Manic Webb Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 2 questions... First off, what is your definition of "mainstream anime"? When does an anime become mainstream? Do you think there's a difference between mainstream anime and dubbed anime? (some people don't, but I do) Secondly, if you're against mainstream anime, why? What makes anime better when it's not mainstream? One thing that's always bothered me is how some people used to say how they wished more people watched anime, but now suddenly hate "mainstream." I need this cleared up. What do you think mainstream anime is, and why do you hate it (if you do)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Def_Kun Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 Well, I think if one title is easily available around your area, that title qualifies for being mainstream. IMHO it's just based on location. For example, Rurouni Kenshi is considered quite mainstream in my country since it was shown three times over two different stations while Outlaw Star isn't. I'm not against mainstream anime. But sometimes people who act like they know everything about anime are just annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 i would just like to say youve got a very good point. i also think that saying things like, " i wish more people watched..." and the now i dont like main stream, become a bit more exceptable when you think of poke mon and compare it to the less known yet far superior animes. i got just about sick of seeing anime being sold when i saw ten different shows with the last sylabol of the title being -mon. the whole while, all my buddies thought i was making lies up about a future of dbz with new villians and power levels. main stream to me, is when something becomes "bankable" when something can be sold, and the original fans that were die hards are forgotten. (side note: dbz live action movie, oh never mind...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Imsirion Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 To me, they become mainstream when there shown on things like WB, Fox and when your able to get *example* Pokemon cards,tapes,dvds,actionfigures,clothes, uh, shoelaces and ... coffee mugs. Thats how I think of mainstream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted August 5, 2002 Share Posted August 5, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by outlawstar_14 [/i] [B]To me, they become mainstream when there shown on things like WB, Fox and when your able to get *example* Pokemon cards,tapes,dvds,actionfigures,clothes, uh, shoelaces and ... coffee mugs. Thats how I think of mainstream. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=red]Exactly what I think. Just because an Anime is mainstream doesn't mean it's not a good Anime, at least that's what I think.[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiboshi Posted August 6, 2002 Share Posted August 6, 2002 I consider dubbed anime and Mainstream anime totally different things. I consider Mainstream anime to be the stuff on networks, or the stuff that pretty everyone, even the poeple who don't like anime, know what you're talking when you mention its name. (i.e. DBZ, Pokemon, Digimon.....) I mean.....you utter DBZ anywhere in a school, and everyone knows what show you're talking about....whether they like it or not. That's mainstream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrist cutter Posted August 6, 2002 Share Posted August 6, 2002 I don't like mainstream anime because it makes me feel superior to everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genkai Posted August 7, 2002 Share Posted August 7, 2002 well, an anime normally becomes mainstream because it's quality. the next step is finding it's marketing potential. then cutting, dubbing, and screwing with it to make it "suitable" for the american audience. of course, japan airs these uncut and hase about %100 fewer murders, sexual harrassment cases, etc. i guess america is already corrupt, and have enough computer games to blame violence on.... we need a major re-decorating, ya know. we need to die and put ourselves together again.... of course, im off tobpic, so.... see ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegeta rocker Posted August 8, 2002 Share Posted August 8, 2002 i wouldnt go as far as saying everything that has gone mainstream is quality. At the risk of being mauled, i say Pokemon is annoying. I personally consider mainstream what is popular on television and can be easily purchased at any major chain of stores. I dont think all dubbed is mainstream, thats just a big generalization. If dbz had debuted on cn with subtitles, i think it would still have been popular thought not as much maybe. . There is alot of dubbed anime out there and it would be stupid to call them all mainstream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semjaza Posted August 8, 2002 Share Posted August 8, 2002 I'm not sure if wrist cutter was being sarcastic or not (hard to tell online), but if he is... I totally agree. I don't get the debate over this in the first place. A show is good, or it's not. It doesn't suddenly lose or gain quality if it gets popular. There are many anime in Japan that have a million products based on them available, but people don't consider them mainstream here. But if something gets popular/mainstream here it's suddenly "uncool" to like it. I've never liked anime because of the image if gives people. Until fairly recently the average stereoptype of an anime viewer in America was some fat, pale 30 year old (something like Comic Book Guy). It certainly wasn't very cool back then, but people still enjoyed it. Now that it's gotten to more people it's somehow turned into some popularity and image contest. You have to sit around and hear people complain when their favorite anime is suddenly well known, or people that normally wouldn't care are interested. Or watch arguments between people because all they know is the dubbed version of some show, or don't know the Japanese version of some character's name. I seriously think most people hate mainstream anime because they want anime to be some cool thing they can keep to themselves and their little groups. They want to claim it as their own, and keep everyone else away. Somewhat like how people suddenly hate punk bands that make it. That and I think saying they hate mainstream anime, and people naming off all these