01/25/08

What exactly do others think while they are watching something animated? Is it possible to take screwed-up faces and graphics seriously?

Well, let’s look at this issue more extensively.

An American named Joe is a TV fanatic. He watches shows like “Law & Order.” Take a different kind of fanatic named George who watches pure anime like “Cowboy Bebop” and “Rurouni Kenshin.”

Does Joe think just because George’s programs are animated that they can’t be just as dramatic or cinematic as a regular TV show? Does he think just because it’s animation it’s like a cartoon?

He shouldn’t and the public shouldn’t either.

I came across a mother and a young one interested in purchasing an anime to rent at Hastings one day.

When the little one asked if they could rent something from there, his mother responded with, “No, honey. Let’s rent a real movie.”

Sometimes I think that others fail to realize the entertainment of anime and let society label it.

There are many stereotypes that need airing out, so let me try and explain anime.

While many people still see anime as cartoons, there are those who do not.

As said by John of Anime Nations, anime tends to offer a lot more extensive elements.

He goes on to say that cartoons usually fall into four categories: slapstick comedy like “Looney Tunes,” slow-paced diversions for children like “Rugrats,” mature comedy and satire for adults like “South Park” and action/super hero adventures like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”

Anime, on the other hand, broadens to other genres such as science fiction, drama and even sports.

Anime also tends to offer the audience a sense of reality because of three elements that are particularly seen in anime.

The first is the use of humor. The humor in a cartoon is for the sole purpose of informing the viewers they are watching a cartoon.

The humor of anime, however, is character oriented in the large part.

For instance, in an anime a character is naturally funny, while in a cartoon the character is forcibly funny, coming across as corny.

There is almost always one character designated for comic relief in anime.

Secondly, in anime, they tend to show all of reality, even the darker aspects, such as violence, drinking and murder.

Whereas cartoons are aimed directly at children, anime is often aimed at all audiences because of these characteristics.

In cartoons, these elements are obviously left out. According to John, it’s because in our culture, we do not expose our youth to these elements for fear our children will be corrupted or traumatized as a result.

The Japanese place a heavy emphasis on realism in their culture.

Therefore, they believe in exposing children to these different facets no matter how negative.

Third, anime brings a different perspective on the relationship between characters and situations. John said, “American cartoons put characters in situations, anime places the situation around the character.”

While cartoons seem episodic, anime has more to do with the growth of its characters.

Cartoons have characters that often stay the same way throughout the series.

In anime, situations change the characters for better or for worse, like real life.

Character development is the most distinctive difference in cartoons and anime because character development allows the viewer to sympathize with the characters rather than be entertained by them.

Cinema and anime have their differences as well.

While movies can be ongoing and have great in-depth plots, anime possesses a direct form from imagination.

Plus, anime feels so much more fantastic than that familiar action movie. Finally, there is a lot more involvement between an anime and its viewers.

Anime is a genre that has grown and will continue to grow in popularity.

I suggest people ignore those common stereotypes like “it’s weird” or “they are just cartoons” and try to watch one of them.

Who knows, you might just end up liking it. Don’t let society take this joy away from you.