Why do you like anime?

[Mr. Omega]

I haven't watched much anime recently, but I still enjoy it like I do any other medium. There are good ones and bad ones, like anything else.

I've joined anime club at my school to try and find new series to watch, and I've seen a few good ones so far, and the occasional stinker as well.

 

[Zirat]

I've only watched a few series, and a handful of anime movies.

Personaly I like it because of the style it has, it brings a certain feeling that I find interesting.

 

[Kurokami]

I am just wondering what most of you see in it. The only anime that really made sense for a short amount of time was naruto, but then it got really complicated and i started to dislike it.

so even though i hate it (not trying to offend anyone here)

why do most people here (thats you) like it?

Animes allow for discussion of more philosophical or profound topics (or alternatively silly/funny) in ways that would normal shows cannot on account of really. Its also much deeper (generally) than cartoons and being Japanese can be interesting from a cultural perspective.

That's all a generalization however, anime itself is just a way of presenting a story, not the story itself.

 

[A random person]

naruto

I think I see the problem.

I think I do too.

On topic, I always leaned towards it, being part of the Pokemon generation and all. My general liking for animation probably helped too, and I'm favorable towards certain tropes and conventions, along other reasons that would be even more abstract and poorly explained.

Of course, it varies from work to work. There are Eva's and MD Geists, just as there are Simpson's and NFL Rush Zone's.

Because it's so varied that it's impossible to hate ALL of it?

Or what this guy said.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

Because it's better than most American cartoons, and have a variety of genres that appeals to a wide array of audiences.

 

[Pills_Here]

I won't lie, I'm in it fo' the bitches.

Nah, there is some really good quality anime out there. Paprika is a good movie, I still love the original Ghost in the Shell and there are a few others which escape my memory. As a type of animation I have no problem with it and I think it can be used really well but I totally understand folks who are just turned off by the weird culture that has been built up around it.

 

[SageRuffin]

It's more so the art style than any other reason. I just happened to be paying too much attention the character's wardrobes when I subconsciously some key yet ultimately minute details: wrinkles in clothing, shadowing and contrast, musculature of varying degrees. The plethora of series didn't need these little nuances, I sure, but it helped lock in my love for the craft, even to an extent that I try to mimic it myself (with varying degrees of success).

Then I found out about the infamous "hentai" and shit just went downhill from there (took me 6 years to get that one movie... and it was worth every waiting second ).

 

[VegetaPrinceofSaiyans]

1 word: Alucard

/thread

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

I like anime because it holds in it unique storytelling as opposed to the cultural wasteland the western television industry has become outside of Dr. Who.

 

[aaron552]

I don't. It tends to be highly dumbed down and full of stupid teen angst so as to cater towards its audience.

You obviously haven't watched much anime.

And let's be honest with ourselves; when was the last time you saw a good western animation show? No, not alright, not interesting, I mean GOOD.

I thought Avatar: The Last Airbender was pretty good... (yes, I know it was inspired by Japanese anime)

OT: Anime can really have anything it wants. It can be incredibly deep and meaningful (for example: Evangelion or Clannad), or it can be just for entertainment (Bleach, Naruto) [snip] And they can definitely be more relateable and likeable.

I hope you're not applying "relateable and likeable" to Evangelion. I wouldn't group Evangelion and Clannad together, either.

Bleach and Naruto (and One Piece and Dragonball Z, etc.) are part of the Shounen genre, which is aimed at teenagers (specifically males) and so tend to be quite similar. However, this is not an indication of quality (or lack thereof). Bleach and Naruto (and the original Dragonball Z) in particular suffer from filler and being based on a still-running manga. Compare them to Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. The Seinen "genre" (aimed at 18-40yo males) is generally much broader and deeper in themes and content. Examples: Mushishi, Clannad, Ghost in the Shell, Elfen Lied, etc.

Personally, I like anime because of the variety. Currently I'm watching Fairy Tail (shounen, fantasy), xXxHolic (seinen, contemporary fantasy), Shakugan No Shana (seinen, contemporary fantasy), ARIA (seinen, science fiction/slice of life) and To Aru Majutsu No Index (seinen, science fiction/fantasy)

 

[Naheal]

Because it entertains me. It's really no different to any other form of media other than the art style and language.

Probably the best response here. The thing anime does better than other mediums is the "odd" settings, such as a true fantasy setting, cyberpunk, technomancer, and steampunk.

 

[Contun]

Dragon Ball Z was the manliest thing every when I was growing up.


I had a cool childhood.

 

[aaron552]

Because it entertains me. It's really no different to any other form of media other than the art style and language.

Probably the best response here. The only thing that anime does well is the "odd" settings, such as a true fantasy setting, cyberpunk, technomancer, and steampunk.

I wouldn't say that's the only thing anime does well, but I don't disagree with the rest of that statement.

 

[Chronarch]

I don't discriminate and call each one I watch an anime, I call it a show. It's essentially like every other show to me. There are some I like and a lot I don't.

 

[Naheal]

Because it entertains me. It's really no different to any other form of media other than the art style and language.

Probably the best response here. The only thing that anime does well is the "odd" settings, such as a true fantasy setting, cyberpunk, technomancer, and steampunk.

I wouldn't say that's the only thing anime does well, but I don't disagree with the rest of that statement.

I should rephrase that to "The thing anime does better than other mediums is..."

 

[William Dickbringer]

really depends on the series and what I'm in the mood for (although I havn't watched much) I think it kinda offers something different and offers more that cartoons of the west think about it there aren't many cartoons with action and most cartoons of the west tend to aim for comedy
...wow I sounded like a weeabo

 

[Teh Ty]

I like a lot of it because of the wild stories and cool characters and ideas.

 

[Poofs]

i like Anime because i like cartoons and the cartoons in america are dumbed down, stupid, and designed to air for and make as much money as possible
anime on the other hand usually has a defined story arch, character development, rational decisions and it will actually end before it is forced off the air by the network

 

[Lord Devius]

Because it's so varied that it's impossible to hate ALL of it?

Because it entertains me. It's really no different to any other form of media other than the art style and language.

These sum it up for me.

Not to mention, anime runs with ideas that would get dismissed as ridiculous in western animation studios.

Also, not watching serial anime helps immensely. Over the past month I've watched/started watching quite a few different series, and the variety is quite amazing.

Speed Grapher - About a secret club, whose "Goddess" can cause mutations in a select few, granting really weird powers (Main character gets the ability to destroy every time he snaps a shot with his camera). (warning this show is majorly screwed up. within the first 5 minutes you hear a young girl's arm getting hyperextended forcefully. *shudder*)

Welcome to the NHK - About a guy suffering from acute social withdrawal, who meets a girl that promises to help him overcome his issues.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - ....This one's just weird stuff about a high school girl who is way more powerful than she thinks.

And so on.

It's a medium. When better western animation becomes more available, I'll pay more attention to it. (Still need to look into Avatar though.)

 

[kikon9]

I know most people hate the "power of friendship" but I like that part of anime. Provided it is presented in a mature non-retarded manner. I never watch the angsty anime though.