Why do you like anime?

[Jedi_Master]

I get this question a lot from people. Most think of Pokemon when I mention anime.

I appreciate the soaring musical scores and theme songs and the animation, which can be simply astounding. But there are two things I tell people about anime that measure up to anything on TV.

First, great characters who are compelling, complex, and often sympathetic. The character development as the story progresses is often surprisingly good.

Second, the storytelling is second to none. Yes, there is the occassional mindless eye candy or action trash. But most of the time the depth of the story for these shows is outstanding, and certainly better than most of what's on TV.

Yet I can't convince ANYONE to watch anime. They seems to recoil in fear and disgust when I suggest they try watching it, as if they just discovered a genital wart on themselves.

So, what do you tell people when they ask why you like anime?

[schismatics]

So, what do you tell people when they ask why you like anime?

Personally I believe its a great way of telling a story.



I'd like to insert a big long rant on the awesomeness of animes but I can't think straight right now cuz I'm tired.

[Baz]

At least part of it is very simple for me: I like animation, and most animation from Europe and North America is either (a) too artsy for my tastes or (b) too childish and overacted. I do love The Simpsons, Pixar, and classic Disney and WB output, though.

I don't bother to justify the fact that I watch Anime to anyone. I only have two friends who even know that I watch it.

Oh, and another reason for liking Anime: I am quite anthrobopic and for some reason listening to foreign languages doesn't bother me as much as listening to English. That's also why I prefer animation over live action, why I find animals easier to get along with than people, etc.

[NAveryW]

I don't like most anime.

[Mr. Tines]

Most think of Pokemon when I mention anime.

It could be worse.

Back in the day, there was a big fuss in the UK about "video nasties" -- trashy 18-rated films out on VHS-- being things that kids could get hold of (rather than being kept out of cinemas for being under age). One of the titles that got caught up in the fuss was Urotsukidoji -- so for many years later, the association was "anime = tentacle porn".

The main attraction is that it's neither American mawkish sentimentality nor British miserablist; also 3D is usually pig disgusting.

The last point especially -- I'm watching RisPara ATM; and every so often I get these images of what it would be like as live action (which it could easily be) with a European cast, and cringe.

I've found that people who are already predisposed to geeky things (those into SF & pen-and-paper RPGs) seem to be the most likely fellow viewers (or potentially so), though this is not 100%. One such friend from college days has his tastes audited by his wife who did an Eng. Lit. degree, and she frowns on the big googly eyes -- OTOH, even she was won over by Chi's Sweet Home, a title that appeals to cat lovers everywhere.

When the subject comes up at work (usually in the context of our not having a TV), I say that I watch Japanese TV cartoons; it usually ends up that people are surprised/fascinated/bemused that there is a cottage industry in subtitling the material, more than in the material itself.

I don't like most anime.

This too.

[ZapX]

I don't think I've ever been asked that question. I just look at anime the same way I do any movie, program, game, song/piece, or whatever. I dislike more than I enjoy, but some things just click with you.

I was lucky enough to have people like Ornette and Tokster who enjoy the same things I do to recommend shows as I started watching anime. I watch slice of life, romance, and drama primarily. I prefer character driven stories. There are a lot characters to fall in love with or relate to or enjoy watching develop in shows like these. I guess that's why I like what I like.

[Tsachoul]

I see anime as simply another medium to tell a story, the fact that it is animated in some far off country has nothing to do with it. It just so happens that anime tell stories that are superior to most television shows, as well as having the capacity for greater character development and telling larger stories than movies. Sure, many anime titles would be truly cringe-worthy if adapted to live action (FLCL stands out for me), but I feel that that is more down to the type of stories in the anime in question, rather than the medium itself. In the same way, there are many books, or television series that would not work as movies, or vice-versa.

I find myself having to keep telling people that anime is not a genre any more than film is a genre.

[Joseph the PRPD]

I get this question a lot from people. Most think of Pokemon when I mention anime.

Most people on my school(and on my team) are simple minded ghetto assholes who would assume that "ain't most anime be the same?" or as one person on my team stated "isn't all that shit like Pokemon?" or they would think the only anime out there would be the ones that had aired on Toonami.

