In a recent conversation on a Japanese radio program, the former president of Studio Ghibli, Toshio Suzukithe director and screenwriter Gen Urobuchiand the director Mamoru Oshiithey discussed the change in focus of the anime industry in recent years.
Oshii stated that “story” has disappeared from the industry, and that “characters” are now given more importance. Urobuchi agreed with Oshii, adding that creators and production companies no longer want to get rid of successful characters. Suzuki offered a more nuanced perspective, noting that Madoka Magica, an anime series that combines a well-told story with engaging characters, has been successful with both audiences.
These comments reflect a growing trend in anime, which focuses more on the characters than the stories. This trend is due to several factors, such as the growing popularity of social media, which has made fans identify more with individual characters. Additionally, the anime industry has become more commercial, and producers are more interested in creating characters that can be exploited in multiple products.
This trend has been criticized by some fans and critics, who maintain that anime has lost its focus on storytelling and exploring complex themes. However, there are also those who defend it, arguing that current anime is more accessible and attractive to a broader audience.
Ultimately, the question of whether today’s anime is better or worse than the anime of yesteryear is a matter of opinion. However, the conversation between Oshii, Urobuchi, and Suzuki is a reminder that anime is a constantly evolving medium, and that changes in its approach can have a significant impact on its quality.
Some specific arguments that support Oshii, Urobuchi and Suzuki’s claim that current anime focuses more on characters than stories:
- The success of character-focused anime franchises such as LoveLive!, Vocaloid and Fate Series.
- The popularity of “isekai” anime, which transport protagonists to fantasy worlds, often without a coherent story.
- The tendency to create characters that are easily identifiable and with whom fans can “connect” on social networks.
Of course, there are exceptions to this trend. There are current animes that have well-told stories, however, in general, it is true that current anime gives more importance to the characters than to the stories.
Fountain: Yaraon!
