Author |
Comment |
Kung
Fu Dude
Hawk
Posts: 270
(9/27/01 1:31:23 pm) |
Why is anime so
special?
I've always wondered what it was about anime that makes people argue over
it so much on boards like these. Why are there so many anime fanatics out
there, as opposed to people who take to western animation?
I mean, is anime any better than western animation? Is the art better? The
storylines? The pacing? Both styles have their good and bad points, so why
is there a forum dedicated to Japanese cartoons, instead of just "cartoons"? |
MaestroNightsong
Tiger
Posts: 388
(9/27/01 2:47:41 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
In my personal opinion, the art style used in anime is indeed better than
current 'western' style, most of which is dedicated to making the most
childish-looking, poorly drawn stuff available. Hell, they've made crappy
drawing INTO a style.
The storylines? Certainly; anime as a whole is dedicated to an older audience
than western cartoons - the ones that aren't, such as digimon and pokemon,
get as little attention here as the little kid-centric western ones. Now,
there are exceptions to the rule, of course, but on the whole anime is
better.
*shrugs* You may as well ask why we don't have a Xenogears forum, instead
of just an "Other RPGs" forum. Hey, actually, maybe we.... well, no, maybe
not. |
glarryg
Tiger
Posts: 308
(9/27/01 7:09:11 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
Ren and Stimpy, The Tick, Sam and Max, Futurama,
Family Guy, The Simpsons. Off the top of my head, these six
have at least one quality or one defining moment that I'd hold above any
Japanese cartoon I've seen to date. The problem is that most of them have
been cancelled or are past their prime, and shows like them are few and far
between. Without the occasional gems like these shows, there isn't much within
Western animation that appeals to cartoon watchers in the "high school and
above" age group. Which is probably why anime is becoming more popular these
days. Those of us who grew up with cartoons want something that "speaks to
us"... so to speak. |
MaestroNightsong
Tiger
Posts: 396
(9/27/01 7:29:26 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
Yeah, like I said, exceptions to the rule. They ARE few and far between,
and it's very, very sad... because they all kick ass. Of course, those are
all comedies; Japanese Animation is about the only place where the art form
is given over to dramatic plots as well. |
Blackers
Lion
Posts: 219
(9/27/01 7:49:19 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
G.I. Joe rocked it hard. I own the special collector's edition DVD of G.I.
Joe: The Movie and I want to buy some of the VHSes of the episodes. Just
as soon as I get some money.
(Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow ROCKED YOU) |
BrokenPotty
Hawk
Posts: 19
(9/27/01 8:18:01 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
anime is in some ways a better or even more advanced cartoon, it uses more
complex plot devices and tackles more intense subject matter, just like
movies...except for the fact that anime can be even better than movies because
they are for the most part, cheaper to make. plus it opens up room for more
fantastic fight scenes and can create many different characters, something
actors cant do w/out makeup. and the voice acting, when done well is just
as good as any oscar winning preformance demmed worthy of hollywood, now
dont get me wrong i like western style films and shows as well, but anymore
theyre all over the same thing, and like i said earlier anime offers more
in depth choices, the only other choice to a decent mode of film is independent
films which for some reason not too many ppl like... i think ive said enough
as my fingers are getting tired
hope that anwsers any questions, this is just my oponion though tahnks for
the time |
Kung
Fu Dude
Hawk
Posts: 271
(9/28/01 11:54:24 am) |
Hmm...
I think the problem is that Western animation isn't inherently worse than
anime, it's just that the producers of western animation still believe that
only kids watch that kind of stuff.
In one of the recent issues of Wizard magazine, they listed the top
100 cartoons of all time. There were like six anime cartoons listed (Gudam
Wing, Evangelion, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, G-Force, and Voltron; seven
if you count Thundercats as anime). Also, I can only remember a few western
cartoons that were meant for an older audience: Spawn, TV Funhouse, The Simpsons,
and Space Ghost Coast to Coast.
Now, the thing is that animation, whether east or west, can be as good or
bad as live action. There are certainly good and bad cartoons, as there are
good and bad live-action shows. By the way, are there any non-anime Japanese
shows worth watching, besides Iron Chef?
Sort of to reiterate what was said, western animation storylines tend to
be geared toward kids, as eastern animation caters itself to a wide audience.