foreign things pretending they know Japanese makes them feel smarter and superior. If you simply dislike a show then fine. But dismissing a show because it's mainstream is such an idiotic thing to do (especially considering most people don't know jack about anime -- or anything in general really -- they say they hate). Everyone is free to like what they want, I just think there are more vaild reasons around than that. Probably a little harsh, but that's my impression of some people I know (not a majority, but a good portion)... not really anyone specific to these boards :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegeta rocker Posted August 8, 2002 Share Posted August 8, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i] [There are many anime in Japan that have a million products based on them available, but people don't consider them mainstream here. But if something gets popular/mainstream here it's suddenly "uncool" to like it. i totally agree, i know some people on these boards who want to to crucify anyone who mention they enjoyed an unpopular anime the other day. They would jump them and yell, you aren't worthy !! You think thats cool? You havent seen real anime yet. Personally i dont think its fair for ANYONE to think they are better than somebody else because they can quote Blue Gender off the top of their heads. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted August 8, 2002 Author Share Posted August 8, 2002 Yes! I totally agree with Semjaza Azazel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Asuka Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 [color=crimson][size=1]I guess that I am against mainstream anime. And here's why, if anyone cares to read this: To me, mainstream anime is the highly popularized and awfully edited anime that they show on network television that is easily accesible to any audience and then they suddenly assume that they know everything about anime and are the biggest anime fans just because they like DBZ or Card Captor Sakura. My biggest gripe: All these DBZ idiots who think it's the best show in the world. If there was any show ever more stupid or anything, I would die of a heart attack and laugh as I saw pigs flying around my head or something...because it's not happening. DBZ is CRAP! And it's OLD! There will NEVER be new episodes of DBZ! The episodes are older than the fans who are so obsessed with them!!!!!!! In closing, I'd like to say that of COURSE dubbed anime isn't the same as Mainstream. Evangelion is a dubbed series and it's not mainstream. End of story. Now, I will say, I do like SOME anime that is mainstream, but it will never be my favorite or anything like that or of the sort.[/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Renegade V2 Posted September 16, 2002 Share Posted September 16, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Queen Asuka [/i] [B][color=crimson][size=1]I guess that I am against mainstream anime. And here's why, if anyone cares to read this: To me, mainstream anime is the highly popularized and awfully edited anime that they show on network television that is easily accesible to any audience and then they suddenly assume that they know everything about anime and are the biggest anime fans just because they like DBZ or Card Captor Sakura. My biggest gripe: All these DBZ idiots who think it's the best show in the world. If there was any show ever more stupid or anything, I would die of a heart attack and laugh as I saw pigs flying around my head or something...because it's not happening. DBZ is CRAP! And it's OLD! There will NEVER be new episodes of DBZ! The episodes are older than the fans who are so obsessed with them!!!!!!! In closing, I'd like to say that of COURSE dubbed anime isn't the same as Mainstream. Evangelion is a dubbed series and it's not mainstream. End of story. Now, I will say, I do like SOME anime that is mainstream, but it will never be my favorite or anything like that or of the sort.[/color][/size] [/B][/QUOTE] [COLOR=darkred][B]Well from what I gather you hate mainstream anime and your favorite anime is none other than Neon Genesis Evangelion. Now this brings me to a crossroads. If your so against mainstream anime, what would happen to your opinion if Eva went mainstream. That is all I would like to know. As for my opinion, I have to go with Semjaza (or whatever) and wrist cutter. It doesn't matter to me if a show it televised or mainstream, or underground or anything and this goes for all forms of entertainment if it is good I like it regardless simple as that.[/B][/COLOR] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Asuka Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 [color=crimson][size=1]If Eva went mainstream, I would seriously be pissed. It would still remain my favorite anime series, but then countless idiots would be claiming it as theirs when all they would be seeing was the dubbed and chopped up version that should be illegal to air. And then I would revolt. And start blowing up network buildings...or SOMETHING! >.<;; *Shuts up and runs off*[/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted September 17, 2002 Author Share Posted September 17, 2002 Ah, but if Eva went mainstream, wouldn't that compell more people to go out and buy it uncut? It's almost like old anime fans have no trust for new anime fans. Just because somebody saw an anime mainstream first, that doesn't mean they're going to invade as many chat rooms and forums as possible saying the most stupid, idiotic things they can think of. Sure, that's how a lot of people turn out, but that doesn't mean said "dub-watcher" will never go out and buy "random mainstream anime" uncut. I believe that's called growth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Asuka Posted September 17, 2002 Share Posted September 17, 2002 [color=crimson][size=1]Oh, I totally agree with you, in the growth sense. I believe in growth as well. That is how MOST people start out. They see anime on TV and pursue it. Those are the TRUE fans. I'm talking about the idiots who claim they are anime know it alls when all they've actually seen is the mainstream stuff and that's all they watch and most likely even know about. I myself, although I saw many anime movies when I was VERY young, started out with my favorite show being Sailor Moon. I was too young to buy anime at the time and by the time I could buy it for myself, I had built up a vast amount of anime knowledge from research and borrowing and all that good stuff. Do you understand what I'm saying? I'm not 100% non-mainstream, but I am about 98%. I'm open to all respectable people.