As an American who's loved anime since I was a child, I feel like Japanese content has become so popular because both creator and consumer are very passionate about what they enjoy and Japan gives creators the freedom to express themselves without interference.
In America, while there are no regulations, there is a lot of peer pressure to write things that "align with certain political ideologies."
In literature, many literary agents won't take on a work unless there is a liberal angle. I used to spend hours searching for literary agents to represent my stories, but most of their websites said things like "only accepting stories with female protagonists or people of color."
I write haremlit, which means my content is not something most companies will support. I've somehow managed to continue writing full time, but it always feels like an uphill battle. I am currently struggling financially, wondering if there will come a day where I won't be able to earn a living through my writing.
I think the way Japan has companies that support freedom of expression from creators is what allows them to thrive. Stories like Mushoku Tensei, Mato Seihei no Slave, or even DanDaDan would have never become as popular if they had been written by someone from the west.
『日本のコンテンツがここまで強くなったのは、作り手と、それを愛する人たちが育ててきたから。だからこそ国としては、どう口を出さず、邪魔せず、盛り上げていくかが大事』
作り手とファンの気持ちを誰よりも理解してる小野田さんならではの素晴らしいコメント👏👏👏✨💕
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「国として気をつけなきゃいけないのは、日本のコンテンツがここまで強くなったのは、国や公的機関が応援したからじゃなく、作り手と、それを愛する人たちが育ててきたから。
だからこそ、「どうサポートするか」ではなく「どう口を出さず、邪魔せず、盛り上げていくか」が大事。
皆さんが持っているポテンシャルをちゃんと発揮して、クリエイターもファンも笑顔のまま世界に広げていけるよう、変なプレッシャーをかけずに、一番いい形で後押ししたい」