Why Anime is So Good To Watch
Happy Monday everyone! Let's get this week started with something that I've had defend for a while now. Anime: Why do I watch it? Why do people love it so much? What's so significant about it? Well, I love anime and everything that comes with it - mainly, a general knowledge and insight on Japanese culture. But, a lot of people tear down anime - and the people that watch and enjoy it - only because they don't understand it. I've got a few things to say on the subject as to why anime is so unique, creative, and enjoyable to watch.
Like any other versions of entertainment, there are plenty of examples that are both very good and examples that are very bad. When it comes to anime there are a couple of reasons you find it so good. First because it originates in Japan that acts as a bit as a natural filter. It takes extra time and money to translate it from it's natural language. If the Anime is very bad, they are less likely to put the time and money into translating it and promoting it. As a result you are less likely to be aware of it to even consider watching it. Second because anime comes from a country with a different culture, they have a naturally different base for what they consider to be am utterly generic story. That means that while to them a story may be utterly generic and forgettable, to you, who has a different basis for what qualifies as utterly generic and forgettable, it seems new and different.
Anime is unique in the way that it can express many things that a normal TV show cannot, because of its extensive use of animation. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and through awesome graphics and animation, anime just makes us go “WOW”. Since anime is animated, it can also depict various types of characters which normally, actors may not be willing to. It breaks several barriers and allows room for better humor, better depth of characters and on an overall, a better viewing experience!
Anime is also an excellent way to think about society, the world, government, religion, morals. justice, race, reality of war, friendship, brotherhood, sacrifice... There are so many different examples of Anime that really delves into these topics and makes you think about what's going on around you. I can name tons of different shows and movies - I won't here, there's a lot, but feel free to ask me for recommendations.
One of the main things I look for when I'm searching for a new anime is it's animation style. I love the look of most classic anime, but also there are the ones that peak my interest because of their unique style that is just so damn different than everything else out there. A lot of anime series and movies are visually stunning. Studio Ghibli films such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are great examples of amazing quality animation and character designs with background artwork that could be framed and hung in an art gallery.
Another reason that anime is so good is due to the source material that majority for anime. Anime draws primarily on Japanese Comic Books, known as Manga, as the source of most of its inspiration. Because Manga was in Japan the authors, known as Mangaka, did not need to follow the Comic Book Code as they did in the United States. This allows for an opportunity for Mangaka to expand their subjects to cover that wouldn't be available in the United States. Anime also didn't have to with the restrictions on anime on what they were allowed to show on Japanese Television. The United States had to deal with restrictions set down by the Code of Broadcasting and the Federal Communications Commission. This reason alone makes a big difference in anime story lines and American stories.
All-in-all, I love anime. I believe I always will. The animation alone is enough to keep pulling me in. Come for the animation, stay for the beautiful weaving of storytelling. If you're still not convinced on anime, the only thing you can do is put your adult, cartoons-are-for-kids mentality and find an anime to watch. There are plenty of easy ones to start with. Just search "starting anime shows" and you'll find so many different options to choose from. Trust me, you won't be sorry. I'll see you tomorrow.
Buh-bye.
Like any other versions of entertainment, there are plenty of examples that are both very good and examples that are very bad. When it comes to anime there are a couple of reasons you find it so good. First because it originates in Japan that acts as a bit as a natural filter. It takes extra time and money to translate it from it's natural language. If the Anime is very bad, they are less likely to put the time and money into translating it and promoting it. As a result you are less likely to be aware of it to even consider watching it. Second because anime comes from a country with a different culture, they have a naturally different base for what they consider to be am utterly generic story. That means that while to them a story may be utterly generic and forgettable, to you, who has a different basis for what qualifies as utterly generic and forgettable, it seems new and different.
Anime is unique in the way that it can express many things that a normal TV show cannot, because of its extensive use of animation. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and through awesome graphics and animation, anime just makes us go “WOW”. Since anime is animated, it can also depict various types of characters which normally, actors may not be willing to. It breaks several barriers and allows room for better humor, better depth of characters and on an overall, a better viewing experience!
Anime is also an excellent way to think about society, the world, government, religion, morals. justice, race, reality of war, friendship, brotherhood, sacrifice... There are so many different examples of Anime that really delves into these topics and makes you think about what's going on around you. I can name tons of different shows and movies - I won't here, there's a lot, but feel free to ask me for recommendations.
One of the main things I look for when I'm searching for a new anime is it's animation style. I love the look of most classic anime, but also there are the ones that peak my interest because of their unique style that is just so damn different than everything else out there. A lot of anime series and movies are visually stunning. Studio Ghibli films such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are great examples of amazing quality animation and character designs with background artwork that could be framed and hung in an art gallery.
Another reason that anime is so good is due to the source material that majority for anime. Anime draws primarily on Japanese Comic Books, known as Manga, as the source of most of its inspiration. Because Manga was in Japan the authors, known as Mangaka, did not need to follow the Comic Book Code as they did in the United States. This allows for an opportunity for Mangaka to expand their subjects to cover that wouldn't be available in the United States. Anime also didn't have to with the restrictions on anime on what they were allowed to show on Japanese Television. The United States had to deal with restrictions set down by the Code of Broadcasting and the Federal Communications Commission. This reason alone makes a big difference in anime story lines and American stories.
All-in-all, I love anime. I believe I always will. The animation alone is enough to keep pulling me in. Come for the animation, stay for the beautiful weaving of storytelling. If you're still not convinced on anime, the only thing you can do is put your adult, cartoons-are-for-kids mentality and find an anime to watch. There are plenty of easy ones to start with. Just search "starting anime shows" and you'll find so many different options to choose from. Trust me, you won't be sorry. I'll see you tomorrow.
Buh-bye.
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