Japanophiles?
 

I can't say that I like them much...
why?because they don't live in the real world they think japan is like a cartoon kind of sad really
but yeah I have an intrest in japanese culture but I also look at japanese people and not toys that I wanna play with >.>
who here feels this way or disagrees?:ywave:

I think it depends on who the person is. I absolutely love manga/anime. But I don't think that everything in Japan is like one big cartoon. As a matter of fact, I'm extremely interested in Japanese history. Mainly focusing on the history and traditionalism behind the geisha.:rheart:

I am not sure what you are describing is a "Japanophile" but more of an "anime maniac" or maybe a "gaijin otaku".

I do agree with you in some ways, but I think people mistake an interest of Japanese media with an interest in Japan, sometimes. Of course one can lead to the other, but you are right, they aren't the same thing.

I feel the same way but there are also japan lovers who think that moving to japan will be this big happy party kawaii fun time -_-
which isnt the case

People think my intrest in japan has something to do with a "fetish"
but that isnt the case I don't like being compared to people like that

Yea, I think It's because they fail to realize that like any other country, Japan has it's big glamorous cities, and it's tiny towns. Personally I'm more interested in those tiny towns. I do hate when people don't comprehend at least some of the culture before they go all gungho about it.

UGH. I hate that word. I get called that too much.

I love japan for it's self, not for it's media.

Yeah I know it's a country, has it's good and bad points.

And I know I'll prolly face some racism there soon...and with the alleged "box" community they have...

But that doesn't stop me from respecting the country, language, history, people, etc.

Yeah, I act overenthusiastic sometimes and act all "otaku" sometimes. But oh well, I do that with other things, too, if my ignorant schoolmates would notice...

Seriously...I'm not like the media-frenzied "japanophiles" who expect to just live there for the hentai and stuff. ._.

You're right. Most people think that Japan is like an anime, start getting over your disappointment now.

mm....
 

*nods* agreed.
as much as i love the the idea of japan actually being like an anime, it isnt.
and that should be just as well. the culture and language and customs are what i most interested in, not just anime.
honestly, some people need to get thier head out of the clouds, and recognise reality.

yeah I mean Japan is like any other place in the world. The country has its good times and its bad times, just because their anime/manga/movie industry is good and shows some good and exciting things happening doenst mean its like that for real

zactly.:mtongue:

Yeah, if it was so, America would be overpopulated lol

I like learning about new cultures and I do excited over the idea of Japan but I get excited over other stuff as well initially. That usually gets me to dive into all kinds of things related to whatever I'm getting into. The manga/anime are not all positive fun stuff though. The culture/violence/stuff from the news comes across in these shows as well. Movies are good too. The bands are different as well. Some stuff I like and other stuff not so much.
It depends on how the person takes it I guess....
Reading some of the stuff that goes on over there weirds me out but America can be a violent/frustrating place.....
Anyways, JAPAN FORUM rocks! :onismile:

I think that Japanophile should describe someone who is interested in Japan culture in general. And anime fan should describe someone who is interested in anime.

I dislike this slang version of Japanophile that seems to be spreading.

^True. A lot of anime lovers call themselves this when they are only attached to anime and not Japanese culture. They use it in a misleading fashion.

Well I like the anime very much but I'm also taken with the traditions that they have in martial arts, festivals ,and operas as well...although it was originated from Western civilization they somehow made into their own version.

I love anime too, and manga as well. But I also love the culture, foods, music, fashion, and sites. I would love to visit there regularly one day.

Japanophillies
 

i see what you all are saying i quite only like there culture and the scenery and history but not a manga or game addiction like a ddiction for them reasons.

Hm, I thought that a "Japanophile" is for a person who is obsessed with everything Japanese regardless of its being something like anime or Japanese cuisine or a Yutaka, etc., and praises it or think it's better than anything and everything, even if that person is far away from ever being a native to the country itself. That's my understanding of a "Japanophile". If I'm wrong, feel free to correct.

People define the word differently. The way you and the topic starter have used it is this new slang thing.

Phile is Greek for love. You can love Japan without being hateful towards that which is non-Japanese and being delusional about Japanese culture.

I would say that I'm am interested in things for the simple fact they are Japanese. I want to understand Japan better. I may not ever be particularly fond of the music Japan makes in comparison to some music from other countries, but it's interesting to watch the PVs and read up on the artists and listen to it just because it's Japanese.

So I would say yes to that "like it just because it's Japanese" thing. But that doesn't mean I proclaim it's superior. Being someone interested in Japan, the fact that it's Japanese in the Japanese language can sometimes make me overlook qualities I would normally not overlook.

Books are good for studying Japanese but it's nice to have movies and such to go with it. And nothing gets you pumped up to learn a bunch of kanji like watching a few Japanese movies.

I'm similar, but, like you, don't "proclaim it's superior" and always felt that a "Japanophile" would proclaim it as being superior in every way possible and have delusional views about it.

I like Japanese media (music, videos, and T.V.), DEFINITELY the people (#1 on my list), and its interaction on the international level politically. I really have not dived into the world of anime, manga, and video games like a lot of the people who want to visit Japan do.

I don't know what exactly I'd call myself.. but that's me.

'japanophiles'

geez, have you been watching jonathon Ross?
The Japan programme he hosts, is awfully entertaining, but most japanophiles probably aren't as bad as you think.