Anime Do you think those that watch Anime are more open-minded compared to those that don't

[Bishie]

*twitches*

I hope i did this right. *hates being new to stuff like this* lol

Just thought id ask this question, it came to me while i was sat in alegbra pondering random things and listening to J-pop. I just wanted to know everyones views on it really.

But i have to ask just one thing, please..everyone respect everyone elses view ^__^ Opinions are what make the world great!

LET THE LOVE FLOW!!

Okay, being serious once more.

In the many years "BA" (before anime) lol when i was boring, and had no real interest in life. I was VERY closed minded *still isnt sure WHY she was* But then! DUN DUN DUUUN!! I kinda got hooked onto anime ^__^
Before this happened i found homosexual relationships and other intense issues very unnerving. But now..well lets just say im a total shounen-ai/shoujou-ai worshipper and very RARELY find anything unnerving, my mind was opened up due to the many issues addressed in the anime's i've seen. However..im not saying, EVERYTHING addressed in anime is "right" in real life..but still.

How does everyone else feel about this? has your mind been opened up because of being introduced to anime? or is it the same as ever? *raises an eyebrow*

Id like to say im a better person for it, i see love in places i didn't once and im not afraid to speak out anymore..im such a rebel *grins*

*skips off humming to Utada Hikaru*

[wrist cutter]

No, I think it makes you more close-minded. You get a false sense of superiority and then start thinking everyone else is close minded because they aren't willing to try 1 or 2 forms of entertainment from Japan.

[James]

[color=#808080]Amen to that, wrist cutter. ^_^;

Anime is common in Japan and many people there watch it; does that mean Japanese are more open minded than westerners by default? I don't think that what you watch (anime or American cartoons) is necessarily something that relates to how open minded you are. Not by a long shot.

It might reflect that you're more open minded about certain things (like entertainment, obviously), but some anime fans watch ONLY anime and think that all other animation is trash. And that calling anime a "cartoon" is horribly offensive. Such people are, in my opinion, far from "open minded".[/color]

[Bishie]

Yeah, i wasn't atually thinking of it along those lines. I had a friend once that refused to watch any otther cartoon etc etc..because he thought everything else was pure rubbish. I however, dont think that. its whatever your interested in personally ne?

But what about more life-related issues? *looks curious* thats what i was mainly getting at ^__^

[Queen Asuka]

[color=hotpink][size=1]I agree with what you say wrist cutter because even I get arrogant sometimes. ^_^;

But I really do think it makes you more open minded. You definately get a little more into other people's culture, and that's always a good things. I have learned many things by watching anime.

Although, it does get annoying when those who are SUPER into anime think Japan is the coolest country in the world, worship it, want to live there, and think everything Japanese is God's gift to mankind. That sort of aggravates me.[/color][/size]

[Braidless Baka]

Yeah, I do think, as Queen Asuka said, that anime is another way to see into another culture, in the form of entertainment. I mean, I don't often get arrogant, but I've seen people who do. *shudders* Scary... very scary... And they're usually wrong anyway... O_o

I also think that a lot of anime (not all of it granted) shows us a part of Japanese culture - since I first got into anime I've found out so much about Japan as a place. ^___^ Being a linguist, anime has also propelled me into an interest in different asian languages.

So, yeah, all in all, I'd say anime does make you a little more open-minded as long as the evil eye of arrogance doesn't get there first ^_^

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Queen Asuka [/i]
[B][color=hotpink][size=1]Although, it does get annoying when those who are SUPER into anime think Japan is the coolest country in the world, worship it, want to live there, and think everything Japanese is God's gift to mankind. That sort of aggravates me.[/color][/size] [/B][/QUOTE]

Talk about swiping the words off my keyboard before I've even typed them! O_o! Although I'm guilty of wanting to go live there... but that's the culture aspect more than anything else! ^___^() Honest!

[Kwai]

Hey! Japan is God's gift to mankind! (j/k) Lol only reason we seem bit different cuz we were secluded from all the western countries for quite a while(thank god to that) We just own in the video game/anime/electronics department :p But then, I have to admit I have a bit of an elitest view when it comes to other cartoons... its hard to live up to, or beat Evangelion or Trigun or Kenshin... And anime shows alot of Japanese culture? Hmm... i need to sleep on that...

