Chinese gov't promotes animated films at Tokyo event

Thursday 19th March, 03:59 AM JST

TOKYO —

A rare Chinese government booth to promote the country’s animated films is among the stands set up by around 250 organizations from 12 economies plus Japan at the Tokyo International Anime Fair, which kicked off Wednesday.

The Chinese Culture Ministry, which has set up the booth in the first government-led project to promote animated films in Japan, said it will screen about 60 films during the four-day event at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center, which the organizer expects to draw 130,000 visitors. The Chinese films will include ‘‘Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf,’’ a smash hit in the country, ‘‘Meihouwang,’’ ‘‘Storm Rider’’ and ‘‘Prince of Tennis,’’ a story inspired by a Japanese manga comic of the same title.

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10 Comments

OssanAmerica at 07:33 AM JST - 19th March

I wonder how many of those Chinese animations will express any dissatisfaction or criticism of the Chinese government?
Terrikus at 08:19 AM JST - 20th March

Huh? Because neither the point of the animation nor the purpose of the event is political?

Just like all those Japanese animations that expresses criticism of Japanese war crimes.

...

...

?
OssanAmerica at 08:41 AM JST - 20th March

The anime genre covers a wide range of sci-fi, fantasy, what-have-you with or without political views but the key is that is a bit of a free for all. You can find Anime/manga both critical of Japan's wartime history as well as glorifying it. Critical of today's Japanese government or supporting it. That the very field is uncensored and wide open runs counter to China's policies prohibiting criticism of the CCP government ot it's official view of history. Show me a Chinese anime of Tianamen Square 1989.
Terrikus at 08:58 AM JST - 20th March

So, China's not allowed to create anime without a load of China bashing in it? I'm not entirely sure what your point is here. They want to join the anime world with their own brand of Chinese-themed animations, why the hell not? Plus, you and I both know these Japanese animations "critical" of Japan are few and far between.

Plus, the field is as uncensored or as censored as you want it to be. Just because you can be political in anime, doesn't mean you have to me. From the names of those animes listed, it doesn't seem like a "lawl the ccp sucks" would fit in very well.
blaze524 at 08:59 AM JST - 20th March

Interesting. I must have missed the anime released by a Japanese studio that depicts the rape of Nanking or the comfort women issue. Maybe Gonzo or Studio IG can release a bluray version that illustrates this in its entirety. Ossan, why the need to politicize an event that really should be about the artists and their work? I understand that you may not like or even hate the CCP and what ever it stands for but random pot shots is really puerile.
ClassWarUK at 12:54 PM JST - 20th March

I wonder if this site will mention the new film JohnGabe? I don't think Ossanamerica will like it.
biglittleman at 01:34 PM JST - 20th March

Just like all those Japanese animations that expresses criticism of Japanese war crimes.

I do see a lot of Japanese animation bashing the US. It is similar penis envy.
OssanAmerica at 11:38 AM JST - 21st March

China is a dictatorships that censors free thought, make it illegal to disagree with the "official" government viewpoint and go so far as to censor many "foreign" read- hollywood movies. Anyone with the slighest exposure to the Anime genre knows the wide almost annoyingly uncensored range it covers. There is a huge inconsistency in China getting involved in this field. It's rather unfortunate that so few people are apable of comprehending this. Also quite amusing the nuymber of CCP supporters on this site.
Terrikus at 12:31 PM JST - 21st March

Ah, yes. Anyone who disagrees with you is a CCP supporter. How narrow your thinking is.
blaze524 at 02:28 PM JST - 21st March

"China is a dictatorship that censors free thought" So what is your point? This is not new information. Are they not allowed to release animated movies? Or do you automatically assume that the animated movies they release will be pro-CCP.

Your argument against the Chinese showcasing the animation at a fair seems to run thus: a nation that censors its people have no right to engage in any sort of cultural, commercial, or political exchange with a free nation. Regardless of the merit of the material being showcased. End of story. The implicit assumption here is that the "censored" nation has nothing of value to trade with the world.

Typical example of China bashing at its finest. What does this have to do with the releases that they are bringing to the Tokyo Anime fair? Have you seen some of these movies they are showcasing? I have. Specifically, The Storm Riders is a very well made piece of animation, based on a Chines comic book. Although the animation is not quite on par with the best Japanese anime yet (some action scenes are slightly jittery), but it has some impressive set pieces.

And for your information OssanAmerica, I have more than a slight exposure to anime. In fact, I am a big fan of animation and am able to appreciate animation regardless of where it originates.

It never ceases to amaze me the number of China hating posters who spout nonsense and have an enormous superiority complex.