Anime in Asia: A Case of Cultural Imperialism?

This chapter analyzes the development of the animation medium in various parts of Asia. It asks fundamentally why animated works (including film and television projects) made in South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, China, and so on, do not seem to create a lasting impression, nor do they gain high popularity among international audiences. It also discusses the discourses of cultural imperialism in relation to anime and its popularity in Asia, including commercial animation produced in the West, with particular emphasis on those from the United States. It then argues that the factors affecting the growth of animation in Asia are multidimensional and not simply a case of cultural imperialism.