Whether you like him or hate him, we can all agree on President Donald Trump’s positive achievements that he’s made in regard to freedom of speech and protection from internet censorship imposed by European governments. The first starting with the corrupt payment processors and his executive order in tackling their corruption. Secondly, his hostile and bold opposition to the insane internet censorship and surveillance that has been occurring in Europe and parts of the world lately. Regardless of your political position, right, or left, we can all agree on the dangerous consequences of censorship, corruption, and mass surveillance. Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Unfortunately, there’s one glaring issue that a lot of people, including myself, can’t stand, and that’s the tariffs. The policy of tariffs has become a major issue for us, the American otaku. Ever since, the president has begun his tariffs’ policy worldwide, with the topic being specifically about Japan, the life of otaku investment on many specific goods like figures, cosplay, and other stuff have been GREATLY disrupted. From the specific tariffs on certain sections, to tariffs on other nations that contribute to making and importing these goods, and finally, the removal of the De Minimus rule that has caused a MAJOR disruption among Japanese companies that export these goods to the United States. Now, another major issue is occurring for the American otaku, and it’s the topic of foreign made films, the potential tariffs, and the impact it will have on the movie industry, but, exactly what’s going on, and should we be worried?

So, as stated before, President Trump has announced a potential 100% levy on movies made outside the United States. The part that you just read is a VERY important piece of statement that unfortunately a lot of people haven’t mentioned at all or explained what it’s about. So, to sum it in a nutshell, this is the official statement from the president himself.

So exactly what the President said. This tariff isn’t directly involved in making anime, and all sorts of Japanese films, expensive. This tariff is, according to the President, aimed at production studios who outsource their jobs to other countries, like Canada, The United Kingdom, and other foreign nations. It is a method used by Hollywood to cut costs and avoid all sorts of harsh expenses. So in other words, if a studio like Ufotable is showing an anime movie such as Demon Slayer in American theaters, it won’t be affected. On the contrary, if a movie from say a production studio like Warner Bros, is producing a film outside the US, then that’s when the tariffs will be put in place against those countries and discourage the studios from producing films outside the US. This is done by the president to strengthen US movie production in the country after years of decline and outsourcing.

So basically, in terms of both cinema, and home media, anime, and tokusatsu, is completely unaffected by this tariff as this new rule by the president is to directly aim at Hollywood studios outsourcing their jobs. Now, the question is, what would happen if one day, such a rule like implanting tariffs on foreign films happen? Specifically for anime and tokusatsu films? Well, this is what would happen.

If such a tariff is implemented, that includes all foreign film, and which applies to anime and tokusatsu, sadly, for us otaku, this will probably be the most devastating of the tariffs that’s been implemented on otakus goods. Far worse than figures and cosplay. Want to know why? Well, it’s simple, it’s because watching anime, or tokusatsu, is our motherboard that keeps us otaku moving, because without anime or tokusatsu, then what are we doing? We buy Demon Slayer merchandise or cosplay characters like Tanjiro because we love the franchise, the practice of our passion, and want to interact with it in real life. So yes, that would be VERY devastating. Here’s what will happen.

First, home media of anime and live action will double in price. Let’s say example, if you want to buy a My Dress Up Darling, or Ultraman 1966 Blu-ray, that price will go up from 20 dollars, to 40 dollars. Although the jump doesn’t seem so bad, believe me, it is when you are the type of person to haul up on multiple home media. You know, like what I do!

As for the tickets, prices could rise from 15 dollars, to 24–26 dollars if tariffs are directly aimed at ticket prices as well. Of course, this has yet to happen, but one thing for sure, it will cause a MASSIVE headache among streaming services like Crunchyroll. The thing is, that seems VERY unlikely to happen, but if it were to happen, then your ticket prices would double a lot. Meaning, if you have more than one person with you, that could cause a HUGE hassle… For now, like home media, your ticket prices will remain cheap.

Putting aside everything else, that’s really it… I understand the concern and issue, but, this news was so out of context and out of proportion that I can’t believe some fell for the false narrative…

So there you have it. Lately, there’s been a massive panic over this announcement, but yet, the president has yet to even implement this into rule just yet. Not even directly towards Hollywood. I’ve seen a lot of people put up false statements saying the President is doing this because Demon Slayer is dominating Hollywood. Although I do take this with great pride as an otaku, I also don’t like the fact that a false narrative is being pushed, and it seems like it has to do more with political beliefs than actual statements. Even I fell for this when I first heard the news, but after doing some research, everything is just okay. Even then, tariffs being implemented on foreign films can’t work as the process is VERY complicated and even goes against US international trade standards. So…

Enjoy watching your Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen at the movie theaters this year because I’m doing it!

Thanks for reading! What do you think? Let me know in the comments!