[eleanor]

I think it makes you open-minded in some areas, and close-minded in others. wirst cutter is absolutly right about us getting superior and whatnot. But then it also shows relationships we never see on American television, and some of the series goes through real life situations and stuff.
Haha. If I ever go to Japan, at least I'll know how to say some things...

[Doukeshi]

I just class anime among my other cartoons...well not cartoons cos cartoons are comic in style, like DBZ and Dexters Lab and stuff. These are animations, but getting off that. I don't find them being any superior just because they are 'anime', I mean seriously, do you find German animations better because they are German? Of course not, it's just a different style of drawing.

I also believe that it gives you a false sense of belonging to a japanese culture. Would you praise Japan as much if it did not produce anime? Maybe. I don't know you all...but I think it stems from this.

Yes they do provide things not normally seen on TV and this provides a greater view on things. You've also got to remember that it is all just a form of entertainment and not to be taken amazngly seriously. ^_^. It's still cool though.

[Plant_Angel]

Alright, I personally find anime has been a major influence for me. Im sitting here in Britain right now typing at my keyboard, America way over that way <----- and Japan way over that way----> and there is a very marked difference in the entertainment produced by both countries.

Where America has its cool expensive live-action Hollywood blockbusters, Japan has its anime, its manga and its appreciation of the natural world. This is what I understand and this is from fiction. Anime, introduced to me by a family freind a few years back, fueled an interest in Japan I didnt know I already had that stemmed from computer games, my N64 gave me countless character inspirations.

I dont think its fair to compare "cartoons" to anime, though some like Dextors Laboratory are very clever sometimes, because they have very different approaches to very different issues. I must say anime has made me a philosopher. Cartoons in Western culture and cartoons in eastern culture have different levels of importance and appreciation.

I'd say it differs for each person as to how open minded they may have become due to an interest in anime, also including other interests they may have. For me, anime has given me many issues to consider, but I think I was already the pondering type to begin with.
Its not neccessarily superior, its just different, and my preference to entertainment as well as influence. Anime is usually based on scientific theories or the works of Ancient Greek philosophers, but so was the Matrix and other films, it just depends on your point of view.

[Failed_Attempts]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Plant_Angel [/i]
[B]
Where America has its cool expensive live-action Hollywood blockbusters, Japan has its anime, its manga and its appreciation of the natural world.

[/B][/QUOTE]

May I ask where you got all your American Knowledge from? What's to say that americans don't have an appreciation of the natural world? I live in America, and I see otherwise.

Okay. Well, I don't think Anime makes you any more open-minded than you already were. It all really depends on how you think, how you were brought up by your parents, and how influencial you are. If you were raised to be open-minded to other cultures, races, and people's sexual preference, then you'll most likely be open-minded to those. To where, if you were raised that YOU are superior, your race is the better one, and that homosexuals are just plain wrong, then, You'll most likely believe THAT. It's all a matter of your mind. How you want to think, and how you were raised to think. Those have more influence on your open-mind than anime does. If you're VERY influencial, or just gulible, then you'll believe false things that you see in anime. It's just a false sense of thought. There are some truths, so don't stone me for saying that it's all false @_@;

Also, I do agree somewhat with what Queen Asuka said. About the people who watch anime and then feel that they now have the "right" to move to Japan, become a linguist, and do many other things that they most likely will not do. Yes, yes, I'm going to get heat for the linguist stuff, but, if you haven't had the desire before it just popped in your head one day, then, what's to say it's not a phase? It probably is. Unless you've learned all these different languages etc, then, you probably DON'T want to be a linguist. Learning 2 languages does NOT make a linguist either. But, by watching Anime, you're just getting certain aspects of life in Japan. To get the truth, you will have to do more than watch anime that takes place in Japan.

Okay, I think I'll shut up now. . .

[Masked_Man]

everyone enjoys anime well most ppl and most of thos ppl will never admit to it sooo to be honest ppl who watch anime are more closed minded and some open minded

[G.D. Ryoko]

I think anime can make you open-minded and closed-minded at the same time. It can make you open-minded because you can learn about a new culture and try to understand it.

It can make you closed-minded because you tsart to get cocky and stuff like that.

It happeneds to me a lot.

[Plant_Angel]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Failed_Attempts [/i]
[B]May I ask where you got all your American Knowledge from? What's to say that americans don't have an appreciation of the natural world? I live in America, and I see otherwise.

