The appeal of Anime

[Worgen]

whats the appeal of cop shows or sitcoms or reality tv or anything?

 

[Risingblade]

Where else are you going to watch two giant robots fights in space? I honestly do not know

 

[eelel]

I just don't see it. Aesthetically it all looks almost identical to me, the dialogue frequently seems overwrought, and poorly written, and the delivery is melodramatic at best, and cringeworthy at worst. The stories seem to never make sense to me, yet they almost always seem to feature some array of teenagers, each with their own flavor of angst. I suppose my overall attitude can be summed up with one word, namely stale. Then, perhaps I'm being close-minded. If anyone can sway my thoughts to the contrary, I would more then welcome it.

It would be helpfull if you told us what you have seen.

 

[4484448444844484]

-snip-

Care to put forth a suggestion?

Spoiler: spoilered for size

I haven't seen everything on this chart but most of them are solid suggestions. I would recommend starting with Ghost in the Shell; it was the first real anime I watched and I loved it. Haibane Renmei and Serial Experiments Lain are also excellent. Higurashi is one of my personal favorites, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to someone as their first anime series.

 

[Rabid Toilet]

Care to put forth a suggestion?

Well, just off the top of my head:

Ghost in the Shell
Cowboy Bebop
Spice and Wolf
Black Lagoon
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Panty and Stocking

 

[gundamrx101]

Because Anime likes to trend where most western shows (unless it's HBO or SHowcase) steer clear. Yeah the dialogue can be pretty blah (as mentioned in other posts lost in translation) and some are just completely brain hurting (Victory Gundam) but some are really good, and some aren't. It's 50/50 with anime, which is safe to say the same about everything else.

 

[Trivun]

As a former huge anime fan, the appeal lied (notice past tense) in the aesthetics and the general covering of subject matter American animation stayed away from.

Some of my favorite works of fiction, even today, are anime, but as a whole, when scrutinized thoughtfully, anime is (mostly) terrible. Japanese storytelling in general is flawed; someone needs to tell them how real dialogue works, the meaning of the word "contrived," and how to thoughtfully use ambiguity instead of just shoehorning in meaningless symbolism (ala Evangelion).

With regards to the dialogue issue, bear in mind that unless you speak Japanese, you're seeing a translation. Whether it's dubs or subs, something will always be lost, just as if you translate from German or French or Italian. And also bear in mind you're dealing with a syllabary and completely different symbols used for letters and syllables than our own alphabet. Which simple exacerbates the problem.

Also, on the storytelling side of things, in general, you're looking at a different culture. They tell stories in a similar way to how they've told them for donkey's years, so what seems 'contrived' to us isn't the same to them, and symbolism is a staple of how they tell stories. There are significant differences, remember that you're looking at something originally created for a completely different audience and was only made for Western audiences as an afterthought, if you like. Besides, I personally quite like the 'meaningless symbolism'. You're looking at a guy who prefers the Matrix sequels to the original film, after all...

 

[mireko]

Care to put forth a suggestion?

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (and Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell movie, but not the second one).

Kino no Tabi/Kino's Journey

Haibane Renmei

Paranoia Agent

Serial Experiments Lain (although I should warn you that this one is slightly incomprehensible)

I could also point out that there are loads of non-melodramatic, non-angsty comedy series. I'm assuming that's not the kind of recommendation you're looking for, though, since that list would take forever.

-snip-

Care to put forth a suggestion?

Spoiler: spoilered for size

I haven't seen everything on this chart but most of them are solid suggestions. I would recommend starting with Ghost in the Shell; it was the first real anime I watched and I loved it. Haibane Renmei and Serial Experiments Lain are also excellent. Higurashi is one of my personal favorites, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to someone as their first anime series.

There's an expanded version of that with genres here.

Not that I agree with absolutely all the recommendations on it (I really don't).

 

[genamp]

In fact, I find that most Japanese storytelling techniques highlight realism and humanity in most conversational aspects.

Well, there is a diversity of plots. But I don't think this [http://www.animeseason.com/kore-wa-zombie-desuka] and this [http://www.animeseason.com/seto-no-hanayome] and much more anime are "realistic".

Very, very true, but I was specifically talking about the dialogue amongst the characters. It's highlighted as more realistic and humanistic--which is to say that it is rationally more centered around human emotions and the like--especially when compared to most other forms of television, and the associated medium. I'd not say something as egregious as "realistic plots and plot devices in anime". No, that's just silly. Irrational plots are just another driver factor to me.

 

[FoOd77]

Only "anime" I ever enjoyed was Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki, but thats only because my love of film trumped my hatred of anime. It's a good movie, the plot is interesting, the acting is solid, the artwork is beautiful, and the soundtrack is amazing. I haven't seen his other films, so can't really speak for them, but Princess Mononoke is excellent, only anime I'd reccomend to anybody.

The rest of anime can fuck off though, it's all garbage.

