Spirited Away article...

**Ryos** · November 23rd, 2001

I read a most depressing article at a news site I frequent. It's not like anything is particularly new (although one comment by Miyazaki is especially sad), but just thought I'd share it because it comments on American taste (or lack of?):

Animator Miyazaki finds U.S. tough market to crack
Kazunori Takada

TOKYO — Domestic success for his latest box office hit, the animated movie "Spirited Away," probably won't be duplicated in America, Japan's Hayao Miyazaki says.

The popular director's "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" — whose English title is "Spirited Away" — marked a new Japanese record of 26.1 billion yen ($216.7 million) in total ticket sales last week, outstripping Hollywood's "Titanic" after a mere three months.

The movie, the story of a little girl named Chihiro who gets trapped in a fantasy world and struggles to find her way back to her parents, scuppered "Titanic's" Japanese record audience of 16.8 million viewers in late September.

Miyazaki's latest film is due to make its overseas debut in theaters in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan next month and is expected to be shown in France in January.

But the 50-year-old director said no schedule had yet been set for a debut in the United States, a market in which he had only modest hopes for success.

"I think a small number of the people will understand the film and that is more than enough," he said. "Some think being popular in the United States is the best thing, but I think it is wrong to think that way. Movies are said to be international, but I don't think so."

Miyazaki's last movie, "Princess Mononoke" in 1997 was wildly popular in Japan but did not fare well in the United States. It is a complex tale set in ancient Japan and was seen as an allegory for man's destruction of his environment.

"It was awful," Miyazaki said of the movie's reception in America. "Though some U.S. newspapers said the reason for its failure was its brutality, people in the U.S. cinema industry understood that there was a reason behind the violent scenes."

"Spirited Away" was initially aimed at children but has become popular among all age groups in Japan after opening in theaters on July 20.

Miyazaki said he wanted to explain the meaning of life through the adventures of Chihiro, who encounters a slew of weird characters — such as an old man with six arms — on her trip from the world of fantasy back to reality.

Another character, a "faceless" phantom, was intended as metaphor for modern Japan's search for identity and angst.

Miyazaki said he didn't really know why the movie became such a huge hit, but hoped that it would have staying power.

"I wanted a make a movie which the children who watch it will want to show to their children when they grow up."

**Shiori** · November 23rd, 2001

Oh, "Spirited Away"....that's the one where her parents were turned into pigs, right? it's a great movie, wached it subbed. It's America's loss if they don't watch it.

I'm definitely gonna show my Miyazaki collection to my kids, especially Majo no Takkyubin.

Asz · November 23rd, 2001

America is lost to a lot of great anime, more people should watch anime. Speaking about anime, I just saw the ending episodes to Cowboy Bebop........

:sad:

**Ryos** · November 23rd, 2001

I liked those last two episodes. They really redeemed the show (can you tell I'm not a big Cowboy Bebop fan?).

**Shiori** · November 23rd, 2001

This is also the reason why Tokimeki Memorial will NEVER see an official english translation. :sad:

**Ryos** · November 23rd, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiori
This is also the reason why Tokimeki Memorial will NEVER see an official english translation. :sad:

Especially not after Thousand Arms did so badly.

Gk1986 · November 24th, 2001

well, Taiwan's getting it, so I'll just ask my uncle

Death Metal · November 24th, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiori
This is also the reason why Tokimeki Memorial will NEVER see an official english translation. :sad:

...Though it should. It's a nice story, for me at least. It's not american-like, but real fans would pay good for the official title.

**Ryos** · November 24th, 2001

They would, but Tokimeki Memorial could raise quite a ruckus in the U.S. "A game released by the company that does...what? Ban those perverted Japanese games at once, Senator Blitzkrieg!"

Death Metal · November 24th, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryos
They would, but Tokimeki Memorial could raise quite a ruckus in the U.S. "A game released by the company that does...what? Ban those perverted Japanese games at once, Senator Blitzkrieg!"

Awww... it's real a great loss for them thinking that way... That's what happens with some narrow minds in the power

**Shiori** · November 24th, 2001

Your senators should tackle more important issues like those tax cuts Dubya promised before things like simulation love games.

Death Metal · November 24th, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiori
Your senators should tackle more important issues like those tax cuts Dubya promised before things like simulation love games.

Agreed. Politicians are always the very same, everywhere.

**Ryos** · November 24th, 2001

Shiori: I think they're working on several different tax cuts in addition to all the tax cuts he's already done. Gee, we have economic problems, so what does he do? Lessen the already limited supply of money. What a brilliant way to budget for war.

Death Metal · November 24th, 2001

Ah... Shiori... now that you're here, could you please help me in something? What does WATASHI mean? You speak japanese, right?

**Ryos** · November 24th, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Death Metal
Ah... Shiori... now that you're here, could you please help me in something? What does WATASHI mean? You speak japanese, right?

Watashi wa watashi.

Death Metal · November 24th, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryos
Watashi wa watashi.

Hmmm... should I be grateful?

**Shiori** · November 24th, 2001

it'll cost you $20.

Death Metal · November 24th, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiori
it'll cost you $20.

If you're charging in US dollars then that's too much for a guy like me!!

**Ryos** · November 24th, 2001

Shiori: Since he's a friend, give him a discount. $19.50 sounds good.

Asz · November 24th, 2001

Watashi means one simple letter of the alphabet. Thats all the info i'm giving you.

