Anime Cartoons?!

[Waterflash]

Okay, this has happened FOUR TIMES in the past two months. I got in a major fight with my mom, my dad, my friend's friend, and my little sister about this.

WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK ANIME IS THE SAME AS CARTOONS?! WHYYYYYYY?!

My family doesn't seem to accept that!!!!

Trust me, I've gotten into many battles to the DEATH over this. I'm SOOOOO sick of everyone thinking anime is all Pokemon and Sailor Moon! Then I ask them, "Do you know what hentai is?" and they respond "Um... No."

Not all anime is for kids! You surely wouldn't show Cowboy Bebop to a seven year old... Well, that's my twisted little standards at least... *whistles innocently because she watched Cowboy Bebop with her little sister... XD*

Now the last fight ended with me dumping ramen over my dad's head, after trying to throttle him. (Of course, I was grounded for a REALLY REALLY long time, but it was worth it because I got the last word)

You all may think I'm taking this too far, BUT I'M SICK OF HEARING IT!

Does anyone else feel the way I do, and if you do, have you gotten into any fights over it? XD I'm just really curious...

-Waterflash

[Queen Asuka]

[color=hotpink][size=1]I think you are taking it a little too far. I think anime is just a glorified term for cartoons. Anime just happens to be imported from Japan. A cartoon is something that is animated, and guess what, anime is animed. I think you've lost your marbles to get so angry.

To claim that not all anime is for kids is a pretty weak arguement. Not all cartoons are for kids, either. Take Stripperella or even the Simpsons. How about King of the Hill? Beavis and Butthole? All of those are cartoons that are aimed at an older and more mature audience.

Next time I think you should think things through before getting yourself grounded.[/color][/size]

[Dagger]

car·toon [i]n.[/i]

1. A drawing depicting a humorous situation, often accompanied by a caption.
2. A drawing representing current public figures or issues symbolically and often satirically: [i]a political cartoon.[/i]
3. A preliminary sketch similar in size to the work, such as a fresco, that is to be copied from it.
4. An animated cartoon.
5. A comic strip.
6. A ridiculously oversimplified or stereotypical representation: [i]criticized the actor's portrayal of Jefferson as a historically inaccurate cartoon.[/i]

In other words, a cartoon [i]by definition[/i] is not geared specifically towards children. While the word has acquired certain implications which it was not originally meant to bear, you should try to keep that in mind. I agree with Asuka; you're overreacting to your family's lack of comprehension. Not everyone can be expected to understand the significance of anime and manga to Japanese culture--and not everyone can be expected to understand that Japanese culture encompasses so much more than just comic books and animation.

You may not want to hear this, but a great deal of anime is created for kids and teenagers. There are exceptions, of course, and Cowboy Bebop is among them. Nevertheless, like the majority of Hollywood films, most anime are aimed at an adolescent audience.

I personally prefer not to use the word "cartoon," because it makes people think of Scooby-Doo and Tom & Jerry. American animation can be just as sophisticated and mature as the best anime series in existence.

So don't try to kill your dad again, okay?

~Dagger~

[Waterflash]

I admit, it WAS very stupid of me to get grounded, but I did something wrong, and I accepted the punishment. Can't undo something idiotic I've done in the past, ne?

And I have a tendency to get a little heated in arguments, so I like to try and keep away from them.

*just got the email from Dagger's post while typing this*

Yes, I agree that most anime is geared toward most kids and teenagers, but not all of it. My parents speak as if every single anime is for a younger age group.

I've just always thought of cartoons as something you would see on Nick or something like that. (Speaking of that, just a real random thought, I don't think I've watched anything on that channel in at least two years... o.O Sorry about that random thought.)

I do seem to take things a little too seriously for my own good.

Oh yes, and thanks for the definition! I may need that someday...

