In the past, when our favorite anime or other titles came out, we strove to find the perfect time to watch them, whether it was by tracking down the broadcast times of each title and scheduling them to be recorded, or by visiting bookstores early in the morning to buy manga titles on the day of release so we could enjoy them whenever we wanted. Decades have passed since then, and with the widespread adoption of smartphones, we can now enjoy all kinds of anime and manga content easily and conveniently from anywhere. For us otaku, this is a welcome change in the times. We no longer have to endure the disappointment of excitedly recording an episode only to find the broadcast time suddenly changed to a news flash, or visiting a bookstore to find a manga we'd been wanting to read only to find it out of stock. In particular, the release of Jump+, the flagship of shonen manga, by Jump, which allows anyone to enjoy Jump titles for free, is a major change. Amidst the increasingly digital world of otaku, one title that has garnered particular attention in recent years is the smash-hit Jump+ title "SPY×FAMILY." Following the huge success of the anime, this work was also announced for a theatrical release. While it's a Jump title that anyone can enjoy for free, it has successfully led to profitable content such as theatrical releases. Could it be said that "SPY×FAMILY" has provided a major boost to the digitalization of anime content? This time, I'd like to consider the digitalization of Japanese anime content, starting with "SPY×FAMILY." Each digitalization has its advantages and disadvantages, so if you're an anime fan, be sure to check it out!
Digitalization of Anime and Manga Content
First, as a basic premise, I'd like to introduce some recommended digital anime and manga content. With the spread of smartphones, anime and manga can now be enjoyed easily anywhere, but how exactly are they adapting to the digital age?
Manga apps, led by Jump+, have emerged
Many manga apps, led by Jump+, have been developed, allowing readers to easily enjoy manga through these apps. Previously, publishers operated magazines to publish their works; this has simply shifted from magazines to apps.
The Growing Influence of Digital Content
In particular, this digitalization trend has brought some changes to the industry, with IT companies that previously had no connection to manga now handling manga content. It's safe to say that the days when publishers had a monopoly on manga have come to an end.
Supporting Shueisha and Kodansha's Business
While publishing companies are facing tough times, particularly in recent years as young people turn away from reading, Shueisha and Kodansha, which have manga content that is well-suited to digitalization, continue to show strong sales. While circulation figures for Weekly Shonen Jump have declined significantly, it can be said that digital content is making up for the loss.
Overseas Popularity as a Backbone
One of the reasons for this rapid digitalization of anime and manga is the widespread acceptance of Japanese anime and manga culture overseas.
The fruits of years of growth
For many years, the Japanese anime and manga industry has exported manga and anime TV series to increase its international fan base. Digitalization offers the advantage of being able to reach the vast Japanese pop culture fanbase it has cultivated without any time lag.
A Great Compatibility with Subscription Services
Subscription services, especially those like Netflix, eliminate the tedious process of watching content. It seems that overseas users who originally subscribed to Netflix to enjoy local dramas are starting to discover that Japanese animation they watched as children is also available on Netflix, and are starting to watch it again.
The Barrier of Anti-Piracy Measures
On the other hand, some countries overseas have not yet fully developed anti-piracy laws, and there is the problem that works created by Japanese creators are viewed illegally, resulting in no profit. This can be seen as a drawback of anime and manga being made available overseas, so it is important to keep an eye on anti-piracy measures in this area.
A reversion from digital content to print content
As you can see, anime and manga content is expanding its reach thanks to the advancement of digitalization. However, this doesn't mean that printed manga works are disappearing. In fact, there seems to be a trend where successful digital works are returning to printed magazines.
I want to collect physical things!
Although many works have already been digitized and are available to many people, hardcore fans still seem to want to collect physical copies. Many anime fans who read digital content and find it interesting stop reading it immediately and order the printed version from Amazon or other sites to enjoy it at a later date.
Books as Records
As such, with the spread of digital content, print versions are gaining attention not only as a means of pure enjoyment, but also as a medium for recording and storing things one finds interesting.
Attention is Gathering on Analog
This phenomenon is not limited to manga content. In recent years, music has become available anywhere thanks to subscription services, but data suggests that record sales have actually increased. Because it's now commonplace to enjoy music without having to keep it close at hand, even non-anime fans seem to have a desire to physically hold and keep their favorite works.
Will anime and manga content transition to digital?
Considering this, it's doubtful that anime and manga content will transition 100% to digital. In addition to the advantages of traditional books, there are also new advantages to books that have emerged as a result of the spread of digitalization, so perhaps digital and printed works can be considered to have a kind of symbiotic relationship.
Polarization is Increasing
In any case, I believe there's no doubt that the separation between digital and print content will continue to grow. Instead of everyone enjoying manga in print, as they have in the past, some people will enjoy the work on their smartphones during their commute, while others will order the book from scratch and enjoy it in a quiet, peaceful room. I think there's a possibility that the ways in which people enjoy manga will diverge greatly.
Digital for enjoyment, analog for possession
At the very least, digital works have the advantage in terms of ease of enjoyment. However, analog works are what best satisfy the desire of otaku to collect merchandise.
Digital comics perfect for the train commute
In recent years, digital comics have become so accessible that they can be enjoyed simply with a smartphone in hand. For working professionals who often commute on packed trains, they're undoubtedly a valuable addition to any otherwise hellish commute.
A Perfect Match for Modern Society
There's no doubt that digital content is a perfect match for modern society. Books, which had remained unchanged for hundreds of years, have taken on a new form as digital content since the beginning of the 21st century. It's quite moving to think that we're experiencing such a major turning point right now!
Does digital make anime and manga even more interesting? ?
Furthermore, digital content doesn't just affect us readers. The existence of digital content can have a significant impact on the creative teams behind manga works as well.
Reader ratings reflected in real time
Unlike traditional manga, digital content allows for immediate reader feedback. For example, Jump titles have enjoyed overwhelming popularity up until now thanks to the rigorous ranking system based on weekly reader popularity polls. Meanwhile, with digital content, results are calculated not just weekly, but daily, and in some cases, every second. Such rapid evaluation is impossible with print media.
The Intensifying Competition for Popularity
In this way, creators can receive more direct feedback from consumers and more easily compare the popularity of their works with other titles. These technological advances could further intensify competition in the manga content industry, allowing better works to survive.
Summary
What did you think? In this article, we've analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of digitally adapting anime and manga content, using the Spy x Family series as a theme. While digital content is undoubtedly a way of enjoying manga that fits the shape of society going forward, we shouldn't forget the appeal of print manga. With the rise of digital content, the advantages of print versions may become even more apparent, so be sure to make good use of these two forms of content.
