Japanese Animation Theory discussion

It was a great read, thanks Peter.

In semi-related news, I'm working on an assignment right now where I need to do research on an occupation for a short story, which I of course chose animator, and I came across this odd American's journey into and out of the anime industry.
The guy, now girl, it seems, obviously has mental problems, but what a fascinating life he/she has lived.

http://www.janscottfrazier.com/images/janpics/anime.htm

If you've got an hour to kill I would recommend going to that link, and clicking on "my life in anime."

Wow, that story was crazy.

Yeah, it's pretty impressive isn't it.

I found some academic analysis of Japanese animation fandom, while clicking around. http://fandrogyny.livejournal.com

(look under the tag 'fanthropology')

Hey, to anyone who might know. Do in-betweeners ever still use light boxes or is it all digital now.

A digital tablet is still a thousand times (literally) more expensive than a fluorescent light box.
Most inbetweeners currently use paper and pencil.

I had one key animator on Tomb Raider who draws on a tablet, but he still has to print out his drawings and peg them so they can be inbetweened traditionally.

Thanks, I appreciate the response. Whenever I'm uncertain if something is factual or not I completely freeze up mentally. It's an awful, awful flaw to have if I want to be a writer, but right now I just have to work around it.

Thought I'd put this back up, as there is good information here.