Propelled into the upper echelons of animated entertainment with the run away success of the Dragaonball Z franchise, FUNimation has transformed from a small Texas outfit to a multi-million dollar corporation under the auspices of its president Gen Fukunaga. But the company's history has been dogged with controversy. Vociferous Dragonball Z purists objected en bulk to the company's dubbing and, often times, editing of their beloved show in the interest of commercial viability in this country. FUNimation's tactics paid off with sales figures through the roof and the establishment of anime on Cartoon Network. Dragonball Z is still on Cartoon Network, outliving other anime gems screened on both the Toonami afternoon block and the edgier, late night Adult Swim block.

However, it's the Adult Swim that points at another controversy involving FUNimation's aims to target a wider demographic. Yu Yu Hakusho scored big its first week on Cartoon Network, garnering one million viewers for its Feb. 23 premiere. According to FUNimation's official Yu Yu Hakusho website, though, most of that audience came from boys and girls 6 - 11, which prompts the question of children staying up late to watch the show. And, more importantly, if Cartoon Network feels it necessary to relegate the mature show to the Adult Swim slot, is it wise for FUNimation to tout their targeting the 6 - 11 demographic? This discrepancy between intended and target audience is also lost on JACCC.

"We were looking to mount a Family Anime Event and we suggested Dragonball Z due to the tremendous popularity in the U.S.," Matsui explains. "Chris Padilla approached FUNimation for Dragonball Z and they suggested the possibility of the two new releases Yu Yu Hakusho and Blue Gender." However, considering that anime is only feebly understood as thematically diverse even in fan circles, it's not surprising that the JACCC has overlooked the mature themes in these latter two series. And the JACCC mission to promote elements of Japanese culture in Los Angeles is still intact.

Sentiments about FUNimation on the internet range from the urbane "it sucks" to an acerbically sarcastic "they rock." The most favorable assessment to be found in a cursory search is "they're not that bad." And some family interest groups have taken up the standard against the more irresponsible aspects of FUNimation's marketing machine. But there's no denying the company's colossal success. And if their present marketing direction is inclusive of fan feedback and is sensitive to the subtleties of Japanese American culture, then FUNimation is not only growing financially but also philosophically.

The JACCC presents Anime Comes to the JACCC on Saturday, March 23 at 4 pm and 8pm at The George & Sakaye Aratani/Japan America Theatre, located at 244 South San Pedro Street in Downtown, LA (Little Tokyo). Tickets for 3 hours of film are: $7 General Admission, $5 JACCC Members, $6 Seniors, Groups (10+), $5 Students day of show. To purchase tickets, call the Aratani/Japan America Theatre box office, 213-680-3700, Monday-Saturday, 12 noon - 5 pm and Sundays only on performance days.

Visit the JACCC website at www.JACCC.org.

Visit the FUNimation website at www.FUNimation.com.