What is so great about Anime?

[Smooth Operator]

OP: Not everything is for everyone.
But I do get the feeling you don't like things that are different, I could be wrong.

Why I like anime in short because it's different and mad, you got space cowboys, ninja villages, soul reapers, assassins, super powered pirates, robot wars,... there is no shortage of wacky sh*t.

 

[Lisiecki]

The problem is that y'all are confusing medium with genre. Medium is a form of presentation. Anime I guess would be a subset of film. I hear they also do comics.

Genres can be argued for though. Genres and the individual works of art in it can be argued on a serious critical level. "Its just a medium" isn't only wrong, it's a cop out.

So, What your saying is "Anime is a subset of film, whats so great about film?

 

[Texas America Murphy]

Think that like books they are diverse and there are usually a lot of different types. Anime is like that in that there is something for everyone story wise (or not, some don't really have stories) and they are done in a visually interesting and engaging ary style. That's just my take on it anyway.

But books are a medium. Anime is a genre. It has conventions. Every anime has a common thematic thread that makes everyone seem to like it so much. What is that thread? "They're like books!" is an uniformed copout.

 

[Bakuryukun]

ugh. This kind of thing bothers me, the "I don't get what's the big deal about ______" especially when someone seems keen to just watch 3 anime's and then confidently write it off as not art. If you already don't like it, then most likely are NEVER going to understand why people like it. I could actually contest that the characters in Naruto never develop even though I don't really like Naruto that much, but that would pretty much be a waste of time, considering you've already essentially made your decision about the subject. Something that strikes me as funny is that you took the 3 most popular anime, but then as a film student I would think you'd know that most popular does NOT mean best by any stretch of the imagination. If your going to give anime a shot don't half ass it, that doesn't do anyone any favors.

If it ain't your cup of tea I wouldn't sweat it too much, but at the same time don't belittle the whole medium just because it's not to your liking. (especially after taking such a small sampling)

also laughing at people who like anime (or for being a fan of anything for that matter) is imo really childish behavior, even if you give people full permission to reciprocate.

 

[Texas America Murphy]

The problem is that y'all are confusing medium with genre. Medium is a form of presentation. Anime I guess would be a subset of film. I hear they also do comics.

Genres can be argued for though. Genres and the individual works of art in it can be argued on a serious critical level. "Its just a medium" isn't only wrong, it's a cop out.

So, What your saying is "Anime is a subset of film, whats so great about film?

Media criticism is different from genre criticism. You can't argue that film is better or worse than comics or books or whatever, but you can argue Noir is a damn sight better than Mexican Soap Opera.

 

[UrbanCohort]

The problem is that y'all are confusing medium with genre. Medium is a form of presentation. Anime I guess would be a subset of film. I hear they also do comics.

Genres can be argued for though. Genres and the individual works of art in it can be argued on a serious critical level. "Its just a medium" isn't only wrong, it's a cop out.

How best to put it...anime would more likely fall under a subset of "comics" or "animation" than movies. And like movies, you wouldn't just group certain anime together, for the same reason that you don't group "Die Hard" with "Meet the Parents" (that is, if you're the type to organize your movies, which I'm NOT). They're both movies, but the subject matter is entirely different.

 

[Lisiecki]

Media criticism is different from genre criticism. You can't argue that film is better or worse than comics or books or whatever, but you can argue Noir is a damn sight better than Mexican Soap Opera.

You are correct Sir!

However, anime covers any number of genres, just as comics or books, or whatever.

Have you asked your girlfriend what she thinks is so great about it yet?

 

[Texas America Murphy]

ugh. This kind of thing bothers me, the "I don't get what's the big deal about ______" especially when someone seems keen to just watch 3 anime's and then confidently write it off as not art. If you already don't like it, then most likely are NEVER going to understand why people like it. I could actually contest that the characters in Naruto never develop even though I don't really like Naruto that much, but that would pretty much be a waste of time, considering you've already essentially made your decision about the subject. Something that strikes me as funny is that you took the 3 most popular anime, but then as a film student I would think you'd know that most popular does NOT mean best by any stretch of the imagination. If your going to give anime a shot don't half ass it, that doesn't do anyone any favors.

