Best ways to Support Anime Industry?

[Tammuz]

Originally Posted by Random32

At least feel guilty about it!

If you can buy stuff, please do. If you can't buy a lot, or can't buy anything at all, that's okay, but please buy what you can.

I would if I could.
Poor fags gonna poor.

Originally Posted by Vexx

The thread topic was "how to best support the anime industry".

In some cases, it doesn't make sense to buy the series because it isn't licensed in your region. That doesn't mean one can't buy the swag -- figures, CDs, manga, light novels, posters, etc. As long as it isn't bootleg - those profits also go to the producing companies.

It is pretty simple - no money, no anime will happen. As long as there's a *patron* class who spends enough money on the art/performance, the *peanut gallery* (leechers) get some benefit as well. But there has to BE patronage by sufficient numbers of people or the entertainment vanishes.

I think the best ethical rule of thumb is to buy what you can when you can. If you're a teenager, you're unlikely to have the funds to buy much just like you can't afford to go to the concert. If you're a 20-something programmer making 50K euros a year... you can probably afford to visit www.cdjapan.co.jp or www.hlj.com and pick up a few trinkets.

Hm... I never thought about it like that. I was referring to the Japanese BDs and DVDs, but I see your point... I guess if buying merchandise offers support, then... Pretty much any fan has supported the industry at one time or another. Probably.

[Solafighter]

If you like an anime, buy it! If you dont like it, still buy it!

[bhl88]

@Vexx: I thought Blu-Rays (imported from Japan) support the best.

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by bhl88

@Vexx: I thought Blu-Rays (imported from Japan) support the best.

Unless you've won the lottery, you're unlikely to be buying more than one or two series a year at the prices.

"best" for me translates as what the average fan can most equitably do without breaking their bank. When I win the lottery, yeah I'll buy every blu-ray and hire my own translators to sub them

[bhl88]

Yeah I guess the local release also works best.

[Kirito]

Why don't you create anime awareness to help support the voice actors, series, and the industry in general. In school, I shared a bit of anime history, designs, list of shows for new comers to watch etc, and I managed to gain the interest of many people who heard of anime, but don't watch it.

[bhl88]

lol I know a place that places purchases in youtube: http://www.keepanimealive.com/

[bayoab]

Originally Posted by Shergal

How much of this money actually goes to the animators/voice actors/bg artists that actually create the thing we watch?

As far as I've read on some blogs, none. If that's true, is there a way to support them, and not the producers and retailers that only pour capital into the thing?

Voice actors can be supported indirectly. If they happen to put out character CDs or appear in a magazine, or release a photo book, etc, buying that will possibly benefit them. Anything that makes them look more popular helps. They might see almost no money of the actual sale, but popularity is what drives how many roles they can get and how much money they earn.