what is the fascination with "japanamation?" I don't get it.?

Answer 1

How did 'reality' shows get dragged into this? The question wasn't even about reality shows...it was about the fascination with Japanimation.

Anime people are using reality shows to plead their case? That's pretty sad...they have to pick the lowest form of American entertainment to compare with their cartoons...what does that say about anime? I hate reality shows more than anything else on television...and I still don't get the fascination with Japanimation.

Answer 2

I personally don't get the fascination with Lost, Heroes, CSI-anything, and/or most of what's on American TV... and yet there's no denying that a pretty large segment of the population likes those things. (The point being: there are certain things that don't interest me, but seem to interest a lot of other people, some fanatically so. Perhaps the same is true for you.)

I think anime is popular because:

(1) It comes from a different culture and the differences are interesting. Lots of Japanese folks find American culture interesting, as well. Maybe it's a "grass is greener" thing -- the other guy's culture looks more interesting than your own.

(2) The artwork is done with better quality than most American animation these days. For the same reason lots of Japanese folks are familiar with the Disney classics -- they were the best of their time -- lots of Americans like modern anime. Most modern anime artwork is superior to the best ever produced by Hanna-Barbera, for example.

(3) Cartoons in the USA have been relegated to "kiddie fare" with a few exceptions that are comedies (like The Simpsons). In Japan the medium is used in a much broader way: drama, romance, etc. I don't know what the modern American equivalent of "Saved By the Bell" is, but I'd bet that the modern Japanese equivalent is animated.

Answer 3

I was completely ignorant about it until Cowboy Bebop and I've seen quite a few animes since that are completely valid works of art.
What appeals to me are the themes, symbols, cultural references, science fiction elements and the animation, itself.
I prefer substance and quality over simple entertainment, and I enjoy a lot of the literary references, accrued from various cultures - and the creators/minds behind anime are quite adept at weaving modern fiction from reality and mythology.
I have never understood the preoccupation with Big Brother, Amazing Race or Survivor...
But I love anime.
Just as with American programming - in which there are hours for children's shows and then slots of drama - anime varies according to its target audience.
Not all are appropriate for mature audiences - they can be boring and saccharine - and (certainly) not all are appropriate for juveniles.
The main appeal of anime: the variety. There really is something for everyone. Unlike Fox, CBS or NBC...anime can deliver a fantastical world that is believable and a pleasure to watch.
They're not all made and owned by the same companies, and they're not all meant for the same "group."

Answer 4

I totally agree with the people above. Anime has a viariaty of storylines. That's why I like it. I am an easily moved person so when a funny part comes on I laugh, when a sad part comes on I cry, Or when a character does something horrible I find myself hating that character and cursing at him as if I was the person he did those bad things to. Well not exactly to that degree but close. You could say I'm emotionally attached to the animes I watch and manga I read. I can't help it. You can say I'm a real Anime Otaku.

Answer 5

its called Anime

because the artworks are nice and detailed, if its a Shonen Anime the fighting scenes are generally good, if its a Shojo Anime its usually very emo for a good reason. and there is at least humour in them regardless of the genres. and you can learn Japanese from the Anime (i learnt Kuso!! XD) and anything can happen in Anime >> the production cost is low if special effects are needed and the clever producers can make it uncliche. personally its the same thing as why i dont get the fascination with american cartoons and reality shows.

Answer 6

Well "anime" which is it's familar name among fans, most of the time has very good quality art and storylines. There is a wide range of different genres of anime, like horror, fantasy, and romance, to name a few.
Because anime has different age levels, such as Bottle Fairy, aimed at younger kids, and Trinity Blood, aimed at more mature audiences, and even anime geared at adults, people feel as though they have a huge choice of anime they can watch. And since alot of anime shows only have 12 or 24 episodes, you can watch it and not feel like you have to have a huge commitment and watch the show for years and years. Like Lost, which has several seasons already.
Which is why i think anime appeals to lots of people. Or at least that's why it appeals to me.

Answer 7

whats the fascination with every thing in the world its what people are intrested in just like some people like horror movies and others cant stand them i personally like animes cuz the way the Japanese drew there characters expressions i love it i wish i can float around when I'm in a bad mood or jump high in the sky when something happens it just a matter of preference IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THEN DONT WATCH IT

Answer 8

Perhaps some find it far more appealing then the crap you find on today's television.

Or the fact that you're biased in a way.