[/B][/QUOTE]

I didnt mean to be offensive, what I mean is the majority of animes are about appreciating nature, well a lot anyways, more so than the majority of American films. I realise I cannot judge American societies any more than any of us here can judge Japanese societies or values. Its hard enough to categorise your own country without stereotyping. Thats what we must avoid doing when it comes to anime or any form of entertainment.

Im talking about the vast majority that we are slave to no matter where we are, or how many others do not follow whats universally popular.

I can only comment on what I observe for myself. Take a look at industries in the real world perhaps, and the extent of conservational efforts, and even look back at history. Do try not to be biased by blind partriotism, but do not listen to me either, this thread is about thinking for yourself.

The truth only has meaning for those who seek it.
And opinions are the first step.

[klinanime1]

On some article I read, it said that otakus "snub" other people and look down on them for being different/ are unwilling to try anime. But hey, that article was, like, 30 years ago. Or, maybe 20... 10? Don't really remember, but it was around the time when this Tokyo serial killer was found to be an otaku.
Anyway, I think that being "into anime" makes you more willing to try newer/dangerous things, so you're open minded to Romance, adventure, stuff like that. Then, you're close minded to those who are consumed with mundane, day to day things.

[Queen Asuka]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by klinanime1 [/i]
[B]Anyway, I think that being "into anime" makes you more willing to try newer/dangerous things, so you're open minded to Romance, adventure, stuff like that. Then, you're close minded to those who are consumed with mundane, day to day things. [/B][/QUOTE]

[color=hotpink][size=1]Now this stereotype I have to absolutely disagree with. I am a big anime fan and I am not close-minded to anything that is day to day. As stupid as it may sound, I have a routine, and when my routine is broken, I am not a happy person. I have LOTS of friends who don't like anime. That doesn't make me look down on them. The only people I would say I "look down" on is those who like DBZ and think that it's the best anime in the world.[/color][/size]

[AzureWolf]

[strike][quote]And that calling anime a "cartoon" is horribly offensive. Such people are, in my opinion, far from "open minded".[/quote] ::Sigh:: Not to be rude, but that is truly one of the most "close-minded" things I've ever heard. As if anime and cartoons are any different: drawn motion entertainment. Whether you like it or not, anime is just the Japanese way of saying cartoon. Years back, Tom and Jerry was rated as the most popular ANIME in Japan. If an American draws it, or a Japanese draws it: are we so prejudiced that we have to segregate these categories? :confused: US otakus only separate the two for simplicity's sake, but there's nothing offensive about keeping them in the same boat.[/strike]

I would have to say, after a year with my roommate, that anime surely must make you more open-minded. Good God, I've never seen a more close-minded :butthead:-hole! He worshipped anything and everything as long as it was not made in Japan. He fervently believed that anime and anything else he has never seen is either not worthy of his time, or a blatant rip-off of something he's seen that is better. The same applied for video games. He would hate my mention that games were from Japan, probably hiding with the illusion that the best parts were put in the US. He didn't say this, but it was clearly implied by his actions and consistent bashing of anything I liked, not to mention he seemed to continuously watch, read, and show me Japanese-targetted jokes (bad grammar, accents, etc.). He would introduce me to so much garbage, and I would be nice about it, but I could not introduce him to anything without being mocked. Oh well, I got him back my own way, haha. :blowingup :angel:

Maybe you are open-minded because you are willing to watch anime in the first place. Whatever the case, I've seen too many like my roommate to think that people who don't watch anime don't let culture and language be a barrier to entertainment.

[Semjaza]

Nearly anyone I know who is really into anime has some unexplainable hatred towards US animation. Even classic Disney films from decades ago. And it's not just not caring for them, it's attacking them about things they just don't understand and backing that up with inane, stupid opinions.

I've even seen it here to be honest. I'll never forget the day I read someone's thoughts as to why Sleeping Beauty's animation sucked.

I honestly don't think anime fans are more open minded. So you like some anime and manga... good job. Suddenly you're obsessed with their culture to a very superficial extent, yet still think you're well versed in every aspect of their lives.

I know a lot of people like this. The same people who mix Japanese words in their sentences for absolutely no reason (and often times it's used incorrectly). The same people that think typing "cool" in a Japanese font actually [i]means[/i] cool. The same people that compare thoughtless, fun cartoons like Ed, Edd and Eddy to anime like Evangelion and Gundam and wonder why there is such a huge quality difference (I've never understood this. If you think American animation and comics have that little to offer, you're looking in the wrong places).

