Pre-Production - The Last Breath - Platform Research

Netflix is expanding its selection of Original Anime, with 30 different Anime lined up, they are changing the industry, rather than the typical format of weekly releases on television, Netflix puts an entire series up in one go. The Anime industry is one that suffers greatly from online piracy, even large franchises such as Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist struggle to make profits from their work, instead relying on income from merchandise instead.

By having all the episodes in one place which is easy to access and legal many people would rather pay the subscription for Netflix than open up their computers for potential threats online, This way Netflix can finance an entire series from a Animation Studio, this format whilst different and controversial is revitalizing the industry.

It is also generating interest in the genre from its viewers, a greater choice of Anime is up for a viewers perusal, people can have one place to watch a series they enjoy. The new format of “Binge-Watching” content is generating large amounts of revenue for struggling studios.

However I am pitching The Last Breath to Netflix due to its stance on LGBT content along with its greater freedom than a regular distributor. Many of which restrict what type of content can be shown in a show, such as reducing violent content, sexual content or even censoring subject matter they may feel their viewers would dislike, such as homosexuality or transgender topics.

Since one of the main characters in The Last Breath is gender neutral, Netflix has previously depicted characters as neutral such as Izuna from Knights Of SIdonia. However they do transition to female later in the series, and they were born neutral, with the genetic modification that when they chose a partner they would develop the parts required.

 

Another non-binary character is in Attack on Titan, Hange Zoe is referred to as both male and female pronouns and author Hajime Isayama asked the studio to refer to them with gender neutral pronouns, or equal amounts male or female pronouns at least.

Netflix relies on subscriptions for their income rather than viewership, shows which contain LGBT characters are less likely to be approved by TV Broadcasters, times are changing however and the industry is becoming more accepting, but networks who rely on viewership of the show have to appeal a larger audience and can even be influenced by the advertisers who pay for screen time.

Netflix can still make money even if no one watches the show, therefore they are able to include these characters with little risk, this is why I am aiming The Last Breath for Netflix, they are able to take a risk on a show and not take as big of a hit as a network may.