Results for
Ru's 9th Annual Anime Fan Survey
November 2006

Selections of Results for Anime Industry

These results can also be found at:

http://www.oocities.org/ruigarashi/Surveys/fans/fan0611/results.html

Other questionnaire results, highlights, and analyses can be found at:

http://www.oocities.org/ruigarashi/Surveys/fans/results.html

For each question, I've tabulated the raw count and the percentage of total returns for each of the possible responses. I've added a "blank" entry to round out the totals. Some questions had multiple responses, so don't expect all tallies to come to 100%.

Enjoy.

Number of returns: 798


Jump to Section: [A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][End]

Part E. Video Format

E7. If you collect anime, is your decision to buy one unit (e.g. one disc) of your preferred format in a series dependent on the distributor releasing the full series in your preferred format?
  413  52% yes
  124  16% no
  222  28% sometimes
   26   3% I don't collect anime
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E13. On releases with more than one episode per unit (e.g. tape, disc), the ending and opening credits between episodes are sometimes cut and put at the very end of the unit. How would you prefer credits to be handled?
  621  78% leave credits alone
   49   6% cut out intermediate credits and put at end
    8   1% cut out intermediate credits altogether
   92  12% I don't care
   17   2% undecided
   11   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E14. Similarly, how would you prefer "Next episode" previews to be handled?
  652  82% leave them alone
   20   3% cut them out altogether
   44   6% cut them out and use as Bonus material
   63   8% I don't care
   10   1% undecided
    9   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E15. Some anime have super-short animated sequences, unrelated to the story at hand, in the middle (e.g. just before and/or after a commercial), called "eyecatches". How would you prefer these to be handled?
  684  86% leave them alone
   13   2% cut them out altogether
   34   4% cut them out and use as Bonus material
   47   6% I don't care
    8   1% undecided
   12   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E16. Sometimes distributors totally replace the original Japanese credits with a translated version. What credit translation strategy do you prefer to see if they do not provide some sort of alternate display?
  272  34% leave Japanese version, roll translation later
  218  27% leave Japanese version, but roll translation in available space
   38   5% leave Japanese version, but roll translation over top
   73   9% overlay or replace Japanese version
  161  20% I don't care
   26   3% undecided
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E17. Some video technologies allow for alternate text displays. Assuming the following exist, what credit translation strategy do you prefer to see?
   27   3% totally replace the original Japanese credits
  266  33% use "alternate angle" feature to display choice of language
  291  36% use (switchable) subtitling scheme
  155  19% I don't care
   50   6% undecided
    9   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E18. Some distributors translate very little of the credits. How much of the original credits do you like to see translated?
   25   3% none
   27   3% just the voice actors
  181  23% voice actors and main creative talent (e.g. directors, music)
  361  45% as much as possible
   35   4% I'm not sure
  159  20% I don't care
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E19. On versions with a dub, sometimes the attribution of dub actors to the characters is not made. Do you prefer to see which dub actor played each character?
  566  71% yes
   26   3% no
  173  22% I don't care
   22   3% undecided
   11   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E20. Along with the main feature, some video distributors usually put in previews of other titles in their catalog. Do you like seeing or watching these previews?
  493  62% yes
  143  18% no
   60   8% undecided
   92  12% I don't care
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E21. Relative to the main feature, when do you prefer seeing or watching these previews?
  119  15% all before the main feature
   68   9% some before and some after the main feature
  391  49% all after the main feature
  106  13% none at all
   32   4% undecided
   72   9% I don't care
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E22. If you like seeing these previews, how many at a time do you feel is acceptable (summary, rundown, or slide-show presentations count as one)?
   53   7% 1
   76  10% 2
  182  23% 3
  185  23% 4-6
   33   4% more than 6
  252  32% I don't care
   17   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E23. If you like seeing previews, which type of presentation do you like most?
  182  23% music video style (i.e. no voice-over), with semblance of plot
   46   6% music video style (i.e. no voice-over), with random scenes
  190  24% voice-over describing plot
   13   2% other
  212  27% any type will do
  140  18% don't care about previews
   15   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E24. For signs and similar Japanese text graphics in anime, what do you prefer the translating company do?
  494  62% show translation nearby (e.g. below or beside sign)
   20   3% overlay translation (i.e. block out original text)
   73   9% use "alternate angles" (e.g. DVD) or switchable graphics
  155  19% it depends on the situation
    9   1% use "liner notes" (e.g. notes on paper)
    4   1% don't translate at all
   12   2% undecided, still thinking about it
   19   2% it doesn't matter to me
   12   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E25. Sometimes an anime company will include interviews with the Japanese voice actors. Do you like these bonuses?
  600  75% yes
   31   4% no
   55   7% undecided
  101  13% I don't care
   11   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E26. Sometimes an anime company will include interviews with the dub (i.e. not the original) voice actors. Do you like these bonuses?
  410  51% yes
  146  18% no
   67   8% undecided
  165  21% I don't care
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E28. Sometimes an anime company includes the creditless (textless) version of the opening or ending sequence. Do you like these bonuses being included?
  527  66% yes
   36   5% no
  100  13% sometimes
  118  15% I don't care
    7   1% undecided
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E29. Do you like seeing subtitles of translations of opening and ending songs?
  668  84% yes
   15   2% no
   77  10% sometimes
   26   3% I don't care
    2   0% undecided
   10   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E30. Do you like seeing romaji or transliterated subtitles of opening and ending songs?
  545  68% yes
   38   5% no
   96  12% sometimes
   84  11% I don't care
   26   3% undecided
    9   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E31. Sometimes an anime company includes picture and sketch galleries. Do you like these bonuses being included?
  508  64% yes
   29   4% no
  152  19% sometimes
   98  12% I don't care
    2   0% undecided
    9   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E32. If a picture or sketch gallery is included, which format do you prefer?
  526  66% still frames (which require pressing button for next image)
   75   9% video footage (e.g. images displayed for preset time)
    6   1% other
  141  18% I don't care
   39   5% undecided
   11   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E33. Some companies include "liner notes". Do you like these?
  623  78% yes
   24   3% no
   75   9% undecided
   63   8% I don't care
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
E34. If you like "liner notes", what kind of materials do you like in them?
  595  75% translator's notes
  453  57% song lyrics
  630  79% cultural notes
  208  26% production credits
  229  29% episode synopses
  397  50% production graphics (e.g. character sketches)
   21   3% other (Specify):
  108  14% I don't care
   17   2% blank
  -------
  2658 333% total
E35. There have been a good number of anime titles broadcast on TV outside of Japan (more in some countries than others). If you have watched some of these broadcasts, how would you characterize the degree of changes (i.e. cuts, rewrites, new music)?
   89  11% I haven't seen the original to compare against
   91  11% too many changes to be good
  118  15% many changes, none good
  115  14% many changes, some good
   10   1% many changes, most good
  101  13% a few changes, none good
   95  12% a few changes, some good
   19   2% a few changes, most good
   10   1% very few changes, none good
   38   5% very few changes, good enough
    2   0% not enough changes to be good
   89  11% I haven't seen broadcasts
   21   3% blank
  -------
  798 100% total

