Do you know what an anime is? They are animations of Japanese origin that have a huge number of fans around the world. What are the reasons for anime to be so successful? In this article I will present reasons for you to watch anime or not.
Some have the idea that Japanese animations are childish like those of the West. Many think that watching drawings is a child's thing and prefer the realism portrayed in movies and series. They have no idea what they're missing.
Unlike cartoons, most anime is aimed at an audience over 16 years old. There are sub-genres for adults, and even +18 content. Despite this explanation, many things make people like or dislike anime.
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What are Anime? Why are they famous?
As already mentioned, these are Japanese animations or simply Japanese drawings. Its success is huge mainly due to the huge amount of animations published every year in Japan. There are more than 400 works being animated each year.
This large circulation made many Westerners and foreigners know the culture behind these Japanese animations, making them popular in the West like American films, cartoons and series.
In the same way that there are Marvel, DC and other comic books in the US, Japan has dozens of publishers that publish games, books and comic books called manga, from independent people who present their idea to the publishers.
These weekly comics are so successful that animation studios decide to turn them into Japanese cartoons. These animations drive a gigantic industry of toys, DVDs and other media that are spread to the West.
Anime stood out abroad precisely for their different stories than usual, animation quality, captivating culture and many other aspects of Japanese cartoons. Their similarities make people end up watching other anime.
There is a certain Prejudice against Anime
If a friend wants you to watch anime and made you read this article, you may have some prejudice. Maybe you just don't like cartoons and prefer to watch flesh and blood stuff. Maybe you think they're like American cartoons.
Adults and older people often have this idea that drawings are childish. Others are simply too lazy to read subtitles, so they don't like anime. This can't be another excuse with so many anime being dubbed on Netflix.
Of course, for anime fans, the original voice is a thousand times superior to Brazilian dubs. Those who decided to give a chance to works that they liked had good experiences. Today I can say that even my mother watches anime.
That's right, I started showing some dramas, then we watched Detective Conan, even parasite she watched. Recently she's been watching Netflix anime all over, she says she has less bitching and the American series.
The cultural difference can also cause some to create a certain prejudice of anime. A great example of this are some religious people who think that all anime has things wrong. A big mistake that I debunked in the cited article.
Reasons to watch Anime
Anime has many genres
There are thousands of anime that were adaptations of Japanese works or even original creations. There are also thousands of works that deserve a TV adaptation and haven't had it yet. A third of anime released are focused on adult audiences.
There are genres of all kinds like romance, sport, music, comedy, action and even erotic. Anime's genre spectrum is so vast and diverse that almost no western movie or series will surprise you more.
Anime is more realistic than movies
There are many fantasy anime, but a big part of them show the reality of life. Animes can convey feelings and emotions that few movies would be able to. There are stories that will blow your mind or make you cry for weeks.
There is a great deal of complexity in anime that involves dramatic and psychological stories that grip you and make you empathize with the captivating characters better than any series or movie.
While many western films add nothing to our lives, many anime develop our ability to understand different concepts and issues relevant to our society and humanity.
The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:
Anime teaches about Japan
Watching anime will take you to a whole new world, an ancient culture full of stories, beliefs, traditions and culture. Some customs and reactions of characters may be totally strange to Westerners, but anime totally portrays how people are in Japan. In almost every anime you will be introduced to some tourist place, typical cuisine or some story or legend.
Many end up liking Japan after watching anime. That's because they can see a stark difference between young Japanese and their education, respect and honesty. In addition to falling in love with the attitude and behavior of the Japanese and their school or adult life. Watching a Japanese work after so many American movies and series, makes you end up having a totally different view of the world.
Watch Anime teaches Japanese
Watching anime is one of the first steps for you to know the language, you learn the natural way of Japanese to speak, in addition to slang, old expressions, colloquial and even keigo (formal). Even the disinterested learn words.
Many became fluent in Japanese thanks to anime, others even got the chance to work in Japan after that.