If it ain't your cup of tea I wouldn't sweat it too much, but at the same time don't belittle the whole medium just because it's not to your liking. (especially after taking such a small sampling)

also laughing at people who like anime (or for being a fan of anything for that matter) is imo really childish behavior, even if you give people full permission to reciprocate.

Popular doesn't mean good, but it does mean culturally relevent, and it does means that its an indicator of what the culture that watches it does like.

Also, you're pinning a whole heap of stuff on me that I never said or indicated. You look like you just copied and pasted your stock anime defense on me without regards for context. I haven't made my decision on the subject. I am not being childish and I am not laughing at people.

It's just a little puzzling when I take three shows that maybe arn't the best, but do seem to do a good job representing anime as a whole and they wind up making no damn sense.

 

[Ace the Demon]

That is silly.

It's alternate history where Britain didn't lose it's colonies, far more silly back stories have appeared in other films and series.

 

[Kyogissun]

Beats me, but a lot of people like it. I personally hate it, and the entire sub-culture it's spawned of weeaboo Japanophiles that would probably get made fun of if they ever went to Japan. But it's preference, that's all. I'll laugh at you for liking it, but you might laugh at me for liking Harry Potter and Tron.

God bless you sir for continuing to hold up a constant stereotyped belief brought about by the loud majority of the anime viewing culture.

Believe it or not, there are a good number of us who just watch it because it's JUST another form of television.

The problem is that like any other 'not considered popular by the main stream entertainment outlets' is that it has an entry barrier. There's not a variety of shows/movies out there GUARANTEED to garner interest, except MAYBE for some Miyazaki films and a couple by Mamoru Hosoda. Because everyone has different tastes, it's hard for people to find shows for others to watch.

The worst thing that you and the OP can do is continue to stick with your belief that there's nothing special to it and therefore, it is not worth treating as an entertainment medium like television or movies.

THAT is where 'your' guys problem lies. If you found the right show, you'd be open to seeing more just like any live action show/movie genre.

Last and most definitely NOT least, please do not base your hatred of an entertainment medium ON ITS FANS ALONE. If I hated say, Halo: Reach purely on its fanbase alone, I wouldn't be able to enjoy a good time gaming with friends of mine over said game. It's just a prejudiced way of thinking.

...But don't think you're not allowed to hate the fans of course. Hate them all you want, they're what gives a bad perception of the medium. Narutards and Death Note fangirls specifically come to mind.

 

[Lisiecki]

It's just a little puzzling when I take three shows that maybe arn't the best, but do seem to do a good job representing anime as a whole and they wind up making no damn sense.

just as Little Fockers, Tron and Yogi Bear are "indicator of what the culture that watches it does like. "

 

[D Moness]

It's just a little puzzling when I take three shows that maybe arn't the best, but do seem to do a good job representing anime as a whole and they wind up making no damn sense.

That is bullshit
You do not even try to understand what we are telling you.
Genre's in anime is just as far and wide as american movies. Those 3 series are totally NOT representive of what is out there. If that really si your opinion you are a bit shortsighted and nothing we will say will convince you otherwise.

I am getting back to my movies enchanted and ella enchanted i am out of this discussion.

 

[Texas America Murphy]

Have you asked your girlfriend what she thinks is so great about it yet?

My preferential choice of woman is not known for their special brand of eloquence, communication, or skill at explanation.

 

[Lisiecki]

My preferential choice of woman is not known for their special brand of eloquence, communication, or skill at explanation.

And that has what to do with what?

You're girlfriend is incapable of expressing opinions?

 

[tomservo4prezident]

The problem is that y'all are confusing medium with genre. Medium is a form of presentation. Anime I guess would be a subset of film. I hear they also do comics.

Genres can be argued for though. Genres and the individual works of art in it can be argued on a serious critical level. "Its just a medium" isn't only wrong, it's a cop out.

So, What your saying is "Anime is a subset of film, whats so great about film?

Media criticism is different from genre criticism. You can't argue that film is better or worse than comics or books or whatever, but you can argue Noir is a damn sight better than Mexican Soap Opera.

1. Anime is a genre in the same way Western animation is a "genre". It can be anything, provided it's animated, and is originally made in Japanese. What is/is not good about it, as has been stated way too many times, is entirely subjective.
2. If you were at a long-running anime club, you most likely were watching these shows entirely out of context. Naruto and Code Geass aren't personally my cup of tea, but anime is a very canon-based medium. If one were to skip three episodes of most anime series, they would have no idea of what was going on.

