Frequently Asked Questions

What's up with those Eyes?

This is usually the first question people ask when they see Anime. No, the characters are not supposed to be Western, they are still Japanese even if they don't necessarily look like it. The character's eyes are large in order to better convey emotions, which would be difficult if they had smaller, more realistic eyes.

The eyes of a Anime character speak volumes about their mood, and can be very exaggerated for humorous effect. More serious Anime or those aimed at older audience will use this technique to a much lesser extent.

Isn't Anime Just About Sex And Violence?

This is a common misconception based on people's brief introduction to Anime through friends. Yes, there is Anime of a predominately sexual or violent nature, but the vast majority of it revolves around much more intellectual subject matter. Unfortunately, a disproportionately large number of sexual/violence based Anime are purchased by distributors for sale in the US since "sex sells" in this country. Some of the greatest productions in Anime will never be sold directly in the US because they are far too intellectual to be considered profitable. See the Recommended Viewing section for titles that defy this misconception.

What's an OAV, Fansub, Etc?

Anime is produced in three main ways. First, it can be made into aTV series and aired weekly like any regular show. This is by far the most popular means of producing Anime. Second, it can be made direct to video or OAV, which stands for Original Animation Video. Lastly, it can be made into a full-length motion picutre, shown in regular movie theaters. The way Anime reaches the US is either to have a US company buy the rights to distribute it, or for a private individual to subtitle the series themselves and sell it over the internet. Tapes/DVDs that are privately subtitled are known as "Fansubs". They are not to be sold for profit, and are simply a means for people to become familiar with an unreleased series. Once a US company buys the rights to a series and releases it here, the Fansubs become illegal due to copyright laws. Therefore, it makes sense to buy as many Fansubs as you can before someone buys the rights to them, as commercial releases are usually shorter and much more expensive. See below for more info.

C'mon Dude, They're Just Freakin Cartoons!

Sadly, most people are close minded and biased against animation because it as viewed as being only for children in the US. Because animation in the US is Superhero-based violence for adolescents, most people can't accept the fact that animation can successfully portray more intellectual and mature themes. If you are fed up with having your intelligence insulted by an endless stream of mindless Hollywood movies and TV shows, perhaps you may find an interesting alternative in an Anime series.

Alright, I'll Give It A Try, Where Do I Find This Stuff?

There are two main ways to purchase Anime. The first is at any place that sells regular movies. Stores such as Sam Goody, Sun Coast Video, and Media Play have very large sections dedicated to Anime. Other stores such as Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, and Borders have very limited selection. At any store you should expect to pay between $25 and $30 per release, which can last anywhere from one to two hours. Dubbed releases are usually about ten dollars cheaper, but believe me, paying the extra money is worth it. Find Out Why. There are an infinite number of websites where you can purchase releases directly such as Amazon.com and The Rightstuf.com, often for a few dollars cheaper than what you'd pay at a store. Another great option is to search for items on auction sites such as eBay.     Since some of the best series are not officially distributed in the US, you may purchase releases from someone who has subtitled them themselves. The releases  are called "Fansubs", and are usually two hours long (equivalent to four tv episodes) and are substantially cheaper than retail. They usually go for around $6 to $8 per release. To locate individuals who are selling fansubs, check out Anipike's list of distributors Here.    Lastly, check out your local video rental store such as Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, which usually have a decent supply of Anime titles.

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