Jump to Section: [
A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][End]

Part F. More about DVD

F2. Some companies don't allow you to skip logo sequences and other similar trailers (by either using the skip button or the menu button). How do you feel about that?
  677  85% I don't like it
   71   9% I don't mind it
   31   4% I don't care
    5   1% I don't watch DVDs
   14   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F3. Some DVDs have DVD-ROM content/extras that are only accessible by computer DVD drives or similar. Would this be acceptable to you?
  274  34% yes
  120  15% no
  306  38% sometimes, or it depends on the content
   81  10% I don't care
    6   1% I don't watch DVDs
   11   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F4. Some companies use clear keepcases and show disc info through the case (of the reverse side of the cover). Do you like this?
  283  35% yes
   78  10% no
  409  51% I don't care
   16   2% I don't buy anime DVDs
   12   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F5. Some anime titles have a special edition release. What kind of bonus or special items do you like these to have, apart from a box to hold the entire series in the case of a series?
  518  65% Second, bonus DVD with extra content
  308  39% Single DVD but with more content than standard release
  353  44% T-shirt
  214  27% drink-ware (e.g. glass, mug, shot-glass)
  653  82% CD of soundtrack
  378  47% pencil board or other special hardcopy image media
  523  66% booklet (more than single folded page, notes, artwork,...)
  288  36% pin
  170  21% cap (e.g. baseball or cycling)
  190  24% stationery
  183  23% writing utensil
  400  50% plush doll
  457  57% figurine
  335  42% toy (e.g. spacecraft, robot)
  403  51% keychain, keyring
   45   6% other (Specify):
   31   4% blank
  -------
  5449 683% total
F6. Some series get released one disc at a time and then later get a complete boxed set release, or collection release (e.g. multidisc keepcase). In that situation, which of the following best describes or most often describes your buying habit?
  290  36% buy one disc at a time, and don't bother with complete release
   28   4% buy one disc at a time, and replace with complete release
  347  43% buy nothing and hope for a complete release later
   78  10% I don't care
   38   5% I don't buy anime DVDs
   17   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F7. Some people have suggested box set releases that only contain one disc (to be filled with later purchases) should come at the 2nd or subsequent volume, rather than the first, so that people can use the first volume to decide whether to invest in the box. Would this be acceptable to you?
  485  61% yes
   66   8% no
  207  26% I don't care
   27   3% I don't buy anime DVDs
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F8. What kind of box do you MOST prefer to hold a series?
  290  36% cardboard, open on front
   63   8% cardboard, open on front with wrap-around sleeve/cover
    4   1% cardboard, open on top with small lid
    9   1% cardboard, small bottom tray, large top slipcover
    5   1% cardboard, lunchbox style
   37   5% metal, open on front
   53   7% metal, open on front with hinged front "door"
   27   3% metal, open on top with small or sliding or hinged lid
   14   2% metal, lunchbox style
    7   1% other
  124  16% not sure
  154  19% I don't care about a box
   11   1% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F9. What kind of box do you LEAST prefer to hold a series?
   47   6% cardboard, open on front
   25   3% cardboard, open on front with wrap-around sleeve/cover
   52   7% cardboard, open on top with small lid
   52   7% cardboard, small bottom tray, large top slipcover
   90  11% cardboard, lunchbox style
   10   1% metal, open on front
   16   2% metal, open on front with hinged front "door"
   17   2% metal, open on top with small or sliding or hinged lid
   95  12% metal, lunchbox style
   19   2% other
  217  27% not sure
  145  18% I don't care about a box
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F10. Some box sets come with a sleeve that wraps around and slides off. For those, if you had to get the sleeve, which material would you prefer?
  151  19% cardboard or thick paper with artwork
  306  38% transparent plastic with artwork
   51   6% transparent plastic, unmarked
   95  12% not sure
  182  23% I don't care
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F11. After some time, an anime company will re-release a series yet again as a set in a different package than before (and of course at a lower price). Which would you, or do you, prefer if you chose to buy such a set?
   72   9% old disks in multidisc keepcase(s)
  291  36% old disks in thinpack keepcases (otherwise same as old version)
   46   6% strip extras, more episodes per disc, in multidisc keepcase(s)
  110  14% strip extras, more episodes per disc, in thinpack keepcases
   16   2% other (Specify):
  131  16% I'm not sure
  118  15% I wouldn't be interested
   14   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F12. The new high definition DVDs (e.g. Blu-ray, HD-DVD) have started to come out. Would anime be (or was it) an issue in your decision to buy a high definition DVD player?
  312  39% yes
  473  59% no
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
F13. Are you interested in owning a high definition DVD player?
  228  29% yes (or already own one)
  176  22% no
  382  48% I'm not sure / I'm going to wait and see
