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Anime made a significant mark in 2021, with a sustained increase in viewership and offerings on streaming services. Classics became new again for first-time viewers, and live-action adaptions kept devoted fans’ tongues wagging with their reception of them. Developments, such as

2021 has been a meaningful year for fans and industry alike. After the mass cancellations of conventions in 2020, the majority of fans expressed positivity and excitement about physical in-person events making a comeback across the country, according to the

In addition to the Exhibit Hall, the Artist Alley is often a key attraction at pop culture conventions across the nation. Typically comprised of independent and mainstream comic creators, webcomic artists, as well as independent illustrators and artists, Artist Alleys

Japan is not as known for its esports scene as are its neighbors China and Korea, but anime viewers are – in every market surveyed – far more likely to watch esports than those who do not watch anime. Across markets,

Hiroto Kuramasu of CYBIRD brings a fan-focused mentality to his work as a producer, official cosplayer, MC, and Vtuber talent. When asked about the appeal of otome games, Mr. Kuramasu, who is known to fans as simply “Hiroto,” thinks fans

Do you know what the movie “Silence” directed by Martin Scorsese, “The Pillow Book” with Ewan McGregor and Vivian Wu, and “Edge of Tomorrow” with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt have in common? These movies are all derived from Japanese

Anime Viewers are core gamers, a passion that is particularly pronounced among (but not limited to) Japanese IPs. The intersection of anime and video games offers powerful opportunities for everything from live event programming to game development. Anime Viewers invest

The “Anime Conventions and COVID-19” survey closed on September 1, 2021, after 5.5 months of successful data collection. This survey, which was created to collect attendees’ thoughts about their involvement in cons during and after Covid-19, yielded over 1,100 valid

From databases to best-practice guides, we have listed some links to helpful resources for event organizers and industry members. Japan Content Catalog The Japan Content Catalog (JACC®) is a database that consolidates Japanese content rights and contact information from Japan Book

Thus far in our blog series, we’ve focused on who anime viewers are and we have seen them be a diverse, global audience. And we’ve looked a bit at their anime genre preferences. But what about when they are not

On August 9, 2021, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that it had completed its acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T through Funimation Global Group LLC. Anime News Network confirmed with Crunchyroll that the acquisition also included VRV, the subscription bundle that includes

In the 80s and early 90s, convention video rooms were integral to the growth of anime fandom. With official anime VHS tapes extremely limited and expensive (one tape with 1-2 episodes could go as much as $200), fans had to

While the overlap between anime and wrestling fans has been known for some time now, this announcement marks the first official partnership of its kind. Through this partnership, both WWE and Crunchyroll hope to gain exposure and awareness from each

The COO of GeeXPlus seeks to change the status quo of the Japanese anime and manga industry’s global marketing strategies. My Journey is a series of interviews with industry leaders examining their career paths, influences, and goals for the future. If you

Attorney/Consultant Gamal Hennessy (Creative Contract Consulting) and global pop culture expert Kuo-Yu Liang (Ku Worldwide) discuss the key things artists should know when it comes to protecting their work for a panel that was part of Anime Expo Lite 2021.

John McCallum examines the most and least-watched genres among female-skewing segments.

With all the advantages surveys offer, it makes sense that con organizers would want to use them too. After all, there's no better way to reach thousands of con-goers quickly, effectively, and at a low cost! There's an art to surveys,

At Project Anime, we believe in supporting and growing the Japanese pop culture and events industry. To do this, we seek to showcase a variety of voices from across the industry, collaborating to express their thoughts and share them with

Internationally, Anime Viewers skew slightly male, but this skew is far more pronounced in English-speaking markets like the US, the UK, and Australia.  Brazil also sees an above-average share of male viewers. Of all 14 markets surveyed, the US has the

A lot of the most popular anime series seem like they can be classified as either Action-Adventure or Sci-Fi shows. Sure enough, Action-Adventure and Sci-Fi are the most-watched genres in the United States, and many other of the 14 markets

Swathes of anime conventions have been cancelled, postponed, or moved online in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. As the world begins to open back up, though, what will cons look like after this prolonged absence? What new safety guidelines

Andrew Partridge of Scotland-based distributor Anime Limited aims to share his passion-driven approach to collector’s editions with a global audience.

Most reading this blog post will likely have a particular market they are most interested in – perhaps the US or China or Brazil.  But to really understand today’s Anime Viewer, we’ll need to keep things in a global context. There

In the past year since more and more events have explored online formats, organizers have creatively utilized a variety of platforms to create virtual event experiences in 2D, 3D, and VR. While a physical event can never be fully replicated

At Interpret we interview over 9,000 Americans each and every quarter as part of our New Media Measure syndicated tracking study.  One of the questions we ask each quarter is, from a list of about 20, which TV genres (among

Is The Time Right To Transform A Local Con Into A Global Event?