I do understand people have different tastes and perhaps they prefer anime to western animation... but some of the bad things I've heard are far more close minded than the bad things I've heard people say about anime.

Not everyone is like this of course. I know some people who genuinely are interested in all aspects of Japanese culture, it's expected. However, I don't feel that most anime fans are even close to this.

[Queen Asuka]

[color=hotpink][size=1]Semjaza, you are PURE genius. I have to quote most of what you have said and respond.[/color][/size]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]Nearly anyone I know who is really into anime has some unexplainable hatred towards US animation. Even classic Disney films from decades ago. And it's not just not caring for them, it's attacking them about things they just don't understand and backing that up with inane, stupid opinions.

I've even seen it here to be honest. I'll never forget the day I read someone's thoughts as to why Sleeping Beauty's animation sucked.[/b][/quote]

[color=hotpink][size=1]Well, that's actually a big new thing to me. I LOVE anime, but I also LOOOOOOVE Disney. Just ask anyone who knows me. I have seen almost every Disney animated film and know most of them by heart. I grew up with stuff like that, not just anime. I think the people who say things to that affect are the very immature people.[/color][/size]

[quote][b]I honestly don't think anime fans are more open minded. So you like some anime and manga... good job. Suddenly you're obsessed with their culture to a very superficial extent, yet still think you're well versed in every aspect of their lives.

I know a lot of people like this. The same people who mix Japanese words in their sentences for absolutely no reason (and often times it's used incorrectly). The same people that think typing "cool" in a Japanese font actually [i]means[/i] cool. The same people that compare thoughtless, fun cartoons like Ed, Edd and Eddy to anime like Evangelion and Gundam and wonder why there is such a huge quality difference (I've never understood this. If you think animerican animation and comics have that little to offer, you're looking in the wrong places).[/quote][/b]

[color=hotpink][size=1]That's exactly what I said in my post. My sister tried that using Japanese words thing once and it annoyed me to NO END! And another thing that annoys me to no end is when people who like anime really think they are going to move to Japan one day and make anime. They think everything Japanese is just so wonderful and neglect their own culture like it's the scum of the earth. I am not against the culture of ANY country, to each their own, but I am not going to worship ANOTHER country just because of something they export to mine. Just think about all the stuff AMERICAN sends around the word, people.

And as for American cartoons, I love so many of them. Powerpuff Girls is one of my favorites. ^_^ Along with Johnny Quest and Kim Possible.[/color][/size]

[James]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by AzureWolf [/i]
[B]::Sigh:: Not to be rude, but that is truly one of the most "close-minded" things I've ever heard. As if anime and cartoons are any different: drawn motion entertainment. Whether you like it or not, anime is just the Japanese way of saying cartoon. Years back, Tom and Jerry was rated as the most popular ANIME in Japan. If an American draws it, or a Japanese draws it: are we so prejudiced that we have to segregate these categories? :confused: US otakus only separate the two for simplicity's sake, but there's nothing offensive about keeping them in the same boat.[/b][/quote]

[color=#808080]Okay, first and foremost, you've [i]totally[/i] misunderstood my post.

I explained, quite clearly, the fact that I dislike the way some anime fans complain about American cartoons and nearly die if anyone dares compare Western cartoons to Japanese anime.

I mean, please...just read my original post again. Don't quote me and call me close-minded, only to make the [i]exact same[/i] point that I was already making.[/color][quote][b]



Maybe you are open-minded because you are willing to watch anime in the first place. Whatever the case, I've seen too many like my roommate to think that people who don't watch anime don't let culture and language be a barrier to entertainment. [/B][/QUOTE]

[color=#808080]Well, the language barrier is obviously not an issue if you're a kid watching DBZ on Cartoon Network. I don't think you necessarily have to be more open minded or "well travelled" to enjoy anime - I've definitely come across a lot of ignorant people who still enjoy anime. The "hardcore anime fan" who we've described in this thread (the person who can't accept anything that isn't Japanese) is certainly [i]far[/i] from open minded. [/color]

[mangagod]

I totaly agrie with Queen Asuka the stuipid guys think thier going to move japan. Puh who do they think they are/What do they think thier doing?? Hugh can some one like that handle the dissapointment of anime being canceld and conficated. I know I could not handle the let down of that. but I'll always have my memerys of the anime sagas and the people in them. So therefore I could and couldnot handle this.:) :(

[Teknomanfan]

i think that watching anime has nothing to do with being open ot closed-minded. i believe that it has something to do with wanting to stay a child and staying youthful.

