Anime Journalism Is BROKEN 

The hentai in the background is called Foxy Nudes, in case you were wondering.

I always love hearing you say "SmokeWeedSephiroth420".

Wait, Zeria is 19? She's already done more than I'm probably gonna do in the whole of my 20's! I need to get my act together

I think that Japanese corporations in general have that dominant presence. Not speaking out against things is, sadly, culturally encouraged. That said, I hate blanket PR statements and would very much respect a more honest, inside opinion on the industry.

like gaming, lots of anime fans don't actually want criticism, they want their consumerism validated. the ethical issues of a studio's work environment or budgetary concerns don't matter to these people, they just want their next hit. journalism needs to stop pandering to these people for an easy buck

My first reaction upon seeing the title of the video was "What journalism?", which is pretty telling. It's sadly a problem in journalism in general, and is only exaggerated in more "trivial" subsets like anime and video games. Though in journalism at large we still have some professionals to look up to, it's not looking particularly rosy overall.

My favorite part of any video is you trying not to crack up reading SmokeWeedSephiroth420.

Unexpected Foxy Nudes footage. Ok then.

‘When the Flying Colours Foundation scandal was rocking the anime community, where were the professional journalists? Instead it was left to a 20 year old university student and a number of D-List RU-vidrs’ Hey that student is me :P Yea, I pretty much agree with this video, it’s difficult to get the internal connections that allow for the deep posts that you’re referring to but I feel that if you are a journalistic institution then there should at least be more attempts to look beyond the PR statements of companies than we often end up getting. Even if the deep pieces found at places like SakugaBlog are too difficult to manage, at least there should be attempts to challenge companies on some of their more questionable policies, like with the Otaku Coin example brought up. It’s definitely easier said than done and it is difficult to ask the questions that can allow for more challenging articles in the first place, but it often feels like there isn’t even an attempt to ask the questions in the first place, which is what I find disappointing. Especially when it comes to mistreatment of employees like with Kemono Friends or industry-wide exploitation when it comes to animator salary and working hours, it feels criminally under-reported despite the importance of these stories

It's hard to take this seriously when your showing hentai in the background lmao

"Zeriya is a 19 year old RU-vidr." Did I hear that right? She seems mature enough that I thought she was at least in her mid-twenties.

When you can cite video game journalism as good example it's a bad situation.

As someone who doesn't look up anime news, this was an interesting peek at the industry. Though not particularly shocking, as a lot of these concerns are the same that come from the gaming industry. Kinda scary that things are -so- bad in anime journalism that videogames journalism is what you look for someone doing it right tho. Also I'm super looking forward to the hourou musuko video woo

Man I remember that hentai Like the hostage got shot by the sniper who was supposed to save her It was a bad time man

Nothing better on a cold, snowy Midwest morning than a nice steamy Pedantic Romantic hot take. Stay toasty friends.

Liked for Phos

Woah, I never really thought about this but you’re totally right. This is an amazing video. Also...... ZERIA IS 19?!?!?!?!?! Holy shit, I thought you guys were, like, mid-20’s. Who knew we were so close in age!!!

I'm a simple person. I see the best androgynaifu in the thumbnail. I click (✿╹◡╹)

The topic of investigative anime journalism is both a.) Hilarious when said out loud(I envision Jude Law from the movie Contagion, lol), and b.) Quite interesting. I would love to see more content about it.

The subject of this video in addition with something that Pause and Select said about this same topic tackle the reason that i follow very few people on youtube and twitter. Nice video

Understanding fully that you probably don't speak German, I can't stop laughing at how you pronounced Märchen Mädchen. For future reference, the umlaut lengthens the sound of the vowel. 'a' by itself would be pronounced 'ah' while 'ä' would frequently be written out as 'ae.' It's the difference between 'March' and 'Mare'

A new wandering son video from pedantictomantic. EEEEE, super excited.

Fantastic video. I appreciate your attention to quality and professionalism in covering whatever topic you're presenting. While I disagree with some of your hot takes, you try to keep your statements as neutral and noninflammatory as you can. Thanks for serving as an example of good anime discussion and video essay-ship!

Sounds like I need to keep a closer eye on Sakuga blog! Good to know going forward.

