Himmelgeher said:
At least according to my dad. I thought he was just one of those people that thought "cartoons are for children" and that anime/animation couldn't possibly be mature and should only be aimed at children. When I asked him why he didn't like anime, he gave a bunch of nonsensical reasons (it's not realistic, it's "lame", the characters make weird faces etc. I'm sure you've heard these all before), then he said that people dress up as the characters and have sex with old men for money. Seriously, what the fuck? I tried explaining it to him, and he refused to listen, and he was being completely serious. How am I supposed to talk to someone like that? I've liked anime pretty much all my life, and his utter rejection of it has always been infinitely frustrating, but I had no idea he thought like this.
Actually in Japan it's not unheard of for teenaged girls to have sex with strangers for money or gadgets. Not saying it happens a lot, but the fact that it does allegedly was a cause for concern for japan's health ministry and therefor made the circuit on the conservative prattle shows. He might have gotten his signals crossed on that one.
As for the rest, it sounds like he's just ignorant. Probably can't be helped by talking. It's hard to
convince anyone of anything with words. You usually have to help them
realize it for themselves. So I wouldn't expect him to change unless he finds something he likes on his own. I used to hear from my sister in law that Japanese cartoons were all pornography. So without my knowing my parents (who while in their 60's loved "Berserk" which they just picked up off our dvd rack and started watching on their own) loaned my berserk collection to my older brother. He and his whole family loved it. And I never had to hear any shit about "japanese cartoons" again, only praise for berserk and the continual question if there's anything else like it to this day.
So long story short, you dad is very confused. If you know what he likes, use your BRAIN (no offense intended but the caps are for emphasis, you're going to have to be smart about this) to pick a show, ask him to try it and hope that he likes it. Don't pick a show where people get punched into the moon or where crazy Japanese humor breaks out every few minutes. In short the big three are ruled out, outright. As is anything involving magical girls, any show where the characters look like precious moments figurines, or the typical High school Heroes stuff. Seriously, if children are piloting mecha or there's a harem involved you know what not to show your dad.
And above all else, be prepared, he may not like it even if he does give it an honest chance (which isn't likely). It's not the end of the world if you and your dad like different things. I'd personally show an older person something like berserk or ghost in the shell, or maybe the magnetic rose segment from memories. But there's pitfalls there too. The 100 man battle stretches believability, memories is not dubbed and ghost in the shell has a lot of talking. People will criticize these criticisms but people are fickle and will fault find if they feel threatened. Old people especially. Really, you'd know your dad best, good luck.