-Waterflash

[Xra]

[font=Fixedsys]Ar, just happened today. No respect for otakus...[/font]

[font=Fixedsys]But yes, people who don't watch or have an understanding of anime, just pass them off as cartoons. They really are, but with more depth, to say. So they aren't exactly wrong.[/font]

[font=Fixedsys]What happened today was, I turned on some dragonball during dinner since I was bored. My mum's husband tells me, "Aren't you too old to be watching cartoons?"[/font]

[font=Fixedsys]I was angry, but I repressed my anger and kept eating dinner. So what if I was watching cartoons, its mah choice.[/font]

[font=Fixedsys]It's annoying, yeah, but anime is a type of cartoon...[/font]

[font=Fixedsys]Another thing though, My mother is a computer wiz(im only a step behind) and she can find everything and spy on me at anytime. She thinks that everytime I search for anime, I'm looking for pr0n.[/font]

[font=Fixedsys]I should be careful and conciderate of others...:smirk:[/font]

[Dagger]

Then don't discuss anime with your parents, Waterflash. That's what OB is for. ^_~

In all seriousness, I know where you're coming from. Many adults have difficulty understanding why their children spend so much money on anime and/or manga. But cross-generational conflict is by no means exclusive to our era. Kids have always fought with their mothers and fathers, and I'm willing to bet any amount of money that they always will.

American animation is often much more complex than it initially appears to be. The Powerpuff Girls, for example, incorporates all kinds of subtle, clever jokes which your average fourth-grader simply wouldn't be able to get.

~Dagger~

[Queen Asuka]

[color=hotpink][size=1]Well, I always think it's funny when I hear about kids whose parents hate the entire concept of anime and don't want it in their household. My mom used to help me buy all of the Fushigi Yugi movies (she paid for most of them) and then sit down and watch them with all of us. She knew the entire plot, all of the characters names, etc. She also recorded Pokemon for us every morning while we were at school, so she always ended up watching that, too. My mom's the greatest. I miss those times...^_^;[/color][/size]

[Semjaza]

A lot of older people look down on animation in general. Members of my family completely refuse to believe that something like the Simpsons could be aimed at older audiences. Why? Simply because they're animated.

I don't understand it, but nothing much will change that perception. It's pretty much branded into their brains by adult ages heh. Similar thoughts occur with video games, really.

I wouldn't be offended by anime being called a cartoon. That's really all it is in the first place, regardless of the subject matter. It's not as if every, last "real" cartoon is aimed towards pre-teens.

[Japan]

Actually, in Japanese, anime translateds into the word, cartoons. Anything animated is a cartoon...whether you like it or not. I do feel that semjaza is right. People belonging to the older generations tend to look down on cartoons. I believe that people like my mom and dad tend to think that anime and other cartoons are for little kids because they were brought up that way. I do agree with you though that anime is not just for kids. There are tons out there that are really action packed, gorey, and sexual.

[Luminaire]

[color=crimson]Well, being made fun of almost everyday for watching anime taught me a few things:

1. People who make fun don't stop at anything.
2. Verbal arguments are fun. ¬_¬
3. Don't get upset.
4. Always carry proof of the difference between anime and cartoons. ^_^

In my wallet, I have two small magazine clips. One is from Animerica and has some Fruits Bakset's characters on it. The other is from a TV Guide and has Ed, Edd, and Eddy on it. If someone annoys me enough or demands concrete evidence, I just whip out the two clips and catagorize them. Yeah, I have no life. XD

Don't worry, Waterflash. You get used to it and people will learn. Some day it may stop all together and world peace will reign over all. ^_^ Not likely, but oh, well. Just ignore your family or something, no need to waste good ramen. ^_~

~Lumi ^_^[/color]

[Manic Webb]

The world of animation has a huge generational gap when it comes to maturity. The oldest, more classic cartoons of the 1930s and 40s were aimed toward adults. Anyone ever see that clip of Porky Pig saying the phrase "son of a *****"? A whole lot of animated theatre serials were somewhat more mature and political. Then, somewhere around the 1950s (right around when TVs came into play), cartoons started aiming themselves toward kids. This is why your parents and grandparents might think cartoons are for kids.

Watch ToonHeads some time. It's funducational. ;)

[Rockstar Haruko]

So you may get a little upset when someone says that anime is just a "cartoon". Anime is animation in Japanese. A cartoon is an animation so I don't really get upset about it. Not everyone is going to know what anime is all about. Just try to control your anger or something. If I had dumped ramen on my father, I would be dead and buried right now. Maybe you can take the risk and show your family some hentai. Oh! The look on their face would be sooooooo funny!!!!

