What would it take for DC to become more popular in the U.S.

[wolf4537]

We all know that shows like Naruto, Bleach, Inuyasha, DBZ, Death Note, Code Geass, Fullmetal Alchemist, Trigun, and several other animes are very popular here in the U.S, but why do you guys think DC isn't as popular as these other anime shows?

What do you think it would take for DC to become more popular in the U.S.?

Also, does anyone know the exact figures for how popular DC really is here? I know it's nowhere near as popular as other anime shows cause everywhere I go to buy anime stuff I NEVER see anything relating to Conan besides the typical DVD's/Manga

[HiddenDetective]

The answer is clear: despite of being a family show in Japan, Asia, and some of Europe, DC was deemed as having too much violence, bloody, and repulsive scenes in US that it was placed in Cartoon Network Adult Swim when it first came over (I still remember when I happened to bump into it on TV around 5-6 years ago), thus not viewed by many intended audiences.

Therefore, with no kids watching it, DC lost popularity in US media and was canceled after airing 2 seasons of the American dubbed episodes. So now people in US can only watch/read DC online, and the people who already know DC over here became the only way of spreading DC in US.

[kyuuketsuki]

Though HD is probably right, I have one or two theories of my own...

1) Its not action... Even the majority of mystery shows have action in them. DC tends not to have [much] action. Americans are too dumb to appreciate it. Looking at all of the popular anime, you can see they are all action based.

2) Poor advertising... And poor time slot... DBZ on right when kids get home, all other popular anime were on earlier. DC was always on a bit late. Also... I never recalled seeing a commercial for DC...

[shinichi55]

I agree with HD and kyuu!! I live around the us, but no one watches DC!! 
but it's mostly because the show starts really late, like around midnight... so i just watch it on the net 

[wolf4537]

Though HD is probably right, I have one or two theories of my own...

1) Its not action... Even the majority of mystery shows have action in them. DC tends not to have [much] action. Americans are too dumb to appreciate it. Looking at all of the popular anime, you can see they are all action based.

2) Poor advertising... And poor time slot... DBZ on right when kids get home, all other popular anime were on earlier. DC was always on a bit late. Also... I never recalled seeing a commercial for DC...

I remember seeing a commercial for DC, matter of fact, I think I still have it somewhere. It was a REALLY stupid commercial though that went something like "oh yeah baby, I know you wanna see me, check out OLD SCHOOL ANIME with Case Closed and Lupin the III tonight at 2:00" or something like that.

Wow, remembering that commercial makes me want to facepalm.

[kyuuketsuki]

Though HD is probably right, I have one or two theories of my own...

1) Its not action... Even the majority of mystery shows have action in them. DC tends not to have [much] action. Americans are too dumb to appreciate it. Looking at all of the popular anime, you can see they are all action based.

2) Poor advertising... And poor time slot... DBZ on right when kids get home, all other popular anime were on earlier. DC was always on a bit late. Also... I never recalled seeing a commercial for DC...

I remember seeing a commercial for DC, matter of fact, I think I still have it somewhere. It was a REALLY stupid commercial though that went something like "oh yeah baby, I know you wanna see me, check out OLD SCHOOL ANIME with Case Closed and Lupin the III tonight at 2:00" or something like that.

Wow, remembering that commercial makes me want to facepalm.

I remember that... That was not a commercial! Commercials tend to be on other times... but that was the good 'ol Adult Swim advertising, and it didn't help that they were both on at 2 AM><. Basically it was between shows... or right before programming. That INSTANTLY killed the viewing audience because how many kids are around at 11 Pm-2Am to watch that, or even see that advertisement. if they had put it on maybe right before toonami, or right at the end, and maybe but some advertising on at say... 2-5pm when kids would watch it, and convince their parents to stay up "30 minutes more" it would have faired better.

[HiddenDetective]

well, as I said before, US placed it as a late night show because they feel it's inappropriate for kids (although every kid in my Chinese family started watching it around 6 or 7. I still remember watching the first episode when it was first released in China's networks.), and so most of the show's aimed audience were not able to watch it. Then they cancelled it permanently on TV due to low ratings. (sigh, they don't know what they are missing)

[kat1214young]

yes, they don't know what they are missing
they don't know what kids these days know or capable of understanding XD
kids are pretty much capable of understanding this show
or maybe they just don't like this show because of a teenager turning back into a kid is (insert what is appropriate here) i can't think of anything 

[Tenken]

No, I don't think the action/violence is to blame. American movies contain much more of that sort.

This manga series is known as "Detective Conan" in all other parts of the world, when it comes to America as "Case Closed", many fans don't know about its presence. 

