Fenxy

It is definitely viable as I believe it helps the industry grow and see things in different ways. Many people disagree with Westerners infiltrating manga/anime because much of it is based on Eastern philosophy and myths which we obviously don't have a strong grasp of yet, but we do have our own philosophies and myths to work with. Afro Samurai was no less valuable due to its western production and actually I believe that it could have only succeeded under such conditions.

Over time you begin to see the same themes over and over in anime/manga and I think a little shake up is good for everyone and allows them to explore new avenues.

I see Western culture slowly drift over to an eastern way of thinking. There is a reason why Japanese culture appeals to groups of people in western society.

So no I don't see anime adapting to incorporate western values because I believe that there is a huge enough market in America for eastern values and myths. I see Japanese social trends as a precursor to that will eventually catch on in America. I don't know how this happens but for some reason it does.

I don't have any strong evidence for this but you can kind of feel it in the air. Talk to someone people who are interested in Asian culture and you can tell that they are passionate about it.

Why do snobbish people like to go to Sushi Restaurants (I love sushi)? Asian influence in interior design. Gnob mentioned Wired's fascination with Japanese school girls. (Take that anyway you want.) Devotion to the group rather than the individual. These values/great food are very attractive to some people in the competitive western world.

It would be cool to see western cartoons adopt anime style storytelling. Some of it is gosh darn entertaining and clever.

BTW I am constantly impressed by Anime blog's notes. Keep them coming.

I think this is a loaded question. Personally, I don't think american manga can exist. Manga is japanese. Period.

What we are seeing is a renaissance in american comics, fueled by the popularity of the manga format, and mimicking it to full advantage. One of the barriers in indy western comics was the whole big budget full colour (or painted even) formats that have been pushed here for decades. Manga is a lower budget format. The art is still fantastic, but the production values are lower. Smaller format, cheaper paper, black and white. If your manga (or western equivalent) doesn't have the story and style to carry despite those differences, it won't last long.

So what we see is a resurgence in style, storytelling, and characterization that has been really lacking in the more standard western superhero type comics. That's not to say we don't have our gems even in the more western format... it's just now we're opening up to new audiences, and new creators have more of a chance to be heard.

I think it's a fantastic thing. I've had the chance to meet several of tokyopop's newer western finds at conventions, and they've got some great ideas, and I forsee a lot of excellent stories coming out due to this newly found niche. I think the popularity of anime and the following popularity of manga here in the west has just opened the doors.

The anime and manga influence is already here. Look at the sketchbooks. To what degree that influence stays who knows, but that influence is already there as far as comics goes.

American animation (or American "anime") and American comics (or American "manga") *are* very successful in their own terms. Much more than most Japanese Animations or Comics will ever be.

They are different styles, different countries, different cultures. American animation is successful on it's own terms, as is the Japanese one in their own terms and country, and on some rare occasions, outside of it.

Okay random question but did the diologue from Halo 3 seem kind of anime-ish? Is anyone with me?