What happened to gore anime?

[Êricō]

I'll admit I'm a pretty big gore-hound, but it's only a certain type of gore. I prefer it when the gore is highly stylized and over the top (Some good examples in anime would be Afro Samurai, Hellsing Ultimate, Karas, and Berserk). Stylized to the point where it's not extremely realistic or in any way 'mean-spirited.' When the violence is especially graphic or has a more sinister nature to it (Like say Apocalypse Zero) I am shocked and disgusted by it, but more than anything it simply turns me off and I have no further desire to watch it. Violence that reaches such levels of grotesqueness is simply tasteless and unnecessary, especially if the series has no cause for it to be so graphic.

I also prefer anime where the violence is more psychologically based. Now And Then, Here And There isn't nearly as graphic as other anime, but the violence it just as brutal and more appropriately depicted for the story. Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni gets graphic, but only briefly, and even then it leaves the more graphic imagery and sequences to your imagination. Such violent anime do unnerve me, but they do not disgust me to the point where I cannot watch it.

I am also disgusted by gore that is realistically depicted. That is why I think it can create a really powerful story if done correctly. The shock of gore would immerse the audience into the film and give them a taste of how the witnessing character feels. As long as the gore is relevant to the story and is necessary, I wouldn't mind.

[Knowname]

Highly suggest Black Jack. There's just no anime like it, it's gory to the point it'll make you squeem... yet totally relevant and not just gore to be gross, and that's what's so good about it. Be aware though, if your not already 'baptised' in Black Jack if you don't absolutely LOVE IT than you'll find some really boring parts and come out thinking it's a very mediocre anime. But you HAVE to watch a few series to really experience true relevance of gore .

[Knowname]

it can be described as the gory version of Kino's Journey.

[TEKnician]

It makes sense to focus on plot more and I value the storyline of any anime more than fighting or gore. I just personally think that gore can add to character or story development by emphasizing to the audience the trauma a witness goes through.

Tru...I can't really think of an easier way to traumatize an audience at a sinigle moment. Who knows? Maybe since they're building up relationships more, the impact of a sudden traumatic moment could actually make more of an emotional impact on the viewing audience.

[sircrackpot]

it can be described as the gory version of Kino's Journey.

Win comment is win.

[Keitoshi Urakobe]

Dude, best one I've seen, and only one I've seen is Elfen Lied. I didn't know it ever went anywhere.

[Êricō]

Dude, best one I've seen, and only one I've seen is Elfen Lied. I didn't know it ever went anywhere.

I am not quite saying that gore anime is great and they should bring them back in. I am just saying that what I enjoyed most were the gore elements and I believe they should introduce realistic gore to further intensify anime. Only when necessary.

[EvaFan]

The problem is that gore isn't really appealing to the otaku culture unless there is little girls or just general yandere characters involved so alot of the manga's that use a strong gore element go without an anime release. They aren't going to animate something unless its insanely popular (hellsing) or know it will sell (elfen lied). This isn't an economy that's worth taking risks. Just look at the recent anime releases over the course of this year and upcoming... All so it seems anime has been getting more and more strict with gore lately unless you buy the director's cuts DVDs cause TV raws are edited in some cases.

[FarmXD]

In the 80's - 90's, the intresting stuff in anime was gore in most of cases...
In this new century, boobs and yaoi/yuri retard humour rules the world...
I'm agree with EvaFan anyway...

[Êricō]

The problem is that gore isn't really appealing to the otaku culture unless there is little girls or just general yandere characters involved so alot of the manga's that use a strong gore element go without an anime release. They aren't going to animate something unless its insanely popular (hellsing) or know it will sell (elfen lied). This isn't an economy that's worth taking risks. Just look at the recent anime releases over the course of this year and upcoming... All so it seems anime has been getting more and more strict with gore lately unless you buy the director's cuts DVDs cause TV raws are edited in some cases.

True, but I think someone should try something new and create an anime that is popular but creates a heavy impact using gore. Hellsing for me didn't create any impact with gore because it seemed too artistic. However, what you say is definitely true and not much people do see much in gore.