American parodies of anime [Archive]

MahouShoujo13

05-10-2004, 03:55 PM

With Megas XLR already making fun of anime, what other cartoons, show or whatever that make complete fun or piss-takes of anime?
Hm....
Teen Titans
Totally Spies
There was one episode of Kim Possible that looked like it made fun of anime, well, maybe Japan in general.
There's a lot, actually.

Why would some idiotic people try to make fun of a cool genre that is obivously and unanimously better than American cartoons?

Invader_Spooch

05-10-2004, 04:06 PM

Hm....
Teen Titans
Totally Spies
There was one episode of Kim Possible that looked like it made fun of anime, well, maybe Japan in general.
There's a lot, actually.

Why would some idiotic people try to make fun of a cool genre that is obivously and unanimously better than American cartoons?Because:
1)anime isn't superior or perfect (tons of crap anime, a good majority of them popular)
2)Japan isn't some Shangrila type paridise where rivers run wit Ramune, and everyone sits around basking in the amazing superiority of Japanese animation.
3)American animation is capable of equal if not superior production in both writing and animation quality (Invader Zim for example), but people fault the fact that the U.S. society still deems animation as children's entertainment, so they go on long tirades about how great anime is ( I love anime, but lets be realistic;there are just as many crap anime as there are crap cartoons and movies ie.tons). While american animation has a long way to go to reach the variety of subject matter as anime, that in no way means that all anime is superior to american animation.

On topic, the infamous Clerks episode four segment. Classic.
MTV's Downtown didn't directly parody anime, but the main characters went to an sci-fi/anime con, and two of the characters interupt a screening of Sailor Moon, angering some male Sailor Moon cosplayers.

MahouShoujo13

05-10-2004, 05:05 PM

Because:
1)anime isn't superior or perfect (tons of crap anime, a good majority of them popular)
2)Japan isn't some Shangrila type paridise where rivers run wit Ramune, and everyone sits around basking in the amazing superiority of Japanese animation.
3)American animation is capable of equal if not superior production in both writing and animation quality (Invader Zim for example), but people fault the fact that the U.S. society still deems animation as children's entertainment, so they go on long tirades about how great anime is ( I love anime, but lets be realistic;there are just as many crap anime as there are crap cartoons and movies ie.tons). While american animation has a long way to go to reach the variety of subject matter as anime, that in no way means that all anime is superior to american animation.

On topic, the infamous Clerks episode four segment. Classic.
MTV's Downtown didn't directly parody anime, but the main characters went to an sci-fi/anime con, and two of the characters interupt a screening of Sailor Moon, angering some male Sailor Moon cosplayers.
Okay, so what anime is crap? I know NGE, Sprited Away, Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Akira aren't crap. :shrug:

UberMonkey

05-10-2004, 05:28 PM

Okay, so what anime is crap? I know NGE, Sprited Away, Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Akira aren't crap. :shrug:
There's a lot of anime out there that is completely lacking in coherent plot or character development that simply rely on silly things like lots of fanservice. Really, the two Ghibli films and Akira you mentioned are probably some of the cream of the crop. Eva is pretty good, too... although there's many people who can argue otherwise.

You really shouldn't let yourself be so biased like that though. There's a lot of great American series, too.

Calling Teen Titans and Totally Spies "anime parodies" is a stretch, too (not to mention TS is French, not american). Both those shows have simply adapted some more Eastern styles into their character designs.

To be on topic... uhm.. "Chicken Ball Z" on Billy and Mandy. You might be able to argue Duel Masters, too.

Lord Dalek

05-10-2004, 05:47 PM

All together now: "Who is driving? Oh my god! Bear is driving! HOW CAN THAT BE?!"

Jave

05-10-2004, 07:44 PM

A Kids Next Door episode (Operation R.E.P.O.R.T) had a dead-on DBZ parody. Numbuh 4 as Goku and those "villian" kids as Freiza.

And episode "Mock 5" of Dexter's Lab. A hilarious Speed Racer knockoff.

And can we mention stuff the other way around? Like this episode of DBZ which features a gag taken from a Popeye cartoon.

Skervy_Pyrit

05-10-2004, 07:47 PM

In one of my favorite Dexter's Lab episodes of all time, Dexter is an exchange student in Japan and has a huge 'mobile suit' type battle with 2 Japanese students.

Jade_GL

05-10-2004, 07:59 PM

All together now: "Who is driving? Oh my god! Bear is driving! HOW CAN THAT BE?!"That was CLASSIC, utterly classic.

Even though I have seen some other pretty great anime parodies in my day, this one segment of the Clerks cartoon probably takes the cake. I also liked the great Tom Cruise saving the day moment. So funny...