   12   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total

Jump to Section: [
A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][End]

Part H. Anime Accessibility and Clubs

H14. Which type of information do you find the most useful in deciding on buying an anime title?
   11   1% none (I'll buy any anime)
  141  18% synopses / descriptions
   37   5% recommendations
  162  20% reviews / criticisms
   51   6% trailers or previews
  357  45% seeing it for yourself
    7   1% other
   19   2% I don't buy anime
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H15. Which type of information do you find the most useful in deciding to watch an anime title that you have not seen before?
   40   5% none (I'll watch any anime)
  265  33% synopses / descriptions
  142  18% recommendations
  216  27% reviews / criticisms
  105  13% trailers or previews
   15   2% other
   15   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H16. How many episodes of a series do you typically watch before deciding NOT to continue to watch the series?
   66   8% one
  145  18% two
  192  24% three
  175  22% four
  134  17% 5 - 8
   71   9% more than 8
   15   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H20. How much of the anime you watch is from streaming video (not downloadable video) web sites?
  468  59% none
  195  24% less than 10%
   51   6% less than 20%
   36   5% less than 50%
   24   3% less than 75%
    8   1% all
   16   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H21. Would you watch more/any streaming video anime if more were available?
  270  34% yes
  272  34% no
  239  30% not sure
   17   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H22. If you were to pay for downloadable anime, at good video quality, which would most closely describe the purpose?
   65   8% casual viewing, not interested in keeping
  235  29% preview to decide what to hardcopy version to buy
  211  26% for permanent collection, primary media for viewing
   22   3% other
  251  31% not interested
   14   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H23. If you were to pay for downloadable anime, at poor video quality, which would most closely describe the purpose?
   98  12% casual viewing, not interested in keeping
  144  18% preview to decide what to hardcopy version to buy
   14   2% for permanent collection, primary media for viewing
   14   2% other
  511  64% not interested
   17   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H24. If you were to pay for downloadable anime, what video QUALITY would you consider reasonable (not wish for)?
  101  13% like High Definition (i.e. better than DVD)
  473  59% like DVD
   59   7% like VHS (e.g. blurrier)
    1   0% worse than VHS (e.g. visible "blockiness", blurrier)
    7   1% doesn't matter to me
  144  18% not interested
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H25. If you were to pay for downloadable anime, which type of additional material would you also want available?
  358  45% cover art (e.g. to put onto your own keepcases)
  272  34% insert art (e.g. to put into your own keepcases)
  297  37% disc labels (e.g. to put onto your own CDs or DVDs)
  407  51% extras content (e.g. still images, clean opening)
  204  26% coupon or receipt for items (e.g. cap, toy)
   27   3% other (Specify):
  241  30% not interested
   30   4% blank
  -------
  1836 230% total
H26. If some anime were available as in a downloadable format, for a price, with what you consider GOOD image quality, what fraction of the hardcopy version's price would be the highest you be willing to pay?
   11   1% 100% of hardcopy price (i.e. same price)
   38   5% 80 - 99% of hardcopy price
  104  13% 60 - 79% of hardcopy price
  175  22% 40 - 59% of hardcopy price
  124  16% 20 - 39% of hardcopy price
   62   8% 10 - 19% of hardcopy price
   23   3% wouldn't be interested if the above are the only choices
  189  24% not interested in downloadable version
   57   7% not sure
   15   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H27. If some anime were available as in a downloadable format, for a price, with what you consider POOR image quality, what fraction of the hardcopy version's price would be the highest you be willing to pay?
    1   0% 100% of hardcopy price (i.e. same price)
    2   0% 80 - 99% of hardcopy price
    9   1% 60 - 79% of hardcopy price
   16   2% 40 - 59% of hardcopy price
   60   8% 20 - 39% of hardcopy price
  154  19% 10 - 19% of hardcopy price
  222  28% wouldn't be interested if the above are the only choices
  277  35% not interested in downloadable version
   43   5% not sure
   14   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H28. If some downloadable anime were available for free, which would most closely describe the purpose for you?
  139  17% casual viewing, not interested in keeping
  401  50% preview to decide what to hardcopy version to buy
  181  23% for permanent collection, primary media for viewing
   20   3% other
   42   5% not interested
   15   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
H29. If some downloadable anime were available for free, what video QUALITY would you consider reasonable (not wish for)?
   27   3% like High Definition (i.e. better than DVD)
  315  39% like DVD
  299  37% like VHS (e.g. blurrier)
   34   4% worse than VHS (e.g. visible "blockiness", blurrier, smaller)
   66   8% doesn't matter to me
   44   6% not interested
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total