Maybe the US's fixation with marketing has something to do with that, as
animated shows are easier to make toys out of than live-action, perhaps.
Then again, maybe Japan is guilty of the same thing. I haven't seen how Japanese
marketing works, but I'll bet it's similar to the US.
With drawing styles, the Japanese almost always have big eyes, small mouths,
and the good guys are always beautiful. So beautiful that you sometimes can't
tell the guys apart from the girls. In western animation, they tend to focus
more on musculature... Actually, I really can't say what's different
between the two, besides how faces are portrayed. Animation quality seems
to be better in Japan than America, though.
Now, I don't know how much of this is right and how much of it I pulled out
of my ass, as I don't watch too many cartoons myself. I just know that Mobile
Suit Gundam is easily comparable to something like He-Man. Outlaw Star could
easily have been written be an American.
Agree? Disagree? Isn't that the whole point? |
IcyBrian
Dragon
Posts: 238
(9/28/01 1:43:46 pm)
ezSupporter
|
Re: Hmm...
Personally, I'm a huge animation buff. Historically, I tend to lean towards
western animation. Like Night said, though, lately the western companies
have turned bad animation into an artform. There have been very few new animated
series lately that haven't been bad. My favorite animated series of all time
were Gargoyles, G.I. Joe, and X-Men (I have every episode on tape for all
of those.) There's also series like Spiderman, Rescue Rangers, Darkwing Duck,
etc. that rocked. Actually, up until a few years ago, just about every Disney
animated series was good.
A couple years ago, the WB made an animated miniseries called Invasion
America which was geared toward an older audience. I loved it, and thought
it was one of the better pieces of animation I'd seen in a while. But after
that, nothing really followed. It was sort of a one time deal.
My main problems with anime, and the reasons why I'm not a huge fanatic,
are the dialogue and the voice acting. In my opinion, most anime dialogue
is lame and cheesy. I want to see dialogue that is more realistic than most
of what we get from Japanese animation. The dubbing on most of the anime
we get in the states is terrible. But rather than buy a subtitled version,
I want to hear the anime get a good dub job.
So, what is it that I really want to see? I want to see an animated movie/series
which was written by an American writer and animated by a Japanese animation
company. For me, that would be the ultimate, because you'd get the best of
both worlds. Believable dialogue, intriguing plot, and kick ass animation.
Who knows. Maybe when I'm a big-time writer/director/producter, I'll be the
one to head up that project. Something to look forward to, I suppose. |
Human12
Tiger
Posts: 286
(9/28/01 10:22:37 pm) |
anime
There are plenty of good American cartoons. Gargoyles (I wonder if that was
ever imported to Japan, and what they thought about it), Batman (TAS, Beyond,
etc.) X-Men, Spiderman... the list goes on.
Then again, Japan has stuff like Cowboy Bebop, and Evangelion, and Serial
Experiment: Lain, and Slayers, and Princess Mononoke, and other stuff that
makes me wet my pants just thinking about. Anime is less censored, more integral,
and they actually respect voice actors over there. You can't beat it. |
Kung
Fu Dude
Hawk
Posts: 273
(9/29/01 10:24:30 am) |
Really? (I need to think
of better subject titles)
I don't know about Japanese animation being any less or more censored than
American animation. I do know that Amirecan animation isn't censored at all.
They just never make the offending scenes in the first place. I know that
whenever a Japanese show comes over here, it's often edited for content,
but I guess that's because we're more protective of our children. But then
again, is it really a big deal if there's less blood or swears than there
could be? If it gets the point across sans the offending material, then no
one should complain.
Japanese animation more integral? What does that mean?
They do respect the voice-actors in America. At least I think so. They certainly
seemed to respect the voice-actors in Samurai Jack. I don't know if more
respect = better voice acting, but I think American voice-acting is just
fine. |
Human12
Tiger
Posts: 287
(9/29/01 12:00:35 pm) |
...
I screwed up while editing it. Integral was, um, from a dead sentence. |
CorruptDictatorNumber2
Icy's Sexy Kitten
Posts: 7
(10/14/01 1:40:24 am)
|
Anime *is* great.
^_^
Well now.