November 23rd, 2001	#1 (permalink)
Ryos Revenger of Vengeance Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,250	Spirited Away article... I read a most depressing article at a news site I frequent. It's not like anything is particularly new (although one comment by Miyazaki is especially sad), but just thought I'd share it because it comments on American taste (or lack of?): Animator Miyazaki finds U.S. tough market to crack Kazunori Takada TOKYO — Domestic success for his latest box office hit, the animated movie "Spirited Away," probably won't be duplicated in America, Japan's Hayao Miyazaki says. The popular director's "Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi" — whose English title is "Spirited Away" — marked a new Japanese record of 26.1 billion yen ($216.7 million) in total ticket sales last week, outstripping Hollywood's "Titanic" after a mere three months. The movie, the story of a little girl named Chihiro who gets trapped in a fantasy world and struggles to find her way back to her parents, scuppered "Titanic's" Japanese record audience of 16.8 million viewers in late September. Miyazaki's latest film is due to make its overseas debut in theaters in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan next month and is expected to be shown in France in January. But the 50-year-old director said no schedule had yet been set for a debut in the United States, a market in which he had only modest hopes for success. "I think a small number of the people will understand the film and that is more than enough," he said. "Some think being popular in the United States is the best thing, but I think it is wrong to think that way. Movies are said to be international, but I don't think so." Miyazaki's last movie, "Princess Mononoke" in 1997 was wildly popular in Japan but did not fare well in the United States. It is a complex tale set in ancient Japan and was seen as an allegory for man's destruction of his environment. "It was awful," Miyazaki said of the movie's reception in America. "Though some U.S. newspapers said the reason for its failure was its brutality, people in the U.S. cinema industry understood that there was a reason behind the violent scenes." "Spirited Away" was initially aimed at children but has become popular among all age groups in Japan after opening in theaters on July 20. Miyazaki said he wanted to explain the meaning of life through the adventures of Chihiro, who encounters a slew of weird characters — such as an old man with six arms — on her trip from the world of fantasy back to reality. Another character, a "faceless" phantom, was intended as metaphor for modern Japan's search for identity and angst. Miyazaki said he didn't really know why the movie became such a huge hit, but hoped that it would have staying power. "I wanted a make a movie which the children who watch it will want to show to their children when they grow up." __________________ Sanity is overrated.

November 23rd, 2001	#2 (permalink)
Shiori :3 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 10,116	Oh, "Spirited Away"....that's the one where her parents were turned into pigs, right? it's a great movie, wached it subbed. It's America's loss if they don't watch it. I'm definitely gonna show my Miyazaki collection to my kids, especially Majo no Takkyubin. __________________ "...And when I finally meet you again, I want to ask you - have you found what you were looking for? Because that's what I felt you were doing, all these years. And I want to hear you answer, "Yes, I have, thank you for asking," and we'll be together again, until the end of our days..."

November 23rd, 2001	#4 (permalink)
Ryos Revenger of Vengeance Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,250	I liked those last two episodes. They really redeemed the show (can you tell I'm not a big Cowboy Bebop fan?). __________________ Sanity is overrated.

November 23rd, 2001	#5 (permalink)
Shiori :3 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 10,116	This is also the reason why Tokimeki Memorial will NEVER see an official english translation. :sad: __________________ "...And when I finally meet you again, I want to ask you - have you found what you were looking for? Because that's what I felt you were doing, all these years. And I want to hear you answer, "Yes, I have, thank you for asking," and we'll be together again, until the end of our days..."

November 24th, 2001	#9 (permalink)
Ryos Revenger of Vengeance Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,250	They would, but Tokimeki Memorial could raise quite a ruckus in the U.S. "A game released by the company that does...what? Ban those perverted Japanese games at once, Senator Blitzkrieg!" __________________ Sanity is overrated.

November 23rd, 2001	#3 (permalink)
Asz EATS BREAKFAST WITH FACE Join Date: May 2001 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,611	America is lost to a lot of great anime, more people should watch anime. Speaking about anime, I just saw the ending episodes to Cowboy Bebop........ :sad:

November 24th, 2001	#7 (permalink)
Gk1986 Bringer Of Destruction Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,716	well, Taiwan's getting it, so I'll just ask my uncle

November 24th, 2001	#11 (permalink)
Shiori :3 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 10,116	Your senators should tackle more important issues like those tax cuts Dubya promised before things like simulation love games. __________________ "...And when I finally meet you again, I want to ask you - have you found what you were looking for? Because that's what I felt you were doing, all these years. And I want to hear you answer, "Yes, I have, thank you for asking," and we'll be together again, until the end of our days..."

November 24th, 2001	#13 (permalink)
Ryos Revenger of Vengeance Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,250	Shiori: I think they're working on several different tax cuts in addition to all the tax cuts he's already done. Gee, we have economic problems, so what does he do? Lessen the already limited supply of money. What a brilliant way to budget for war. __________________ Sanity is overrated.

November 24th, 2001	#14 (permalink)
Death Metal Fool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: South Town Posts: 1,771	Ah... Shiori... now that you're here, could you please help me in something? What does WATASHI mean? You speak japanese, right? __________________ "It sure is pleasurable to live your dreams as long as possible, but reality sure has a way of jolting you to your senses eventually."

November 24th, 2001	#17 (permalink)
Shiori :3 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 10,116	it'll cost you $20. __________________ "...And when I finally meet you again, I want to ask you - have you found what you were looking for? Because that's what I felt you were doing, all these years. And I want to hear you answer, "Yes, I have, thank you for asking," and we'll be together again, until the end of our days..."

November 24th, 2001	#19 (permalink)
Ryos Revenger of Vengeance Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,250	Shiori: Since he's a friend, give him a discount. $19.50 sounds good. __________________ Sanity is overrated.

November 24th, 2001	#20 (permalink)
Asz EATS BREAKFAST WITH FACE Join Date: May 2001 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,611	Watashi means one simple letter of the alphabet. Thats all the info i'm giving you.

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