Nikkei Asks What Anime Should be Preserved for Future Generations?
Poll also asked for fans to name top tear-jerkers, top anime to show to your kids and anime with most memorable villains
2013 was a landmark year for anime as the industry celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Japanese-produced animated TV series, Astro Boy. In that time, the number of productions grew from 6 in a year to 222 in 2012.
Anime's high profile presence in the Japanese media landscape also saw The Wind Rises take the #1 spot in the movie theater box office with 13 billion yen in ticket sales. Doraemon, Detective Conan, Lupin III versus Conan and Pokémon likewise crowded into the top 10. Even the performance of the Attack on Titan theme at the New Year's widely watched Ko-haku Utagassen concert was testament to anime's standing.
Nikkei (Japan Economy News) Entertainment took this opportunity to poll readers on which anime they feel deserve to pass the test of time and be shared with future generations.
The magazine asked 1000 people age from 25~54. Its editors were aiming to reflect a range of anime from its early goings in the 60s through baby-boom 70s and the rising Japanese entertainment industry in the 80s, and the well-remembered shows that served as the foundations for current trends.
Nikkei editors selected 200 influential shows out of all shows produced in the period between 1960's - 1990's, including TV anime, OVAs and anime films. Total of 1000 Nikkei BP Consulting Survey Monitors, both males and females from the group of 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 years old answered the online survey between 12/11/13 - 12/18/13).
The resulting ranked selections included:
12. One Piece
The poll also asked about:
Top 10 tear-jerkers
1. Dog of Flanders
2. Grave of the Fireflies
3. 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
4. The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee
5. One Piece
6. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
7. Castle In The Sky
8. Heidi, Girl of the Alps
9. Doraemon
10. Barefoot Gen
Runners up: Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999
Top 10 anime you want to show your kids
1. Folktales from Japan
2. Doraemon
3. My Neighbor Totoro
4. Sazae-san
5. Castle In The Sky
6. One Piece
7. Heidi, Girl of the Alps
8. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
9. Soreike! Anpanman
10. Jungle Emperor Kimba
Runner up: Ikkyū-san
Top 10 anime with most memorable villains
1. Time Bokan Series Yatterman
2. Space Battleship Yamato
3. Dragon Ball
4. Mobile Suit Gundam
5. Fist of the North Star
6. Castle in the Sky
7. Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
8. Soreike! Anpanman
9. Tiger Mask
10. Ganba no Bōken
Runners up: GeGeGe no Kitarō, Ganba no Bōken, Candy Candy
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Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.