Manga series "Inuyasha"by already well-known author like Rumiko Takahashi instantly became famous because "Ranma 1/2" and "Maison Ikkoku" came before it. This is the first time Gosho Aoyama's product comes to the USA, so it'll take time.

Plus, VIZ did a horrible job with translation @_@

[cocomonk22]

If DC was on Toonami instead of Adult Swim, I believe DC would be much more popular. It's a kids/family anime!

[kirite]

I think if DC is to be more popular they should stress the fact that's it's a mystery anime instead of trying to pass it off as some action anime or some kid's show.

[kkslider5552000]

This manga series is known as "Detective Conan" in all other parts of the world, when it comes to America as "Case Closed", many fans don't know about its presence. 

Manga series "Inuyasha"by already well-known author like Rumiko Takahashi instantly became famous because "Ranma 1/2" and "Maison Ikkoku" came before it. This is the first time Gosho Aoyama's product comes to the USA, so it'll take time.

Plus, VIZ did a horrible job with translation @_@

Although the thing about the name change might make some sense, the rest of this is absurd.

First of all, the fact that I had no idea that the author of Ranma 1/2 became terrible quicker than you can say "Goku is from outer space and has a brother" made Inuyasha or the fact that I've never heard the name Rumiko Takahashi before now might possibly say something about how "well-known" he is. And even if it doesn't, how many people outside of people who love internet message boards actually care about the author of a manga based on whatever anime is popular in America right now?

Also outside of the name changes, Viz's translation is almost flawless.

[cashman_11]

I would say for DC to become more popular, it would need a better time slot. I also think the DC -> CC change didn't help. The shows name isn't that bad, but before I knew about DC, I had a hard time finding anything more out about the show once Funi quit releasing new episodes for a while, and only then did I find out about DC. I think if the time slot changed and it was dubbed further, the show would catch on, especially if it got into the 300s+. However, I think the manga is doing well, as Viz is releasing it bimonthly and does a great job, other than the name changes.

[Deltath]

First of all, the fact that I had no idea that the author of Ranma 1/2 became terrible quicker than you can say "Goku is from outer space and has a brother" made Inuyasha or the fact that I've never heard the name Rumiko Takahashi before now might possibly say something about how "well-known" he is. And even if it doesn't, how many people outside of people who love internet message boards actually care about the author of a manga based on whatever anime is popular in America right now?

I find it mildly surprising that you didn't know they were created by the same person, actually.  Also, I don't find it at all unreasonable to assume that people are more likely to gravitate toward a series made by someone famous or at least someone who has created a previous work that they enjoyed.  Is it not entirely common to read books by an author you like, watch movies or television shows written/directed by the person who wrote/directed some of your favorite movies/shows or play games from a company that has produced plenty of ones in the past that you liked? 

I've been watching Dollhouse every week on FOX because it's a Joss Whedon show and I loved Firefly.  I have to say, too, that I probably wouldn't have even started watching it (or stuck with it) if it hadn't been made by him.

As far as people outside of internet message boards not caring, well, quite frankly, this is pretty much the first time I've ever bothered to post on a message board and I generally know the names of the mangaka related to the anime-adapted series I watch, even if I don't read the corresponding manga.  Maybe that's strange, but I'd wager a guess it's not entirely uncommon.

::Edit::
In regards to the main topic, I'd have to throw my two cents in with kyuuketsuki, at least partially.  Detective Conan is heavily dialogue-oriented.  From what I've seen so far, it's absolutely not an action fest, it's slower paced with more thinking involved (oh no, not thinking!).  Action is generally a more successful genre.  Also, to be fair, it isn't a series with a lot of forward plot momentum.  Everything I've seen, read and heard, there are shows with 26 episodes that have had more plot development than the entirety of Detective Conan.  That being said, it's that sort of show by design.  It's not about an ever-changing, fluid plot.  It's much more about the situation remaining relatively stagnant to put the focus more strongly on the cases, on the various crimes and Shinichi's ability to solve them.  This is also a nice venue for plenty of character development and character interaction, which I think is usually the most interesting part of a series anyway.  American television shows and movies, though, usually rely more on fast action plot momentum and ho-hum character development, so I can see why something like this wouldn't be immensely successful in the States.

[kkslider5552000]

I'm really sorry, but no matter how well you try to prove you are correct (and you are doing an amazing job) I can't take anything you say seriously after saying Viz's translation sucks.

Regardless, I will saythat even though it might have been a little bit more popular if it was called Detective Conan in America, I doubt the increase in popularity compared to now would be significant.


Also, maybe this is a dumb question, but is Trigun's popularity in America comparable to DBZ, Naruto, FMA or Inuyasha at all?