Japanese animation in the U.S.

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Japanese animation aired on American TV or screened at theaters in the U.S.:

[Year][Title when shown in the U.S.][Japanese Title]
1963 ASTRO BOY (Tetsuwan Atom)
1966 Gigantor (Tetsujin 28-Go)
1967 Speed Racer (Mach Go Go Go)
1981 Galaxy Express 999 (Ginga Tetsudo 999)
1986 Warriors of the Wind (Kaze no Tani no Naushika)
1992 The Professional: Golgo 13 (Gorugo 13)
1995 Dragon Ball (Dragon Ball)
1995 Sailor Moon (Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon)
1998 Pokemon (Pocket Monster)
2001 Mobile Suit Gundam (Kido Senshi Gundam)
2002 Kinnikuman: Ultimate Muscle (Kinnikuman)
2002 Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi)
2003 Lupin the 3rd (Rupan 3-Sei)
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American comics

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The American comics started as "comic strip" (in magazines and newspapers) in the early twentieth century. The American comic book (booklet with dozens of pages) became very popular in late 1930's when superheros like 'Superman' and 'Batman' came out. Those books are usually sold at newsstands/kiosque, never at regular bookstores.

In early 50's, because of horror and violent crime in comics, the comic circle was severely criticized by the society. The comic publishers made up their comic code to restrict the representation. This movement got away comic artists' freedom and interfered the development of the American comics.

In 1960's the new type of heros such as 'Fantastic Four,' 'Spiderman,' 'Hulk,' 'X-Men,' and others emerged. And then, the underground comics and the alternative comics as new genre have developed since late 60's and 1980's respectively.

The Japanese MANGA got its reputation in the U.S., especially monthly book "Shonen Jump" published in 2003 and "Shojo Beat" (for female readers) in 2005.#

second visit to Kyoto International Manga Museum

Once again, I went to the museum that is going to celebrate its second anniversary this month. The Manga Museum, which establised at the site of former Tatsuike Elementary School, still keeps some of the 1929 buildings. Currently it is holding an exhibit called "HEIAN - Grace & Mystery of MANGA in the ancient KYOTO," show casing Manga from Kyoto during the era that the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji) was written in the Heian Period (794-1180). It was quite interesting and mysterious for me to see such an exhibit (1000-year old) in a building (100-year old). It is said that over 450,000 people visited the museum since then, and yesterday, I witnessed over 100 visitors including foreign tourists there despite of a weekday.#