Andrea Scherer's comments on Zelda in Japan (from her message board, 10/22/2002)

So far, (cataloging my entire life, even the exchange students I befriended in middle school) I haven't even met a Japanese anime fan O.o I have a Japanese pen-pal I met via an anime friendbook ring who writes doujinshi, but since I didn't meet her by chance I'm not going to include her. I have met people who used to like anime or who may sometimes catch whatever is popular on TV at the moment, but nobody who is as crazy about it as I am. It's looked down upon here, so many fans conceal it, so I may have met one and not known! So, unfortunately I don't know any Japanese artists who would contribute to this site. :/ As far as Zelda is concerned, I think the popularity of it in Japan is probably about the same as it is in the U.S., for comparison sake. A lot of people know about Zelda in the U.S., as they do in Japan, but not so many people have played it. People who are video game fans definitely know what Zelda is (in Japan or abroad), but even amongst them there may not be anyone who has played it. I've found in the U.S. a lot of people who have never played Zelda (or any other video games for that matter), but were fans of the cartoon show as kids and are so somewhat familar with the story and characters (even though I count the TV show as a seperate entity). Also, compared to games like Final Fantasy, which is EXTREMELY popular in Japan (as is Dragon Quest), Zelda is concerned "kiddy stuff." I found the Zelda manga at a bookstore the other day in the "Children's Section." Those who have actually played Zelda know this to not be the case! Zelda appeals to a wide range of people. Zelda is popular, as is Mario and Kirby ans Sonic, but not so much of a hoot is made about them as FF and Dragon Quest games are. Hope that answers your question, in some meandering way! ^.^;;