What is it with nerds and anime?

[Zhukov]

Okay, before I say a single thing, allow me to offer a disclaimer. I really shouldn't have to, but we all know how much some people love to get offended. This query is not intended as a criticism of nerds or anime. It would be very hypocritical of me to say nasty things about nerds and I don't know enough about anime to criticise it properly.

Right then, now that's out of the way...

I was browsing this here off-topic forum when I spotted yet another anime-related thread and a thought occurred to me.

Why on earth is anime significantly more popular among the nerdier communities than among the general population? Come to think of it, anime has become a part of the nerd stereotype alongside things like comic books (sorry, "graphic novels"), Star Trek and video games.

If you ask a nerdy person about anime they will almost certainly know what it is, will probably have seen at least one or two and might be something of a fan. If you ask a non-nerdy person about anime, they might know what it is, there is an outside chance they will have watched some and they will almost certainly not be a fan.

Why is this? What is it with nerds and anime?

 

[tomtom94]

Perhaps the "nerd" community have more time on their hands to seek out anime cause it doesn't get nearly as much mainstream exposure.

I guess it's the same as with indie music.

 

[^=ash=^]

What is it with people not understanding that different people like different things?

BOOM THREADSHOT!

That sums things up nicely.

 

[Naheal]

I like magic and tech. Anime's the only medium that blends the two well at all.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Because the general populace already brands people who watch anime as "nerds", therefore, asking a "nerd" if he/she likes anime is bound to come up as a positive, since anime watchers have been branded as such.

What is it with people not understanding that different people like different things?

Because if people understood each other, noone would be fighting, everyone would be peaceful. And we sure as hell need to fight over stuff. Right?!

 

[Zhukov]

What is it with people not understanding that different people like different things?

What is it with people missing the point?

...

I'm not saying people shouldn't like anime. I am simply curious as to why. More specifically, why a particular kind of person seems to like it more then others. That's all.

BOOM THREADSHOT!

That sums things up nicely.

See above. Same goes for you.

Judging by your avatars, you two might be able to shed some light on this...

 

[infinity_turtles]

Here's my guess. Nerds tend to be better at the whole "suspension of disbelief" thing, while "normal people" have a harder time relating to stories and characters that are acted out by drawings rather than live people. Granted, there are plenty of holes in this theory. Particularly that it assumes live action is easier to be drawn into than animation, and I tend to have a very difficult time getting into live action shows.(I find it easier to get drawn in when everything is the same level of not real)

 

[Zhukov]

What does it matter?

Should we make a thread asking why some people like women with blonde hair and others prefer red?

Oh, it doesn't matter. Not one bit.

I'm just curious.

 

[Asuka Soryu]

Probably because people see it as cartoons something childish and probably nerdy, so people who watch it are usualy labeled "nerdy" as with how everything gets passed off this way. Like the concept that only guys play violent video games and the lot.

As for it being more likely, it's mostly because to find anime at this time, you'd need to be a person more dedicated to finding it or looking out for it on the net.

Most casual people don't do these things, they see something animated on TV, they'll probably pass it off as childlike/won't bother to give it the time of day.


A good reason for it, is here, anime's not so big. It's hard to find it on TV, sure it's there. But not by much. Alot of stores only cary maybe 1 to 2 manga, and Shonen Jump is the most common one.

So you usualy find anime on the iternet, when you spend time roaming the net and looking into things then rather being a person trying to waste time by listening to some new songs or music videos/chatting with friends.

 

[RatRace123]

Perhaps the "nerd" community have more time on their hands to seek out anime cause it doesn't get nearly as much mainstream exposure.

I guess it's the same as with indie music.

That about sums it up I think.
Anime isn't mainstream, at least not most anime.
General audiences don't go looking for new forms of entertainment, they like to have it delivered to them.

 

[2fish]

Our kind aka those on the escapist tend to try more stuff that is deemed deviant in some nature or another from normal culture. My anime friends are very defensive on this topic, not sure if it is a wide spread thing among anime people or just them. Always on the defensive, always looking for an attack on them or their hobby.

We all break away from the social norms here; we are family through our hobbies which are deviant from the norm. See the gamers, the anime watchers, the model painters, the sci-fi/fantasy book readers, we are the outside. Should "normal people take solace in these hobbies they do it behind closed doors for fear of the normal people's responses.

Even we a site for our kind hide behind avatars. So in the world of culturally accepting/exploring groups the gamers, geeks, and nerds will be up there...once we gather the courage to talk to you. (Dear god don't let it be a girl or all the guys in here will freeze )

 

[Vendetta61]

Sometimes I just want to see a giant robot rip its own arm off, shoot it at a planet and make it explode. As of yet there is no other medium that does this.

 

[Steppin Razor]

I dunno why. I suppose it's the same sort of thing as to why are more nerds into video games then the general population.

 

[ward.]

I like stories, anime has stories.

I imagine it's a similar situation for most other nerds.

 

[antipunt]

I'd love to pursue this question further, but honestly, I'm confused on your definition of 'nerd'. Can you be more specific? Because if by nerd you mean 'someone who likes sci-fi/anime', the whole thing becomes rather circular..

 

[Hexenwolf]

What is it with people not understanding that different people like different things?

BOOM THREADSHOT!

That sums things up nicely.

You both missed the point? It's not about different people liking different things. It's about a single group of people (nerds), that has a lot of variety of opinions in it (ever seen two nerds argue?), being the predominate consumer of a single thing (anime).

Honestly, though it's true, I don't understand why either >.>

I like stories, anime has stories.

I imagine it's a similar situation for most other nerds.

There are plenty of other types of media that have good stories, what is attractive about anime in particular?

And what makes it less attractive to others? Non-nerds like story too after all.

 

[kioko9959]

I was having a good think about this recently (and when i think, i really f*cking think)

Anime is seen as either childish or perverted, both of which are shunned on in today's society, "nerds" (don't use this term, it's so stupid, i use it to describe myself to stupid people) are an exception to this rule, as they can't give two sh*ts about how the society views them.

Most teens at my school who see even a glimpse of anime will instantly chant, "CARTOON PORN" in this extremely ignorant manner before thinking twice. Did you notice how they did not even ask what it was, or what is was about, but instantly bad mouthed it because that's how they think it is?

Of course i have other friends of the year level that won't be tards, who i have handed recent animes too like Angel Beats! and Highschool of the Dead, and they have loved it. Hell, i showed my father Evangelion and he got into it.

It's not so much that we are randomly obsessed with it, it's just another way of expression through a different art style. I mean, to do explosions in live action movies you need a lot of special effects and a nice budget, but to do it in anime you need the same amount of money as the guys doing the slice of life romance in the same building.

Anime has grabbed people simply because of it's ability to do anything and present anything simply on the grounds of "because we can", like the recent "moe" trend (well not really recent so much as continually growing)

I hope i helped

 

[370999]

I'll try to answer the thread as best I can. anime most often has a social stigma attached to it and thus won't appeal to the mainstream for that reason, but if you volunatrily joined or were forced to join the "nerdy" group then that is of less a concern (I'm generalising, please don't hurt me). Also there is an issue that anime is a nerdy subculture, that means that by being into geeky things you are exposing yourself to it more. Which do you believe would have better discussions of anime, this forum or a sports forum? I'm betting on this forum.

So my belief is that nerds are the ones more likely to be exposed to it positively ie a friends says it's a great series, etc.

EDIT: Damm ninjas