39701


Having followed anime for some time, one thing I have noticed, at least from
my perspective, is that there is no equivalent of the
[Indie/Alternative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_media) scene
when it comes to anime.

What I mean by this is that the vast majority of anime seems to be produced
and distributed by some corporate production studio(s). While my knowledge of
anime production is quite limited, this would seem to hold for most anime.

What reasons are there for this trend or am I wrong in assuming the lack of an
alternative scene?

If I am wrong, then what can be considered as Indie anime?

**Notes** : In response to [Euphorics's
comment](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/39700/is-there-such-a-
thing-as-an-indie-alternative-anime-scene#comment53857_39700), 'Anime' in this
context refers to any and all forms of Japanese animated media. The form of
distribution, length and animation style are the kind of details I'm looking
for in the answers.

Additionally, I am aware of the existence of Doujinshi as a form of
independently made Manga, although I wasn't aware of the fact that it included
music as well (Thank you
[Rapitor](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/39700/is-there-such-a-
thing-as-an-indie-alternative-anime-scene#comment53858_39700) for that) but I
am mainly interested in the animated medium in the context of this question.


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anime-production culture
Is there such a thing as an 'Indie'/Alternative anime scene?


There's [Voices of a Distant
Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voices_of_a_Distant_Star), which was
"directed, written, produced, character designed, storyboarded,
cinematographed, edited, and animated by Makoto Shinkai". Essentially an
individual effort except for some voice acting that was done by his wife Mika
Shinohara. The DVD release had to go through a manufacturer and distributor,
of course but I think that's as close as Indie/Alternative as you'll get.

There aren't many anime like that, as anime TV series or movies are very
expensive and time consuming to produce. This is why even small anime studios
often rely on production and backing from larger companies (like TV studios).
Instances like Voices of a Distant Star is rare because it's short, and
probably made no money.


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As [Euphoric mentioned in the
comment](https://anime.stackexchange.com/users/115/euphoric), what is the
definition of " _anime_ " in here?

Because in Japan, " _anime_ " is anything animated, whether it's:

  * a 3-episode 2D anime (45 minutes total): [1](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm3992279) (5 minutes), [2](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm4946961) (7 minutes), [3](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm23557943) (33 minutes)
  * a 5-episode, 30-minute 3D CGI anime (considered as doujin anime): [1](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm25215340), [2](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm27041140), [3](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm27877437), [4](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm29152246), [5](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm30935254) (only 18 minutes), or
  * [a 1-hour stop-motion clay anime](http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm22580636) (got an award in _Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival_ ). 

(All links are from NicoNicoDouga).

The reason has been answered by Jon Lin, that "making anime is time consuming,
and it doesn't making money". Another reason is, because it's hard to be
recognized (or even found) in other countries than Japan without proper media
(thankfully, there's YouTube for international audience).

The keywords are 自作アニメ ( _jisaku anime_ ) or 自主制作アニメ ( _jishu seisaku anime_ )
for "independent anime" in Japanese:

  * NicoNicoDouga: [自作アニメ](http://www.nicovideo.jp/tag/%E8%87%AA%E4%BD%9C%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1?sort=l&order=d), [自主制作アニメ](http://www.nicovideo.jp/tag/%E8%87%AA%E4%B8%BB%E5%88%B6%E4%BD%9C%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1?sort=l&order=d)
  * YouTube: [自作アニメ](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E8%87%AA%E4%BD%9C%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1), [自主制作アニメ](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E8%87%AA%E4%B8%BB%E5%88%B6%E4%BD%9C%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1)


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