I think the one scene that almost rivals it was the fighting scene in South Park's *Good Time With Weapons* where they had the great faux j-pop in the background. I laughed so hard at the Engrish lyrics that I just about cried. Great episode.

On a side note about anime vs. American toons, it's easy to say all anime is sooooo good when you only mention what are considered the best of the genre. I would like to submit that Pokemon and similar shows, as well as many shows that we never even see in the states, are just as bad as the worst American toon. Also, that attitude completely discounts the completely revolutionary American toons, from the very beginnings of animation, to the fantastic Batman TAS, to great adult toons like The Maxx and The Head or Aeon Flux.

Really, every entertainment genre created by every country and culture across the globe has it's fair amount of utter crap and complete gold. Saying one is completely superior is uninformed and a bit elitist. I myself used to think anime was the be all and end all, then I saw the old Superman toons and remembered watching The Maxx, among other shows, and I realized I was being pretty close-minded. Now I have a nice collection of many good toons, from both countries.

Taikyo

05-10-2004, 08:06 PM

Let's not forget Treeflower's animé-crazed imagination in the Angry Beavers episode "Pass It On." The scene showed parodies of G-Force, Astro Boy, and Project A-Ko.

Youko Recca

05-10-2004, 08:35 PM

I JUST recetly watched that South Park episode and laughed my ass off.Exactly what were the lyrics to that....I know they didn't make sence.Episode owned.Not forgetting Clerk's parody either.

http://www.angelfire.com/punk4/food/crazystuff.gif

Gloria Harp

05-10-2004, 08:54 PM

There are plenty of animes that are absolute and utter crap (I refrain from mentioning them in fear of offending anyone); even I'll admit that, and I love anime.

Anyways, my favorite anime parodies have to come from Reboot, which had a couple of scenes in earlier episodes (like with Sailor Moon towards the end of Season 3), and, of course, the episode in season four which was a parody of Dragonball and Pokemon, but that's probably because I'm a huge Reboot fan, so...they also did good parodies of Power Rangers, X-files, and Austin Powers, just to name a few ...:)

Oh, how I love Reboot! Just for Reboot alone, Canadian animation definitely beats out both Japanese and American animation combined :D.

Youko Recca

05-10-2004, 08:59 PM

Oh, how I love Reboot! Just for Reboot alone, Canadian animation definitely beats out both Japanese and American animation combined :D.
If you weren't so obsessive and hyper I'd actually have taken you serious...

DSRGirl

05-10-2004, 09:01 PM

Let's not forget Treeflower's animé-crazed imagination in the Angry Beavers episode "Pass It On." The scene showed parodies of G-Force, Astro Boy, and Project A-Ko.

Treeflower's costume also seemed inspired by Lina Inverse from Slayers. At least, in my opinion.

Even though it's live action, this old TV show Norm had a pretty funny Pokemon parody. With this Ash Ketchum like kid bringing out these large live action costumed Pokemon to use against Norm.

NORM: Butterfree, use Psyblast!
BUTTERFREE: That's a sissy attack! Can't I just throw a chair at him?

Gloria Harp

05-10-2004, 09:14 PM

If you weren't so obsessive and hyper I'd actually have taken you serious...
That's good, because I was scared people were going to :sweat:! Although, I still love Reboot and it is still the best thing that ever came out of Canada; well, that and hockey (why didn't the Rangers make the playoffs again? Why??? :( ). But Reboot rocks my world! :)

Anyways, back onto topic! I still think Reboot has the best anime parodies. But I never really thought of Teen Titans as an anime parody, per se. I mean, they took some things from the anime style, but they weren't exactly parodying it...not that I could see. It was more like they were borrowing some of the style because they thought it was cool; like giving anime its props, or something like that. But maybe that's just me...

Nick Biped

05-10-2004, 09:17 PM

I think there was a scene in one of the Family Guy episodes that had Speed Racer and Pops, and it parodied the stilted dubbing of the show. Kinda funny, I thought.

Artimus Gigan

05-10-2004, 09:22 PM

Why would some idiotic people try to make fun of a cool genre that is obivously and unanimously better than American cartoons?
You have not seen the whole iceberg then....nay peasent thy hast only seen thy tip...

and I wouldn't say that Teent Titans and Totaly Spies parody anime, a parody is what Weird Al does. Influanced is what Teen Titans is, and Totaly Spies is made in France which is where Daft Punk is...and Daft Punk has the style down in it's videos...so the style can be made in other countries....

and Kim Possable doesn't really have anything close to anime....

