Anime Aboveground Outline
Purpose
This website is structured to educate anime fans and anime producers about the anime production process and promote the use of technology to build working business models that satisfy the needs of both anime consumers and anime producers.
Motivation
I have been an anime fan for at least 5 years and frequent the blogs of many other anime watchers. During this time, the industry has changed and grown, but technology and the fanbase has grown even faster. I have heard many arguments about the legal and ethical distribution of anime from both sides of the debate, fans and producers. After watching other similar industries react and change during this same time period, I feel that it is time for the anime companies to also adapt new technologies. However, is it also important for anime watchers to be informed about anime production and how they can support the industry. I love anime, and I do not want its quantity or quality to decrease. The business of anime has two players, producers and consumers, and they both need to understand the other's demands in order for the business to continue.
Website Outline
What is anime?
Anime comes from the Japanese pronounciation of "animation" and means animation. Outside of Japan, it usually refers to animation specifically from Japan. It has a distinctive style that is recognized and is popular all around the world.
History of anime
How did anime develop in Japan? What were its influences?
How is anime made?
The role of animation studios, sponsors, artists, writers, producers. Who pays for it? Where does the revenue come from? What are the costs and benefits of TV broadcasting, DVDs, music CDs, merchandise, etc.?
Anime overseas
How did anime become popular overseas? What licensing procedures are there? What is required for anime to be sold to markets outside of Japan? How do they relate to and support the Japanese market?
Enter the fansubber
Fansubbers translate their own copies of anime and then share them over the internet. Fansubbing groups continue their activities because of problems they see in the cost, time, translation focus, dub quality, license rate, etc. of anime distribution.
Companies' reactions and outcomes
Companies have tried many ways to counter fansubbing, some more effective than others. Some have tried cease and desist letters which do not solve the problem and only stigmatize companies. Fansubbing and related activities can have contributed to the difficulties of companies such as Gonzo and Geneon.
New models for distribution
Some compaines such as Gonzo and Kadokawa are trying out different online methods of anime distribution such as online streaming and subbing.
Future models for distribution
Companies should try out subscription services or pay-per-download with different video quality rates. Fans want more transparency about money flow.
What can YOU do as an anime fan?
Always buy official copies of anime media and related merchandise. Go to sites that have official content and that pay money to the makers of the anime.
Website Concerns
Target Audience
I cannot change the minds of people who have no conscience and would not be willing to pay any amount for anything. However, for those who seriously care about the production of the media they like, then they will gain actionable information from the content on this website. My target audience are people who like anime and are willing to pay for it if there is good reason to, but they see something broken in the current system. My task is to make this information easily accessible and to promote business models that are attractive to anime watchers but also adequately support the anime producers. I introduce websites that are moving in the right direction for anime fans and then anime fans who want to support their industry can do so. The new technology on the internet can allow businesses to better deal with demands from their customers, but knowledge is necessary to bring them together. It is important to back up my arguments with information about the actual state of the industry and to explain the money flows so that anime watchers who appreciate the final product can know exactly how, where, and why to support anime creaters.
Advertising
Most of the advertising of this website will be online, directly to web users, since it is promoting online methods and services. Blogs, forums, chatrooms, anime news portals, online clubs, anime fan-work websites, online games, and current fansub distribution channels are the main hubs of online anime fan activity today. If enough attention is drawn, then word-of-mouth can contribute slightly.
Website Design and Future
The front page of almost all websites in the present day internet, to portray some image of reputation, must have some current news or updates about the website. A reflection of just how fast information is generated and spread on the internet, any website without such changing information will immediately seem outdated and obsolete. Therefore, the front page must be populated with not only updates of the site itself, but also news from current companies and websites. A website as a single person entity can maintain a moderate level of content generation. However, a more admirable and perhaps more sustainable long-term goal is to build a community of like-minded users and/or administrators to update the content of the website.