Asiaphilia, or Count to Ten Before You Post, Please.

[2010DigitalBoy]

As James stated reifly and I think soeone else mentioned, there are obsessive fans of all sorts of things. Anime fans defend anime like it belongs to them, and sometime they are totally deluuding themselves, but then everything has these people.

Take for example OB's own Jakehammeren (this is not an attack, I kinda side with him actually). I have often seen him get all over people about Metal music, confusig it with other genres, insulting it or anything such.

Look at 90% of the nintendo fanboys. I DARE you to walk up to a hardcore nintendo fan and insult Zelda without being prepared for a debate.

So anyway, this Jenn or whoever just has a narrow outlook at the world and this situation.

[Papa Smurf]

I guess people enjoy my Smurfitude?

[quote name='indifference][color=DeepSkyBlue']At least they don?t come across as wanting to strangle you for not liking it as much as they do.[/color][/quote]
I've been threatened before. I'm less scared of Jenn and more scared of those braindead Naruto cosplayers I see in pictures from AX. If we're talking vicious little bastards, I think the "Asiaphiles" are far, far more vicious, because they live in less of a reality than Jenn does.

I mean, have you ever heard any sane person drool over how sexy Naruto is, and how they'd like to marry them?

...yeah, I don't really see that kind of creepy stuff coming from Jenn, mate. lol

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=DeepSkyBlue][QUOTE=Papa Smurf] I've been threatened before. I'm less scared of Jenn and more scared of those braindead Naruto cosplayers I see in pictures from AX. If we're talking vicious little bastards, I think the "Asiaphiles" are far, far more vicious, because they live in less of a reality than Jenn does.

I mean, have you ever heard any sane person drool over how sexy Naruto is, and how they'd like to marry them?

...yeah, I don't really see that kind of creepy stuff coming from Jenn, mate. lol[/QUOTE]They still don?t come across as wanting to strangle you though. Unless you?re talking about the rabid ones who go around declaring nonsense like Naruto or Sasuke is mine followed with the back off [insert swear word here] bit.

Besides even if Jen is in more of a sane reality so to speak, hers is just as obsessed as the braindead Naruto cosplayers you are referring to. Which by the way, I?d still be willing to pay to see you choke them to death dressed up as Darth Vader. ;)

Though why someone would be so obsessed over something that doesn't exist I'll never know. It just seems like a waste of time and effort to me.[/COLOR]

[DeadSeraphim]

[COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial][quote name='Farto the Magic][FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkGreen] Tea slows me down. Asian food (when prepared correctly) is unrivaled in taste and health.[/COLOR'][/FONT][/quote]
I don't know about other parts of Asia, since I've rarely sampeld their wares, but Chinese food is among the most unhealthy there is. A lot of it is packed MSG, and it often leaves you hungry not long after.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[eleanor]

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial]
I don't know about other parts of Asia, since I've rarely sampeld their wares, but Chinese food is among the most unhealthy there is. A lot of it is packed MSG, and it often leaves you hungry not long after.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[color=dimgray] Yeah, that's the americanized Chinese food. So while we're on the subject of bastardizing cultures...[/color] :rolleyes:

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]Well that?s an interesting rant. o_O Though I?m a bit confused as to why she thinks the culture belongs to her. I thought most people enjoyed sharing their culture with others. It certainly makes things more interesting. ^_^

I?m not sure I understand why she?s so angry and declaring I?m not going to take it anymore. I seriously doubt anything she says is going to stop Hollywood from producing movies like Memoirs of a Geisha or The Last Samurai. Her whole rant just seems kind of pointless to me. I mean calling Hiroshima and Nagasaki terrorism? By that definition all war would be considered terrorism.

They make it sound like their culture is innocent of doing the same thing. Des already pointed out how other cultures influence what you can find in other countries. And it?s really all about making money as such things sell. If they didn?t no one would even bother to make or distribute things from other countries.

I can see how they have a point with the over obsessed fans of a culture, as often they worship the country it comes from and they have failed to realize that the tiny bit they love so much is nothing like the reality of actually being in that country. But honestly they sound just as obsessed as the Asiaphile?s they are complaining about. o_O

Anyway as for the question do I think Jen is over-reacting, I would have to say yes. Although they have a good point they?ve definitely gone overboard in that they are behaving as if other countries and cultures are on some mission to destroy the one she is from. Do I feel attacked? Not really. Even if she is referring to me I could care less. So I like anime and other aspects of Japanese culture. So what? I also like different aspects of the culture here in the USA and other countries as well. Like England as they have TV shows I enjoy watching as well.

