movies/tv Why is anime so popular?

[Static Electricity 729]

As per title.

 

Why is anime so popular? I always keep hearing about it and almost every pony-to human fanart is anime styled.

 

I have no idea what makes it so appealing, so I would appreciate it if someone could explain it to me.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Static Electricity

[Slice0Pie 815]

I also wonder the same thing

I mean

I watch some anime once in a while

And some characters are pretty or cool

But it's just a show with cartoon humans

I don't get it

[GhostPony750 959]

Animes actually repels me; I strongly dislike them. So I'm misplaced to tell you why. xD

 

But I'm curious too, let's wait for more replies.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,670]

Some like the visual aspects of anime, some like how they have plots/arcs and character development not found in too many Western animation shows. I think it's because it's still cartoons, yet there's an "older" feeling that its cool for teens and young adults.

[Sunny Fox 5,961]

Some people like the style, some people like the story-telling, some people like the tropes, some people like the pretty girls, some people like the pretty boys. Asking "why do people like anime" is no different to asking why people like animation in general.

 

As a person who likes animation of all forms, naturally anime would be included in that. Also, I'm currently living in Japan, so I see anime absolutely everywhere. It's often used in advertising.

Edited December 23, 2013 by SolarFox

[Static Electricity 729]

Asking "why do people like anime" is no different to asking why people like animation in general.

There's a difference. I don't see people saying "I'm a TV series fan" or "I'm a live action fan".

[Lunatic Cake 1,618]

As for Anime, the main reason for me to be excited about it is because Anime Characters can do things normal humans couldn't do, also the story seems more realistic because it's not some sort of actor playing this role along with many others but one unique character is telling about his story or is being followed along the story. Aside from that I simply love the way Anime's are drawn/animated, especially the eyes. It takes nothing but beautiful looking eyes for me to watch an Anime. Aside from that I would say though that because of all these possibilities that can be offered, it has a bigger variety than most "real" TV shows or movies. (Not to mention all these Ecchi scenes in which the main protagonist ends up on top of the girl and ending up in an awkward moment because someone enters the room)

Edited December 23, 2013 by Takumi Nishijou

[MagicalStarRain 599]

There's the appealing art style for one thing. It can make characters look cute or cool, though that's in the eye of the beholder. What the characters look like are made to cater to a target audience. Me, I love how attractive and sometimes exotic some of them tend to look, especially the male characters with the long-hair and the huge katanas and the magical girls.

 

There's also the story-telling. Loads of the anime I have seen has some major plot attached to them. The characters in them more often than not have their own goals to pursue alongside one common goal and the anime ends when they're accomplished. Some of the western animation shows I have seen sort of just keep going and die over time.

 

Not to mention the visual effects.

Edited December 23, 2013 by MagicalStarRain

[Sunny Fox 5,961]

 

There's a difference. I don't see people saying "I'm a TV series fan" or "I'm a live action fan".

 

 

Only as much of a difference as that between vanilla and chocolate ice-cream, I find personally. It's a different flavour of animation, true, but the same things attract me to anime as attract me to animation. Bright colours, beautifully drawn artwork in many different styles, a chance to see story lines that are not easy or possible to explore in traditional live action, etc

Edited December 23, 2013 by SolarFox

[Onylex 2,837]

You could honestly ask this same question when it comes to MLP.

 

There are many different reasons why people like what they like and this doesn't just apply to anime. Sometimes there isn't a specific reason, just simply the fact that they like it.

 

I mean do people need a reason to like it? 

Edited December 23, 2013 by Onylex

[silverreverb 129]

I think some part of it is the aesthetic of the whole thing. the styles used in anime look interesting.

 

the part that got me hooked is that for the most part, it isn't as episodic as western cartoons are. if you look at most cartoons, what happens in one episode doesn't tend to carry over to the next or even though out later in the series. anime tends takes a different approach by using story arcs and character development. also tend to deal with heavier topics than found in the usual western cartoon

[Static Electricity 729]

As for Anime, the main reason for me to be excited about it is because Anime Characters can do things normal humans couldn't do

So can other types of animation. And live action, we have this thing called CGI.

