The Research About the Problem in The Present Conditions and The Future Role of Character Business

Abstract

The introduction of the television animation program Astro Boy in 1963 opened the door to the era of the Japanese animation character business. In this paper, the author describes and compares the models of the character brand business in Japan and illustrates prospects and constraints in existing models. The author proposes a new model and the establishment a new organization, the “Japan Character Brand Center,” to solve issues surrounding around the industry and to make the industry more competitive in the global economy.