There were some really great American shows. Rocko's Modern Life is the first
one I think of because I *loved* that show...I think it's the best American
cartoon I've seen. And let me tell you, it wasn't because of beautiful
animation--it was the great writing.
I have found, though, that the answer to just about every question in the
original post is yes. I have seen VERY few American cartoons with [good]
plots, while Escaflowne (get used to it--it's my favorite series, I'm gonna
mention it a million times) has a very involved and intriguing plot. BOY,
that sounded cheezy. ANYWAY... The DBZ writers wouldn't have known a plot
if it bit them, so don't think of that as your main base for anime. As for
animation, there are some anime serieses (DAH! What is the plural of that
word?!) that have some pretty sucky animation, but on the whole, it's better
than American animation. I'm including Disney in this. Besides, they do half
their stuff with computers now. (Cheaters!) If you need proof, watch X. (that's
the X/1999 movie) And the characters are MUCH deeper than the ones in American
cartoons... I mean, think about it. Disney. The bad guy is the bad guy and
they're bad through and through. But in Mononoke, the "bad guy"--Lady Eboshi--is
bad because she tears down the forest in search of iron. But then we find
out that she took in all the prostitutes and lepers so they could have jobs
in her town... and all the women really look up to her because they saved
her from that life. So she's really not bad! OOO... I'm sure you see my point
now that I've babbled on for so long... LOL |
glarryg
Mana Maniac
Posts: 337
(10/14/01 4:07:45 pm) |
Re: Anime *is* great.
^_^
Yeah, Rocko was cool. And Time Squad is pretty good; it's got
pop culture references that kids would never get (Benny Hill, anyone?).
The plural form of "series" is "series." |
MaestroNightsong
Ranting Rascal
Posts: 547
(10/14/01 5:32:23 pm) |
Re: Anime *is* great.
^_^
Rocko was awesome, I'll readily admit. However, it also had really good
animation, which I thought just further improved it. I must be the only man
in America who thinks South Park looks STUPID, and would be about twice as
funny if the people on it had made it a real cartoon. I feel the same way
even about shows like Dexter's Laboratory. I love the show, but it would
just be cooler with good animation. |
Jayson
Mothball Avenger
Posts: 58
(10/14/01 11:25:31 pm) |
Re: Anime *is* great.
^_^
I like it because it deals with more mature storylines, and the characters
aren't all animated animals. You ever try to write about a rabbit smashing
a coyote with a mallet? It's impossible.
But anime goes off into what western animation considers "forbidden territory"-
mature storylines, human characters, and they don't care what happens. It's
easy to identify with a human character.
If it, however, has extremely bad dubbing, I hate it- but just for the dubbing.
But I can't make up my mind if getting subtitled anime with the original
voices is better than the dubbed version- that is, versions where the dubbing
fits the character's mouths.
Go figure. |
glarryg
Mana Maniac
Posts: 340
(10/15/01 8:13:29 am) |
Re: Anime is *great*.
^_^
You're not alone, Night. South Park is pretty annoying to watch...
and listen to. If they had hired real voice actors, it might be a little
more bearable. |
MasterOdin1980
Ye Olde Bearded Dude
Posts: 237
(10/15/01 3:33:57 pm) |
Re: Anime is *great*.
^_^
That's why whenever I get an anime I always look for one with subtitles.
Heh. And people wonder why I'm such a fast reader. |
Balraznor
Squeal Like A Pig!
Posts: 9
(10/15/01 10:41:35 pm) |
Re: Anime is *great*.
^_^
I feel so happy... I got the first Lain on Dvd... mmmm Lain
"This is big, but not as big as GOD"- a sign in front of a boat store |
0rion
5
Hawk
Posts: 158
(10/17/01 11:14:57 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
Hmm...... Anime is special, because it gives you that tingly feeling, like
the feeling you get when when you go on a ride, like the ones at the carnival,
or the squeaky feeling you get from a bubble bath, or the feeling you get
when you first eat cheese........................... or maybe it's just what
everybody else said...............
Probably what everybody else said................................ |
Tomoyochan13
Hawk
Posts: 22
(10/23/01 12:11:12 am) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
9 words Serial Expirements: Lain, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tenchi Muyo and
Ranma 1/2. They all rock. But Western animation is worse than it used to
be, and if you don't beleive it, from Rocko, to Spongebob Squarepants, from
Simpsons to Kingo fo the Hill, I think that EVERYTHING was better between
1995-1997, Video Games, Cartoons, anything... now everything is being aimed
towards the children... which, as Kerney from the Simpsons said "Big
mistake."