 

also the story seems more realistic because it's not some sort of actor playing this role along with many others but one unique character is telling about his story or is being followed along the story. 

I din't see how this is something that could not be done with live action, or is exclusive to anime.

 

Aside from that I simply love the way Anime's are drawn/animated, especially the eyes. It takes nothing but beautiful looking eyes for me to watch an Anime.

To me it seems the art style is the reason for the popularity of anime.

 

Aside from that I would say though that because of all these possibilities that can be offered, it has a bigger variety than most "real" TV shows or movies. (Not to mention all these Ecchi scenes in which the main protagonist ends up on top of the girl and ending up in an awkward moment because someone enters the room)

I don't see how these possibilities are exclusive to anime.

You could honestly ask this same question when it comes to MLP.

 

There are many different reasons why people like what they like and this doesn't just apply to anime. Sometimes there isn't a specific reason, just simply the fact that they like it.

 

I mean do people need a reason to like it? 

Yes, and we know why MLP is popular.

 

And it's not that people need a reason to like it, the question is why is it so incredibly popular?

Only as much of a difference as that between vanilla and chocolate ice-cream, I find personally. It's a different flavour of animation, true, but the same things attract me to anime as attract me to animation. Bright colours, beautifully drawn artwork in many different styles, a chance to see story lines that are not easy or possible to explore in traditional live action, etc

 

Then why does anime have such a massive fandom compared to other types of animation?

[Mio Akiyama 145]

In my opinion, anime expresses emotions far more intensely than most cartoons do. Also, anime has a story. Don't get me wrong, some cartoons are like that too. Adventure Time is one. But the thing is Adventure Time has more random episodes than episodes that actually have emotions, or tell an important story. And thats how the universe started...

[Onylex 2,837]

So can other types of animation. And live action, we have this thing called CGI.

 

I din't see how this is something that could not be done with live action, or is exclusive to anime.

 

To me it seems the art style is the reason for the popularity of anime.

 

I don't see how these possibilities are exclusive to anime.

Yes, and we know why MLP is popular.

 

And it's not that people need a reason to like it, the question is why is it so incredibly popular?

Then why does anime have such a massive fandom compared to other types of animation?

 

Yep, like I said the question does not have to much of a variation anime or not. 

 

MLP is "generally" popular because people like the plots, the relatable characters, the art style, even just the simple mood and atmosphere of the show. The same can be applied to anime or anything really.  

[Sunny Fox 5,961]

 

Then why does anime have such a massive fandom compared to other types of animation?

To what other types of animation do you refer? Anime is simply animation from Japan.

[Static Electricity 729]

To what other types of animation do you refer? Anime is simply animation from Japan.

CGI, hand drawn (yes I know anime is hand drawn), stop motion...

[Sunny Fox 5,961]

CGI, hand drawn (yes I know anime is hand drawn), stop motion...

Stop motion is very hard to do, and is not seen really often nowadays, in anime or otherwise. Although, "Wallace and Grommit" had a brief period of popularity recently. CGI and hand-drawn are very often used together in the same series. Anime can include both CGI and hand-drawn as well, so I would hesitate to call separate them from the anime medium.

 

I'd go the TV Tropes route and separate animation (very broadly) into Western animation and Eastern animation. We could also distinguish between Japanese animation, anime, and Korean animations, manhwa (not entirely sure of the spelling)

Edited December 23, 2013 by SolarFox

[Blue Moon 6,345]

I guess it's because the art style and character design is very pleasing to the eye (well, at least I think so; at least, for all the anime I've seen,) and people want to see other characters in that style, so it gets spread easily. 

 

Also, anime shows tend to have a bit more focused plotline that often span across the whole series, and there's often more continuity between the episodes; so that's pretty nice.

 

Then, there are some people who are just a fan of animation in general, and anime is included in animation. 

[Dark Heart 284]

My experience as an anime fan as to why i love it can be tell by different animes, my very first introduction to anime was whit Sailor Moon in mexico when i was 13 years old, ill tho at that time i didnt know what anime was to begin whit.

 

Since then i have been a big fan of magic/action/shonen style anime/manga, and just like whit any other cartoon to me anime represents another form of art and storytelling, but IMO one of the main reasons anime is a bit more famous than western animation is cause anime takes on several genres and manage to acomplish better that what you hope for.

