Forum - View topicIs anime really that sacred?
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jacobX082
Posts: 9 |
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Speaking with a few TAs in my Japanese course last semester (they're native speakers who are exchange students), I realized that anime is not quite as popular as some people here think it is over in Japan. Except for animated movies that were directed by Miyazaki, they say that anime isn't watch by many people except for kids or older geeks. The TAs have also never heard of shows like Evangelion or Azumanga Daioh.
Which is why I wonder, despite knowing that the Japanese aren't generally too excited about their own animation, if we're just kidding ourselves as fans into thinking too highly of anime just because it just so happens to be a little better than Western shows? I'm a fan of anime, but I am the type who has no reservations about it being dubbed/localized or being ridiculed by other people. Many anime-centeric forums will have members that have knee-jerk reactions to any hostility directed to their own hobby, whether or not because there were changes a company made that took away the Japanese feel of the show, or people not appreciating the "high art" of anime. (As if shows like Sailor Moon and One Piece should be considered high art just because it's Japanese anime.) Anyways, what are your own thoughts on the sacredness of anime? -jacob |
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Ktimene's Lover
 Posts: 2242 Location: Glendale, AZ (Proudly living in the desert) |
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Anime is special to a lot of people but I don't know about it being "sacred". I agree that it is regarded as being better than (certain) Western shows. However, I am surprised that these two students (TAS means what?) haven't heard of Evangelion or Azumanga Daioh because Evangelion is one of the various anime that is a ten figure franchise. The part that gets is that "Japanese aren't generally too excited about their own animation". I don't get this because their animation tends to sell real well there (depending on the show) and many anime goes for hundreds of episodes. |
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icomeanon6
 SubscriberPosts: 116 |
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I'm not all that surprised that the exchange students in your class haven't heard of Evangelion or Azumanga Daioh, seeing as AD is very niche, and Eva is fourteen years old. My understanding is that manga is more mainstream in Japan than anime, just like how most Americans have read a Batman comic at one point or another, but few know about "Mask of the Phantasm."
When it comes to judging whether or not something is "high art," it must be judged on its own merits, not on its medium. Being animated and from Japan doesn't make something art. Likewise, being painted on canvas and held in a nice frame doesn't make something art either. In other words, anime can be art, but it must be for a reason other than that it is anime. If you try to defend Yu-Gi-Oh as high art just because it's an anime, you won't find that you have much of a leg to stand on. Like any other medium, anime is diverse, and to generalize it is to misunderstand it. Some of it is high art, some of it is childish tripe, and some of it is in between. |
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DuelLadyS
 Posts: 1705 Location: WA state |
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There's nothing really 'sacred' about anime to me... I enjoy animation. Most American animation- at least what's on TV- is geared toward kids. Some are fun (I do enjoy Fairly Oddparents when it's on), but many I find horribly stupid (like Flapjack). I know it appeals to its target audience- but I'm not in that group. What isn't geared toward kids is stuff like Family Guy and American Dad... toilet humor that I don't enjoy. (Plus, Peter Griffin needs to be shot. Seriously. He pisses me off.)
Call it cultural differences, call it targeting an older audience, whatever- but I find more anime appeals to me than American animation. I find the humorous shows tend to appeal more to my sense of humor (Zetsubo-sensei spoiler[screaming 'what if I died?!' after Kafuka tries to get his head out of the noose by pulling straight down... and that perfect little pause to let the whole thing sink in.]) I think fanbase factors in for some people too- being an 'anime fan' lets you belong to this special little group that most people aren't privy too- being an animation fan... well, everyone watches cartoons at some point, that's not special at all. It's less about being sacred, and more about being a convenient rallying point for fans of moving doodles. |
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EireformContinent
 Posts: 977 Location: Łódź/Poland (The Promised Land) |
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I start every day kneeling in the front of my anime collection praying to THEIR CREATORS
Now seriously
Like Simpsons or Family Guy:) This really long series are made because every week there are people who want to relax after work/school. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just a kind of entertainment, moving pictures watching while doing the ironing or a part of Sunday rituals. They aren't special- they are. Better, worse, famous, forgotten- I still don't understand why dome people here think that in Japan everyone watch anime and read manga |
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thewrll
 Posts: 59 |
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I wouldnt say its sacred but as with many things if you badmouth something people who like that with attack you. And arent alot of the anime fans in japan called otaku by the mainstream media in Japan? I think anime is usually more thought provoking than the cartoons over her though I do love the cartoons over here also.
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Showsni
 Posts: 641 |
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TAs = Teaching Assistants. |
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ikillchicken
 Posts: 7272 Location: Vancouver |
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Oh god. I hope at least you were vaguely tactful about this and didn't just walk up and go 'Hi! You're Japanese. You must like anime!" Because no, not everyone who is Japanese is automatically an anime fan or has heard of your favorite anime. Contrary to popular assumption, anime isn't very mainstream even in Japan. It's a popular but ultimately nerdy subculture.
