Japan makes cooler characters than everyone else...
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I'm not sure if Japan generally makes "cooler" characters, although I have to admit, most of the characters I would consider "cool" are from Japan.
I think there just needs to be more variety (for both America, Japan, and also for european companies)
Yes, America tends to lean towards more of the gritty, Hollywood ruggedly handsome look. However Japan has the formula of teenagers with large weapons and gravity defying hair.
The japanese ones do tend to appeal to me much more than most of the American ones, but jeez, I'd wish they'd both mix it up a little. However, give me a character with a good backstory and good development, and I'll be happy either way.
I think there just needs to be more variety (for both America, Japan, and also for european companies)
Yes, America tends to lean towards more of the gritty, Hollywood ruggedly handsome look. However Japan has the formula of teenagers with large weapons and gravity defying hair.
The japanese ones do tend to appeal to me much more than most of the American ones, but jeez, I'd wish they'd both mix it up a little. However, give me a character with a good backstory and good development, and I'll be happy either way.
Japan is just as bad as any other country when it comes to using the same character types to death and America has more than just tough guys to relentlessly recycle. I do love both Japanese and American animation/comics/games, but neither is inherently superior to the other. Both have their share of crap to wade through to get to the "cool" stuff and even then the definition is relative.
Well America has Gordon Freeman everyone's favorite invincible stoic brick, so I really don't care.
"Hey! Mary! Look! It's one of them 'opinion' thingies!"
Japan is no different than anywhere else. They make cool things and they make crappy things. That goes for everywhere in the world.
Japan made Solid Snake, America made Sam Fisher. Whether you like either or both is up to you. However, if you like Snake better, that doesn't mean that Fisher is an insuperior character. you just personally like Solid Snake's cold, detatched yet strangely lovable "There are no real heroes in war" take on the events at hand rather than Sam's "Do the right thing, no matter what the orders are" approach.
Japan is no different than anywhere else. They make cool things and they make crappy things. That goes for everywhere in the world.
Japan made Solid Snake, America made Sam Fisher. Whether you like either or both is up to you. However, if you like Snake better, that doesn't mean that Fisher is an insuperior character. you just personally like Solid Snake's cold, detatched yet strangely lovable "There are no real heroes in war" take on the events at hand rather than Sam's "Do the right thing, no matter what the orders are" approach.
Your point?
Just because you say it's "cool" does mean it apply to the rest of us. I guess it's just the cultural differences like tying to say one country food is better than the other countries foods.
Yes I like Japan for anime and games etc but I view them above all others.
Just because you say it's "cool" does mean it apply to the rest of us. I guess it's just the cultural differences like tying to say one country food is better than the other countries foods.
Yes I like Japan for anime and games etc but I view them above all others.
Haha okay, you got me. I was totally off base thereDemongeneral109 said:
There's always Yui-chan xP
Wow. I was expecting more objectivity and refined taste than that. Power Rangers will never ever = cool in my mind, and neither will "crazy hair and outfits" (which, frankly, I'm a little tired of. A 17-year old with a white stegosaurus haircut? No thank you).Sean Hollyman said:
No, not every character that comes out of the USandA has a gruff, low voice and no, it is not true that they "don't do much cool stuff."
They make really cool cartoon characters, the western parts only move slightly out of the ordinary so it's still something that can be connected to reality.
What you prefer is however up to the individual, I prefer the Japanese style but with a modern story and real characters, so something like Cowboy Bebop or Ghost in the Shell is bang on.
What you prefer is however up to the individual, I prefer the Japanese style but with a modern story and real characters, so something like Cowboy Bebop or Ghost in the Shell is bang on.
What some consider to be cool, others consider to be stupid.
I mean come on, that's just silly. His hair is silly, his sword is stupid and the rest of his wardrobe doesn't make sense. (BTW, this is just a random picture)
Which one looks to be more awesome?
Which one would you take seriously?
I mean come on, that's just silly. His hair is silly, his sword is stupid and the rest of his wardrobe doesn't make sense. (BTW, this is just a random picture)
Which one looks to be more awesome?
Which one would you take seriously?
Okay, your opening argument was good, but your closing argument was horrible. Japanese characters do generally have a lot more personally and style, especially when you are talking about Final Fantasy, but I think it has a lot to do with Japanese culture. American games do often feature gruff talking gun slingers, but that's part of our culture. But, backing up what ZeroMachine said, you have to take into account other media relating to American games. There is a vast amount of additional story surrounding games like Halo and, of course, the Star Wars franchise, that really spice up their worlds and characters. You can't forget about superhero games either. Although these tend to be horrible, the characters are often richly developed. Some have been nearly a century in development.Sean Hollyman said:
So, mainly I think you are generalizing a little overly much, and perhaps you need to try out a few more American games.
I think this boils down to which countries perceptions of "ideal" are, and who you agree with more. Japan has a pretty strange view on what "ideal" in most contexts is. While most everywhere else in the world hero-worships the war-hero/gruff badass type in soem sense, Japan idolizes extragance and beauty above most any other visual quality for both genders. Look at any guy who is considered a model in Japan, and compare him to the American/European equalivalent. The Japanese model will almost always be lanky, thin, ill-defined muscle to the point it looks like they are dying of cancer, pretty, and just generaly more "feminine" than "masculine". America's model will likely be some mix of Marcus Phoenix's body with Orlando Bloom's face, like Captain America.
Also recognize that war and military-ism(?) have only devastated Japan in the last century. Physical strength and patriotism have stopped being hugely desirable qualities.
Also recognize that war and military-ism(?) have only devastated Japan in the last century. Physical strength and patriotism have stopped being hugely desirable qualities.
Good lord...Sean Hollyman said:
I dont even have the strength to argue this today... suffice to say, that is an opinion, not fact, and it tends to ignore all the awesome things that came from the US and all the other western countries...
Neither of those look particularly awesome to me. I'm done with my "JAPAN IS THE COOLEST THING EVER" phase.Henkie36 said:What some consider to be cool, others consider to be stupid.
I mean come on, that's just silly. His hair is silly, his sword is stupid and the rest of his wardrobe doesn't make sense. (BTW, this is just a random picture)
Which one looks to be more awesome?
Which one would you take seriously?
A Town Called Eureka, an american TV show, is by far more awesome than anything I can think of that the Japanese have done. I'm English, I'm supposed to hate American TV, but Stargate: Universe and A Town Called Eureka are both right up my street.