What fuels YOUR anime desires?

[kiddiesunshine]

Some people can't seem to understand the reasons why so many people are into Japanese animation. What makes you anime fans out there like it so much? I, myself, go for the realistic art style and the subject matter, not to mention character development.

[DR. BELCH]

--all three: good writing, visually interesting artwork, and a dynamic character (even a villain can be interesting, if we know what makes him go sour, and, even more, if on some level we can relate. In fact, many of my favorite anime characters are villains, like Pokemon's Jessy, Sailor Moon's Ann and Alan, and Gundam's Char Aznable); they often seem more real and compelling that the hero.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Variety. Although we only see the action toons on TV, anime has an equally large number or non-action shows. There are anime out there for even the blindest anime-hater. I'll bet my life on that.

[kiddiesunshine]

I don't see how anyone can hate anime. Hate is such a strong word to be using for something about which you know nothing. I'll tell you guys though, I'll bet the subject matter keeps some people away. Some anime is just too serious for some folks. Also, if action is their thing, they want it.....ALL THE TIME! I've heard complaints from people, saying DBZ is nothing but talking and no fighting. There is a considerable amount of talking, but I believe that's to move the story along and create suspense. Some of us don't want well-developed characters. We just want someone's head to get knocked off.
BATMAN: TAS is pretty close to anime in story and all that. It's much deeper and even if you never saw any episode but one, you can tell each character's personality for the most part. My favorite episode is the one where Harlequin and Poison Ivy team up. That was great for multiple reasons(Harley with hardly anything on, wink, wink).
I hated watching Superman for some reason. I guess he wasn't super enough for me.
ANIME-For the serious cartoon watcher who likes to actually think while watching those cartoons

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

There are a lot of anime currently on U.S. TV worth hating, but then, there are a lot of domestic toons in general that are worth hating as well.

[Kero]

The storylines for me but it also has to not be slashed to bits.

Kero

[Mr. Obsession]

I voted for storylines, but personally I feel that storylines and character development are just about equal in importance (and this goes for domestic stuff as well). The way I see it, you can have incredible character development but that's wasted without a good story. Like wise you could have a brilliant story, but without good developable characters what's the point?

The artwork takes second place. Realistically what appeals visually is going to vary from person to person. But for me, as long as the artwork/animation is consistent I'm happy.

And while it's not a choice I'll bring up background music. Face it, the music can either add or subtract so much from the entire show it's not even funny. I also find that I enjoy the music so much more if it can be appreciated with out having even seen the show it comes from.

[Calhoun07]

I voted for story lines as well, as I felt that was the foundation of the series. But character development is also very important, because you can have a great story but if you use lousy characters, it will hurt the great story line.

[Lachesis]

I agree with Larry: it's the variety. Romance, horror, slapstick comedy, murder mysteries, and whatever the heck Lain was trying to be, make anime a heck of a lot wider in selection than most people think.

Of the choices listed, I'll say storylines. If you don't have good writing, you haven't got anything.

[redDragon]

I'd say all three....but storyline comes out slightly ahead because generally, that's what keeps you interested in it. After all, why would you want to keep watching it if nothing exciting happened?

[I.R Joey]

The top 3 where hard for me, but I eventually came to voting for story. Of coarse charecter development and story can be interlocked Like in Kenshin as he changes with each battle.

As for artwork, I won't lie and say it doesn't matter, I like flashy animation, but the animation and music must complement the story. You can have all the great tracks and eye candy, but if it does not match the story, then to me its pointless. That's why I don't get alot of soundtracks these days.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Actually, if I were to pick actual aspects other than variety, I'd say character development. A lot of newer anime have fundamentally derivative storylines--most of these anime are saved by strong characters and character development. Anime shows have a patient eye when looking at characters. A strong focus on exploring (and in many newer titles, DECONSTRUCTING) character relationships.

A character driven, plotless story CAN fill over 70 minutes. Hayao Miyazaki's gentler films are generally plotless. Truffaut's 400 Blows could be considered a coming-of-age story, but that's reaching, as there really is no tight thread of narrative tying everything together--yet it is a great movie.

[The Mad Hatter]

I'd have to agreee with whoever said variety. Japan doesn't live under the "cartoons are for kids" stigma, so the studios there are free to come up with whatever they want.

[Nightwing]

Originally posted by kiddiesunshine
BATMAN: TAS is pretty close to anime in story and all that.

Well as long as by that you mean BTAS broke away from the cartoon stereotype that the rest of Western animation hadn't then I agree. And that same stereotype was long since forgoten by Japanese animation. I'm just clarifying when a piece of animation has great characters, writing, and animation, that doesn't label it "anime". :) Of course, I know that's not the case here.

Anyway, since these two types of animation come from two different cultures, I think it's only logical why some Americans don't like anime. To me things are just....really weird. I've learned that no matter how open minded, forgiving, etc you are, you've got to multiply that by 50 in order to allow yourself to understand Anime, if you're American. A lot of people do that, some people don't. :)

[joker]

i cant say i like anime, or any of the shows ive seen for that matter. in fact out of all the anime shows ive seen, i think they were aweful. but its been said on this board that there have been real good ones that have not been seen on tv so i cant say i hate all of it, just what ive seen.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Naturally, there are those people out there who will never like anime, even if they ever hit a show that SHOULD appeal to their tastes. Never underestimate the power of bias. You know how they say people have already made up their mind about a movie just by seeing the trailers? It happens a lot, and this case is no exception. People can go into something deliberately trying NOT to like it.

Hey, I'm not criticizing these people. I can't stand full CGI so the appeal of Toy Story and Shrek are lost on me because of my irrational biases against this kind of animation. Maybe one day I'll get over it...but that'll be a while.

[batboy2001]

Okay, here is bb2001, late as always, I like the storys! I mean you can't get a show about 5 weird bounty hunters in a cool ship, in the US! Also they make their cartoons almost real and characters you can almost relate to.