Anime Anime Fans are isolated...Opinions?

[vegeta rocker]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Rick Hunter [/i]
[B]If thats the case then they would have thrown me in jail a long time ago for having my collection of anime completely unedited. Its weird how the courts ruled on that. Once again blame narrow minded people for thinking animation is only for kids. -___- [/B][/QUOTE]

:
i live in a town of narrow mindedness, i get quips like "your 17 and you still watch cartoons", retarded people. So what i escape in dabbling in water colors as my teacher says.

Jail time for anime fans? I hope they have cartoon network in my cell.



Anime Forever!!!!:flaming:

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Darktoweronline [/i]
[B]
From 50's comic code trials to the present obscenity laws, a person older than 12 challenges a lot of American history by wearing that Dragon ball or Sailor moon backpack. Takes guts.
Dan [/B][/QUOTE]

No it doesn't. Anyone who puts on a DBZ shirt isn't worrying "I hope nobody catches me!". It doesn't take any guts, just stupidity.

It's just history. They aren't challenging anything. It's like saying being an atheist takes guts.

[amiboshi]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ~*!Rei Hino!*~ [/i]
[B]Today I wore a SAilor Moon shirt to school, when I walked into my first class, the person next to me said, "Sailor moon?! That is so gay. Your the biggest loser I know." that made me feel real great. :( [/B][/QUOTE]
That's pretty cold to say to someone.... People are stupid to say things like that. I think rap is stupid but I don't walk around telling people listening to rap that they're the biggest losers I know...

My Dad keeps telling me that more people than I think like anime, and that I should...I dunno....ask people if they like it. I don't think I'll be asking people about it anytime soon, but I have noticed some people around my school that like anime. The other day on the bus there was a girl with the "Ground of Evangelion vol. 2" book, and she was drawing from it and she had some Escaflowne sketches as well. I also met a girl who loved Escaflowne the other day, and we had a huge discussion about it. This is new to have fans at school, since at my old school I know there weren't any fans outside of DBZ.

[Mnemolth]

[b]WARNING: The following post contains subject matter of an adult nature!![/b]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Darktoweronline [/i]
[B]In Texas, a comic shop manager is serving a six-month obscenity sentence in prison for selling Demon beast and Overfiend to an adult. The product was kept in a box behind the counter so no-one underage saw the material. The seller was an adult, the buyer was an adult, but the store manager is still in prison because the court opinion said (paraphrase): 'comics and cartoons are a form designed to appeal to children. Selling animated adult comics and videos is dealing in pornography designed to be consumed by children.' Because the comic shop was within a few blocks of an elementary school, a man's in jail.
That illustrates the problems of cartoons and comics in the US. Almost everyone believes picture books are fit only for the youngest children or mentally handicapped people (it's not the 'smart' character in the movie reading the comics classic Moby Dick.). If people do find 'mature-reader' material in a comic or cartoon they find it obscene. It was only a little while ago that American courts decided that the 'image of a child isn't a child'. Many unedited anime works were illegal in the US a year ago.
From 50's comic code trials to the present obscenity laws, a person older than 12 challenges a lot of American history by wearing that Dragon ball or Sailor moon backpack. Takes guts.
Dan [/B][/QUOTE]

That is truly sad.

Now someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me, a couple of clarifications here are in order.

This is essentially about obscenity law. A dubious and highly political area of criminal law (though one could say almost all areas of criminal law are political). And so its really about hentai, not just nudity but explicit depictions of sex.

The other thing to note is that this targets the store, and the poor shmuck who just happen to be there to ring up the sale. It very difficult to make a case for breaking obscenity laws if you merely 'possess' the offeding material, were not selling it or showing it in public. So all you hentai freaks can relax. Hentai proprietors or those thinking about offloading part of their collections might want to reconsider, at least if you live in Texas.

The poor guy didn't go to jail.He was sentenced to 120 days but got probation for $4000, but still, having a class A misdemeanor recorded against his name is no small thing, and being labeled a purveyor of obscenity in the eyes of the law is just plain wrong.

You would think that detectives from the Dallas Police Department would have better things to do than to rummage through comic stores looking for comic porn. It is important to note that the guy who was arrested, charged and convicted had NO previous criminal record at all, no prior arrests, and had worked at the store all his adult life. He is hardly a threat to anything, other than perhaps good taste.

This kind of thing really p*sses me off. I find it sickening and extremely sad.

[url]http://www.dallasobserver.com/issues/2001-01-04/news.html[/url]

Read it for yourself and make up your own minds.

POLITICAL SIDENOTE: In the previous Clinton Administration, the Federal government basically backed off on Obscenity Laws. They still existed on the books but the agencies and groups that enforce the laws were slowly dismantled. The porn industry thrived, and today it is a multi-billion dollar industry, and have even gained a small mark of 'respectability'. It is pumped into homes across America on AT&T and many other cable carriers. It is stuffed in many major chain hotels. The Bush Administration, with the strong backing of the Christian Coalition, made a high priority of winding back these gains made by the porn industry. The came 9/11 and everything changed. Almost.