Do I recognize that some people really are nuts over another culture. Unfortunately yes. I?ve run into a few and god forbid you dislike anything Japanese as they literally flip out as if you are the devil or something. o_O And when they are that obsessed, yeah I find them a bit creepy. Mind you I?m only going off the few I?ve met. Though I find it hard to imagine that there would be ones that are more rational, after all if they were rational they wouldn?t be so obsessive right?

I think someone already mentioned this, but as for drawing a line between appreciation and appropriation, well appreciation is just fine as there?s nothing wrong with enjoying a well done artwork or well produced anime show. But to take such a thing as something that is perfect and beyond question just because it came from Japan, well that?s obviously stupid as just like anywhere else there are good things about the culture and bad things. Or rather good shows or poorly made ones.[/COLOR]

[Panda]

Extremes of anything: anime fantics, sports fanatics, music fanatics...etc...will find those who hate their level of fandom. Making blanket statements based on those extreme fantics to cover all fans of whatever genre is wrong. For example saying that all sports fans, from those who riot in the streets to those who just watch it on television are the same level isn't right. Wanting to choke ALL cosplayers because just a few are over-the-top is another example of a blanket statement. I do find it quite funny and ironic that the person who wishes to do this wants to do it while cosplaying Darth Vader. I guess after choking everyone in costume he'll have to choke himself too. :p

I've run into my share of Japanophiles and they are a bit creepy. One girl actually tried to one-up me on being more Japanese than me. I'm not sure why someone would want to try to do that but whatever. In the end she just ended up making a fool out of herself in front of a bunch of Japanese people. If these are the kind of people the journal writer was specifically referring too I totally understand where she is coming from.

I don't have a problem with -chan and -kun since my mom still calls me Gail-chan. I wonder if Jenn would think that is wrong even though my mom was born and raised in Japan? :p

In the end being a fan and having fun is one thing. Thinking you are the end all ultimate fan and there is nothing else in the world but you and your fandom is too much. Oh and blanket statements = Bad.

[pooperson]

I'm not Asian at all, and I agree with it. Not necessarily with people on Otaku but with a lot of people I know. That quote said a lot of what I feel. =]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]I wouldn?t even know where to begin on that rant by Jen. On one hand I can agree with her as any form of obsession is rather annoying. And then on the other hand she?s just as obsessed as they are only on a different topic. Then of course there?s the why in the world does she even care? It has me wondering if part of her gripe is that she has to deal with a number of obsessed fans on a regular basis. Otherwise I have to wonder why she?s even thinking about it.

I don?t know about the rest of you, but the number of obsessed fans of any type of thing whether it?s sports or the Japanese culture that I?ve run into has been very small. And even then 99% of them I rarely deal with. It?s a occasional see them around town type of thing. Hardly enough for me to even be thinking about it for any amount of time. Though if she?s having to deal with someone like that on a regular basis then I suppose I can see why she would be so frustrated. Otherwise, her rant is a bit over the top.[quote name='Panda'] Wanting to choke ALL cosplayers because just a few are over-the-top is another example of a blanket statement. I do find it quite funny and ironic that the person who wishes to do this wants to do it while cosplaying Darth Vader. I guess after choking everyone in costume he'll have to choke himself too. :p [/quote]Hehe, it is funny when you put it like that. ^_~ I?ve never been into cosplay, but then seeing as I like to dress up for Halloween I don?t see any problem with people dressing up for conventions. Honestly, it just sounds like fun and I?m sure there are plenty of cosplayers who are not over the top. And yes I?m referring to you Panda. ^_~[/COLOR]

[aoi_hikari]

[QUOTE=Delta][COLOR=#D55555]In case anyone misses it, I'd like to point out that "Asia" is actually a continent with a number of island peripheries. I pity individuals whose idea of "Asia" is limited to Japan and China.
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
Thanks for pointing that out! ^_^ I'm half asian too, after all.
I can understand why she's sick of the obsessed China/Japanatics, sort of. I've been interested in Chinese/ Japanese culture and language for a while because I thought it was interesting. But I've never seen any examples of this that often online.

