Fifteenth Interview
Interview by: AIM
Site:
Anime on TV
Webmasters:
Tim
Interviewer:
Jade
Fifteenth Interview: Jade gets a guide from the ultimate Anime TV Guide.
Jethrajade: When did you start Anime on TV?
kameusagiyo: March 2000. March 16 to be exact.
Jethrajade: Why did you start your site? It's unconventional to other sites, I see.
kameusagiyo: I was interested in seeing more anime, but there wasn't a lot available on television. So I was looking for some recommendations.
Jethrajade: Did you search other sites for recommendations?
kameusagiyo: Yup. Then I used an online TV listing service to make a list. So ... now I had a list of anime ... and a TV listing database. So I put it up as Anime on TV. There were a couple of other sites with TV listings, but they were all out of date.
Jethrajade: Did you think AnimeonTv.com would make it this far?
kameusagiyo: this far ... hmmm...
Jethrajade: Yup! I refer to your database all of the time!
kameusagiyo: I have a moderate following ... but I ain't no Animesuki!
Jethrajade: Do you look to other sites as a basis for your site?
kameusagiyo: Nope. My motto was to keep it simple and fast loading ... remember 2000 was still a lot-o-dialup. I also like to use all the available screen real estate. I really hate sites that are designed for 800x600.
kameusagiyo: ok ... background. I am a computer consultant by trade, 45 years old. Been into anime for years and years.
Jethrajade: Really? What was the first anime that you got into?
kameusagiyo: Astro boy.
Jethrajade: What attracted you to anime in the first place?
kameusagiyo: I have always been a fan of animation. I have a Disney cell collection, I have Walter Lantz. I even have a cell signed by Chuck Jones.
Jethrajade: Wow. Pretty impressive collection.
kameusagiyo: Now ... when my son got into sailor moon. I was reminded of Anime again so I hooked up with a "fansub" distro who provided me fixes for my "habit". The thing that attracts me to Anime is the diversity of stories, the variety of genres.
Jethrajade: What is your favorite anime right now?
kameusagiyo: Right now, I am watching Naruto and Bleach.
Jethrajade: I hear a lot of people are hooked on that. Downloading it or watching it on Cartoon Network?
kameusagiyo: Cartoon Network, of course ... Anime on tv and all that.
Jethrajade: haha, That's right.
Jethrajade: Are there any anime characters you can relate to right now?
kameusagiyo: My favorite animes are the ones that have good character development.
Jethrajade: Such as?
kameusagiyo: So anything Miyazaki is a highlight for me
Jethrajade: Ah, it's good to meet a fan more concerned with things like good character development.
kameusagiyo: I even recently went to Japan and made a pilgrimage to the Studio Ghibli museum.
Jethrajade: How was it? Is Japan really expensive?
kameusagiyo: Yes ... fairly expensive
Jethrajade: How long were you in Japan?
kameusagiyo: Nope ... cannot relate to anime anime characters at this time ... very few 45 year old computer consultants with 2 kids. Went to Japan for 2 weeks. Funny anime story ... I went there with a bunch of Karate guys
Jethrajade: uh oh...
kameusagiyo: So ... there I was ... out on my own ... and I found the little fox-squirrel character from Castle in the Sky. That evening I told the following story.
Jethrajade: Found....the little fox-squirrel?
kameusagiyo: "Hey guys ... I am going to tell you I had a great day. I just bought something SO cool and SOOO hard to come by in the US... and I was SOOOOOO excited when I found it ... and when I show you it ... with all this enthusiasm... you are going to say .... "oh. ya real nice." So they were all pumped up ... I showed them my toy. They want "oh.... yeah ... real nice ..."
Jethrajade: haha, I bet that wasn't what they were expecting!
kameusagiyo: You are correct sir [Jade: eh?]
Jethrajade: I should be calling you sir. How much did the toy cost you?
kameusagiyo: So I drank $25 sake with a toy on my shoulder with a bunch of karate guys. $30 [for toy].
Jethrajade: whoa
Jethrajade: haha
Jethrajade: A squirrel toy perched on your shoulder!
kameusagiyo: Yup, on the top floor of a high class hotel
Jethrajade: uh...haha
kameusagiyo: I got a bunch of those 3" figures though... the ones you see for $10 at comic stores ... $20 for 6. That was good anime value. Although I didn't buy any DVDs ... they were like $50 each. So ... character development attracts me to a story.
New idea instead of rehashed gags attract me.
Jethrajade: Yeah, that's true.
Jethrajade: Any anime genre you tend to watch/read?
kameusagiyo: I own a lot of "magical girl" because I can watch that with my daughter. I have a lot of sci-fi.
Jethrajade: Do you particularly like sci-fi?
kameusagiyo: My favorites are anime about nothing. For example: Whisper of the Heart.
Jethrajade: Whisper of the Heart?
kameusagiyo: Miyazaki
Jethrajade: oh, right
kameusagiyo: Or where the growth of the characters is as important as the fantasy stuff going on around them, such as Spirited Away.
Jethrajade: Do you like fantasy anime as well?
kameusagiyo: Kimagure Orange Road was another series where character growth an maturity was more central a theme than the fact they had psi. Yeah, I love that as well. Slayers, Tenchi, like those, and of course, everyone loves Ranma.
Jethrajade: With all of these new animes and manga series coming out, is it hard to keep up with the anime industry?
kameusagiyo: Impossible. I almost want to get out of anime because it is getting popular. Ok ... that won't happen.
Jethrajade: haha, Kid at heart for anime?
kameusagiyo: But still ... there is a LOT of stuff to buy and see now.
Jethrajade: All right, Tim, I have one more question for you. Are you ready?
kameusagiyo: yes
Jethrajade: What's your favorite color?
kameusagiyo: blue
Jethrajade: Mine too!
Jethrajade: It was really enlightening to chat with you about anime.