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Chinese companies, such as Tencent, are actively involved in manga, anime-style video games, and animated productions. Their investment is not only expanding domestically but also infiltrating international markets. The report warns that if Japan doesn’t address these systemic issues—particularly talent development and technological upgrades—the Chinese animation sector could soon rival, or even surpass, Japan’s industry in size and prominence.
Economic Realities: Cost of Producing Anime
Contradicting the perception that anime is a high-cost venture, recent industry estimates reveal that producing anime can be less expensive than Western-style animation. Depending on the series, the per-episode production costs vary considerably: