why anime?

[Blessed-one]

yep, why do you watch anime??

 

[Braidless Baka]

I guess I watch it because it's cartoons (which are typically for younger age groups in the west) made for teenagers and up. It's very rare to see animated angst, or anything that isn't considered "acceptable" by the west.

Shounen ai (boy-boy) relationships for example are, in general, frowned upon in the west. And while we're becoming more liberal all the time, I think it's great that so much freedom can be taken with the subject. Suicide, mental abuse, these are all themes that animes explore. And while it's not pretty, it can often add to a storyline that would be shallow and inhuman without it.

I guess it all comes down to how mature the cartoons are. Sure, some of them aren't that mature, but many more are. Even the ones that don't see translation.

*gets off her soapbox* So there you go, that's my reasoning ;;

 

[spiradivum]

I guess I watch it because it's cartoons (which are typically for younger age groups in the west) made for teenagers and up. It's very rare to see animated angst, or anything that isn't considered "acceptable" by the west.

Shounen ai (boy-boy) relationships for example are, in general, frowned upon in the west. And while we're becoming more liberal all the time, I think it's great that so much freedom can be taken with the subject. Suicide, mental abuse, these are all themes that animes explore. And while it's not pretty, it can often add to a storyline that would be shallow and inhuman without it.

I guess it all comes down to how mature the cartoons are. Sure, some of them aren't that mature, but many more are. Even the ones that don't see translation.

*gets off her soapbox* So there you go, that's my reasoning ;;

I couldn't have said it more eloquently, but I must add that I get a secret pleasure out of watching the bishies as well.

 

[prince didymus]

I watch anime because usually they are great and they have an imaginative nature. I guess one of the biggest influences is that I absolutely love the Japanese culture and I desire to learn more and more about it. The storylines are great and the humor is none like I've ever seen though you would have to understand the Japanese culture to understand some of the humor present in anime but it's nothing you can't do without.

 

[Marth]

like prince didymus said i like to learn more about japanese culture. and also another thing he said is the humor like FLCL.

 

[Hix]

Anime just seems to have that special something that makes it better than any other style of entertainment on television IMHO. The drawing style is instantly recognisable, and there are some terrific plots and storylines, and like PD said learning about Japaneese culture and history is awsome. Rurouni Kenshin for example, is set in a real history of Japan, with some real figures.

 

[prince didymus]

like prince didymus said i like to learn more about japanese culture. and also another thing he said is the humor like FLCL.

Exactly. FLCL is a wonderful example.

 

[Susan]

Hey Hix, that's a great avatar of Quatre. ~.^ :glomps:

On topic, I like anime because of the plots, storylines, writing, and characterization. The best of it seems a lot deeper than much American works. I also like the cultural influences and differences.

And the bishies are a nice addition

 

[Blessed-one]

thanks for the responses guys.

however! i'm appalled that no one mentioned anime music!! theme songs and background music.. some are so good that if the anime was put on big screen, it'd be better than watching any real action movies.

and yeah, i agree about that cultural intergration in anime, awesome uh?

Suicide, mental abuse, these are all themes that animes explore. And while it's not pretty, it can often add to a storyline that would be shallow and inhuman without it.

and themes like courage, facing up to one's fear, forgiveness, nature of war, consequences of internal struggles, guilt... the list goes on and on..

On topic, I like anime because of the plots, storylines, writing, and characterization.

yes Susan, characterization is a big thing!! i absolutely adore characterization that is done nicely, like in Naruto and Kenshin that gives a whole new layer to the story.

 

[Koryu]

I like anime mostly for the beautiful artistic style is possess. I also like it because most of them are deep and if you pay attention, you can get a lot more out them then conventional cartoons. But that really is rather obvious, don't ya think?

And, yes, anime music rocks! I think I like the music of Rurouni Kenshin (baring the "Freckles" song by Judy and Mary ) and Inu-Yasha (Fukai Mori, it makes me cry everytime ) the best. They are by far my favs.

 

[Dracil]

It's part of the culture I grew up with, and it tends to support a wider age range than Western cartoons. Also, people who make anime are generally more willing to explore taboo subjects that Western animators fear because of political correctness or other repercussions.

 

[Susan]

It's part of the culture I grew up with, and it tends to support a wider age range than Western cartoons. Also, people who make anime are generally more willing to explore taboo subjects that Western animators fear because of political correctness or other repercussions.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[SqueakyGerbil]

I love anime for the storylines, artwork, voice actor work. Different anime's hold different enjoyment for me. I also love hearing the japanese language spoken.
As I tell my "non-anime-loving" friends, it really isn't that different then the person who watches "Friends" every week without fail......just the shows that I watch like that are drawn and not paid thousands of dollars for a 30 minute show!

 

[PuppyforChrist]

I love anime for the storylines, artwork, voice actor work. Different anime's hold different enjoyment for me. I also love hearing the japanese language spoken.
As I tell my "non-anime-loving" friends, it really isn't that different then the person who watches "Friends" every week without fail......just the shows that I watch like that are drawn and not paid thousands of dollars for a 30 minute show!

I could not have said it better Squeaky.

I enjoy watching and reading anime for the artwork, storylines, and the music of course!

I have 3 anime soundtracks of 3 different animes that have great music.

I too also like listening to the japenese language, preferably on a CD then on TV with subtitles. My friends and I all joke that we wish that there was a class we could take in High School that would teach the japenese language. That would be cool.

Anime has unique storylines in every type. I have always liked books and shows with action and comedy. Anime offers that as well!

So yeah, that's my input.

 

[AcousticHxC]

I don't know, for the same reason skaters skate and ballers play basketball I guess. It just kinda gives you a good feeling. Like it's something you really enjoy. Don't have a reason. Don't need one.

 

[Braidless Baka]

i'm appalled that no one mentioned anime music!! theme songs and background music..

Oh yeah ;; That one slipped my mind. I was off on a rant about the darker side of it. Buuuut! There's also the bishounen, the music, the colours, the wonderful artwork, kickbutt storylines yadda yadda yadda....

Heh, it's provoked me to go out and learn Japanese ;; Just so I know what they're singing ;;

 

[SqueakyGerbil]

My friends and I all joke that we wish that there was a class we could take in High School that would teach the japenese language. That would be cool.

My high school did. The final exam for the second year was to watch "My Neighbor Totoro" and answer something like 50 questions (the questions were in english and you could answer them in english but they were questons that were done in such a way that you had to know enough japanese to understand the movie.......best exam I ever had).

 

[Blessed-one]

cool! all good reasons.

i just hope i don't get tired of anime. you know how people can 'grow out of things'?

 

[Koryu]

I don't think you really can "grow out" of anime. The age range in which anime is made for most definitely prevents that!

 

[SqueakyGerbil]

cool! all good reasons.

i just hope i don't get tired of anime. you know how people can 'grow out of things'?

I think you can grow out of certian genres within anime but not of anime as a whole......it's not books that a person can outgrow but just the childrens stories.