Gloria Harp

05-10-2004, 09:30 PM

You have not seen the whole iceberg then....nay peasent thy hast only seen thy tip...

and I wouldn't say that Teent Titans and Totaly Spies parody anime, a parody is what Weird Al does. Influanced is what Teen Titans is, and Totaly Spies is made in France which is where Daft Punk is...and Daft Punk has the style down in it's videos...so the style can be made in other countries....

and Kim Possable doesn't really have anything close to anime....
I heard that Daft Punk actually got a famous Japanese anime artist to do their very cool, IMO, videos (who's name slips my mind at the moment), but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Oh, and I agree with Teen Titans thing, and the Totally Spies thing, too, although I've only seen one or two episodes from that series. BTW, Daft Punk only has though four anime videos, right? Because the fourth one kind of ends in a cliffhanger and I was hoping there might be another one...:sad:

Oh, and I just realized that this thread is titled American anime parodies, meaning Reboot doesn't count...SO unfair! :mad: That's probably because everyone knows that Reboot would beat out all the other parodies so it had to be disqualified (at least, that's what I like to tell myself...:p )

Batmex

05-10-2004, 09:32 PM

With Megas XLR already making fun of anime, what other cartoons, show or whatever that make complete fun or piss-takes of anime?
The design Megas itself is actualy a homage(or rip off) to a very early version/idea of Go Nagai's Mazinger Z here's the proof:

http://www.mundomazinger.com/Miscelanea/Manga/Manga1/19.jpg

Artimus Gigan

05-10-2004, 09:38 PM

The design Megas itself is actualy a homage(or rip off) to a very early version/idea of Go Nagai's Mazinger Z here's the proof:

http://www.mundomazinger.com/Miscelanea/Manga/Manga1/19.jpg
Is that Photoshopped?

The shading doesn't appear right

Batmex

05-10-2004, 09:46 PM

Is that Photoshopped?

The shading doesn't appear rightNope that is a Sketch done by Go Nagai himslef he said this in an interview:

Go Nagai was stuck in a trafic jam once back in the late 60's, he was so frutrated that he said "I wish my car had arms and legs so I could walk through this trafic" he tought of that for a while.

after he got out of the jam, he began to think of this concept for a new manga and thus our Mazinger was born!

Invader_Spooch

05-11-2004, 01:13 AM

I heard that Daft Punk actually got a famous Japanese anime artist to do their very cool, IMO, videos (who's name slips my mind at the moment), but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Oh, and I agree with Teen Titans thing, and the Totally Spies thing, too, although I've only seen one or two episodes from that series. BTW, Daft Punk only has though four anime videos, right? Because the fourth one kind of ends in a cliffhanger and I was hoping there might be another one...:sad:

Oh, and I just realized that this thread is titled American anime parodies, meaning Reboot doesn't count...SO unfair! :mad: That's probably because everyone knows that Reboot would beat out all the other parodies so it had to be disqualified (at least, that's what I like to tell myself...:p )I wasn't sure if I should dignify this with a response or not..

Daft Punk worked with acclaimed anime-director Leiji Matsumoto on a series of music videos that formed an hour long short film Interstella 5555. There are about 16 or so videos total.

The other BS in this post I won't even cover. I will try and pretend I didn't see it. >_<

UberMonkey

05-11-2004, 03:45 AM

The design Megas itself is actualy a homage(or rip off) to a very early version/idea of Go Nagai's Mazinger Z here's the proof:

http://www.mundomazinger.com/Miscelanea/Manga/Manga1/19.jpg
That guy with the bugged out eyes at the bottom is priceless. That's pretty funny... although I'd be suprised if Megas's creators had seen this.

lostrune

05-11-2004, 05:43 AM

You have not seen the whole iceberg then....nay peasent thy hast only seen thy tip...

Yeah, she should see some of the anime that the Sci-Fi Channel used to show, like Odin - Photon Space Sailer Starlight. :D

and Kim Possable doesn't really have anything close to anime....

What about that ep where Ron goes to Japan and Kim is crushing on a Japanese exchange student? :p

I heard that Daft Punk actually got a famous Japanese anime artist to do their very cool, IMO, videos (who's name slips my mind at the moment), but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Oh, and I agree with Teen Titans thing, and the Totally Spies thing, too, although I've only seen one or two episodes from that series. BTW, Daft Punk only has though four anime videos, right? Because the fourth one kind of ends in a cliffhanger and I was hoping there might be another one...:sad:

Leiji Matsumoto of Star Blazers and Galaxy Express 999 fame. It's very noticeable concerning how he draws his women. :anime:

Cheesecake

05-11-2004, 10:10 AM

[QUOTE=MahouShoujo13]Okay, so what anime is crap? I know NGE, Sprited Away, Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Akira aren't crap. :shrug:[/QUOTE

beleive me there are TONS! Ambassador Magma, Odin, monster rancher, Dominion tank police, Battle angel alita, Cream princess, Tokyo pig, Pokemon, digimon, Macross 2, Potato boy, etc, etc

If you look at the amount of anime that has been made and the amount that has actually been RELEASED you'll know why they werent released..tehy were crap.

