JAPANESE ANIME : plenty of fish in the sea? I think not…[1]
In the vast jungle of japanimation, one good anime often hides ten crappy one. That’s the sad conclusion I’m drawing after hours and hours of watching. As the saying goes, “different stokes, different folks” but let me hope you’ll read the article, regardless… right?
Level of subjectivity close to 100% : now you know, amigo…
In japanese culture, the most successful aspects are undoubtedly video games, manga and anime. On this last point, we observe: a colossal annual production, a globalization of the creation, an enormous fan base, numerous artistic vocations, original and attractive series… Yet, if it were up to me, I’d throw the 3/4 in the trash without blinking. Why such a paradox?
A little bit of history…
tellmeyourlife.org
If you grew up in the 80’s/early 90’s, then you know that japanese anime were numerous in kid’s TV shows. Well, in french television at least. At that time, the interest for the japanese animation wasn’t really a matter of taste, just that there were not really any other options (ah yes, Babar…).
Also, in my case, there was always that cousin – you don’t know how – who was able to unearth rare VHS: Bojack Unbound, Broly The Legendary Super Saiyan, 3×3 eyes… You too have known a “Huggy Bear-like” cousin?
1996: Pokemon made their debut. Skeptical, I was.
On one hand, the story seemed meaningless to me and on the other hand, I wasn’t fond of the visual style at all… It resembled “attempts”, the kind a 8-year-old kid produces when he tries to draw Goku.
However, I guess I was one of the few to remain impassive in front of this wave because all my classmates had only one word in their mouths: Pikachu.
– What? You don’t know Pikachu?
– Emmm… that’s mainly because i don’t give a fu…
– HEY GUYS, SHE DOESN’T KNOW PIKACHU !!!!
( stupid chuckles of junior high school boys in full voice break mode)
August 97: the month ends on a dark note.
Lady Diana dies in a tragic accident on the 30th and the Club Dorothée* bows out on the 31st. You will believe that I am trying to make humor but I was really dismayed at that time. It was a big double shock (sounds like a fastfood sandwich name).
*The most popular french tv program for kids
Farewell, Knights of the Zodiac and Dragon Ball Z, we’ll have to be satisfied with Hey Arnold and Pokemon, an anime that has always put me off.
1998: Yu Gi Oh arrives…
… And confirms the visual trend of straight lines, angles and spikes, initiated by Pokemon. Everything I love o_O.
The end of the 90’s is also when the program C + Cléo is broadcast on Canal Plus : you can find animation, including many japanese productions, video games, High Tech.
This period marks in my opinion the genesis of the French Otakus and sets my break-up with japanese anime. I had grown with the rough and imperfect traits of Dragon Ball or Sailor Moon, and I end up with new generation characters: smooth and flawless features, pointed faces, resplendent hair where each frizz is mastered by some kick-ass gel, eyes filled with sparkling bubbles and of course, everyone is named Sakura…
This period was also the pre-adolescence, Futurama, South Park, Daria… So I naturally turned away from the japanese anime for more adult-friendly productions (yes. South Park, despite those pee-poo-asshole-bitch, was still for a grown-up audience. I’m not sure that at 13, you’re a grown-up but I felt mature).
2009, the accident Death Note…
Quiet afternoon with two cousins of mine, known as the notorious geeks (no-no-no-notooorious, we are, we are…♫).
They squabble, they argue, they insult themselves, they laugh. They talk about NBA live, Tekken then L, then Light. As for me… I was as Clueless as Alicia Silverstone (applause for this crappy pun).
– Wait, you don’t know Death Note?!
– Eerr… not at all
– WA—-AATCH DEATH NOTE! You come home, you figure it out, you search the internet and you WATCH DEATH NOTE!!!!
Which I did, with no regrets. But it didn’t motivate me to take a closer look at japanimation.
2011, renewed interest…
…First, by pure pragmatism. Under the charm of Japanese hip hop culture, I decide to learn japanese then familiarize myself with the language by watching japanese anime, in original version of course.
…Then, by taste. And that’s where things go wrong. You can find some exceptional works but they remain, in my opinion, drowned in a big pile of mud. For one good anime, you have ten crappy one. Why? Well it’s simple, let me break this down…
Oh, wait… I’m told in the ear piece that this post is becoming too long (contrary to what I imagined).
Fair enough, to be continued in the next episode!
Chrys Prolls