In search of information on the new series "Powerpuff Girls Z", I went to
the web site for Cartoon Network Japan:
http://www.cartoonnetwork.co.jp
I can highly recommend this site to American animation fans. Don't worry
if
you don't know Japanese. AFAICT all the site content is available in
English. In many ways, the Japanese CN is superior to the American
version.
What made Cartoon Network great in the early years was that it presented
such a wide variety of animation. It had the old stuff (Warner Bros / MGM
Cartoons, old school Hanna-Barbera), new cartoons (new school
Hanna-Barbera), cartoons for young kids (Small World, Big Bag), cartoons
for
adults (Space Ghost Coast to Coast, years before Adult Swim), cartoons for
niche audiences (O Canada!, Late Nite Black and White), and cartoon shows
for scholars (Toon Heads, and the director-based shows).
In recent years, however, the American version of CN has narrowed its
focus
considerably. Now it's Anime, Cartoon Cartoons and Adult Swim, and nothing
else. In contrast, CN Japan has maintained its diversity. Late Nite Black
and White is shown twice each weekend, for an hour. The new Cartoon
Cartoon
shows are shown along with the old WB / MGM stuff. Moreover, CN Japan has
a
puppet animation show, something that I don't think CN USA ever did.
The site does have a link for subscribing to CN Japan. Frankly, I'd love
to
do so.
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