I like how Animes have the mixture between the Seriousness and the comedy,
to the other extreme, American cartoons are good only for a laugh, or to
some extent, a chuckle.
And, as until recently, I've gone to the Subtitles, because after seeing
Shadow Skill (one of my least favorite animes, for now until, well, for a
little while anyway.) The dubbing was horrid.
A favorite of mine now would be Cowboy Bebop. In fact, I like all of Adult
Swim on Cartoon Network, "Home Movies" Hilarious "Harvey Birdman: Attorney
at Law" Hilarious "Aqua Team Hunger Force" Hilarious, "The Brak Show", "SG:C2C"
are all friggin funny, and to top it all off, Cowboy bebop, which is just
breathtaking, the only thing that made me angry is that they took out sessions
6 and 8.
so to summarize, Adult Swim rocks, Anime rocks, and as stated before, Western
cartoons have their moments, but not enough, thank you for letting me waste
your time. |
CorruptDictatorNumber2
Icy's Sexy Kitten
Posts: 9
(10/23/01 7:58:28 pm)
|
Invader ZIM
I haven't had time to ever watch Time Squad. Pop culture references reminds
me of Freakazoid, though. That was pretty good too. And I musn't forget Invader
ZIM!!! That show is so wonderful!!!
"Zim? Weren't you banished to Foodcourtia? Shouldn't you be frying something
right now?"
"Oh, I quit that when I heard about all this."
"........ You QUIT...being BANISHED?"
"You can't leave me out of Operation Impending Doom 2! I was in Operation
Impending Doom 1!!"
"Oh yes, we remember..." (flashbackiness)
(Zim sits at the main controls of a giant robot)
"Hahahaha! We'll destroy them all!"
"But sir, we're still on our home planet!"
"Silence, you! Twist those knobs! Twist those knobs! And YOU, pull those
levers!"
(The giant robot proceeds to blow up a city...)
(end flashback)
(Zim is looking intensley at his feet)
"I put the fires out..."
"ZIM, you made the fires WORSE."
"Worse.....or better?" |
IcyBrian
Posts: 371
(10/23/01 8:18:53 pm)
ezSupporter
|
Re: Invader ZIM
Invader ZIM!! Hehe, that show rocks. I watched about six episodes with some
friends a while back. I have no idea when it's on, though, or even if it's
still on at all. Anyone know?
~Brian |
ChildofLavos
Hawk
Posts: 17
(11/1/01 11:48:33 pm) |
I dunno,
something....
brian, Invader Zim is still on, i just have no clue when, and Tomoyo Chan,
ever figure out lain or are u still confuzed?
Also... anyone seen Kite? That RULES!!!!!! Lotsa purty explosions n' stuff,
i would highly recommend it, that and Sol Bianca, great stuff and a fairly
competend dubbing job too. *gasp!!!!!* |
Tomoyochan13
Hawk
Posts: 49
(11/2/01 7:40:30 pm) |
Re: I dunno,
something....
No, CoL, but I'm gonna get another tape of Lain, if it's available, maybe
that'll clear SOMETHING up for me. |
Bane
Nathos
Hawk
Posts: 49
(11/2/01 8:52:22 pm)
|
Re: I dunno,
something....
I haven't seen that one but when i saw i think it is called Princess or Prince
Moneroke or something like that i was amazed it rocks |
IcyBrian
Posts: 434
(11/2/01 9:07:22 pm)
ezSupporter
|
Re: I dunno,
something....
Nah, Lain and Princess Mononoke are two entirely different things. |
RockinEli
Hawk
Posts: 13
(12/4/01 12:17:00 am) |
Invader Zim Times
Hey! I Love Invader Zim, I usually don't catch it, but it's on Nick around
9:00...But...why is the topic Invader Zim in the Anime Section. Is this
considered Anime? |
Shiro
X
Hawk
Posts: 11
(12/6/01 12:14:22 pm) |
Re: Why is anime so
special?
No, it's not. They're just compairing anime to 'Western' animation. Zim's
just one of the ones they like from America. |
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