The priorities shifted, but a year out from 9/11 and the moral guardians of society are once again trying to impose their will upon us. And for major pornographers like Hustler's Larry Flynt, the good times may come to a full stop. As porn becomes more and more accepted in the 90s, as it drew in the mainstream, it also created niche markets for the small players. So on the fringe of mainstream porn is a host of violent and highly suspect illegal porn. And it is to these that the law enforcement agencies will concentrate to land their initial big victories. That's not such a bad thing, these pornographers can relly be out of control. But then what next? Next they will come for your mainstream porn. And if you think the Internet can stop them, you'd be wrong.

A good introduction to this subject matter is Frontline's investigative report 'American Porn'. [url]http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/porn/[/url]

[Rain]

[color=blue][size=1]Most of my friends hate anime. I have maybe two close friends who, although they don't like anime, they don't give me crap about watching it like most of my friends do.[/size][/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i]
[B]Oh please, anime is so popular these days. There are always 10 people in every high school that watch it religiously. [/B][/QUOTE]

[color=blue][size=1]Ok, I'll have to agree with that. There are 10 people in my high school who watch anime religiously. But do you know how many kids are in my school? 2000. That means that 0.5% of the kids in my school like anime. Not even a whole percent. Not such a big number now, is it? And there really isn't many anime fans at my school. Quite a few of the anime fans are Asian, but you try to find a non-Asian anime fan at my school. I'd say there's about...3, and they're only into anime because they have Asian friends. Of course you have the guys who watch DBZ and Pokemon, but they don't even know what anime is.
[/size][/color]

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Saiyan_monkey [/i]
[B]Ok, I'll have to agree with that. There are 10 people in my high school who watch anime religiously. But do you know how many kids are in my school? 2000. That means that 0.5% of the kids in my school like anime. Not even a whole percent. Not such a big number now, is it? And there really isn't many anime fans at my school. Quite a few of the anime fans are Asian, but you try to find a non-Asian anime fan at my school. I'd say there's about...3, and they're only into anime because they have Asian friends. Of course you have the guys who watch DBZ and Pokemon, but they don't even know what anime is.
[/size][/color] [/B][/QUOTE]

Well you aren't 'isolated' if there are ten of you. Ten is enough to have a good-sized "group" of people to hang out with... really, do you expect 25% of the people to just love anime? Of course not. Some people just don't like it, and a lot don't even know if it. But for liking something from a foreign country, I think you are doing just fine.

About the Asian stuff, that's a big [i]duh[/i]. Why would they not be Asian? Do you see non-Spanish people listening to Spanish music? No, or at least I never have. People don't explore other cultures much, and it's not like you can expect them to just automatically love Japan.

[Rain]

[color=blue][size=1]Geez, I know most anime fans are going to be Asian, because anime is Asian, that wasn't my point though, my point is that there are hardly any non-Asian anime fans in countries like the US, so in Western countries (Aus, US, etc), yes, anime fans are isolated[/size][/color]

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Saiyan_monkey [/i]
[B]my point is that there are hardly any non-Asian anime fans in countries like the US, so in Western countries (Aus, US, etc), yes, anime fans are isolated[/B][/QUOTE]

No, because Asians actually exist in America. Surprised?

[Genkai]

OOOOOOOOOHHHH heated discussion.

i think anime fans aren't ISOLATED, but being an anime fan will sometimes bring hardships. i guess.

[Iman]

I have the same prob at school, with people that give you a strange look when you talk about DBZ or other manga, but its just that (i live in Holland), its just not well-known to most younger generation over here, i watched manga when i was 9 years old, cause my brother loved those things, and when i compare manga to lets say spiderman or X-men the american cartoons, i find that the story`s and the originality has far surpassed those american or european cartoon/comic books/movies.
And the action is far more intense, if go look at the saga`s of Majin Buu of DBZ, the fightin in those anime is amazing even when its 10 years old.

though there are guys who like DBZ too and others who find it childish but i don`t care. the can kiss my ***!!!

[bra]

I know what you mean!!! When I went to school, there were soooo many people who looked down on me and my friends because we liked anime! Well I just kept my head high and had pride in myself! I guess that is why everyone dubbed me as "Saiyan" Well now, Where I work... It's no big deal... All of my comrades Love anime... It'll turn out better in the end. :) :D

[Guest Hikaru Ichijyo]

Actually I have to agree with what one person said here. Being an anime fan does bring hardships. I hadn't experienced it till just recently, but apparently there is very little love for the species called "Anime Fans".

My only advice is to try and keep your head up high, and remind yourself that its the people who don't respect anime that are missing out on something not you.

[Rain]

[color=blue][size=1]But here's what I don't get - what is wrong with liking anime? Is it because it's different to what the majority is interested in? Well, yes, anime is different, but thats no reason to make fun of someone because they like it. I don't know...it just pisses me off sometimes. People are always telling you to be individual, don't just do what everyone else does to fit in. You do that, and society shuns you. Well I'm probably exagerating a bit there, but you know what I mean:).

