Why Anime?

[jeppy325]

Hello, everyone!
I'm a Japanese student working on my master's thesis on Anime.

I would like to know few things from American anime fans:

1) Do you like anime more than live-action films? If yes (or no), why?

2) When you watch anime, does that encourage you to like Japan?
(*never mind the fact that I'm Japanese You can say whatever you want.)

3) Do you find anime characters look like Western people or Asians, or something else? Do you identify yourself with anime characters?

4) If there is any, what do you learn from anime?

5) Have you ever talked to any Japanese people about anime, and found something different in your understanding of anime and theirs?


If it's too much, you don't have to answer them all. I just wanna know little more how American people are perceiveing Japanese pop-culture.

Thanks!

[Riku8]

Well I'm not american but what the hay I'll still answer
1) Yes I do, because you can do more things with anime, more unbelievable things, and I think expressions are captured better, like in Death Note

2) Considering thats where it comes from yeah, but its not my sole reason for liking Japan because anime isn't even close to the full extent of the great things that originate from Japan

3) I find they look more like western people then Asian people (most of the time), which I do find strange, also I rarely see black people in animes which I also find strange, and yes I have the bad habit of identifying myself with characters

4) Anime teaches me many things, life lessons I wouldn't have learned otherwise and it teaches me Japanese, I know a decent amount from watching anime alone.

5) One of my best friends is Japanese and she has pretty much the same views on anime as i do

Hope that helps

[ShibaInu]

try reading through this thread of similar topic,

Why do we like anime?

you'll find some loads of information...happy reading!

[terra104]

hmmmmm... only americans????

[Salvanas]

I'm not American. I'm English. But I'll answer.

Originally Posted by jeppy325

1) Do you like anime more than live-action films? If yes (or no), why?

Depends really. Its a mixture of both. For an obvious reason, Anime can capture emotions MUCH better than real live action. This usually makes anime more interesting and more enjoyable. But then again. Theres Pirates of the Carribean. That film rocks.

2) When you watch anime, does that encourage you to like Japan?
(*never mind the fact that I'm Japanese You can say whatever you want.)

No. It doesn't encourage me to like it. What happened to me was the other way. I liked Japan since I knew about it. Beautiful scenery and the people. I've always wanted to see Japan. Then, I heard about Anime. Watched it. Thought it was cool. That was it.

3) Do you find anime characters look like Western people or Asians, or something else? Do you identify yourself with anime characters?

Nope. Hardly ANYONE , no matter what race or colour, looks like anime. It's been drawn to not look like people. Sure you might find one or two. But no. Hardly ANYONE looks like an Anime.

4) If there is any, what do you learn from anime?

I personally haven't learnt anything from Anime that I didn't already know. I don't find believing in morals from a story that has people that can fly in it very wise. There are ofc a few things. But it doesn't teach you much.

5) Have you ever talked to any Japanese people about anime, and found something different in your understanding of anime and theirs?

Believe it or not. Most Japanese people I talked too, aren't addicted to Anime. Most I talked to. And when I asked one about anime, they usually frown, as if, waiting on this huge bombardment of animes which I like and how I'm in love with the characters. They are usually relieved when they hear I like a few, but I'm not crazy about it.

Hope that helps.

And one bit of advice. Do remember that the world isn't America + Japan :P There are MANY countries between them:P

[jeppy325]

Thank you for writing me back everyone!
Your opinions are so very helpful and yes, I'll try to check another thread related to this topic.

Dear Terra104:
You're more than welcome to write your opinion! Sorry that was my mistake to say American anime fans. I should have said anime fans in U.S. (Though I'm not sure you're in U.S. or not..)

I'm interested in knowing how this Japanese pop-culture (anime) influence the way yourth in U.S. constructs their identity.

Does any one of you consider yourself Otaku?

What do you think of being one, or being considered to be one??

What do you think of people called Otaku?

After you find yourself so drawn (if you are) to the world of anime, do you find the reality as boring??

[Salvanas]

Does any one of you consider yourself Otaku?

I never have. And never will. My friends do though.

What do you think of being one, or being considered to be one??

I wouldn't want too. I enjoy it. I Don't WANT to be one.

What do you think of people called Otaku?

Might be slightly over addicted to anime.

After you find yourself so drawn (if you are) to the world of anime, do you find the reality as boring??

Nope never.

[Fratello]

Originally Posted by jeppy325

Hello, everyone!
I'm a Japanese student working on my master's thesis on Anime.

I would like to know few things from American anime fans:

I'm British but I really wanted to answer, so I hope you don't mind

Originally Posted by jeppy325

1) Do you like anime more than live-action films? If yes (or no), why?

Hmm that depends, I do like alot of Anime more in comparison to live action, I like hoe you are escaping into another world that does or may not be real, it allows your mind to wonder and escape from this world, but Live action is more real and you can't get lost in the story so easily.

Originally Posted by jeppy325

2) When you watch anime, does that encourage you to like Japan?
(*never mind the fact that I'm Japanese You can say whatever you want.)

I've always loved Japan, anime or no anime

Originally Posted by jeppy325

3) Do you find anime characters look like Western people or Asians, or something else? Do you identify yourself with anime characters?

I think some characters have a western influence towards them, to make them appealing to us, but I would prefer them more Japanese looking

Originally Posted by jeppy325

4) If there is any, what do you learn from anime?

now that I'm not sure of myself, I think I get too engrossed in it to learn much really

Originally Posted by jeppy325

5) Have you ever talked to any Japanese people about anime, and found something different in your understanding of anime and theirs?

I spoke to my Ex about it a few times, but we were pretty similar in our thoughts on subjects raised in animes

Originally Posted by jeppy325

If it's too much, you don't have to answer them all. I just wanna know little more how American people are perceiveing Japanese pop-culture.

Thanks!

I hope you really don't mind me being a brit, but I am half American, so maybe I can count


Edit

Originally Posted by jeppy325

Does any one of you consider yourself Otaku?

I do

Originally Posted by jeppy325

What do you think of being one, or being considered to be one??

I find it an honor really

Originally Posted by jeppy325

What do you think of people called Otaku?

Well there meant to be quite well like my Japanese people, so I like em, there interesting to talk to cus we have similar interests

Originally Posted by jeppy325

After you find yourself so drawn (if you are) to the world of anime, do you find the reality as boring??

hmm tough question really, I'm not too sure on that one

[Gerard]

1) Do you like anime more than live-action films? If yes (or no), why?
- Yeah i do... simply because theres waaaaay more fantasy in Anime then a movie.....

2) When you watch anime, does that encourage you to like Japan?
(*never mind the fact that I'm Japanese You can say whatever you want.)
- Yeah it does..

3) Do you find anime characters look like Western people or Asians, or something else? Do you identify yourself with anime characters?
- yeah they look western.. but with japanese voices and clothes (Like school uniforms)

4) If there is any, what do you learn from anime?
- I learn how to skip homework for watching anime lol...

5) Have you ever talked to any Japanese people about anime, and found something different in your understanding of anime and theirs?
- Don't care about others understandings.

[Riku8]

Originally Posted by jeppy325

After you find yourself so drawn (if you are) to the world of anime, do you find the reality as boring??

I know its probably a bad thing but yes, yes I do, I find myself extraordinary bored in reality and I day dream a lot