Anime: What makes you like it?

LightningCountX · Post by **LightningCountX** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 1:47 pm

Ive just been wondering lately what everyone's reason is for being into anime...Is it the art perspective? The story of each anime? Just to fit in with a certain group of people?

Im definetly into anime because of the morals you can learn from each series or show. They teach some good life lessons. I also love the drama aspect of anime, which in my opinion kicks the crap out of any real life movie.

So what makes you like anime?

Kalium · Post by **Kalium** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 1:50 pm

I've always subscribed to the "We need a reason?" school of thought.

Kajino Rei · Post by **Kajino Rei** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:57 pm

Yeah, I'm with Kalium on this.

Nevertheless while a reason isn't needed, I do like anime because it's very broad.
To me anime/manga is comparable to music with so many genres and styles. There's something for everyone.
Plus it's great to have something with great animation that it's not strictly made for little kids.
With anime you can watch animation happily till the day you die.

Don't like anime because it's a sub culture (in some places) or because it's not mainstream (in some places).

Like IT just because I do...

Unlimited Rice · Post by **Unlimited Rice** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 3:24 pm

anime's got more variety to it compared to mindless cartoons with random shiz.. and those live action comedy shows which are all the same and the drama shows that are pretty much the same also..

i still watch those... but anime's got a wider variety of stuff.. and.. anime can be an escape from reality 8)

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 3:55 pm

I like anime because it's entertaining. What more reason does one need?

Unfound · Post by **Unfound** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 4:14 pm

Zarxrax wrote:I like anime because it's entertaining. What more reason does one need?

I'm with him. Its really the reason we watch TV, Movies or listen to Music at all.

Arigatomina · Post by **Arigatomina** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 8:52 pm

Because the stories and characters are given life - in a way I've never found anywhere outside of few good US cartoons (usually the fairytale movies - Disney, WB) and one or two of the rare fantasy movies. Anime is like 'watching' a good novel, they don't have to worry about special effects to make things you don't see in real life - they draw *everything* to begin with. There's no limit to what they can 'bring to life' in anime, as with US animation. Anime just has more adult storylines, more imagination, and excellent voice actors (who obviously get paid more, or have more motivation to take their work seriously, than do US cartoon dubbers - Disney not included).

I love to read, I'm all about the fantasy, the believable characters, the unnatural worlds and stories - anime has all of that with the added benefit of visuals that are just plain pretty to look at. Excellent.

bubblehead · Post by **bubblehead** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 9:29 pm

I guess I agree with Ari, it's much easier than trying to come up with something original (lol). But really, I do. I love fantasy novels, often as much as anime. I love the way, in both cases, that the person or people (in the case of anime and some books) who made it are able to come up with a realistic and interesting culture, it spite or because of the fantasy elements. I like the engaging characters (in some animes - some just don't appeal). Plus, I've always liked animated stuff.

But I do have another comment to make. In almost any kind of show - play, movie, TV series, live action or animated, there is a tendency to show everything. This reduces the element of imagination in it for the viewer, so it's easier but, you know, you can always imagine something that's scarier or whatever to you personally that anything anyone else could possibly come up with. This is the main disadvantage that visual things have to books (and even to music; I often imagine something based on the instrumentals, etc.).

That was more in response to Ari's comments than to the original question, by the way.

Though I've seen plays in which the characters came to life for me every bit as much as in any anime or book, and more than some. It's really creepy if you're playing the character and this starts to happen to you - what I mean is that you don't think about the way the character is supposed to be, you just know. Or think you know. I mean, feel that you know. Or whatever. That's pretty rare though, at least for me.

Arigatomina · Post by **Arigatomina** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 9:46 pm

bubblehead wrote:...there is a tendency to show everything. This reduces the element of imagination in it for the viewer...

Had to respond to that - I agree completely. ^_^ I tend to turn my 'imagination' toward what isn't shown, often making up something just so I have a reason to 'work with' the anime. With books you do that naturally and constantly - imagining the words as scenes and real things. With visual stories, even though they try to show everything, they can't. Thoughts can be voice-overed, but rarely are. I turn my attention to what isn't being told, to keep myself attached and 'working with' the anime. If all I noticed (saw) was what was on the screen, then I'd watch it a few times and get bored with it. Having some sort of interraction - taking what's shown into context, filling in the gaps - that keeps me coming back to the same anime for multiple viewings.

I reread books, and I rewatch movies (repetitively, obsessively) - that's why I tend to like anime that leaves lots of room for viewer interpretation. After all, you have to take what's given and put it into a personal context before it's a 'favorite'. I think there's still room for that sort of thing with anime and movies - not as strong as books, but it's there. And the more 'unreal' the anime setting is, the more room for a viewer to use his imagination - probably why I like the fantasy anime.

Kajino Rei · Post by **Kajino Rei** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 9:57 pm

Arigatomyna

I reread books, and I rewatch movies (repetitively, obsessively)

That's me when I had the time.

Even if an anime doesn't leave much space for imagination and interpretation my mind still takes flight.
I like having the ability to see a movie/anime or read a book/manga and get totally immersed it the world/worlds they create.
The same with music.
Has anyone seen music? The beautiful colors, the tapestry it makes?
Has anyone listened to a song only to be transported to the plane that song exists in?

Yeah, the world is alive.