 

[4484448444844484]

-snip-

-snip-

Care to put forth a suggestion?

Spoiler: spoilered for size

I haven't seen everything on this chart but most of them are solid suggestions. I would recommend starting with Ghost in the Shell; it was the first real anime I watched and I loved it. Haibane Renmei and Serial Experiments Lain are also excellent. Higurashi is one of my personal favorites, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to someone as their first anime series.

There's an expanded version of that with genres here.

Not that I agree with absolutely all the recommendations on it (I really don't).

Of course; we are dealing with the taste of people on 4chan here

Also, I forgot to mention in my original post but the current season show I have been watching is Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and it is turning out extremely well so far. (the last two episodes have been delayed due to the recent events in Japan.) It is probably the best show airing this season, and I would definitely recommend it. Try to get through the first few episodes before just dismissing it as a magical girl show.

Spoiler: spoilered for spoilers

It gets rather dark very quickly.

 

[FoOd77]

EDIT: Post didn't get eaten afterall, damn you, deceptive internets!!!

Also, I used to love Dragonball Z when I was a little kid, and I realize now how terrible it is, but its a part of my childhood damn it, I still love it, for the nostalgia. So I guess I don't hate all anime.

 

[SckizoBoy]

As a former huge anime fan, the appeal lied (notice past tense) in the aesthetics and the general covering of subject matter American animation stayed away from.

Some of my favorite works of fiction, even today, are anime, but as a whole, when scrutinized thoughtfully, anime is (mostly) terrible. Japanese storytelling in general is flawed; someone needs to tell them how real dialogue works, the meaning of the word "contrived," and how to thoughtfully use ambiguity instead of just shoehorning in meaningless symbolism (ala Evangelion).

Emphasis mine.

How is that different from any other media in existence? Most music is shit, most film is shit, most television is shit, most games are shit, even most paintings are shit. In fact I think this could apply to anything. Most Soda is shit, most books are shit, the majority of computers are shit, and even most service providers of any particular service are shit.

What makes anime special here?

This, and I refer you to certain comments on my recent review:

Includes my opinion of at least 98% of anime which can be applied to every other form of entertainment [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.273977-SckizoPhrenic-Reviews-Anime-Yomigaeru-Sora-Rescue-Wings#10593465]

 

[FoOd77]

Only "anime" I ever enjoyed was Princess Mononoke, but thats only because my love of film trumped my hatred of anime. It's a good movie, the plot is interesting, the acting is solid, the artwork is beautiful, and the soundtrack is amazing. I'm going to assume the Hayao Miyazaki films I haven't seen are just as good.

The rest of anime can fuck off though, it's all garbage.

You fuck off.

I bet you haven't watched Monster, Cowboy Bebop, Baccano! or other dozens.
As it been already said anime is just like any other media, most of them are shit, but there are awesome pieces too. I bet you won't deny most American movies are meaningless crap. (see http://www.cracked.com/video_18156_a-trailer-every-academy-award-winning-movie-ever.html) With anime is mostly the same.

Sound awfully defensive there, simmer down.

There's no denying that a lot of Hollywood movies are garbage, only difference is, I can generally tolerate them, (barring a few terrible exceptions who's names should never be spoken) whereas most anime I just can't sit through, at all. The dialogue, the ridiculous, comic book-esque plots, the over-exxagerated facial expression/reactions, these tropes drive me up a fucking wall, some people may find them endearing, but I certainly do not, and there's no changing that. And there's sure as hell no point in arguing with me about it. Some people have different interests, anime is not one of mine.

 

[MajWound]

Boobs. It all comes down to the boobs. I started watching anime because I saw a Sailor Moon transformation scene in 1998. I started watching Inuyasha because I saw Kagome swimming naked in the lake. I started watching FLCL for Harahara Haruko. By that point I was hooked.

 

[FoOd77]

Boobs. It all comes down to the boobs. I started watching anime because I saw a Sailor Moon transformation scene in 1998. I started watching Inuyasha because I saw Kagome swimming naked in the lake. I started watching FLCL for Harahara Haruko. By that point I was hooked.

I applaud your honesty, sir.

...Correct me if I'm wrong though, isn't Sailor Moon the one with a bunch of 12 year old girls fighting monsters? Which makes that statement a little on the weird side.

 

[natster43]

Eh, if you don't like it you don't like it. It is just another type of cartoon. If you want to see an anime that may change your opinion, I say go and watch Cowboy Bebop as it is really good.

 

[ZeAwesomeOne]

Honestly my reason for watching anime is that it's different. American shows lately are all about people that have problem and deal with them all the wrong reasons. I do watch those shows but anime has such variety that if I want to watch a girl in bunny outfit run around and do absolutely nothing just for the giggles, I can. It doesn't have to be about a life problem or life choice that everyone has to make, it's for fun. That is why my favorite show is Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, it has the crazy randomness and the seriousness that I enjoy.