Toei Animation GM Says Anime Is No Longer Exclusively Japanese
A senior executive at one of anime's foundational studios publicly rejects the long-held industry definition that anime must be Japanese in origin, signaling a possible redefinition of the term itself.
Reporting from 1 sources: Cartoon Brew.
Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke told Variety at Cannes that the era of anime being made only by Japanese people is over, saying the studio aims to create works rooted in local cultures with creators worldwide. The remark from a foundational studio executive signals a potential shift in the industry's self-definition.
Toei Animation general manager Asama Yosuke said at the Cannes Film Festival that anime no longer needs to be made exclusively in Japan. Speaking to Variety while promoting the studio's upcoming feature Monkey Quest, Asama stated: 'The era when anime was something made only by Japanese people is over. From now on, we aim to create entertainment works rooted in local cultures together with creators from around the world.'
Toei is the studio behind Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, and Digimon, making it one of the most influential companies in anime history. Asama's comment, coming from a senior executive at such a foundational studio, carries more weight than a similar remark from a smaller company. It suggests that the industry's long-standing definition of anime as a Japanese-made product may be evolving from within.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.