Sunday 16 January 2011

A rant about anime

Now as you all must have guessed from reading my posts, I like Japan. I like Japan a lot. A think their is a term for it something like Japanophile or Nipponophilia. And I am acutely aware that there are many people out there that also like Japan, and that these people also like anime. Now I have nothing against anime or manga, I have read a couple and watches a few of the movies, and occasionally I like them.

However what I cannot stand is the generalisation that everyone with an interest in Japan has this interest because they are into anime or are some weeaboo weirdo. How many times when I have told people about my Japan thing, only to be asked if I like anime! Often comes the follow up question of "Do you wish you were Japanese then?" The answer to this is simply no. Sure I am jealous of the fact that east Asian people can pull off just about any look they go for, but that is as far as it goes. I am White British and I am happy with that.

So, if your mind is that way inclined a to think anyone that likes Japanese wants to be Japanese and likes anime, think again. You do not need to ask the questions, if a person wants to go to Japan for cartoons, they will most likely mention them in passing, and if they want to be asian, well it's hard to miss the poor attempts you see sometimes.
And thus concludes my rant about anime and the stereotypes given to japanophiles.


'Til next time
~GA

Ps: I like Japan for it's culture history and food, not including anime, manga or pocky sticks. Just eat a dam chocolate bar!

Location:Everywhere in my head

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1 comment:

  1. Unknown18 January 2011 at 07:13

    I can't tell you how much I agree. Personally, I enjoy Anime, but the problem is if you live in "The West" be that the UK or the USA, you easily find yourself being looked at like "Oh he likes Japan/Anime, he must be some Otaku freak!" or some variation of this. I love the history of Japan, the food, the language itself, and yes even the Anime. But I would never say that just ONE of these reasons are why I want to move to Japan. Yet, constantly, thats what people think, that it just has to be Anime, and it can't be anything else. Also, yeah, somehow people seem to think "Gee, he must wish he were Asian", to which I can barely think of a reply to, because its just too ridiculous. Nothing wrong with some Asian envy though mind you, they got dealt some good cards in some areas...

    Basically, its easiest to sum it up as having a great respect for the Nation, its people, and its culture/history. At least thats the way I'd put it.

    Anyway, sorry for ranting a bit myself!

    Good Luck,

    Kogara/Joshua S.

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