Also, no argument here than Gurren Lagann is ridiculous, but it is meant to be an homage/parody to/of shows such as Mazinger Z, which were aimed at kids. It's not really high art, either. Judging anime by Gurren Lagann is like judging film by Transformers.

 

[Texas America Murphy]

Beats me, but a lot of people like it. I personally hate it, and the entire sub-culture it's spawned of weeaboo Japanophiles that would probably get made fun of if they ever went to Japan. But it's preference, that's all. I'll laugh at you for liking it, but you might laugh at me for liking Harry Potter and Tron.

God bless you sir for continuing to hold up a constant stereotyped belief brought about by the loud majority of the anime viewing culture.

Believe it or not, there are a good number of us who just watch it because it's JUST another form of television.

The problem is that like any other 'not considered popular by the main stream entertainment outlets' is that it has an entry barrier. There's not a variety of shows/movies out there GUARANTEED to garner interest, except MAYBE for some Miyazaki films and a couple by Mamoru Hosoda. Because everyone has different tastes, it's hard for people to find shows for others to watch.

The worst thing that you and the OP can do is continue to stick with your belief that there's nothing special to it and therefore, it is not worth treating as an entertainment medium like television or movies.

THAT is where 'your' guys problem lies. If you found the right show, you'd be open to seeing more just like any live action show/movie genre.

Last and most definitely NOT least, please do not base your hatred of an entertainment medium ON ITS FANS ALONE. If I hated say, Halo: Reach purely on its fanbase alone, I wouldn't be able to enjoy a good time gaming with friends of mine over said game. It's just a prejudiced way of thinking.

...But don't think you're not allowed to hate the fans of course. Hate them all you want, they're what gives a bad perception of the medium. Narutards and Death Note fangirls specifically come to mind.

You look like the kind of guy I'm looking for. Why do you like it?

 

[chainer1216]

One of them runs up to me and shouts something like ?Cowiie Desi.? So I?m put off

she called you cute. *shrugs*

the three animes you watched are meant for kids, the 11-14 crowd, as such they're gonna be kinda childish and need to be watched when you're looking for a laugh, not when you want to analyze a genre. not to mention you probably saw an episode in the middle of each series and had no idea what happened beforehand.

you can't watch any 3 movies and then make a judgment on all films, especially if you saw the middle but not the beginning or the end of the three, now can you? "anime" just means a cartoon that comes from japan, one anime and the next can be extremely different, even the art style that most people think of when they think of "anime".

before you completely write off all anime i encourage you to check out some other things first, maybe something like Berserk, or in movie form, somthing like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

also: keep in mind that anime is still subject to the 90% is crap rule, and there is ALOT of anime.

 

[[.redacted]]

First off we watched Naruto.

Well there's your problem.

Try Claymore, or failing that, try Ghost In The Shell, or Mai HiME.

If you don't mind a whole lot of blood and a disturbing plot try Elfe- -actually don't. Not good for people who only just started watching anime.

The reality is, anime is the imagination of thousands of people given a visual representation, there is something for everyone, you just have to find it.

But you can objectively quantify the qualities of the things. "Books are great because they allow for serious long form character explanation and a handling of emotions and sensory inputs that an otherwise constraining visual medium like film disallows."

And you can say the same for anime if you factor in the ability to hear the characters' thoughts. The long form character development is one of my favourite things about anime.

I think the real problem here is you essentially read the first 50 pages of Harry Potter.

 

[Glaive_21842]

Naruto is terrible...
Gurren Lagan requires you to have a love for the extremely bazaar...
Code Geas simply cannot be watched from the middle. Give it a try from the start and you might like it...

Of course, most of the shows above...in fact, most modern popular anime, is geared towards the general masses. Being a film student, you are most certainly not one of the general masses. For you, i would recommend something like Grave of the Fireflys, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa, or just about anything from studio Ghibli. Just remember that studio Ghibli does have some family friendly titles in there with its more artistic stuff, so do your homework.

 

[Texas America Murphy]

Girlfriend has Neon Genesis whatever on DVD. People seem to keep recommending this is a good critical choice. Imma start watching that and let ya'll know how that pans out.

Live blogging kicks ass.