Besides, what's with the "pimple-faced White boys" comment?? There are [I]girls[/I] out there that are interested in this. I mean, not all otaku are guys, you know!! Anyway, there's nothing wrong with people who like manga, anime, acapuncture, karaoke, do all the things she mentioned, (except scaling the dorm wall thing).

[Zephyr]

Strikes me as someone either opposed to normal cultrual cross-mixing/evolution. After having been to japan over the summer I almost feel like asking the writer what her opinon is pertaining to the "Americanization" of the youth of Japan. While many of us here in America are taking an interest in Japan, and even emulating it, a similar event is taking place with the youth in Japan taking an interest in America. (I will admit some opposistion to that, since I do not wish to see a polite nation take up the behaviors of Americans)

I can see, to a degree, where the writer was coming from on it. Americans do have a habit to taking our interest in things in the wrong directions. Many of the "posterboys" for Japan fandom are seen as being at the extreme. They are more interested in the karate, katanas, anime, pop music, sushi, and several other mainstream things. However, I feel the writer may have forgotten that there are many more, less vocal, people who are interested in the culture, language, art, history, and many other important ideas, to some degree.

Of course, the problem may just be the American habit of taking things too far, as my friend would agree to everytime I use the American-style of a British accent (completely false, and rather annoying). :p

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Honestly, this Jenn person needs to get off of her moral high horse. Hell, a big part of my bloodline is constantly portrayed as either drunk beyond all reason, organized to an irritating degree, or waging a crusade on the world for no good reason other than [I]someone[/I] flunked out of Art School. And my nationality? Viewed as a bunch of pompous, bloated wastrels who want to own the globe. Yet do I post long-winded internet rants about people appropriating my heritage by driving Mercedes or drinking Heinekin? No.

Hey, here's a thought: maybe I just [I]like[/I] Japanese culture. Did that ever cross her hyper-sensitive mind? Ever occur that [I]maybe[/I] I like anime because a lot of it is higher quality than a lot of American entertainment? That the Samurai lifestyle appeals to me on a personal level for more reasons than "Wow, swords, SHINY!" ? That I've actually [I]researched[/I] about the past of Japan, and know about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but at the same time am fully aware of what Japan pulled in Nanking?

I know Hiroshima was bad, and it killed millions. But I also know that the Nazis weren't the only ones who purpotrated unspeakable acts during WWII. Some of us might not look at Japan as some ideal nation, shock and amaze. Some of us just geniunely like the culture, like the history for what it [I]is[/I], not just what the Japanese media paints it as.

I'll agree, some anime fans really need to stop and put things in perspective. Some of them are just damn crazy, and that's the bottom line. Wearing a special headband doesn't suddenly make you a wall-walking superman, and being able to say "I love you" in Japanese is not the pinnacle of cultural achievement. Modern Japan does not look like Rurouni Kenshin, nor did it when that was supposed to even take place.

But at the same time, what's so wrong in taking joy in another culture's products? Why is wanting to go to the romanticized land of Japan suddenly worse than wanting to go to an overly-romanticized French Riviera? Covering an entire subgroup of people in one blanket statement is always a bad idea. You'd think people would've learned that by now.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Kira93]

[QUOTE]Get over it. You being sick of everything only makes you look like an emo[/QUOTE]

That comment made me laugh.

[Raiyuu]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]@Onix: Jenn's not railing against you. Papa Smurf and DeadSeraphim have pointed this out already. She's railing against people who take it to extremes. You like anime because it's higher quality than American media, you like the samurai lifestyle because it appeals to you on a personal level - good, you've got justification for enjoying that stuff. She's arguing against people that seem to like anime / samurai / ramen noodles [i]just because they're Japanese / Asian,[/i] and while she does come across as overly fond of invective, she's got a point. I know people who are like that - otaku in the true, Japanese sense of the word - and they're the reason anime fans like you or I have a bad rep amongst the rest of the population of the world; they're the reason people assume all anime is pornography and that all fans are fat spotty ninja wannabes. There's a lot of stupid stuff in Jenn's blog post, she doesn't always phrase things as sensibly as she should, and all that stuff about cultural appropriation or 'rape' is a load of twaddle, but I'm with her on the 'Asiaphiles' being annoying.[/font]