Monster Eater Launches in North America with "Light Anime" Format
Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST), a rising trend in the anime world, is adding another production to its lineup. Japanese media giant Remow has announced that it will broadcast the "light anime" version of the Monster Eater series on its It's Anime channel. This special screening, planned for viewers in North America, will premiere this Friday at 10:00 PM (EDT) with the first three episodes of the series.
So, what exactly is this "light anime" format that we have been hearing about frequently lately? Unlike traditional, high-budget, and fully animated series, the light anime format is generally created by digitally animating original manga panels, incorporating sound effects, and featuring contributions from professional voice actors. For fast-paced and visually-focused stories like Monster Eater, this format offers fans a dynamic experience without compromising the spirit of the original illustrations. This method allows niche series, in particular, to reach the global market more quickly.
Monster Eater (known in Japanese as Kaijuu Kurai) follows the adventures of a hero who hunts monsters in a fantasy world to survive and gains power by cooking them. The series draws attention with both its action-packed scenes and the culinary culture elements that appear from time to time. Remow's move shows that not only popular mainstream anime but also productions that blend such unique and different genres can find a place in the western market.
From an industrial perspective, the rise of FAST channels like It's Anime is fundamentally changing anime viewing habits. In addition to subscription-based platforms like Crunchyroll or Netflix, ad-supported free models offer viewers a legal and accessible alternative. The broadcast of Monster Eater on this platform will not only expand the series' fan base but may also pave the way for more "light anime" projects in the future. Following the first three episodes, new episodes of the series are expected to arrive at regular intervals.