[/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VP-Master Posted September 18, 2002 Share Posted September 18, 2002 What is "mainstream anime" you say? Well, I bet most of the people who posted before said similar things of what I'm about to say, but I'll just post this newaz. To me, mainstream anime are shows you see on big TV networks (Fox, WB, CN, ABC Fam, etc). In addition to having their show on a network, these kind of shows also sell various products at your local stores in order for people get into the show. If the marketers of the show are successful, they get a new hit and the new talk of the town. Personally, I'm not against "widespread anime" but I'm not fond of them either. Shows like Yu-gi-oh and the Gundam series are nice to watch on TV, but if you see them in their true form (uncut and unedited) on DVD/VHS or by other means, you notice how much better the show actually is when it isn't watered down by the network. Mainstream anime and dubbed anime are seperate from each other. Almost always, though, Mainstream anime is introduced by a dub and not a sub. But when you buy the eps, people do choose some anime in its dubbed form (don't ask me why cuz I only watched subbed unless its Ranma) so it doesn't have to be a widespread show to have a dub. One thing that is good of the Widespread anime is that it gets people hooked on to the show and sometimes even anime in general. So if you want more of your friends or people in general to like anime, mainstream anime really helps to do this. And now I'm finally done typing this. :wigout: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted September 20, 2002 Author Share Posted September 20, 2002 I actually met someone who thought that anime is mainstream once an American company gets ahold of it. They said once it was subtitled by some big company like Pioneer, ADVision, ect, it was mainstream. I disagreed. that's why I started this thread. I knew someone else who once said that mainstream anime (in the sense of it being on TV) was the goal of "veteran" anime fans. He said that eariler anime fans wanted everyone to watch anime on TV so it wouldn't be so underground and hard to find... eh, whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semjaza Posted September 20, 2002 Share Posted September 20, 2002 Well obviously that's idiotic. If it wasn't for these companies we'd get nothing but fansubs, if that... And until fairly recently they were incredibly hard to get, poorly done most of the time and damn expensive. It might still be this way for all I know, I haven't bought a fan sub outside of Macross the Movie in about a year :). I got it shipped from Hong Kong, with an english fan sub... Well done, other than the stupid "translated by so and so" subtitle that would appear every 30 minutes or so. I personally don't know anyone that watches some "mainstream" anime and suddenly thinks they know all about it... But I guess everyone is different lol. There are people like that with everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mist Posted September 20, 2002 Share Posted September 20, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wrist cutter [/i] [B]I don't like mainstream anime because it makes me feel superior to everyone. [/B][/QUOTE] :rotflmao: [color=crimson][size=1]That was put [i]very[/i] well. You should take a bow for that one. I don't like mainstream as much as I used to. Heck, I like Digimon and that's about it for mainstream on my part.[/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Asuka Posted September 20, 2002 Share Posted September 20, 2002 [color=crimson][size=1]Mainstream is NOT when an American company gets a HOLD of it...Geez, how ELSE could you access anime if you were poor and resourceless like me? The idea of veteran fans wanting others to see anime is a good one. I msyelf like to share anime with others and get them to watch it. But I wan them to watch GOOD series that aren't all watered down and edited and so forth. I just hate it when I get someone into anime and they are spoiled and have more money than me and go and spend it and rub it in my face that they have new anime and I don't. That pisses me off.[/color][/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegeta rocker Posted September 27, 2002 Share Posted September 27, 2002 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Queen Asuka [/i] [B][color=crimson][size=1]I guess that I am against mainstream anime. And here's why, if anyone cares to read this: To me, mainstream anime is the highly popularized and awfully edited anime that they show on network television that is easily accesible to any audience and then they suddenly assume that they know everything about anime and are the biggest anime fans just because they like DBZ or Card Captor Sakura. point taken, usually if it is mainstream it is made all nice and purty and put into a neat little package to be consumed by all.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hikaru Ichijyo Posted September 28, 2002 Share Posted September 28, 2002 Hmm, personally I'm against mainstream anime, the definition at least in my opinion is any anime that has been dubbed, and put for sale on the US Market. If an anime is dubbed it has been butchered just so it can sell various merchandise that the company tries to put out for younger kids. Also an anime goes mainstream when it gets a tv network deal, and sells out. Examples are Pocket Monster aka Pokemon, Digimon, DBZ (12 years old already), Yugioh, and various others that have been butchered just so they can be "family friendly". :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Webb Posted September 28, 2002 Author Share Posted September 28, 2002 Why do so many people think a dubbed anime is a butchered anime made suitable for kids? I was watching El Hazard dubbed on television the other day and it didn't look like it was dubbed for kids to me. (Maybe it was hearing the S-word several times that did it.) I don't exactly see much (or any) El Hazard merchandise at Toys R Us either. And how exactly did Pokemon "sell out" anyway? It was a major marketing tool in Japan, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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