talking about U.S. politics and/or economy. I’m talking about anime. Specifically, I’m talking about the anime industry. 2008 saw some serious movement in the industry, and I’m going to sum up some of the big news to make it less complicated than it actually is. I’m not really sure that’s possible but what the hell, it’s worth a shot.

 

This year, over 40 anime titles were licensed for US release. This is quite an impressive number for the fans who remember the old days of buying their anime on video tape. Actually, this was only a few years ago. It seems as though the popularity of anime only truly exploded after Toonami began luring young people away from their homework (or older people away from their whatever they did) with new and exciting temptations like Ronin Warriors and Tenchi Muyo. While that was enticing the older crowd, a whole new generation of fans was being created by kiddie shows like Pokémon and Cardcaptors (important note: most kiddie anime weren’t kiddie in the original Japanese version). Once anime ensorcelled new crowds of fans the number of licensed anime slowly grew as the companies producing them gained a larger audience.

 

2006 to 2007 saw a huge jump in licensing, with almost 200 shows being acquired in the two year time period. The industry grew rapidly with new fans being born everyday, anime conventions popping up in every major city, and networks picking up more anime to air in late night TV slots.

 

So with all this growth in the consumer base, it’s a little startling to hear that just around 40 anime were licensed this year. It appears that the floundering economy may be hampering what had been a blooming industry.

 

To set up the craziness that ensued this year, a look into the shocking of news of 2007 is apropos. Last summer ADV and Geneon announced that ADV would take over Geneon’s distribution and marketing. In anticipation, Geneon laid off their own distribution department. But something must have gone sour in the final negotiations, because the deal was called off. Following this devastation to their staff, Geneon announced that it would cease all retail distribution. This left many fans with the belief that Geneon had gone bankrupt.

 

Now fast forward to 2008. If there hadn’t been enough drama last year, there was definitely enough this year. In July it was announced that Japan’s ARM Corporation would be transferring 30 of its titles previously held by ADV to industry giant FUNimation. FUNimation also announced that it had worked out a deal to distribute some of Geneon’s titles. However, Geneon announced this November that it will be merging with Universal Pictures Japan under a new name. In October, it was announced that ADV will now have Sentai Filmworks as its new licensing partner.

 

If you think this is all starting to sound like a soap opera, I don’t blame you. In fact, let’s take that paragraph again, shall we?

 

2008. A year of scandal. The beautiful but deadly ARM Corporation left beau ADV for the rich and powerful FUNi. The couple had obviously not signed pre-nups, and ARM took a small fortune in the divorce. The fortune was invested in new love FUNi’s hands, which could spell danger for the other players in the field. FUNi had been in some quiet talks with Geneon, but what’s to become of their partnership now that Universal has entered Geneon’s life? ADV quickly recovered from the earlier loss and is now engaged to Sentai.

 

Will Geneon’s new partner save them from the devastation left after their bad break-up with ADV? Can Sentai fill that place in ADV’s heart left behind by ARM? Is FUNi trying to take over the world?! More scandals and secrets revealed on the next season of Anime Industry.

 

Yeah, it’s something like that.

 

Still, despite the weirdness that took place, a lot of good shows were licensed this year. Titles that were licensed early in the year have already started hitting shelves. Big names include Claymore (girl with big sword), Hunter x Hunter (boy makes friends as he battles his way to his dream), and Maria Watches Over Us (which validates those rumors you’ve heard about all girls schools).

 

Titles that were licensed mid-year, like D.Gray-Man (exorcist boy with cursed eye fights baddies) and Romeo x Juliet (new twist on Shakespeare), are still in production and should hit the stores in early 2009.

 

A few gems were picked up in the late summer, including Monster (no good surgery goes unpunished), and my personal squeal of joy, Baccano (immortals + mafia = awesome). I haven’t noticed any street dates for these shows, but they should be along shortly.

 

The events of 2009 should definitely be interesting. With the economy tumbling but the fanbase increasing, it’s hard to predict where the industry will stand in another year. All I can say is keep your eyes peeled and if/when things start to get crazy again, I recommend imagining these corporate scenarios with bad acting and cheesy dialog as a coping technique.