Lol, the automatic captions are in Korean

So, what you're saying is that it's about ethics in anime journalism? :P

Good choice of anime footage. XD

I got a nasty pragerU ad on this video and it was transohobic as fuck!!! Ugh the disgusting audacity!!!

Hi. I would like to watch this video, but since it is quite technical and my English is not good enough, I would like English subtitles to better understand it... is it possible?

Talking some sense to people, as always. Thanks, my pedantic.

Welcome to video game journalism.

*sees houseki no kuni in the thumbnail* *clicks* *realizes that anime journalism is really broken and didn't ever think of that*

I'm just commenting to say how much I appreciate these videos and how thoughtful, well researched and interesting they are, you're one of the best creators in the anime side of youtube. I don't have the money to support you on patreon but if I did I totally would (here's hoping this digital paintings thing of mine works out!). All I can offer as support is my comments and likes. Your videos give me faith in this community, keep up the good work!

Thank you ThePedanticRomantic , very cool!

You’re right on with your points. As a person who desire truth, historical understanding, wisdom I value harder journalism. I don’t feel you’re “asking for too much”. If anything, your level of enthusiasm for understanding is proper. I work on content that does Soft Ball interviews of Westerners who work in the anime industry in America. There are rare opportunities where I have some “interesting” info which isn’t compatible with the format of the interview. I’m not griping about what I do nor it’s format, there’s a place in society for Softball piece. I just wish there are hard(er) pieces about the industry. There are lessons to learn when things don’t go right. Good topic!

I think your points are valid, but you've missed the bigger picture. The problem has less to deal with the anime industry, but more on the current atmosphere of Japan's journalism. The following three points (that I've read from an article, written in Chinese, and I've summarized and translated part of it below) should do the job: 1. The power imbalance between the interviewee and journalist is very much a thing. People get to screen their question before the interview. They can preview the article before it's published. They could even retract any interviews and reports after it was published, simply because they are not happy with it. 2. Readers are getting used to reading promotional pieces (and neighborhood stories, i.e. soft news) in news reports. People sees press more as a promotional outlet instead of investigators. 3. "Kuuki Youme" (空気読め) inside Japanese culture, where journalists actively avoid criticisms and focus on the good side of things. // "The problem with freedom of the press in Japan has less to deal with government censorship, nor does it relate with government threats to cancel working visas. It’s because people does not felt the need for journalism to be critical and independent in nature. I've always been paying attention to the reports that Japanese most frequently read, which were usually baseball news and gossips. Comparing that with Journalism in European, American or even Hong Kong, where we focuses on social issues and political reports, Japan's situation is different as night and day. When you are only reporting baseball results, neighborhood stories and new chicken rice on some restaurant, how can you lack credibility? Well, if you have no controversies, you really can’t."

So like...the clips in the beginning were from a hentai right? I'm not crazy? Cause I distinctly remember that hentai from back in the day when I was a smol questioning bi XP either way great video as always luv :)

Jon Bois, cited in an anime journalism video? Its more likely than you think!

We have about 5 more anime videos with Lofi bgm before the singularity, js

Damn if the journalism of a medium is negatively compared to gaming journalism you know it's veeery bad

If I'm being honest, I think you're the best person in the YT Anime Community, mainly just because I like your personality. Plus your editing is a neat bonus.

Very informative video, would be convenient if you had links in the description to the channels and blogs you mentioned.

Journalism is printing what someone else doesn't want printed. Everything else is public relations.

That's some good insight. It seems like there's a noticeable difference in power dynamics when it comes to journalism for the Western video games industry vs anime industry. Since gaming is one of the most prominent forms of entertainment over here, media coverage has some influence on the perception people have on topics related to it, and even in the instances of reporting information that isn't entirely truthful the controversy surrounding the responsible news outlet can draw in fresh eyes, whereas for anime, the more intimate details in terms of production are most accessible to those working with the providers in Japan, so I imagine they'd have to tread carefully so as to not sour relationships and negatively impact distribution. I might have worded that awkwardly, sorry hehehe, but you have gotten me a lot more interested on the subject so thanks!

