Anime’s popularity can be attributed to a number of factors, including its diverse genres, unique storytelling methods, and its unique art style. But what makes anime more interesting is how they include raw violence to add an extra layer of intensity and realism to their plot. Nowadays, anime studios are censoring themselves as they are making anime following Western standards.
Michiyuki Honma, the President of Studio Pierrot warns how tampering with the original identity of anime would immensely harm the anime industry. He asserts his point by pointing out how the success of a number of renowned anime series is based on their violence and comprising with their standards would only harm the art form as it would make it immensely boring to watch.
Studio Pierrot’s President Warns Anime Studios To Not Tamper With Anime’s Core Identity
Otakus would have noticed how a lot of anime series have been censoring the raw and gruesome violence for which the Japanese art form was popular. A number of shows such as Attack on Titan, Berserk, Shigurui, Mirai Nikki, and many more anime series are immensely popular among viewers because of how they showcase violence, making it much more interesting to watch.
This issue was raised by Michiyuki Honma, the President of Studio Pierrot when he was speaking with Comic Natalie, stating that the overseas success of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, and Naruto Shippuden was immense. However, he emphasized how compromising with the very essence of anime will affect its quality, and making compromises on their end will only hurt them in the long run.
He said,
“It’s difficult to make a work that will be popular overseas or that will become a long-term series. Of course, aim for it in part, but if you make animation with just that in mind, it will become increasingly boring: ‘We won’t have them smoke so that we can take it overseas.'”
The President of Studio Pierrot ardently believes that the anime series which are a massive hit in Japan, will definitely be a massive hit in the rest of the world. He mentions how they should not avoid the use of “sexy expressions” or “tone down the violence” because that’s what made these shows stand apart from the rest of the world, and was a reason for anime’s popularity.
“‘We have to tone down the violence a little. Avoid sexy expressions.’ If Japanese animation is bound by such restrictions on expression, there is no way that people overseas will want to watch it. Works that are a hit in Japan are also a hit overseas. I believe that we must not make the mistake of approaching anime production in the wrong way.”
This mindset is extremely important as the violence in anime is not only showcased to feature an adrenaline-pumping battle that will change the narrative of the plot. In reality, anime series like Death Note used this to explore complex themes like morality, and power dynamics that will force its viewers to introspect the norms and values of modern society.
Michiyuki Honma Talks About The Future of Studio Pierrot With a Subtle Hint At Boruto
Ever since episode 293 of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime was aired, the show went on an indefinite hiatus. The fans of the show are getting impatient as it has been more than a year since the last episode was aired. The show is produced by Studio Pierrot, and Michiyuki Honma unveiled his future goals and the changes that the animation studio will undergo.
While talking to Comic Natalie, Honma first opened up about the poor working environment in anime studios all across Japan. Due to his efforts, the studio has managed to double its sales in the past decade. The president, then shared how Bleach began to air in 2004 and aired weekly without any breaks.
However, Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War aired in a seasonal format and received tremendous recognition and a spike in viewership. He, also pointed out the popularity of Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, calling the show a “major turning point for the anime industry.” He said,
“I think Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was a major turning point for the anime industry. It was a high-quality work that took a lot of time and a generous budget to make, and it was broadcast and became a big hit, attracting people from a wide range of age groups.”
He added,
“I think it’s definitely wonderful to create one work for a long time like Pierrot has done up until now. At the same time, big budget and time running costs come with big risks.”
With Honma’s comment, it’s quite clear that Studio Pierrot is going to move forward with a seasonal format instead of a weekly format. However, the question remains if Boruto would receive the same love and recognition as Naruto.
