Yes, we see it with anime, but we also see it with things like Sports, Marvel, Harry Potter, Disney and other forms of entertainment that we consider mainstream here in the U.S. It’s my opinion that people need to do a better job of remembering that every entertainment medium has super-fans, some of which may take it to the extreme. Just because the kids you bullied in high school for being “weird” watched anime doesn’t mean all anime is weird, and most of all, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t enjoy some. I also feel that a lot of people who are quick to judge or deem anime as “weird” do so through the association of the people they know who watch anime. I also respond to the deterrent mentioned above with one statement: Watch the first episode of Attack on Titan, then let me know if you think anime is for kids. Seeing that there is clearly an adult demographic for anime, someone cannot reasonably dub anime as being “for kids.” It’s also important to note that many anime include very mature and/or graphic, violent material and dialogue. Two subcategories of anime that directly refute this belief are Seinen and Joei, the first are targeted towards adult men and the latter toward adult women. Some anime are exclusively for children, this is categorized as Kodomomuke anime. they may be using a popular series like Pokémon as their only reference to anime). I also think those with little knowledge of the vastness of modern anime often broadly dismiss anime shows as being catered to children (i.e. Just because it isn’t our cultural norm of animation doesn’t mean it isn’t worth watching and or appreciating. They way anime artists depict movement in the face and body also differ from that of Western animation, specifically the animation of characters’ mouths when speaking.ĭespite anime’s tendency to have more eccentric character designs and animation style compared to most Western cartoons (which usually depict more realistic, human-looking characters), it’s still-objectively-an art style. Anime characters often have very distinct and exaggerated facial expressions, often with large, eccentric eyes. In my experience, many people are hesitant to watch anime because they’re simply not used to the animation style, finding it too unconventional or unattractive. There are several genres of anime, some of the most popular being: Shounen, Sci-Fi, Shoujo, Slice of Life, Adventure, Comedy, Psychological, Sports, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural and Romance.ĭo some of these ring a bell? They should, because most are the same genre type as the TV shows and movies you all know and love. Most anime are hand-drawn as a manga series (which is essentially a Japanese graphic novel) before being animated, and most contain very distinct character designs with vibrant, stark graphics. Passing judgment on anime, or any medium of entertainment (like theater, podcasts, opera etc.), may be more of a personal, intercultural issue worthy of self-evaluation, rather than an issue with the medium itself.īasically what I’m saying here is don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.Īnime, as a broad definition, refers to a specific style of animation produced or originating in Japan. I think it’s important to note that anime itself is a medium of entertainment, not necessarily a genre.īefore passing judgment on a medium or labeling it as bad, weird or otherwise, I recommend taking a step back and examining why you may formulate these opinions on said medium in the first place-especially if you lack any real experience interacting with the medium’s content. I won’t drag you readers down the rabbit hole of anime that-I would argue-warrants jail time, but if you know, you know. Though I haven’t personally seen these anime, I feel their background description alone speaks for itself. I would even argue that some anime is, in fact, weird. I really don’t think I should have to say “hear me out” on this one, but this article is targeted at those who broadly dismiss anime as “weird” or those who refuse to give an anime series a chance.īefore I begin my tangent, I will fully admit to the fact that some anime are NOT for me. By Liv Allen, ID Magazine Editor-in-Chief
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