Corrected. Frankly, I find it a bit annoying that after coming to a fairly obvious realization, you act as if you're the only one to figure it out. Not all anime fans are like this. Honestly, I don't know why anyone would assume all anime is some sacred untouchable work of art. I don't see how it's possible to have watched nearly enough to accurately say that without stumbling over one of the clear examples of how this belief is incorrect along the way. Certainly there are a small group of titles that deserve to be considered works of art. There's also a lot more that really only amounts to enjoyable entertainment. (And vastly more that is utter garbage). It's a mixed bag like any medium.
By this you mean Western cartoons or all Western shows? |
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PetrifiedJello
Posts: 3782 |
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I tend to be a little apprehensive against threads like this from someone with a post count of 1, but I'll dismiss this to address your (hopefully) serious comments. I can't imagine anyone is "kidding" themselves regarding anime as sacred. The fact you mentioned western shows actually (indirectly) answers this issue. I can't speak for every anime fan, but for me, anime is something I can't get anywhere else. Western animation doesn't come close to what anime gives me in terms of entertainment. Of course, I'm not dismissing western animation at all, but using anime to compliment it. Unfortunately for me, animation is viewed as a child's fantasy, not a lucrative business. Unless the show borderlines on offensive parody, it's rarely successful to a population who knows purple dinosaurs aren't real. I can't imagine shows like The Simpsons or Family Guy being successful without the parody. Futurama is a great example. Since it lacked offensive material, it was canned. Its only return has been saved by an obscure cable channel anime fans will be aware of, but most won't be. Sacred isn't a word I'd use as much as greatly appreciated.
Remember that apprehension? This is why. I don't see any reason for this other than to spark an unnecessary debate. Thus, I'll pass on this one.
I could write a dissertation over the reason for this, but I'll keep it simple: It's because people place great value in anime and when this value is changed to cater to a specific audience, this offends them. I can't blame them, really, but as with most entertainment, this is par for the course. Especially to those who can't see the irony with a show like Family Guy. |
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Charred Knight
 Posts: 3085 |
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Does the average anime fan consider anime sacred? Absolutly not, to the average american fan, anime is simply a cheap way to get entertainment. I mean compare the shows that get fansubbed to the shows that get heavily bought here. Ouran High School Host Club sold more DVDs in America than Code Geass, even though Code Geass was more heavily fansubbed.
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DragonsRevenge
 Posts: 1150 |
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Yeah, sacred is the wrong word. Popular, part of the mainstream viewing culture, is more accurate. While it seems very odd that they would not have heard of Eva, because a couple kids from Japan haven't heard of a title doesn't downplay the popularity of a single show or a whole medium at all. There's several American shows I've never heard of, but their still rather popular.
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Mistypearl
 Posts: 517 |
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I think that in general, and with anime anything that I like I hold in high regard, but I don't think that necessarily means it is the greatest thing in the world. A lot of the series that I have decided to buy were based on whether or not I like it, not it's powerful anti-war messages or brilliant animation alone. I admit that sometimes I get irked if someone doesn't like a show the way I do if I really really like it, but I can't really change that. I think alot of times the 'sacredness' of anime comes from people maybe trying to prove why their tastes in anime are the best or why they engage in a hobby, such as anime. I think the facade of being sacred really comes from trying to show either other fans or other people why they watch anime. I mean, I know that's what I do sometimes. Also, I'm not saying that anime doesn't deserve the praise, which I do believe it does sometimes, but in regards to all titles falling under the anime umbrella, no, sometimes it can just be forgettable and not entertaining or anything.[/i]
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egoist
 Posts: 7762 |
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Too many big words and small and complicated words to describe a simple thing you could've called a hobby from the very beginning.
I'm a big fan of anime, but that's all. It does have a big influence in my life just like any other hobby could have. But I should say I'm a lucky bastard to have found such a nice hobby. Sacred is a christian word, I'm atheist. Edit: Sorry Abunai I meant that as sarcasm, I know it's not a christian word but I know it's meaning, and that it's linked to religion and gods etc. Edit 2(lol): And of course I meant no offense to christians. Last edited by egoist on Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:01 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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.Metal.
 Posts: 64 |
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I wouldn't think anyone who really enjoyed anime (or manga for that matter) would really care if it's nerdy or cool in Japan, or anywhere. Fact is, there is a lot of it out there. Maybe there are just loads of "geeks" over there.
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abunai
Old Regular
 Posts: 5463 Location: 露命 |
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Sacred is a Latinate word that entered English via mediaeval French, and has nothing to do with Christianity in its origins. Its roots in Latin sacrare far predate the time of Christ. Don't quibble over terminology if you don't have a clue. - abunai |
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