4Kids Entertainment

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4Kids
The current 4Kids logo
Type of Company Public (NYSE: KDE)
Founded 1970 (as Leisure Concepts, Inc.)
Headquarters New York City
Key people Alfred R. Kahn
Norman J. Grossfeld
Thomas J. Kenney
Bruce Raymond Foster
Samuel R. Newborn
Brian G. Lacey
Lee Ravdin
Industry TV production, licensing
Products 4Sight Licensing Solutions, Inc
4Kids TV
4Kids Productions
Revenue $5.1 million USD (2005)
Employees 360 (2006)
Website http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/

4Kids (NYSE: KDE) is a American film and television production company specializing in the acquisition, production and licensing of children's entertainment around the world. They are most known for their acquired television programs and heavily criticized editing practices.

Contents

[edit] 4Kids Productions

4Kids Productions is a wholly owned subsidiary of 4Kids Entertainment, and is responsible for the production of original or licensed properties owned by the company.

[edit] Current TV productions

4Kids Entertainment has production and/or distribution rights for the following current TV programming:

[edit] On-hiatus TV productions

The following TV programs are on hiatus, and their futures are unknown.

  • Mew Mew Power (Tokyo Mew Mew) (Cancelled again; 2nd season in hiatus)
  • One Piece (Possible halt on English production)
  • Sonic X (New episodes rumored to be in production.)

[edit] Former TV productions

The following TV programs have ended or expired (some are temporarily expired or ended) but were handled by 4Kids Entertainment along their run:

[edit] Other Properties handled by 4Kids Entertainment

NOTE: This list may not fully represent properties and licenses handled by 4Kids Entertainment

[edit] 4Kids TV

Main article: 4Kids TV

[edit] 4Sight Licensing Solutions Inc.

In April 19, 2006, 4Kids had announced a new subsidiary entitled 4Sight Licensing Solutions Inc.[1] According to 4Kids, 4Sight will license and market brands aimed at adults, teenagers and pre-teens. While none of 4Kids's current anime property will be moved to 4Sight, Todd Fromer of KCSA publicity, representing 4Kids, has said that isn't necessarily ruled out of the 4Sight lineup, but that anime lends itself more to a children's market.

[edit] 4Kids and Microsoft

On January 17, 2006, 4Kids and Microsoft signed a deal to license children's video games exclusively for the Xbox 360 gaming system, in an effort to put more child-oriented games on the system, whose gaming library is currently dominated by games targeted toward the 13-and-up market. [2] One of the first titles announced was Viva Piñata which would be developed by Rare Ltd.

[edit] Awards, honors & facts

In June 22, 2005, LIMA, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association, inducted 4Kids CEO & Chairperson Alfred R. Kahn into the Murray Altchuler Licensing Hall of Fame for his "continual and outstanding" contributions to the licensing industry for over 10 years.[3] Over those 10 years, Kahn and 4Kids had licensed such huge and popular properties such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Nintendo announced that as of January 1, 2006, 4Kids would not be handling most aspects of the Pokémon franchise, instead having Pokémon USA handle all aspects of the property in the United States. Previously, Pokémon USA and 4kids shared duties on Pokémon. The announcement also noted that the next Pokémon series, Battle Frontier, will not be handled by 4Kids. However, 4Kids will retain some control over any remaining Pokémon contracts set to expire later on.

Image:4Kidsold.jpg
Old 4Kids Logo

[edit] Criticism and controversy

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Further information: Editing of anime in American distribution

In order to show anime properties 4Kids acquires to its targeted demographics(children), 4Kids typically edits show content. Reasonings vary from Federal Communications Commission regulations and Broadcast Standards and Practices (BS&P) policies of television networks to "localizing" content for local consumption.[4][5] These edits often result in backlash within the existing anime fanbase.

Feelings with regards to the aired content have ranged from rage to apathy. Typical edits include, but are not limited to:

  • Removing items or incidents that may be deemed too violent or inappropriate for children.
  • Changing suggestive objects to less harmful objects (Cigarettes to lollipops, alcohol to juice, guns to squirt guns, etc.)
  • Removal of all overt religious symbols such as crucifixes, or Christmas Trees.
  • Alterations to visible text (such as the translation of Japanese kanji into English, and in vast majority of cases the complete removal of text that was originally in English).

