Power vs. Success: A Deep Dive into the Anime Industry with Saturday AM Founder Fredrick Jones | Ep. 247

2025-04-15

"Art is messy."- Fredrick Jones In this episode of the Suuuper Anime Podcast, Ed and Solo welcome back Frederick, the founder of Saturday AM, to discuss the significant milestones achieved by the company over the past decade. They delve into the importance of representation in manga, the challenges faced by black creators in the industry, and the distinction between success and power. Frederick shares insights on the need for long-term thinking in representation and the importance of visibility for creators of colour. The discussion cu...

"Art is messy."- Fredrick Jones

In this episode of the Suuuper Anime Podcast, Ed and Solo welcome back Frederick, the founder of Saturday AM, to discuss the significant milestones achieved by the company over the past decade. They delve into the importance of representation in manga, the challenges faced by black creators in the industry, and the distinction between success and power. Frederick shares insights on the need for long-term thinking in representation and the importance of visibility for creators of colour.

The discussion culminates in a debate about the distinction between the magic created by manga authors vs the lack of competency for many who don’t have the magic; emphasizing that while some stories achieve greatness, others struggle to meet audience expectations.

Discussion Points

Welcome Back and Celebrating Milestones
Achievements and Recognition in Manga
The Journey of Saturday AM and Its Impact
Representation in Manga and the Importance of Diversity
Power vs. Success in the Creative Industry
The Need for Long-Term Thinking in Representation
Challenges Faced by Black Creators in the Industry
The Importance of Visibility and Representation
The Future of Saturday AM and Empowering Creators
Navigating Brand Protection and Community Support
The Importance of Authentic Representation in Media
Anticipating Animated Adaptations of Manga
Exploring the Concept of Saturday Wars
Trends in Manga Endings and Industry Pressures
The Power Dynamics in Storytelling
The Evolution of Manga and Anime
The Challenges of Storytelling and Endings
The Impact of Social Media on Consumer Perception
The Role of Competency in Storytelling
The Magic vs. Competency Debate
Concluding Thoughts on Storytelling in Manga and Anime

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