[DarkRose]

Wow, my first question. I think this is in the right forum but I'm not sure. Sorry if something like this has already been asked, I looked around and turned up no results. Anyways, yes, where was I? First question, the one thats been bugging me a while. Heres a familiar opening line "Im afraid to go to Japan because.....I love anime?" Seem stupid? Allow me to explain myself.

So I plan on taking a trip with my bf to Japan late '09 or early '10, an anime tour to be exact. Im extatic. I mean what could be better then having your sweetheart hold you under a storm of cherry blossoms? Seems like a dream right? I think so too. But an old concern has come up again and I think I'll be more at ease knowing some kind of answer.

I am quite aware that in Japan, like any other country, some people like anime, and some don't. I'm ok with that. But I've heard some thoughts that anime actually has a really bad rep there, so far as some people ignoring you upon hearing you like anime or manga. I have also heard other views that some people actually are honored we as Americans are so interested in something from thier shores. This is a bit confusing. I can understand frustrations towards people who pretend to like anime just to be in the fad, and pretend to know everything about Japan when they don't. Believe me, this is insulting to me too when I try so hard only to learn little.

Now why is this important to me? I'm not just a fan, but what I want most is to be a video game designer, and I was heavily influenced by games like KH and FF. So to me going over there and talking to say...Tetsuya Nomura and saying "I'm a huge fan, and would love to do this" only to be flipped off would hurt a little...ok alot. I'm sure anyone with similar goals to my own would understand where I'm coming from.

So once you've sorted out my side of the story, the questions are really simple, and I'd truely appriciate an honest answer from someone with first hand experiance over there. Because I'd love to know what awaits my trip, and my carreer choice. (Note, I'm going even if they dont approve XD). Any response would be helpful to the newbie. Thanks!

Q 1: What do the Japanese really think of American anime fans and cosplayers?

Q 2: How are foreigners who want jobs such as manga ka accepted over there? (I.E. Ameri-manga and the like)