I 100% agree, journalism should be way more than just corporate PR! Like, right now, there's that shitty imouto show that's apparently in the middle of an absolute production DISASTER but there's like NO details available, we only know it's bad because it's bad enough they've had to delay episodes and the ones that they have shown are full of QUALITY the likes of which I haven't seen since before 2007! Like, I want all the details! How does this happen? Who is to blame (if anyone)? WHAT is to blame? Someone TELL ME!!!

I relied my ani/manga/ln/game news/information/source mostly from unofficial sources(mostly from Twitter and Unaffiliated Web Site)

Great video! I also love the thumbnail 😍

ooooo I'm very excited for that Wandering Son video.

I'm always excited to see a TPR uploading, especially when I know it'll be good. Thanks for the amazing video & info!

Sounds like we need to build a network of connections for Anime Journalism. Help each other out and all that I believe the interest would be there, it's just the Location, Language and Corporations in the way But it would be so worth it say for example when the Ghibli Producer Suzuki said what he did about Takahata there was no fact checking or follow ups to his allegations. I reached to a couple people on the Western side who are known for their knowledge of the company and they told me at times he was misrepresenting how Ghibli worked. Suzuki is also allergically known for stirring the pot in a tabloid way too, while always covering for Miyazaki, I heard the comparison Suzuki is the Waylon Smithers to Miyazaki's Burns. That's not to say there isn't any truth in his frustrations or that Isao wasn't difficult to work with, just that without a larger group of witnesses or supplemental info (Kondo had health conditions going back to the 70s) it's hard to take anything from his words, but the Anime industry overworks it's staff to death.

I see phos I click. Especially if it's a Pedantic Romantic vid.

Great video! I think it also highlights why anime youtubers have seen a strong following, because they are on some forms independent journalists that aren't beholden to anyone but themselves. That's why when they cowtow to the industry *cough*Geoff*cough* they lose some of their credibility. Thanks for highlighting the importance of this topic.

institutionalization requires a resource stream, which anime journalism doesn't have. Although more adults like the medium now, the majority audience is still younger and therefore unable to provide support to a journalistic watchdog role. The marketing power of the anime itself will trump any marketing on journalistic sites, giving the industry a defacto veto on the marketing revenue stream. The best bet for an anime journalism is to push itself into a broader coalition with other hobbyist fields where it adds value by also being of interest to customers although it may not be the "killer app" that drew customers in in the first place. That or maybe strong personalities leading the anime community into a symbiotic relationship with some other fields that value journalistic coverage.

I feel similarly about the Otaku USA magazine. Specifically the February 2019 edition that just came out. It felt like a corporate mouthpiece where even the stuff that wasn't advertisements seemed like advertisements. They have a journalist or two in Tokyo. I don't know how they survive as a quarterly magazine when their news is already months late even at the best of times.

I like how you used a hentai about corrupt journalists for the backdrop

We have similar recommended videos. Disney's Revisionist History, Bacon expert, and who is Hideaki Anno. The anime director video doesn't surprise me but why were we both recommended the other two videos?

Had a tough time concentrating on what you where saying, had to rewind a bunch of times hahaha.

If you're holding up the state of games journalism as a standard to aspire to, anime journalism must really be in the toilet. Wow…

You can broaden the problem to the mainstream press as a whole, not just the anime one; they've been too close to the power and are often properties of rich and powerful investment groups, you can't expect them to do a proper job anymore. That's why the web press was a big hope for many people.

If the overproduction of anime leads to a crash, will sakuga blog be covering it?

Some day we have to get a you a bit of a german lesson, at least to get the pronunciation part a little bit right (given japanese people seem to love german and use it in OST songs or spells it might not be the worst idea). The 'ä' in Märchen (meaning fairy tails) and Mädchen (meaning girls) is similar to the english 'e' in 'meth'. :P

To be fair, all journalism is wack

Loke when you offbandedly brought up kemono friends scandal a few weeks back you were the first i had even heard of that and i was surprised that it wasnt a bigger story

As an anime journalist myself, I am glad we have a different scene than in US.

Hey please keep up this great work! We really love it! I hope you aren't still struggling with thinking that your art has no value because he clearly does and this episode is proof.

Do we know where the Japanese outlets are standing regarding this issue? is it more like ANN or more investigation focused?

A link for the Berserk 2016 article explaining the messy production?