In the case of Yu-Gi-Oh, for example, the issue of death is sidestepped: in the localized version, instead of being killed outright, the characters are sent to the "shadow realm."

These edits are made to broaden the shows' appeal and ensure that they reach their intended markets. Fans of the original, unedited shows claim that rather than broadening a shows appeal, they restrict it by alienating its pre-existing fan base. In this way, the controversy can be described as one between the original fans of a show, and those later fans of the show.

Opponents of localization contend that 4Kids has altered some of its titles to the point where they have lost the qualities that originally made them appealing in Japan, by rewriting entire storylines, altering character personalities, and replacing the original background music and themes.

In one case, 4Kids scriptwriter Michael Haigney admitted in an interview "I’ve never played the game, seen the series or read the comics" when asked about his experence with the Sonic the Hedgehog series.[5]

Comparison of the same scene in One Piece. Original Japanese version (top) and 4Kids edit of blackface. (below)
Enlarge
Comparison of the same scene in One Piece. Original Japanese version (top) and 4Kids edit of blackface. (below)

4Kids states that localization is necessary for their imported shows in order to make them more marketable to their target demographic. CEO Al Kahn has been quoted as saying, "By the time we localize the programs kids don’t even know they’re from Japan any more."[6]. Later, in an interview with Anime News Network, Kahn expressed that 4Kids attempts to "westernize anime so that children in English-speaking countries will understand it, and to us that is very critical."[4]

4Kids scriptwriter. Michael Haigney. provided a somewhat similar take on the matter. During an interview with a British anime faniste, and asked about the changes made to eliminate Japanese references, Haigney responded that most of the Japanese references are too obscure and don't provide room to explain it (the references) further. Japanese creators efforts to "create 'universal' characters and situations is lamented by Haigney, but explains that my job is to remake these series for a mass U.S. audience.".[5]

In 2004, 4Kids began testing the market for unedited versions of their properties by releasing uncut, bilingual DVDs of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Shaman King. While popular among the anime fanbase, the sales of these products were poor. Along with an alleged contract disagreement with the distributor, Funimation [citation needed], as of April 2005 future volumes of these titles have been delayed indefinitely.

Kahn states in his interview with Anime News Network that 4Kids is planning on extending uncut DVD releases to include all anime titles in their lineup at some point in the future; however, there is no further indication that this is still a priority.[4] It is also possible that the project has been cancelled entirely.

Statements and actions made by the company have prompted mixed reactions among anime fans. Criticism towards the localization of the original productions have gone as far as alleging that the company's practices displays xenophobic and/or jingoistic tendencies, due to the editing of a show to mask it's origination from Japan.

Kahn comments on his company's reasons for editing, stating:

"...if they want this programming to come to the United States then they're going to have to accept the fact that it's going to be available in two styles. Because the only money that can be made that helps pay for the acquisition is obviously whether or not we're able to outfit it for the masses. And fitting it for the masses requires editing. And if we didn't do that, it'd be very difficult for us to afford to bring it in, just to release it to the anime fan who would be looking for the uncut version."[4]

While Haigney states:

"I know some hardcore anime fans hate the fact that 4Kids doesn't simply air the original Japanese series with "literal" subtitles. I understand their feelings. I'd just ask them to remember that 4Kids has probably brought more anime to more viewers than any company in the world. It may not always be in the way some fans would like, but I think 4Kids has contributed greatly to the interest and availability of anime worldwide. Maybe that counts for something in their eyes."[5]


[edit] "Kids don't read!"

Kahn incited controversy when at a manga panel at the 2006 New York Comic-Con, he bluntly stated "Kids today don't read, they read less today." This incited some hisses from those present in the room, mainly librarians and other representatives of the book world. Kahn elaborated his comment by saying that "In every survey, we find that they're watching more television, they're on the Internet more, and that content, although being king, is very disposable. Because the way content gets put out now, it gets put out free. "[7] Viz Media's Liza Coppola responded to Kahn's words by bringing up Viz's partnership with the Read for America literacy campaign, stating "Manga is a great medium to bring kids back to reading."