[AzureWolf]

[quote]Okay, first and foremost, you've totally misunderstood my post.

I explained, quite clearly, the fact that I dislike the way some anime fans complain about American cartoons and nearly die if anyone dares compare Western cartoons to Japanese anime.

I mean, please...just read my original post again. Don't quote me and call me close-minded, only to make the exact same point that I was already making.[/quote] !@#$@!^#$^&). Geez, that's the third time! haha, I'm glad it's not, "three strikes and you're out!" I'm really sorry about that. That "that" in the sentence makes all the difference in the world. I thought you were saying "And, btw, calling an anime a 'cartoon' is offensive." Still, forget the quote and the "close-minded" comment, and the rest of the post still stands good on its own. :D [quote]I honestly don't think anime fans are more open minded. So you like some anime and manga... good job. Suddenly you're obsessed with their culture to a very superficial extent, yet still think you're well versed in every aspect of their lives.[/quote] Alright, everyone seems to agree with this idea. I ask, however, what are you talking about? I hate to be labeled as one of your aforementioned "worshippers," but I've always had an interest in Japan, one that started way before I saw or knew anime. I loved martial arts when I was a wee lad, and then video games were born (I know, I know, the first video game was made by an non-Japanese, but I hated it. The good ones were from Japan, haha). Just because I have a greater interest in a culture that first lived by the sword, and then rose to become the only modernized, non-Western country in the world doesn't mean you are worshipping another country. Screw that, I don't worship any country-not even my own. What I care about is something greater than that: the human spirit. Throughout the history of all countries stands a testament to the ability of man. I'm not going to get into how religion should be the top priority for all persons since some of you might be atheists (as well as trying not to stray too far away from topic). Japan is a very interesting country. I'm not saying others are not, but seeing as how Japan is the primary source for my primary interests, why the hell would I treat it the same as a country I could care less about? Some people may like it better than whatever country they live in. So what? I can't handle Japan's relative lack of morals, so I would never think of living there, but it wouldn't hurt to visit. ;)

America is great: there's no doubt about that. I bet you are just making the assumption that your "fanatical" friends like Japan better. Why don't you ask them directly? If they do say Japan, remind them of one man: Alexander "friggin' brilliant" Hamilton, and then remind them also that Japan has a statue of good ol' Abe Lincoln at the center of Tokyo (or Kyoto, whichever's the more cultural).

[GrimmFang]

I agree with AzureWolf. I always had a fascination with Japan even before I saw my first anime as well. I always admired Japanese swordsmanship as well as thier modern technology. Being a technological person I admire what the Japanese are doing for technology some of things they have blow my mind. If I ever moved to Japan it would be for my job in electronics but the anime would be a nice bonus as well.

[Semjaza]

Well I will say nice job homing in on one part of my post and totally ignoring the part where I say not everyone is like this. I think I know my friends well enough to know their likes, dislikes and so on. And I have spoken to enough "fanatical" people to know that I believe what I said.

Whether or not there are tons of exceptions is a valid argument, and there most certainly is. I right out said it.

However, you cannot tell me that there aren't a good deal of people who have some morbid fascination with the country to the point that they think nothing goes on there but what the more realistic anime shows us.

I've seen enough anime and talked to enough people in my lifetime to know that there are a LOT of these people. People who think they can right up and leave, go to Japan and somehow fit in because they can say a few words, read a couple signs and know the difference between different types of anime.

Seriously, half of my post is practically agreeing with you if you read it well enough. I'm sure you've noticed the vast array of people who know nothing close to even what you are mentioning here. I will say yet again, that my last sentences (and even some above) are right out saying that there are people like you and otherwise.

However, the question you are trying to present is not even what this thread was asking. It's asking what anime fans think... not what someone who is well versed in their culture thinks. I honestly do think that, far and away, most fans know very little about the country, it's culture or anything some subbed anime throws at them.

And as I've mentioned several times in just this post, there are many exceptions. I don't, however, feel they are anywhere near the majority.