Jave

05-11-2004, 12:58 PM

beleive me there are TONS! Ambassador Magma, Odin, monster rancher, Dominion tank police, Battle angel alita, Cream princess, Tokyo pig, Pokemon, digimon, Macross 2, Potato boy, etc, etc
Hey! Don't diss the digidestined!

Animelee

05-11-2004, 01:05 PM

[QUOTE=MahouShoujo13]Okay, so what anime is crap? I know NGE, Sprited Away, Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) and Akira aren't crap. :shrug:[/QUOTE

Tokyo pig, Pokemon, digimon, etc, etc

If you look at the amount of anime that has been made and the amount that has actually been RELEASED you'll know why they werent released..tehy were crap. A cartoon doesn't have to be "mature" for it to be good, ya know. :rolleyes:

And I think otaku (Japan-elitists) should read this: http://azusa.leamonde.net/animerant.html

Invader_Spooch

05-11-2004, 01:52 PM

A cartoon doesn't have to be "mature" for it to be good, ya know. :rolleyes:

And I think otaku (Japan-elitists) should read this: http://azusa.leamonde.net/animerant.htmlWhile I am on your side on this arguement Animelee (Pokemon, while for a younger audience, it a decently made show) that doesn't mean all shonen esque anime are good, either. Too many people jump on the children's anime hating bandwagon, it's an easier arguement than listing shows for an older demographic that suck (I'm looking in YOUR direction, Happy Lesson). The problem when arguing the quality of an anime, is that too many people let the fact that a show that is made for a younger audience effect their verdict, and they let their personal taste interfere with their judgement.

MahouShoujo13

05-11-2004, 04:18 PM

To Lostrune:

I was talking about that KP episode to everyone earlier as an anime parody. Too bad I missed those. The only show I watch on the Sci Fi Channel is "The X-Files", and it's not even anime, although it would've been cooler and the episodes weirder if it was in anime. Same with Star Trek: The Next Generation, which is shown on Spike TV.

To Cheesecake:

I am on your side with some of the anime you mentioned that were total crap.

To Invader_Spooch:

Only four episodes of Interstella 5555 were shown, which were for "One More Time", "Aerodynamic", "Digital Love", and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger". Can you give me a list of all the music videos that were in Interstella 5555?

To Animelee:

I read the article you linked, and I do agree with some of the points Azusa made:

I do agree that otaku do get pissed when people say anime is cartoons, but even I do that. :sad:

I do also agree that Sailor Moon shouldn't be the model of entertainment. It's good...but there should be more elements.

I do agree that being an otaku doesn't make us experts of the Japanese culture. There are some things about the Japanese culture not revealed in anime. I am interested in the Japanese culture, but the only way I can say I'm an expert if I lived in Japan for a few years.

Also to everyone:

I know some good American shows and cartoons.

Star Wars: Clone Wars, Samurai Jack, PPG, Codename: Kids Next Door, Star Trek TNG and DS9, X-Files, Futurama....

Few of those shows aren't animated, you know.

Invader_Spooch

05-11-2004, 10:57 PM

To Invader_Spooch:

Only four episodes of Interstella 5555 were shown, which were for "One More Time", "Aerodynamic", "Digital Love", and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger". Can you give me a list of all the music videos that were in Interstella 5555?
Every song on the Daft Punk album "Discovery". I'm not going to bother listing every one of them, just look up the Interstella5555 DVD on animenation.com

Jeffrey

05-12-2004, 01:36 AM

Inuyasha and Yu Yu Hakusho on "Bonus Stage"

Agree with me........DO IT!!!!

J. B. Warner

05-12-2004, 08:15 AM

Is there any more satirical shot at anime than "The Simpsons" episode "30 Minutes Over Tokyo"? After Lisa observes such Japanese landmarks as the Imperial Gardens, the Meiji Shrine, and the Hello Kitty factory (from which come sounds of whirring machinery and pained meows) Bart turns on the TV to an anime called "Battling Seizure Robots", featuring giant Gundam-like robots with intensely flashing eyes. Soon Bart, Lisa, and Marge are all on the ground with dilated pupils twitcing through epileptic seizures - upon which Homer enters and has no idea what they're doing, but gets down on the floor and twitches anyway.

And you can't forget the Mr. Sparkle commercial in "In Marge We Trust". "I'm disrespectful to dirt! Can you see I am serious?"

MahouShoujo13

05-12-2004, 03:34 PM

Every song on the Daft Punk album "Discovery". I'm not going to bother listing every one of them, just look up the Interstella5555 DVD on animenation.com
Really..

I knew there was something else going on after "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"! I was hoping the four alien performers go back to their home planet.

I'll check it out.