There are curious things in this world. One of them is the Library of Mysterious Documents. Maybe this is one.
Formerly I wrote a column about TV-animation type "You're Under Arrest." I am always dissatisfied that TV-animation type "You're Under Arrest" in Nagoya is broadcast 19 days later than the time in Tokyo. And that in Osaka is done 16 days later than that in Tokyo.
I heard the animation is not broadcast in Hiroshima prefecture soon later. An animation of "You're Under Arrest" titled "File 12: I Want To Be A Police Woman" which was broadcast in Tokyo on 12/21/96 was broadcast in Tottori prefecture on 06/24/97.
Therefore I was scolded by many readers of this column. They say, "You are happy to be able to watch these programs at least." You know California State is 411 thousand square kilometers in area and Japan is 378 thousand square kilometers. Though Japan is small, many of people in Japan cannot watch the animation.
TV animation programs are believed to exist for children in Japan. Music record companies, software producers, toy manufacturers, cartoon publishers, and food processing industries in Japan form a kind of conglomerate under popular cartoons.
When a character for example Ms Sana Kurata in Kodomo No Omocha (Child's Toy) is popular, the conglomerate will produce TV animation, Laser Disc Boxes, Sound Track Records, Original Video Animation tapes, Films for Cinema, Theme Songs, Video Games, every kind of toy, Stationery, Portable Telephones, Cameras, Musical Instruments, guide books called Film Books, character cards called Trading Cards, Candies, and Processed Foods simultaneously.
The most important thing is to produce them everywhere simultaneously.
In fact you can watch Kodomo No Omocha everywhere in Japan. Kodomo No Omocha is produced by TV-Tokyo. TV-Tokyo is a small-sized TV key station assisted by Japan Economic Newspapers (NIKKEI). Therefore TV-Tokyo has few network TV stations. However the animation is broadcast everywhere in Japan because some TV stations that are not under network of TV-Tokyo want to broadcast the animation program.
In marketing theory, the action is called Media-Mixed Expansion.
The most successful example of the expansion in Japan is Sailor Moon.
On the other hand the animation for adults is left behind. In Japan that for adults is believed to be a pornography. It is not right. Crayon Shin-chan, Oishinbo, Jarinko Chie, YAWARA! and You're Under Arrest were published as cartoons for adults.
Or you may see some cartoons for children to regard them as cartoons for adults. If you watch Rurouni Kenshin and become interested in Mr. Hajime Saitou, you will read books on Japanese history, Shinsen Gumi, and Aidu Clan. (Those books are for Japanese history manias and very expensive.)
A program of good quality must be broadcast everywhere and information gap between Tokyo and the rural area must be cancelled.

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Rurouni Kenshin|Previous Column|Next Column
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Sailor Moon|Previous Column|Next Column
YAWARA!|Previous Column|Next Column
Crayon Shin-chan
Oishinbo|Previous Column
Jarinko Chie