Following up on our previous article that rounded up all the adaptation projects announced or updated in 2020, we've put together a list of all the remaining anime live-action Hollywood adaptation projects that appear to be actively in development. They

2020 ushered in rapid growth and change across a variety of sectors, and the anime and manga industry is no exception. Major news in 2020 included Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll and the massive success of Demon Slayer. With an increased

Live-action adaptations of popular anime and manga titles have seen popularity and success in Japan since the 1960s. In the last few decades, Hollywood has begun setting its sights on live-action adaptations as well. As anime continues to skyrocket

Case Study: DoKomi 2020’s Success Amidst the Pandemic With the events industry upended by COVID-19, some believe that events will never return to what it looked like prior to March 2020, while others are optimistic that it will, given enough time.

Examining the Data, Growth, and Future of the Manga Industry “Print books are very much alive,” proclaimed McLean (Executive Director/Industry Analyst at The NPD Group) during her panel at Project Anime: Global 2020. Drawing from NPD Bookscan, Pubtrack Digital, and Bookscan

Influencer Marketing is an organic way to extend your brand into new audiences and forge strong communities. Learn how partner with influencers that broaden and build your brand from Tasty Design Studio's Joanna Metoki and independent artist/influencer Crisalys. Extending Your Reach

We are pleased to welcome Stephanie Guzzardo to Project Anime: Global 2020! She joins Charlene Ingram (Crunchyroll Hime's Cosplay Cup) and Kirilee Cosplay (#ScripEpicChallenge) for From Stage to Screen - Capturing the Cosplay Contest Experience, where they'll be identifying ways

We are pleased to welcome Elizabeth Ellis to Project Anime: Global 2020! She joins Adam Sheehan (Director of Events, Crunchyroll) and David Alonzo (Marketing Manager, Idea Factory Internation) for Making the Most of a Virtual Panel. Join our panelists for

Project Anime: Global 2020 is just around the corner, and we are pleased to have introduced so many amazing topics and speakers for the event. Join us November 17-18 from anywhere around the world for our virtual business conference, and

We are pleased to welcome Ben Applegate to Project Anime: Global 2020! He will join Kristen McLean (Director of Business Development, NPD Bookscan) and Dallas Middaugh (Co-Founder/Executive Editor, Mangamo) as they examine data, unpack the power of the fan machine, and

Cosplay is a bright highlight for many fan conventions, and cosplay events and competitions dazzle hundreds of attendees each year. As events have begun moving into the virtual space, organizers have begun to explore ways to translate cosplay experiences into

We are please to welcome Nabil Pervez to Project Anime: Global 2020! He joins as a moderator GG! Buff Your Brand Through Esports alongside panelists John Davidson, Justin Rojas, and Justin Varghese, who will be providing tips on how to

We are please to welcome Lauren DeMaio to Project Anime: Global 2020! She joins LeftField Media colleague Peter Tatara (Founder/Event Director, Anime NYC) as well as Paul Birtel (Executive Director, MAGFest) and Emily Hickman (Director of Business Operations, MAGFest) for

Creating evergreen, engaging content for your fanbase can be complex and time-consuming, but it can also be simple—as simple as gathering fan stories and interactions and presenting them back to the community. In a time where it's extremely important for

As events all around the world consider what it may look like to reopen physically with new restrictions and guidelines, DoKomi took strides in this new direction and took place in-person on September 26-27. Andreas Degen (Chairman and Founder, DoKomi)

While the pandemic is expected the have lasting effects on transforming many industries, fans have conveyed that virtual events are not a replacement for the excitement of a live event. With the near future still full of unknowns, events are

Data provides a concrete, clear image of the industry landscape and trends, serving as a valuable asset to any business. Project Anime will be giving a first look fresh data insight on the fandom communities, unraveling the consumer bases of

We are pleased to welcome Joanna Metoki (Founder, Tasty Design Studio) and Nick Marinelli (Event Management Consultant) as moderators for Project Anime: Global! With broad perspectives shaped by extensive experiences in the event space for the anime and gaming industries,

Panels are an integral part of the convention experience that allows creators to connect with fans. but how can you effectively structure and execute a panel that is entertaining and engaging in a virtual format? Hear from Adam Sheehan (Director

John Davidson, TEDx and active speaker on gaming and youth marketing, is formerly the Head of Partnerships at GameStop, Director of Esports for PRG, the world’s leading event technology company