Jump to Section: [
A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][End]

Part I. World Wide Web

I6. Do you generally find commercial web sites (the ones run by the distributors) a good source of information about anime you might be interested in?
  184  23% yes
  305  38% no
  149  19% undecided
  145  18% don't use commercial web sites for information
   15   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
I7. What kind of content would you like commercial web sites (the ones run by the distributors) to provide?
  542  68% wallpapers
  524  66% images
  229  29% soundbites
  384  48% songs
  581  73% trailers
  421  53% browsable online catalog
  394  49% online store
  585  73% release info, press releases, and news
  302  38% discussion forums
  373  47% show notes (e.g. liner notes, production logs)
   37   5% other (Specify):
   73   9% I don't care
   15   2% blank
  -------
  4460 559% total
I8. For commercial sites that have any of the following content, which do you generally feel they provide well?
  221  28% wallpapers
  200  25% images
   34   4% soundbites
   31   4% songs
  294  37% trailers
  192  24% browsable online catalog
  203  25% online store
  247  31% release info, press releases, and news
   76  10% discussion forums
   30   4% show notes (e.g. liner notes, production logs)
   14   2% other (Specify):
   66   8% none
  154  19% I don't care
   43   5% blank
  -------
  1805 226% total
I9. For commercial sites that have any of the following content, which do you generally feel they provide most poorly?
  153  19% wallpapers
  153  19% images
  146  18% soundbites
  256  32% songs
  134  17% trailers
   93  12% browsable online catalog
   76  10% online store
  141  18% release info, press releases, and news
  152  19% discussion forums
  190  24% show notes (e.g. liner notes, production logs)
   22   3% other (Specify):
   36   5% none
  180  23% I don't care
   48   6% blank
  -------
  1780 223% total
I10. Do you at least sometimes browse the Japanese company web sites?
  614  77% yes
  171  21% no
   13   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
I11. Would you or do you browse Japanese company web sites more if they included an English version (assuming English is the next language of choice)?
  650  81% yes
   34   4% no
   62   8% not sure
   40   5% I don't care
   12   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total
I19. Web forums and web news sites have a much better corporate participation (i.e. anime companies post messages) than newsgroups. On the web forums you participate in (post or just read), are you satisfied with the level of corporate participation?
   19   2% not at all
   84  11% not really
  230  29% sufficiently satisfied
   82  10% very happy with level
  186  23% don't care
  180  23% don't know, or don't participate in web forums
   17   2% blank
  -------
  798 100% total

Jump to Section: [A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][End]
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If you have any other comments or questions regarding this survey e-mail me at 'ru dot igarashi at usask dot ca'.

Copyright © 2006 Ru Igarashi