Japanese Media Culture?

Question

How is it that the Japanese release such expensive and unique packages to many things such as videogame collections, anime, music, and movies? (that include special packages, soundtracks, art collections, etc.)

How much does it actually cost to produce this stuff? Do enough people buy this stuff? Do Japanese people make enough to buy this sort of stuff?

Are the companies that produce this stuff really that big and popular in Japan? (as in, they have enough money to make small amounts of something like this as opposed to mass production and still be successful)

How is it that Ps3 has sold like 400,000+ copies in Japan...do that many people really invest into gaming/entertainment products? (I'm only asking this because...well, Ps3 is kinda expensive no?...)

Answer 1

The expensive cost is yes, sometimes due to their fancy packaging, but people actually do buy these stuff! Actually, the better packaging, it probably sells better. It doesn't only applies to games and CDs, it's probably almost all the products--even food and medicine. The cuter the package, the more people consume it (Because I saw in this documentary in Japan, of an American people being interviewed in Japan. They said that if Tylenol had packages like the ones they do in Japan, Americans wouldn't probably buy them.)

I'm not sure about the actual cost to make them, but yes, people do make money to pay for those stuff (Some people use the additional money, called "bonus" that's give twice a year to buy extra things). I'm not exactly a game/anime fan, but even if they didn't have money, the people who want it would save their money, or spend the money on the games, and cut the use of other things, like food and clothes (which seems kind of weird...I would rather eat good food than buy games!)

Well, I think many people in Japan know that the game companies do make a lot of money--people assume that if you work there, you'll get a lot of money because so many people in Japan buy it and/or there are other countries around the world that are incorporating the Japanese games into their market.

Playstation 3s are expensive! I know! I saw them on ads and I was like, what?! Anyway, yes, people do buy them. It's partly because in Japan, people like to keep up with the trend--get new stuff once they come out. With the old one...some people keep it and others don't. (I'm Japanese, and I don't have the new games or anything...so don't assume that all Japanese people invest much in games/comics. I still have Nintendo 64 that I got 10 years ago (lol)).

Answer 2

Well, companies in Japan, much like companies here in the U.S. wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't helping their bottom line. They are in buisness too.

I bet that as many people over there are into gaming/entertainment products as here because the PS3 is 600 bucks and they're always sold out here too.

Answer 3

For me it is the artistry and semi wackiness/fascination with particular characters and animation. The technologies is excellent---earlier than that's time,everywhere.Gaming. the human beings look stoic and heavily immune to outdoors cultures. it is exciting,yet not overly captivating. the guy who suggested jap custom mimics ecu, would not understand what he's even speaking about, somewhat.