One of today’s most undeniable entertainment trends is that anime is eating the world. Creators and producers of anime are either leading or close to becoming key players in important areas of the entertainment sector. Anime is pervasive, highly accessible, adaptable to various forms of entertainment, and, perhaps most importantly, it possesses a broad global appeal.
Naturally, the party that has reaped the lion’s share of benefits from the anime revolution is Japan – anime’s birthplace and cultural guardian. However, Japan is not the only operator in the anime space. One of the biggest innovators in anime over the years has been China, both in terms of production and consumption. As respected anime director and serial anime production house founder Masao Maruyama suggested, the only thing holding China back from overtaking Japan as the center of the anime world is excessive government regulation of Chinese industry.
Japan and China Aspire to Enhance the Collaboration Between Their Respective Anime Cultures
Despite being competitors in the anime market, the two animation powerhouses see benefits in collaboration, particularly in the current industry climate. This was evident at the Second Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue held in Beijing on December 25, 2024. The meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, in part, focused on strengthening ties between the two nations through cultural exchange. This included exploring increased cooperation in animation production, distribution, and regulation.
As posted on both the respective Chinese and Japanese official Foreign Ministry sites for cultural affairs, one of the ten agreements reached between China and Japan emphasizes the importance of supporting and developing their respective animation industries through cooperation and mutual assistance. As stated, the ultimate goal of this agreement is to foster improved relations and goodwill between the two nations and their citizens.
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The two sides will support continued cooperation in film, television, music, publishing, animation, games and other cultural and entertainment industries, exchange visits of high-level art groups, and support the translation and publication of classic works between the two countries. However, there are also several indirect benefits that can be expected to arise from increased collaboration between the animation industries of China and Japan. These benefits will be particularly significant for the anime industries in both countries, enhancing their competitiveness relative to each other as well as to the increasingly competitive American animation market.
Mutual Benefits That Anime Cooperation Brings Both Nation’s Anime Industries
The specifics of the cooperation outlined in the agreement will largely take shape through the individual efforts of anime industry parties and their respective government contacts. However, one of the most obvious benefits for both sides is the potential for co-production synergies. Sharing costs, creative processes, and expertise through joint productions is an opportunity that any anime creator or producer would eagerly embrace.
Another significant advantage of such joint ventures is the potential to create new and unique stories that blend elements of both cultures. A prime example of this is the eye-poppingly gorgeous To Be Hero by Li Haoling and Shinichi Watanabe, which seamlessly combines Japanese gag anime elements with Chinese humor and stunning animation. As one of the first Sino-Japanese anime productions, it highlights the promise of deeper collaboration within the anime industry.
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Another mutual benefit will be increased anti-piracy efforts. Over the past few years, the Japanese anime industry has made its intent to stamp out the theft of its intellectual property abundantly clear. China ranks as one of the biggest abusers — along with the United States — of Japanese anime intellectual property. Similarly, Japan —despite being a leader in anime— is still one of the biggest abusers of Chinese donghua (animation). Joint efforts to combat animation piracy, therefore, are a clear win-win for both countries.
The increased cooperation between the Japanese and Chinese anime industries will also enable them to counter the growing presence of other anime producers, such as those from South Korea and the United States. In recent years, American companies like Netflix and Disney have made significant inroads into the anime market. While this has led to increased collaboration with Japanese and Chinese anime creators, it also allows these companies to leverage their existing domestic industries, which have already established strong reputations and goodwill with global audiences.
Individual Benefits of Anime Cooperation for Japan and China
The biggest advantage for the Japanese anime industry in collaborating with China is increased and preferential access to the Chinese market. China is already one of the largest markets for anime, arguably third after Japan and the U.S., with the potential to surpass them both. Cooperation gives Japanese studios an edge over both domestic and international competitors in securing this crucial audience. Furthermore, outsourcing aspects of production to China can significantly reduce costs for Japanese producers.
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The benefits for Chinese anime producers are equally substantial. First, the Chinese anime industry stands to make significant strides in technical expertise and production quality. This growth will occur as Chinese animators gain deeper familiarity with Japanese anime-making techniques, principles, and practices. Second, as demonstrated by To Be Hero, Chinese anime productions are likely to achieve greater international recognition and prestige. Being broadcast in Japan, in particular, lends any Chinese anime project a level of legitimacy that can ripple across other key markets, such as the U.S. anime industry.
Not Everyone Believes Cooperation Between Japan And China Will End Well
While the increasing links between the Japanese and Chinese anime industries offer significant benefits for both sides, they also present several potential challenges stemming from the competitive nature of the anime market. One fundamental risk for Japan is that China may be leveraging these connections to gain insights into the industry, ultimately aiming to surpass Japan’s advantages in the future. Indeed, as reported in a Japan Today article, Yoshitada Fukuhara, the producer of the Kemono Friends anime, believes that once the Chinese partners in any collaboration learn “all the tricks of the trade,” they may no longer need Japan.
On the other hand, there is an argument that Japanese anime creators will outsource much of their work to Chinese staff without providing adequate guidance or support. This approach allows the Japanese anime industry to maintain its dominance while reducing costs. Nevertheless, the benefits of increased cooperation outweigh the disadvantages. For creators in the anime industry, this presents a significant challenge for all involved.