Conference fosters education and international growth of anime and events Santa Ana, Calif. (October 29, 2020) – THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF JAPANESE ANIMATION (SPJA) is thrilled to announce Project Anime: Global 2020, a virtual experience. With the ever-growing worldwide

Project Anime is honored to welcome David Kliman as our keynote speaker this year! In his keynote, he will discuss the changing landscape of events after COVID-19. David is the President and Founder of The Kliman Group and co-founder of

Happy Hour In lieu of the reception that typically takes place during Project Anime, the 2020 event will feature a virtual happy hour on the evening of Tuesday, November 17. Grab your drink of choice and connect with familiar faces and

Registration is now available for Project Anime: Global 2020, which will take place virtually from November 17-18. Registration for Project Anime: Global 2020 is now available. The virtual conference will take place on November 17-18, and with its widespread accessibility, we

Project Anime reveals first set of speakers and topics for the virtual November event. Project Anime will return November 17-18 for Project Anime: Global 2020, our first-ever entirely virtual conference that will be accessible from all across the globe. Event

There's no doubt that anime consumption has become a worldwide phenomenon. Its rise has been accompanied by a boom in streaming services that offer a selection of anime, many of which secure the exclusive rights to a series. Netflix is

Project Anime: Global 2020 will return this November as a virtual B2B Conference.The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is excited to announce that Project Anime will return on November 17-18, for Project Anime: Global 2020. Unique to

Interactive fan experiences are a core part of the convention experience. Between autograph sessions and meet-and-greets, convention appearances are an important source of income for many actors and other celebrities. However, with current limitations on face-to-face interaction due to COVID-19,

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during July 2020. For more information on events recently affected by COVID-19, click here. For a list of emerging virtual events, click here. [Anime News

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during June 2020. For more information on events recently affected by COVID-19, click here. For a list of emerging virtual events, click here. [Anime News

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during May 2020. For more information on events recently affected by COVID-19, click here. For a list of emerging virtual events, click here. [Anime News

In the wake of canceled events due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, convention organizers remain committed to their communities. Project Anime has compiled an ongoing list of pop culture and anime conventions that will be taking their events

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during April 2020. For the latest resources for Event Organizers affected by Coronavirus, visit here. For the latest resources for Exhibitors, Artists, and Performers affected

From the SPJA Team: Everyone's health and safety are our top priority and with the ongoing coronavirus crisis, it has become necessary to cancel Project Anime LA, which was scheduled for June 30 - July 1.  We will certainly miss the

As part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, tens of thousands of businesses have closed their doors across the U.S., while hundreds of events around the world cancel and postpone. To help small business owners and freelancers, such

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during March 2020. For the latest resources for Event Organizers affected by Coronavirus, visit here. For the latest resources for Exhibitors, Artists, and Performers affected

As part of the efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), numerous events across the globe have canceled or postponed. To help event organizers during this time of difficulty and uncertainty, industry and trade organizations have put

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in late 2019, it has spread across the globe. As a result, various events have been affected due to health and safety concerns. Many sporting events have opted to close their arenas and

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during February 2020.     [Collider] Crunchyroll Announces First-Ever Slate of Originals             [Deadline] Hulu Promotes Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Campbell to President             [Cord Cutters News] Netflix Expands Anime Collection by Partnering

From the SPJA Team: It is with great consideration and consultation that we have decided to indefinitely postpone Project Anime Tokyo. The safety and health of our speakers, attendees, and staff are of the utmost importance to us. We appreciate everyone's understanding

“Line management is a necessity.” Within the consumer heavy business of Pop Culture events, as Business and Event professionals, managing and maintaining lines and queues are an essential part of the industry. You cannot have a successful booth or event

Stay up to date! Project Anime provides some of the latest news in the Japanese pop culture industry during January 2020.     [Anime News Network] Digital Manga Sales Up 29.5% in Japan in 2019               [Verge] Netflix has ordered a live-action show based on One Piece, which

B2B conference to promote international growth in anime and events   Santa Ana, Calif. (January 16, 2020) – The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is thrilled to announce Project Anime: Tokyo taking place at The Tender House on March

PROJECT ANIME RELEASES WHITE PAPER ON THE NORTH AMERICAN MANGA PUBLISHING INDUSTRY Manga revenue growth outpacing the general graphic novel category and print book sales   Santa Ana, Calif. (May 24, 2019) – The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) in conjunction

New Speakers to Discuss “Where Hollywood Meets Anime”   Santa Ana, Calif. (May 10, 2019) – The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is excited to announce the first round of speakers for Project Anime: Los Angeles. The networking event to be held

B2B conference to promote international growth in anime and events   Santa Ana, Calif. (March 08, 2019) – The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is thrilled to announce the first round of speakers for Proiect Anime: Tokyo, taking place at Landmark