Though it has always thrived as a niche form of entertainment all around the world, anime’s rapid rise in popularity over the past decade has been startling to watch unfold. As recently as 15 years ago, anime fans would have to scour the web for popular shows. Today, even niche titles are available on the world’s biggest streaming services.
However, not all is rosy in the anime industry. The shortage of animators has been ongoing for a number of years, while controversies surrounding the treatment of actors and artists seem to come to light more often than anyone would like to admit. Now, a longtime producer has come forward with criticisms about the industry’s habit of playing it safe.
Longtime Anime Producer Taro Maki Criticizes Producers and the Need to ‘Play it Safe’
Kamado Tanjiro as seen in Demon Slayer Infinity Castle
Now that anime has established itself as a global mainstream form of entertainment, fans are able to experience more of the biggest shows in the industry than ever before. More than that, the quality of seasonal anime has never been higher. Titles like Jujutsu Kaisen Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man, and many more have left audiences stunned in recent years.
However, Taro Maki, producer of a number of iconic anime titles, including two films by the legendary Satoshi Kon, has expressed frustration with the current state of the industry. In an interview with ITmedia, he pointed at fellow producers and Japanese corporate culture as causing a trend of ‘playing it safe’. He said:
“The top priority is to avoid failure, and the concept of taking risks (through adding up points) is non-existent. This is why they end up going for genres that are successful and safe projects.”
These comments came after Maki criticized the Japanese corporate culture of operating on point systems, where any bad aspect of a production docks a point and causes those leading productions to stray from any sort of risk-taking. And he isn’t entirely off-base with his sentiments.
Is There a ‘Playing It Safe’ Problem in Anime?
Anime Is More Popular than Ever, But Is It Better?
Akaza as seen in Demon Slayer Infinity Castle
Though anime may be bigger than it’s ever been before, Taro Maki makes a good point about a lack of risk-taking. The most popular titles are adaptations of already popular manga or light novels, and the flood of isekai productions with titles that are far too long reflects the ‘playing it safe’ culture he describes.
With production costs rising, a lack of animators in the industry, and countless other obstacles, investors would rather back projects that are safe than take a risk on something a little different. The dwindling number of anime-original series in recent years might also be a sign of such a culture. If fans wish to see something new, there will need to be major change in the industry.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) anime poster
Created by
Koyoharu Gotouge
First Episode Air Date
April 6, 2019
First Film
Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
Latest Film
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – To the Hashira Training
First TV Show
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Latest TV Show
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
AloJapan.com