<p>No, I'm serious. I'm sarcastic. I'm not difficult.</p>
<p>You'll find (I hate to say this), as you get older, that there are often people with strong convictions... and then there are difficult people.</p>
<p>I'm sure most can acknowledge they're generalizing when they say "anime sucks." But let's face it, zany fantasy stories constitute the better part of anime--and zany fantasy stories suck.</p>
<p>At any rate, I'm all for keeping an open mind (hell, I love Richard Feynman to death), and I admit I liked DBZ when I was in middle school. Grew out of that, thank God.</p>
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zany fantasy stories constitute the better part of anime
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<p>Actually not true. That is what most "shounen" (boy anime) is comprised of. However, the vast majority of anime is actually far more mundane in nature. </p>
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and zany fantasy stories suck.
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</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>I have a hard time "connecting" with them.</p>
<p>Fair enough. I take it you never got into Hitchhiker's Guide then?</p>
<p>But can you even imagine an anime similiar to Hitchhiker's Guide, an anime with such profound wit? I can't. If you can (and I bet you can, since you seem to be quite the expert on this subject ;)), do share the title; I'd love to take a look.</p>
<p>(Whereas most anime stories revolve around their outlandishness, HG's does not. That might be the big difference.)</p>
<p>I like Cowboy Bebop the Movie but all other anime I've seen is HORRIBLY directed/horrible vioce acted/horrible story </p>
<p>I actualy tried to get into it but gave up XD</p>
<p>But there are some very good japenese animation movies like Spirited Away... though you gotta admit it's more Disney style</p>
<p>Gandhiji,</p>
<p>Are you saying that the voice acting is bad in Japanese as well as in English? I have to say that most of the Japanese voice acting is quite good. </p>
<p>Miyazaki films (i.e. Spirited Away, Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle) do have a somewhat Disney-ish feel. However, they tend to deal with more profound and esoteric issues. A particularly strong theme in most of Miyazaki's film is the return to, or importance of, nature in the human experience. </p>
<p>Disney films tend to focus far more on more mundane issues such as love and friendship. Now, don't get me wrong, I love Disney films (Lilo and Stitch is one of my top 10 films), but I do think that there is a definite simplicity to themes in Disney.</p>
<p>Knavish AND Gandhiji,</p>
<p>Japanese storytelling is not for everyone, I'll grant that. Many people I know found the ending to Princess Mononoke to be: a)incomplete, b)unsatisfying, c)without closure (e.g. guy doesn't get the girl). The idea of the "sorta happy" ending is very prevalent in Japanese storytelling. </p>
<p>Hitchhiker's Guide's sort of sarcasm and wit is not going to be found in Japanese storytelling. Cynicism (which there is plenty of in Adams) is not a commonly used literary tool for the Japanese. While there is a level of sarcasm in a lot of Japanese literature/film, a Hitchhiker's Guide is simply untenable (as far as I can tell) in Japanese storytelling. Double entendre, which is so heavy in Hitchhiker's Guide, is just not used in the same way.</p>
<p>I'll give an example. Neon Genesis Evangelion (BTW, I recommend it. It's an interesting story.) There are a lot of religious symbols used throughout the story, and the bad guys are called "angels." However, when asked if the religious themes were on purpose, the writers responded, "We just used them because they look cool." The Western viewer, who is so accustomed to looking for deeper meaning in everything, is often surprised to find that much of Japanese film doesn't strive for that. Japanese storytelling, in my opinion, tends to be simpler. Is it better or worse? No. It is what it is. However, the cynical Western viewer, so accustomed to wit and metaphorical zaniness as is present in much of our storytelling, often finds herself at a loss when she watches a Japanese film and goes, "that's it? No deeper meaning?"</p>
<p>I don't usually watch Japanese film or animation for a deeper meaning. I watch it because it's stylistically cool and straightforward. It's a different mindset.</p>
<p>So, my recommendations for the cynical Westerner?</p>
<p>Cowboy Bebop, the series
Neon Genesis Evangelion</p>
<p>If you enjoyed Bladerunner or any other cyberpunk:</p>
<p>Ghost in the Shell
Akira</p>
<p>Anything from Miyazaki is good, but my top recommendations are:</p>
<p>Laputa
Princess Mononoke
Totoro (yes, it's a child's film. But the themes are very profound)
Lupin IIIrd in Castle Cagliostro (Spielberg said it was one of the greatest adventure pieces he's ever seen) Fun film. Not profound. Just fun.</p>
<p>Most sarcastic people ARE difficult on some level. But Mr. Darcy was also sarcastic. I am glad that you are making the connections on your own now. :)</p>
<p>Oh, hardy har.</p>
<p>The point is, I really do not resemble Mr. Darcy. Trust me. I think I'm a better judge of myself (I've known me for a lot longer...I think.)</p>
<p>I like anime
I hate anime fans (the hardcore Otakus, that is)</p>
<p>ndralcasid, i am like that too. i like anime but not the fans. the fans are a bit too...weird.</p>
<p>Really... i think anime are ok, but hardcore fans are really sorta weird if you ask me</p>
<p>HILARIOUS.. and yes I dislike anime, but don't hate the people who like it. most of the time...</p>
<p>i dislike anime</p>
<p>i like anime, but I don't know much about it. I loved akira. I was also a huge saint seiya fan ( but I know that this is one of the more "commercial, americanized" anime)</p>
<p>I didnt read the thread so I dont know if you've gotten off topic yet but yeah i have no appreciation for anime . Desole!</p>
<p>Yes, I freaking hate Jap emoticons so much!!!!</p>
<p>Why hate emoticons so much??</p>