 

If you are in to Heroic action, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Bleach, One Piece Hunter x hunter.

For Magic oriented you may want to watch Slayers, Magical Girl Nanoha, Fairy Tail, Magi etc

If you are in to sitcoms/slice of life there are several to choose as well, and most of this shows hit right on the spot, and for the most part they deliver the punchlines better than what most western style cartoon can ever pull.

 

Not to say i hate American cartoon's Justice league is one of my favorite ones, (before Unlimited  :okiedokielokie: ) but when programs that deliver some sence of sarcasm of what the nation has become, (Futurama) and gets shut down and cartoons like Sponge Bob gets season after season renewed it kinda piss you off, dont get me wrong anime as some horrible series but when that happens it gets shut down quite fast unlike here were it seems stupidity gets Rewarded just Because :okiedokielokie:

[CometSpeed 39]

honestly, i love the styling of most and they tend to be allot better/ mature than the norm of cartoons. i also kinda like how since its not real humans, and a cartoon, it leaves room for more imagination, but it still stays within the general area of reality and lets face it... the japanese are great with the emotions shown through a drawn up human ... just watch spirited away, and youll see why. thats the best example i know.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

Well, why not? I don't view it as being so different from asking why cartoons, detective shows, or sitcoms are popular, or anything else for that matter. As with those genres, people have found something that has made them laugh or cry, given them characters they can relate to, as well as thrilling storylines and anything else they ask out of something they enjoy. Lots of people find the art styles used to be very beautiful as well.

[Koelath 445]

As per title.

 

Why is anime so popular? I always keep hearing about it and almost every pony-to human fanart is anime styled.

 

I have no idea what makes it so appealing, so I would appreciate it if someone could explain it to me.

 

The same reason everything else is popular: It's a good product and/or entertains people.

 

But more specifically, the art style is appealing and the plotlines are often more complex and engaging than Western fare due to a continuity-based format as opposed to the more common episodic format found here where every episode is a self-contained adventure that always inexplicably returns to status quo by the next show.

 

Plus anime over there is basically for anybody while cartoons over here are still often seen as kid fare so anime is often less condescending and insulting to the audience.

[Bucky McGillyCuddy 956]

Anime can be repetitive at times but there is no other media that even comes close to it in terms of original and thought provoking storytelling. Creatively there is no substitute for a good Anime. In terms of storytelling, My Little Pony doesn't even come close to shows like Ano Hana, Code Geass and Steins;Gate but that's not exactly a fair comparison haha.

 

If I had to choose between MLP or Anime I'd drop the Mane 6 in a heartbeat.

[Akemi Homura 7,682]

Because it is enjoyable. The question of why depends on the viewer itself; there is no one, set reason to find something appealing, amusing, or entertaining.

 

There are some anime that are right there in my heart that are truly influential (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Neon Genesis Evangelion to name a few) not because they're enjoyable, but they manage to tell a story, deliver awe-inspiring emotions, and are completely and utterly moving. Those are the iconic ones. Anime, while can be looked at as simple animation whose primary goal is to provide people with fun, are actually cultural messages handed down in the form of communicative television. Any one of them is. Some lightheartedly jab the various common aspects of life we encounter daily (Lucky Star). Some try to explain the inner workings of how someone functions as a result from their childhood experiences or other events (Neon Genesis Evangelion). And some tell you to keep going no matter what is in your way whether it is for the sake of one person or your race (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann).

 

They're not just pieces of animation. Perhaps that's why I don't find them interesting per se, but moreso special.

[Golurk 468]

I don't particularly get it myself. Perhaps it lies in the combination of serious and cartoony-ness that most have. I'm fine with the former, but the latter is something I don't care for. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I've watched a few in my time. There were a few I've liked, but much more that I really haven't. Cowboy Bebop, Big O, and old-time Pokemon are the only ones that have really drawn my fancy. A major turn-off for me is the massive Japanese influence that a good amount have. Nothing against the culture or its depictions, I just find it a bit... odd most of the time.

 

In response to the question, I honestly have no idea. I guess there's just something I'm not seeing. 

Edited December 23, 2013 by Yerserf