万花筒 2008-04-07&-4-08 日本动画全球扩张（在线收听）

Japanese anime or animation is a 3.3-billion-dollar hit at home, but still looking to make a firm beachhead overseas. An industry that began nearly 100 years ago has undeniable winners like Pokemon franchise, with feature films, cartoons, and a slew of character products. But anime exports are worth less than 10% of domestic business. And Japan is hosting an international fair to push its prowess, from cult status to cultural icon. Some anime watchers say Japanese trademarks, high production values, characters with huge eyes, and busty women don't always translate abroad.

 Another concern is that the local industry may be hollowing out because of a brain drain to the game industry. Still some industry crossover has begun. And this Karaoke game allows customers to do their own anime voice-overs. In a sign that Hollywood is also responding to anime's potential, Disney recently announced ties with Japanese producer Toei, planning a robot adventure anime likely due in May.

Dan Sloan, Reuters Tokyo.