[Bio]

[size=2][color=sienna]I'm not sure about my dad, but I know that my mom doesn't think that anime/cartoons are just for kids. She heard Inuyasha say 'bastard' a few times in one episode, and saw him tearing apart demons with his hands on another episode. She also sometimes watches Family Guy, and she thinks it's hilarious.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=#a0522d][size=2]As for the whole anime and cartoons thing- I agree with what has been said. Anything that's animated is a cartoon. however, the unwritten definition usually generalizes anime as a cartoon that's more realistic, or a cartoon that has more mature themes. And that stereotype only exists because it is [i]usually[/i] true. However technically[i],[/i] anime is just the japanese word for cartoon[/size].[/color][/size]

[eleanor]

[color=firebrick] I don't even think 'anime' is a real Japanese word; probably an American slang made for Asian cartoons. I can be wrong, though.

Although anime=cartoons, some fans can get fired up because of the advantages Asian cartoons hold over American ones. [Don't get me wrong, both are great mediums.] I tend to get irritated by people who think anime is like the holiest animation ever created, and everything else sucks. I even usually call anime cartoons when I'm referring to them. *shrugs* [/color]

[Ani_Freak]

[color=darkblue]I beleive that this is only a matter of wich one is more appealing to you or those around you. Who knows, maybe in Japan, they like Beavis and Butthead, or the Simpsons.

But I beleive that is only which one of the two is more appealing to you. If you are the only one in your house to like anime, or Japanese Animation, welcome, I am one of those two. None of my few friends like anime, but find the Simpsons and Family Guy great. And I just don't like them. Anime is much more appealing to me than any of the US done animations.

I know sometimes it's difficult, but don't get such hot airs for this. If they think that anime are the same as cartoons, they way they see it, it's true. The way you see it, it doesn't. As most of us think, anime is not the same as cartoons, but then again, we can't make people beleive the same we do beleive.

Jeje, don't get me wrong Waterflash, I would've probably had an argument too in that case, but, try maybe to take things easy from time to time ;)[/color]

[The Mac Attack]

The perceptions of what audiences are intended is one often incorrectly dealt with in children's magazines as well. My younger brother, knowing how much I love anime, reads me information in anime related articles from K-Zone, Disney Adventures and Mania. These magazines have a demographic of about 7-12 year olds.

Anime is rather popular at the moment, so they'll boast many anime specials in hopes of selling their magazines, yet inspection by any true anime fan (ie. beyond yu-gi-oh and DBZ*) would reveal that they truly don't have a clue what's for what.

In more recent times they've promoted series such as Initial D and Trigun, which are clearly over their audiences (the trigun article had a picture of Knives with a caption identifying him as Vash, as well). Prizes for competitions recently were also DVDs including titles like Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, Licensed by Royalty and S-cry-ed.

At one stage, one issue came with a Spriggan poster, which we would all recognise as being particularly violent.

So, as it seems, even print media cannot grasp the idea that not all animation is for the minor audiences. They don't necessarily refer to it as "cartoons", yet it's clear they still have that kind of term in mind when the think of "anime".

*EDIT: I was just using these examples as popular titles some consider the best animes around, when they haven't even viewed beyond them. I'm sure they are good shows in their own right that many an otaku can enjoy. However, a fact remains that the many children who are addicted to these shows don't really know that there are possibly [i]much[/i] more entertaining animes around.

[Solo Tremaine]

[COLOR=#503F86][font=Tahoma][color=#503f86]I would say something about that Yu-Gi-Oh comment, but I won't ^_~ I'm too tired.[/color]

As has been said already- anime is animated, like traditional American cartoons which most people think of when 'cartoons' are mentioned. The thing is that anime tends to be a lot deeper and have a lot more in it. Even the most basic children's anime will have more morals than an episode of Inspector Gadget. But the cultures they arose from are different, and as such the writing is too. It's just that the word 'cartoon' carries a fairly childish and immature stigma, whereas anime can be very mature in content and theology.

Despite them being much the same thing, I still prefer 'anime' to 'cartoons' not just because of the difference in presentation, but because of its general style anyway. But some people don't want to get caught up in the deeper sense of things and see it from an outsider's point of view. And if they don't want to get into anime it's fine. I'm not going to get worked up about it. It's only if they started directly insulting me for liking it that I'd get riled up.[/COLOR][/font]