Watching anime teaches Japanese Culture
It was in anime that most people learned about Japanese uniforms, school clubs, convenience stores, temples and castles, hot springs and many other wonderful things that exist in Japan.
It was in Japanese animations that we learned about honor, humility, dedication, strength, teamwork, punctuality, respect and other attitudes that reflect the ancient Japanese culture.
Anime are works of art
There are thousands of anime because there are thousands of artists in Japan. They really appreciate the art of drawing, there are different styles of art in anime. Some scenarios present in anime are very similar to real life.
Artists use comic effects and backgrounds that end up catching our attention and even creating feelings. Anime is true art, not being naked in a museum being played by children.
Even when it comes to nudity, Japanese artists manage to create works of art, curves and effects that really make some fall in love with anime characters.
The Anime Soundtracks (soundtracks das Animes)
Japanese animations are accompanied by great soundtracks at the level of Hans Zimmer or even higher. Great tracks on piano, violin or even electronic that can convey a feeling to the one who is watching.
Not to mention the sung openings and endings that are performed by successful Japanese singers or even by the voice actors of the characters.
Artistic references in anime
It was watching anime that I ended up getting to know some famous artistic works, even names like Van Gogh I only got to know through anime. There are several anime that tell the story of artists, singers and musicians.
Others go beyond the limits and bring animations to the real world through the art of cosplay.
Why are some addicted to Anime?
In the same way that people are addicted to series and soap operas, others are addicted to anime. There's always one better than the other, and both work with weekly episodes that keep the person for a long time in a given work.
Some are so addicted that their lives revolve around them. In addition to spending all day watching, others spend their entire allowance on DVDs, manga, action figures and conventions. This kind of addicted person, we used to call them Otaku.
Anime characters are made to hold and captivate the viewer. Some even create strong feelings for characters, something normal not just in the anime worlds but in any area of life like music and literature.
Action, powers, fights, comedy, psychological drama, romance, and unrealistic events have a habit of attracting attention. Not to mention the sensualization of characters that attracts many young people. It would be abnormal if it didn't addict some people.
Reasons why you don't watch anime
While there are good reasons for you to watch anime, there are also reasons not to watch them. What makes some people dislike anime? We already mentioned that it is for the simple fact of being a drawing or being subtitled, but is that all?
Many stop watching or don't like anime because of the characters' voices and the Japanese language being annoying. The Japanese standard of beauty is cuteness, so the characters' voices sound thin, childlike, and even sound like they're moaning.
Another thing that irritates even anime fans is the absurd amount of fan service present in anime, even outside the shounen genre. Things like tentacles, boobs, and underwear close-ups make it look like you're watching an 18+ movie.
Some anime have stories without any connection, very crazy and out of reality. Other works seem to be copies of each other, there are trends such as isekai anime and others that end up generating repeated clichés.
Others, even if they like drawings, just can't like Japanese animation. Of course, all these points are relative and not absolute. Even so, its presence in some works keeps people from liking Japanese animations. Do you agree with these facts?
Other reasons to enjoy watching anime
- Anime motivates you and makes you feel much better;
- There is an amazing anime community;
- You will see the world with different eyes;
- Many anime turn into games, and the reverse is also common;
- Some anime are full of powers, explosions, monsters and sinister things;
- Some anime work the fan service (ecchi) full of hot scenes;
- Some anime work with time travel, timelines and a lot of fiction;
- An anime episode only lasts 20 minutes while series lasts 40-50 min;
- There are several characters, with different personalities, tastes, looks and dreams that you will probably identify with;
There are several other reasons for someone to like anime. I can't remember them all! The fact is that if anime weren't good, there wouldn't be a huge audience over 30 watching or creating several original, creative and fantastic stories.
Anime can have its problems, but it's an area that everyone should know about! Do you know any other reasons to watch anime? We'd like to hear in the comments.
We also recommend reading:
- Inspirational and motivational anime - Run after dreams!
- Psychological Anime - The best thrillers, suspense, and mysteries
- The 50 best anime according to the Japanese and the West
