anime vs western tv

[bum]

(note: i just wrote and posted this same thread on another forum. thought it would be appropriat here as well.)


it seems that most of the crap on tv in australia (and most of the western world probably) is something that a 5year old kid would be satisfied and fullfilled with as much as a 40yaer old man. stuff on tv is just crap theys days, storyies/idea's are basic and repered to the point of being overused thats beyong whats called a cliche and is more like a cancer. reality tv, cop/detective shows, action stuff like dark angel, and the rest of the crap on tv. is seams like all the stuff we see on tv is designed to be easlily understodd, by a kindergarden child. and im sure that a kindergarden child wouldnt have any problem easily understanding something like law and order (and after watching a few epps they could probaly figure out the plot twists and endings after the first ten minutes).

on the other hand, im buying and watching alot of anime theys days, and well, most western tv is saturday disney compared to alot of anime. the thing abuot it is that anime tries to make you think, it forces to to delve deep into a show, to think about it, about the story, its moral, about symbolism and about its reflection on life. it chalenges you, it forces you to feel emotion, to step in the show's of the main character. its like something you feel, not just see and hear, something thats constantly wraping itself around you. anime in general is mature, its something that you'l watch, think about and then watch again and again till your satisfied that you've found the answers. alot of anime ive watched stays with me and i end up thinking about it in the most random of times.

now iom not saying that all western tv is bad, or that all anime is maturea and complex. but generaly i find that anime is alot more fullfiling and satisfying than western tv.

[Otohiko]

I haven't watched commercial TV in 2.5 years now (I still watch news and settle in for a PBS documentary every once in a while). I can't say I miss it. Anime, on the other hand, I do enjoy every once in a while.

I suppose that answers as to what I think about the quality of TV these days

[Moonlight Soldier]

I think I stopped watching 'Western T.V' sometime in high school. I never really noticed it until people were discussion t.v shows and I couldn't comment. Meh.

I have no interest in 'Reality T.V' and can't get hooked watching more intelligent shows either. If I'm watching t.v I'm watching my anime dvds or checking out movies with friends.

[Deadly NightShade]

The major problem with western television at this point is that the programs are really just a break between the commercials. Unfortunately they aren't a stimulating or enjoyable break at all.

[Kracus]

I watch Angel (watched actually, glad it ended), Charmed and Smallville. Sometimes Conan and I like chappelle show.

Japanese humor isn't always funny and I still find American humor funnier.

Not all anime is made for adults, alot of it is made for 5 year olds.

I'm currently watching the old X-men cartoons and Gargoyles. I'm awaiting Family Guy to come back on TV and I have the first Vol on DVD.

The majority of anime, I do not believe make you delve deep and think. There are a few here and there. Most are very aparent and easy to pick out after a few episode (going along with your example of law and order). Also, even if they do make you think, what they are trying to make you think about isn't really that 'deep' or meaningful.

[DDramone]

was never big on tv, but i like that one show, berney mac

[EvaXephon]

...Hmm...interesting...

Well, in WWII, when Japan was bombed, they lost a lot of their theaters and films, so they had to watch american films. Western films greatly influenced anime in this way, since future anime directors grew up watching cowboy films.

[The_Collection]

i normally watch scar tactices on the sci-fi channel thats about it. but as far as anime being effected by western movies i dont know. there was only one thing in the usa that i know of that started the big eye theme in anime.

[someperson]

Not a real big fan of western tv shows. I despise Mtv (for they're reality show dominated schedule and lack of quality music videos)
Everything else on tv just seems horribly boring. I watch Touching Evil a bit. It's not too bad but I still prefer anime to it.

[Charizard305]

Everything else on tv just seems horribly boring.

Everything elce on T.V. IS Boring, or the same program that played before it, but with different Actors.

[HeartbreakerByZep]

I like modern western TV. Obviously most of it isn't sophisticated, intelectual, or even creative, but it's like the movie Van Helsing. You can't expect everything to be worthy of worship, everything to be superb and to blow your mind. Some things are going to be simply... something to watch to pass the time.

But one of the major factors that annoys me extensively about American TV is the way that shows are nearly always just trying to last forever. Even the adult dramas and all that, they don't give a damn about story or theme or anything of the sort, as long as they can last for another 50 seasons they'll be alright. It's disgusting, end a damn show for once! It's that kind of crap that gives me extra respect to shows like Furi Kuri... and to books. (excluding book series)

[Zarxrax]

I've stopped watching TV for a while now, except when I go home and I'm with family and friends and stuff, cause all they ever do is watch tv -_-

There are a few decent shows on TV, but for the most part its definately crap. I typically enjoy watching channels like TV Land, theres usually some decent crap on there. And the occasional thing on the Discovery Channel... and of course classics like The Simpsons. And who doesnt enjoy watching those dudes from Takeshi's Castle on MXC? Ok, well maybe that one isn't really a true western show, but it wouldn't be the same without the commentary.

[madbunny]

You have to realize that western (read American) TV has a lot of restrictions placed on it via the FCC and what sort of content can be shown in a particular timeslot, or even at all. Additionally many of the shows are designed to reach specific target audiences. Once you start designing your entertainment and marketing it for smaller and smaller nich audiences you begin to alienate everyone outside of that nich.

If you take a look at an average evening of programming on Japanese television, you will see pretty much what you see on American television. Junk. Buttloads of weird ass game shows,Sitcoms that probably make no sense, drama shows that make no sense, and the odd show here and there that is good.

For every 'sopranos' and 'Oz', and 'stargate' you have 10 'Knight Rider', 'Baywatch', and 'Midnight confessions' too.

[angelx03]

I only watch 24 and a few comedy sitcoms on TV.

[HeartbreakerByZep]

You have to realize that western (read American) TV has a lot of restrictions placed on it via the FCC and what sort of content can be shown in a particular timeslot, or even at all.

Granted that this is a major problem. But if they really want to, they can get around it (just like Japan does by putting shows like Berserk & Hellsing on during deep night) just look at South Park. At night (here in America) you can show a heck of a lot of stuff... violence, swearing, sex, nudity, talking about all the aforementioned subjects, and that's all on average cable, not Direct TV or anything. Plus you can do a heck of a lot depending on the audience you claim to aim for. Movies on those Oxygen and Women's channels always show things about rape and murder and sex.

There definetly are great American TV shows, and there probably are whole tons of bad Japanese shows, but I'd have no doubt to say that Japan has the better shows.