A thousand times over

@topic

Why do I like anime? *shrugs* I just do. I like the overall style I guess.

[Guyver Spawn]

I don't know why but I just love Japan in general and it a amazing country. I have been a anime fan since I was four or five when I saw Toro and I enjoy overall style of anime. I enjoy more adult animes though and I like a very few shoens.

[Dr. Nick]

Yes, there is the occassional mindless eye candy or action trash.

"Occasional?"

But most of the time the depth of the story for these shows is outstanding, and certainly better than most of what's on TV.

"Most of the time?"

[oOoOoOo]

Disney did a one-day conference at our national arts centre several years back, and I still remember the presenter laughing at a guy who asked if Disney intended to ever make stories aimed at older audiences. The presenter was essentially "Oh, you're a pervert, eh? Disney isn't DISGUSTING like you are." X_X

This is perhaps why the Disney dubs of Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, et al. were all released in limited theatres under the Miramax brand. When Princess Mononoke came out on DVD, I watched it with my lover at the time (a more worldly person than me, if you can imagine), and they freaked the fuck out when there was blood or cussing (i.e. "bastard"). I've also heard people say they cannot sympathize with 2D images. They are often the same who say they cannot read subtitles and watch at the same time. They were also, uh, less academically adept, now that I think of it. (Yes, I'm cruel.) -_- But I imagine most people just have misconceptions.

If I want animation that is aimed at people old enough to vote, I have to turn to Japan. It isn't part of a Japan fetish or anything (I'm more obsessive about Germany), but rather a product of globalization and my interests being met elsewhere.

I also like stories with a beginning and end, and plenty of anime series end after a season or two. I prefer longer, structured narratives over monster-of-the-week episodic stuff.

[Omegagouki]

I just look at anime the same way I do any movie, program, game, song/piece, or whatever.

Pretty much this.

[BrikHaus]

Because of the tentacle rape.

[GAP]

And who doesn't like tentacle rape. But seriously, I believe it is the medium and the fact that anime is the only genre I know of where girls can be be more or less anatomically "correct" and have huge chests without looking funny.

[The Bastard King]

The big googly eyes.

[Ironfoot]

You know, I honestly don't know. lol

Actually, I do watch most anime for the story as long as its not overly way over the top cutesy. And I only like science fiction anime, as it turns out. I tried others (Kenshin), but they got very boring very quickly. If it has a good story and it has spaceships or good technology, I'll probably watch it.

[Axell]

I see anime as simply another medium to tell a story, the fact that it is animated in some far off country has nothing to do with it. It just so happens that anime tell stories that are superior to most television shows, as well as having the capacity for greater character development and telling larger stories than movies. Sure, many anime titles would be truly cringe-worthy if adapted to live action (FLCL stands out for me), but I feel that that is more down to the type of stories in the anime in question, rather than the medium itself. In the same way, there are many books, or television series that would not work as movies, or vice-versa.

I find myself having to keep telling people that anime is not a genre any more than film is a genre.

yup. Although anime has caused me to love many things Japanese, just not their lifestyle.

[Sailor Star Dust]

I just look at anime the same way I do any movie, program, game, song/piece, or whatever. I dislike more than I enjoy, but some things just click with you.

Believe it or not, this is how I feel with anime as well.

[Guyver Spawn]

I just look at anime the same way I do any movie, program, game, song/piece, or whatever.

I agree with this post and I do enjoy Manga more then most comics. Since Manga is much more easy to get into since you would have to read most PC comics to under stand the origins of Superman or The Spectre.

[Evangerion]

It's always been a part of my life, in one way or another. I grew up on Sailormoon and DBZ, and from there it just progressed. My friends and I were into anime together; I think if it weren't for them, it would've just been a passing phase.

I'm a sucker for interesting storylines, and really good art/cg. It's a plus if the music is good, too.

There's isn't a whole lot that I like these days, though. I lack the time and effort to seriously get into any new series. Who knows, maybe I might try a new series this summer during my free time. >>