Sometimes I like how anime isn't that popular though...it's nice to be interested in something that isn't considered "popular" or "normal".[/size][/color]

[Mnemolth]

Oh you guys really need to see the South Park episode "Chinpoko Mon". I just stumbled across it the other day and its bloody brilliant, in that crude vulgar South Park way of course, but still funny. If you wanna watch it PM me. *eyes admins/mods warily* er...for obvious reasons. :)

[TheDarkOtaku]

Well, it should just so happen someone brings this up after a little "predicament" that happened to me. I've been called a freak, geek, loser, outcast, and basically every other name in the book for my love of anime. For these 6 years that just past, the road to Otakudom was hard. Even now that I'm in a local anime club, I'm still made fun of. However, this doesn't discourage me. It makes me PROUDER to be an otaku. Just because I'm not "Mister DanceKing/Jock/GirlObsessed Cool Dude" doesn't mean I'm a reason for discussion whenever I walk by. All in all, I'm only starting to meet people like me. I have 2 true friends who stick by my side, and that's all I need. So, for all you guys who are persecuted because of your likes/dislikes and beliefs, HANG IN THERE. I have found my place, and so will you. ;)

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Saiyan_monkey [/i]
[B]But here's what I don't get - what is wrong with liking anime?[/B][/QUOTE]

The problem isn't so much in liking anime, but with the people who like it.

[i]Most[/i] anime fans are just really annoying and nerdy. They try to speak Japanese by throwing in words here and there to their sentences, draw the things all over any of their possessions, listen to the blasted bubbly Eurobeat theme songs, don't shut up about anime, and the list goes on and on...

If you think it's quite the opposite, well, in my experience, every anime I've known fits into this category.

[Mitch]

[color=red] People will always be prejudiced and hated for what they think is right and what they believe in. Anime is no seclusion from this.[/color]

[Genkai]

CHINPOKO MON CAMP!!!!



that was an awesome episode....



of course, i have no problem making fun of anime.. not people who like anime, but anime...



i mean, dont YOU want to be the greatest CHIMPOKOMASTER LEVEL 17 EVER???p

[bra]

Not all people who like anime sit there and pretend that they know Japanese.. I don't, and I like anime. I somewhat know what you mean, but that IS a stereotype, all I say is when people think of you being wierd, nerdy, or any of that stuff, just keep your head up and show your pride in what you believe in and like.. :P

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by bra [/i]
[B]Not all people who like anime sit there and pretend that they know Japanese.. I don't, and I like anime. [/B][/QUOTE]

But that was just [i]one[/i] of the things I mentioned.

Look, as I said, this is from my experience. I have not met an anime geek who was not just that - a geek.

[Mnemolth]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i]
[B]The problem isn't so much in liking anime, but with the people who like it.

[i]Most[/i] anime fans are just really annoying and nerdy. They try to speak Japanese by throwing in words here and there to their sentences, draw the things all over any of their possessions, listen to the blasted bubbly Eurobeat theme songs, don't shut up about anime, and the list goes on and on...

If you think it's quite the opposite, well, in my experience, every anime I've known fits into this category. [/B][/QUOTE]

I take it that you include yourself in that description? :)

I can only speak for myself, but I can't remember the last time anyone called me a 'geek' or 'nerd'. And I have watched quite a lot of anime.

Some anime fans are as you described them, but there are quite a few in my experience who are not. These are the 'cool' people. The popular, the partying and sociable type. You know, the kind with a gorgeous girlfriend not a gorgeous computer. Where I am anime can actually be trendy. As long as you don't take it too seriously...

But then again perhaps you don't consider these people, like me who don't have a major beef with dubs, who never attend cons and don't wear 'otaku' shirts, 'fans'? Maybe we're just not 'elite' enough to be a 'fan'? :p

[wrist cutter]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Mnemolth [/i]
[B]I take it that you include yourself in that description? :)
[/B][/QUOTE]

No, I haven't watched anime in years.

Well, that's great if you enjoy anime and aren't a nerd... but I keep repeating myself here: those things I said were all based on my experience... meaning this is indeed the [i]only[/i] type of fan I've ever met (in person). And I certainly realize that it's possible for a fan to not be this way. But it seems like a small minority.

[Syk3]

Wow, this came out of the dark from a while ago. Not many ppl in my school like anime, and they make fun of me for when I liked Dragonball Z (note: they liked it too). So they'd be like "hey dragonball!" and I'd be like "hey no-ball!" If they ever make fun of other animes like Cowboy Bebop I'd just laugh in their face and make fun of them. Meh.

But then, we have enough people in my school who like it to have an anime club. This year, however, we can't find a steady sponsor.

[SSJ4 Gokou]

[COLOR=firebrick]Anime fans aren't isolated where [B]I[/B] live. A friend of mine by the name of Jacob went out with the most popular girl in school last year and yet he sports his Cowboy Bebop t-shirt at least once a week. I mean we never really talk about anime together, but appearantly he likes it. :p[/COLOR]

[bra]

Well all I am saying is that people have a right to believe in what they want and like what they want!!! If people come up to you and say something bad about what you like, just hold your head up and say that you are proud to be an original...