One journalist who tries to go beyond merely posting the corporate talking points is Lauren Orsini at Forbes, but even she's written about the struggles of working with the corporate powers: see her blog posts "Subjectivity: My plan for getting people to trust news again" and "How I unexpectedly found myself doing PR". And a anime journalist/writer with deep connections who has actually come out with some (heavily anonymized) dirt on how the anime industry operates is Jonathan Clements. His book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis is all about juicy stories on how the anime industry works from an insider's perspective. One of my personal research goals is to investigate the political economy of the anime industry both in Japan and overseas.

Love that first bg track.

Sometimes I need to know how you guys can gathering information efficiently enough through the internet, will be great having tips about about.

Wish you would upgrade your mic or put some soundproofing in your recording area or something. Would make you sound way more professional and authoritative.

The tv screen refresh aesthetic is 💯 love it!

Good shit, thank you

What's the anime PR was using for the visuals here?

whats the anime playing in the background? Looks interesting

What's the anime playing in the background?

Good video as always. What anime was that playing in the background?

I had no idea something even happened with Kemono Friends until you said something.

Damn, I knew this shit existed to high degrees of corruption within Anime in general. But not to this level of crassness - goes to show how well they hid it alright I guess. But to the point where they get caught and called out, yet still can operate on this level does raise a question. How can they do it still? We've figured out the general formula yet they move not, stagnant per se. As I guess, not unreasonably, from the major hintings from the video and would equally say so myself, the corporations and companies have something to lose and will do whatever it can to suppress minor/alternative media outlets that sincerely cry out corruption / bad faith. Just that I hadn't noticed this video in my subfeed was a telltale sign alone and mind you that I watch these videos constantly, so YT can't just easily "erase it" from my subfeed that easily. Goes to show their cowardice I guess. Just coming back, yeah these videos are completely wiped from my subfeed; guess that whole debacle with YT cleaning up subfeeds are coming back.

Surprised you didnt bring up wave motion cannon

Oof, and I thought games journalism was bad with us basically only having Jason Schrier and a few RU-vidrs. I mean, I still think it is bad that we have exactly one guy in the mainstream games press with any clout who himself is a bit of a holier than thou jerk when it comes to RU-vidrs, but one is better than none. Thanks for the insight. Wish I had watched this sooner.

Didn’t know that was a thing

Anime Journalism isn't just dying Its being buried alive

Did you just cite gaming journalists as something that should be aspired to?

Great thumbnail. And better video.

First off, sorry about the name. A friend thought it would be a "good meme" and now I have to wait two months until I can change it back. But that's not important. I was just wondering, is Narancia from Vento Aureo actually a trans character, or just a feminine male?

God, and we still know so little about video games. With anime it's like. Journalism, what journalism?

Great music choice!

it's unfortunate but as long as news shares a bed with profit motives the truth will lose out. Ethics mean nothing to a corporate machine and that is exactly what journalism is today. The only true journalism can be done by individuals or small groups that have not economic stake, once money enters the equation it's game over.

I have a question for you. Do you think the problem with journalism in anime is so problematic because of the culture being one of 'servitude' and not talking back? The manga 'Sanctuary' really made it clear to me how far the whole idea seems to be rooted in the culture there (especially the political culture, but political culture is often just the model for other areas of society).

*My LiFe is bRoKeN*

*What anime are the clips from?*

Crunchyroll makes videos based on Sakugablog articles and plugs them and the writers are friends with Crunchyroll people but somehow there's no conflict of interest there lmao

Have you considered that maybe, as the Anime industry is very small compared to your Gaming and Movies examples, we don't get many reports because there isn't enough to report to begin with?

It’s a bit sad that the people in the anime industry isn’t willing to show the dirty side of it.

Maybe a collaborative effort between the western and eastern communities would provide western journalists with more info? I think that what you ask will come with time, as the western anime community gets recognised more and more by the anime companies.

why "foxy nudes 2" ?

lol that H background doe 😭😭😭

Hmmm, you know while this vid is a bit of different angle in terms of what you feel is lacking in the community, still gotta say it is agreeable, tho for me it's more I just feel the critical community is truly lacking but as you said, it's a smaller medium so compared to other entertainments, there aren't as many diverse critics for anime as others who do analysis on film, music, or gaming