On a more serious note today, since this shit is actually… serious. Word is that the anime industry in Japan is starting to sink worse than than Titanic with two Leonardo di Caprios aboard. Due, of course, to several issues concerning income, low-to-very bad DVD sales, even among the dedicated fans, be it abroad or in Japan itself. So what is for the big bad ass companies to do, when things are getting so grim? For once, it looks like Schwarzeneggerian producers like Madhouse Studios or Production I.G. decided to nicely put their drawing pencils on the desk and to start flirting with famous Hollywood movie studios, in an attempt to create live action remakes after some of their best shows. One of the first products to receive such a treatment is, of course (as all would have expected it), Ghost in the Shell from I.G., plus two more titles from Madhouse, whose names are not yet known to mankind. The Hollywood aroma is added to the mix, probably to fit well with some of the more strange American tastes, and their love for exquisite violence and special John Woo effects.

While some turn their eyes towards the American public, others are opting for new and improved financing agreement. For the new Appleseed Ex Machina, par example, both production companies have signed some sort of profit sharing contract with the animation studios, instead of the usual upfront payment. Another profit sharing idea is used now by the studio behind the upcoming Genius Party, with the goods being shared between the seven artists who are working hard to put the show up together.

The main problem seems to be circling around wages - since these tend to be pretty low when it comes to the animation department, many folks leave the anime sector in favor of a better job in the gaming industry. Now, we all know that the quality of recent anime shows, with certain exceptions, is decreasing compared to what we used to see in the past years. Just take a look at all the productions that got high ratings recently: nothing but mediocre. I hope this turns out for the better.

Via ANN