Anime distributor AnimEigo, in collaboration with its parent company MediaOCD, has announced the release of The Anime Business, a documentary series that explores the history and growth of the anime industry in North America. The series is planned to featurere interviews with key figures who played big roles in bringing Japanese animation to Western audiences.
The documentary aims to provide insights into how anime evolved from a niche interest to a multi-billion-dollar global industry. The series is produced and hosted by Justin Sevakis, a long-time industry veteran and founder of MediaOCD, who acquired AnimEigo in 2024. Sevakis, also known as the founder of Anime News Network and for his contributions to numerous anime releases, has played a key role in restoring classic anime titles, including Project A-ko, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, and Macross II.
The first episode of the series, now available on AnimEigo’s official YouTube channel, features an in-depth interview with John O’Donnell, former Managing Director of Central Park Media, once a leader in anime distribution in North America.
The interview covers a range of topics, including the history of anime on U.S. television, the founding of Central Park Media, and its impact on the industry. Other key moments in the discussion include insights into the early days of anime sales and branding, the release of Dominion Tank Police, the cultural impact of Project A-ko, and the anatomy of anime fandom during the rise of the industry.
Subsequent episodes will continue to highlight the contributions of industry pioneers, with Episode 2—set to debut this month—featuring Robert Napton, former Director of Marketing and Producer at US Renditions, and Episode 3 in April spotlighting Tim Eldred, the writer and founder of ourstarblazers.com.
The Anime Business will be available in English, with Japanese subtitles provided through a special grant from the Kleckner Foundation. Additional episodes are currently in production, and fans interested in supporting the project can contribute through MediaOCD’s crowdfunding platform.
Source: Press Release
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