Publishers Weekly noted in their online article that "(Kahn) noted that many people in the U.S. walk around with MP3 players or other electronic devices, whereas in Japan, everyone on the subway seems to have a '3,000-page manga'."[8]

In Japan, manga remains a wanted commodity due to the cheapness, wide selection that caters to all ages, and availability. Also, given the geography and the culture, the Japanese rely heavily on public transportation, unlike most areas of the United States, and as such, have time to read manga and other forms of printed media while commuting.

Mile High Comics' The Beat thought differently by stating "Those are words to heed, we think. Anyone who isn't planning for a world of ever increasingly electronic gadgetry is already living in the past. But when did anyone in comics really show vision?"[9].

[edit] Leadership Team

  • Alfred R. Kahn Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
  • Norman J. Grossfield has been President of 4Kids Productions, Inc., 4Kids’ television, film and home video production subsidiary, since February 1994. For two years prior to such time, he was President of Gold Coast Television Entertainment, a television production company. Prior to such time, Mr. Grossfeld served as Coordinating Director for NBC Sports from 1991 through 1992, and as Producer/Director for Television Programming Enterprises from 1988 to 1991.
  • Thomas J. Kenney is 4Kids's Vice President.
  • Bruce Raymond Foster has been Chief Financial Officer since December 1, 2005. From August 2002 to December 2005, Mr. Foster was 4Kids’ Senior Vice President of Finance. For more than four years prior to such time, Mr. Foster was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, most recently as an Audit Director.
  • Samuel R. Newborn has been the General Counsel since January 2000. Prior to joining 4Kids, Mr. Newborn was a partner in the law firm of Janklow, Newborn & Ashley for more than five years.
  • Brian G. Lacey has been Executive Vice President of International for 4Kids since July 2003. Prior to joining 4Kids, Lacey was the President and founder of Lacey Entertainment, a New York-based worldwide television marketing, production, and distribution company, specializing in innovative and creative approaches in the packaging, production and launching of television series in the U.S. and around the world.
  • Lee Ravdin was named President of The Summit Media Group on February 13, 2006. He has over 30 years of experience as a planner and buyer of kids’ media. Previously, he was President of Lake End Consulting, a full service media company specializing in the design and execution of media campaigns. He started his own media buying agency, Lee Media, in 1981 and sold it to Toy Biz/Tangible Industries in 1988. He continued to run Lee Media until 1999, when he started Lake End.

[edit] Other countries

  • United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland - Several 4Kids TV-distributed cartoons (notably the Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon franchises) are currently carried by leading subscription entertainment channel Sky One, generally in early morning slots. (Note that Sky is a corporate relative of Fox, via parent company News Corporation.) Other channels which show or have shown 4Kids properties include CITV, Jetix, Nickelodeon UK and Toonami in the United Kingdom, and RTÉ 2 in the Republic of Ireland.

[edit] References

  1. ^ 4Kids Launches 4Sight Licensing Solutins animenewsnetwork.com Accessed April 18, 2006.
  2. ^ Microsoft and 4Kids Entertainment Form Alliance 4kidsentertainment.com Accessed 17 January 2006.
  3. ^ 4Kids CEO Honored animenewsnetwork.com Accessed 13 January 2005.
  4. ^ a b c d Alfred R. Kahn Anime News Network. Accessed 24 April 2005.
  5. ^ a b c d Mr. Michael Haigney Interview (4Kids) animeboredom.co.uk. Accessed February 24, 2006.
  6. ^ Tokyo Mew Mew Licensed Anime News Network. Accessed 02 February 2004.
  7. ^ 'Manga Is a Problem'And Other Highlights from the ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference icv2.com March 05, 2006 accessed September 1, 2006
  8. ^ Manga: Essential or Disposable? publishersweekly.com Accessed 24 February 2006
  9. ^ MILE HIGH COMICS presents THE BEAT at COMICON.com comicon.com Accessed 24 February 2006

[edit] External links

Official 4Kids websites

Interviews with 4Kids staff

Selected criticism

[edit] Specific edits made by 4Kids

- There are many websites that show comparisons between the original Japanese version of a show acquired by 4Kids and its edited, North American version. By series:

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