Anime discrimination - gets you feeling annoyed

[MazarDantechildofdevil]

That's true I hate it when ppl talk bad about it..

[CrimsonNataku]

Originally Posted by Hisgashi

It does. Though I'm not surprised that Japan is seen as a daughter Culture. I think it goes as far as originating from China. After all, it's language, drinks, some food, toilets....Im not joking about that one. And did you know, Sake comes from China?

Ramen noodles too ^_^. But tempura comes from Portugal ^_^.

Practically everything the Japanese call their own can be traced back to China (though many of these things are quite different from their Chinese counterparts as they've been altered to fit Japan's needs). This is mainly because Japanese scholars from as far back as the 8th and 9th century traveled to China and brought back what they learned from there. China was viewed as the "country of knowledge," so to speak ^_^.

However, by the late 10th century, the emperor forbade any further interaction with China. This is the reason why Japan, although similar in some ways, is still a different country. That emperor's decision led to Japan becoming an individual culture and people with it's own history.

[Hisgashi]

Ah good times....Shame we just went TOTALLY off topic heheh.

[CoolNard]

Originally Posted by annelie82

More adults need to start watching anime. Given that the audience of Western cartoons/animated films still consists exclusively of children, watching cartoons (incl. Japanese anime) is by nature considered a "childish" and "unintellectual" activity. If more adults watched anime, some of that stigma would likely be reduced.

Yes... but the question here is *how*, exactly? O.o

Originally Posted by annelie82

The storylines of many non-animated, mainstream tv shows and films are fictional too, though (unless you meant science-fictional?). You are right, however, in that people who dislike anime/cartoons (and science fiction) often use this argument to justify their standpoint.

Well, since you put it that way, I wouldn't say they're covering up their actions with arguments, more like, excuses. Hence, their justification isn't valid.

Originally Posted by annelie82

I was once asked, after admitting that I watched Star Trek, why I was more interested in aliens than in human beings. I replied that actually, when I watch Star Trek it's not the aliens themselves that are the focus of my attention, but rather the extreme situations that the humans face in their encounters with alien life forms. This is something that, contrary to popular belief, I believe fans of mainstream tv and fans of anime/science fiction have in common - whether you are a soap opera fan or a science fiction fan, the focal point of your interest is the extreme situations (be they amnesia, rape or alien abductions) that people, real or fictional, end up in and, more importantly, their reactions and emotional development.

We are knowledgeable of this, but are our sci-fi-loving counterparts?

Originally Posted by annelie82

People will poke fun at you as long as you respond to their teasing. The reason my friends and family accept my interest in anime is because they've realised there's simply no point in trying to make fun of me. I just don't care what they think anymore. I think the rule here is "if you are confident in yourself and your interests, others will have confidence in you and may even share your interests."

At least, that's depends on how lucky we are and what we hope for.

Originally Posted by annelie82

Thanks ^-^, though I don't actually consider geeks to be "geeky" (at least not in the stereotyped sense of the word). Nowadays, only people who are afraid to stand up for what they believe in and enjoy are "geeks" in my opinion. Er...Does that make sense?

No problem, I share the same sentiments therefore, it makes a whole lotta sense to me.

[CoolNard]

Originally Posted by Hisgashi

Ahem, are you saying China's bad?!

Nope, check my post again and you'll see that isn't the case. It's just that most foreigners tend to associate China with the whole of Asia, which makes me as irritated as you are because in a sense, they're telling us the rest of Asia is insignificant or as you would put it, "bad".

CrimsonNataku: Thanks for the history lesson. Now all of us should know that Japan is now an independent nation, with or without links to China.

P.S. Please stop derailing my thread =P

[angie023]

Originally Posted by sweet420love

i totally agree with u. at my school people think only goths or weirdos watch anime/read manga. I am probably one of the only non goth people at school that aren't ashamed to admit they like anime. everyone knows what it is but they turn their backs to it.They think its either for children or freaky adults! its a shame too. there's an anime out there for everyone

i'm goth and i like to read these anime things. i only read the naruto ones. my old best friend use to read/ watch these things like: fruite basket and others. but she moved away. my best friend (which annoys me so much. even though i annoy everybody, including her), watches naruto sometimes when she's over her dad's. and my boyfriend sometimes records naruto. and well, my boyfriend is goth, but zo isn't. and they like naruto.

[CrimsonNataku]

Originally Posted by CoolNard

P.S. Please stop derailing my thread =P

^_^; Sorry about that.


To get back on topic, yes, I too feel frustrated at times with discrimination born against anime. It's reached a point where I have difficulty at times getting along with others who aren't interested in anime. And it's not because I'm being biased or snobby or whatever, it's just that whenever I try to have a conversation with these people (who don't understand/like anime), the topic of conversation always comes to: "Why do you watch that crap anyway? Don't you get embarrassed?" Which then leads to: "What's so great about Sailor Moon and Pokemon anyway?" Series which I don't actually watch.

I try to explain this to them and make them at least understand, but it's clear they're not interested. They already have their views, and they're not going to change their minds about it. I don't like getting interrogated and not being permitted to explain myself, so I don't interact with them.

[CoolNard]

Good for you, angie023! But it's hard to believe you haven't met anyone who thinks anime is just bs.. O.o

[CoolNard]

No problem, Crimson-san, the history lesson on how Japan broke off links with China more than makes up for it =P

I don't understand why people are associating only pokemon and sailormoon together with anime, i mean, there're other anime out there that they can easily gain access to, right? Maybe they should ask themselves if they like being misunderstood.. >_<"

[angie023]

Originally Posted by CoolNard

Good for you, angie023! But it's hard to believe you haven't met anyone who thinks anime is just bs.. O.o

thankx. i guess. but what does bs stand for? and my friend whants to say something.

ok this is what she has to say: hi.
that is weird. oh well.