[Sollertis]

I've voiced my dislike for the growing popularity of anime in other threads, now I just want to put the question out there. Why the hell is anime so popular? I acknowledge that the opinion I am about to voice will probably sound ignorant/uncultured etc, but I really want to know. What is so appealing about a bunch of excessively emotional cartoon characters who routinely make poor decisions? There are some series I like, I enjoyed Code Geass, but that's mostly because I have a soft spot for tortured geniuses on vengeance fueled rampages.

EDIT: I also think the idea of Brittany conquering the entire world is so ludicrous and hilarious, I just can't help but rout for them.

[xXDominoXx]

I see you're Gen Y - it's a Gen Y thing. *shrug* When I was coming up, anime was still an underground thing, and the big pictures to have seen were "Akira" and "Ghost in the Shell".

You don't have to like it though, obviously. It's everywhere.

[Dark Romantic]

I personally don't differentiate between anime vs. other forms of visual storytelling, so I'd attribute its success to the kind of archetypes and plots you're likely to see (btw, Code Geass was awesome, favorite anime by far). It also probably has something to do with the fact that anime combines the creative possibilities of a cartoon series (there are a ton of gags and effects that would either give a weird effect if done live-action, or would be incredibly expensive to produce), with more mature storylines and less of a need to censor sexual themes/innuendo or violence due to it being animated.

[breadandbutter]

I don't like most of today's anime either where it's all about cute school girls or pretty boys throwing gay fanservice around. But there are some really good ones with well-written plots, interesting characters and some very touching scenes. And that are the ones I enjoy.

(Hell, my icon might look cute but it's taken from a fancomic for a series called "Berserk"!)

[Sollertis]

I personally don't differentiate between anime vs. other forms of visual storytelling, so I'd attribute its success to the kind of archetypes and plots you're likely to see (btw, Code Geass was awesome, favorite anime by far). It also probably has something to do with the fact that anime combines the creative possibilities of a cartoon series (there are a ton of gags and effects that would either give a weird effect if done live-action, or would be incredibly expensive to produce), with more mature storylines and less of a need to censor sexual themes/innuendo or violence due to it being animated.

That makes sense I suppose, but then what's the point of the whole bloody nose thing? It's basically the same as showing a guy with a raging hard-on and it seems unnecessary to me. I can appreciate the ability to show things in cartoon that would be weird in live-action but it seems as though they avoid stuff that they could do (see nose bleed). Also, why are anime characters yelling or whispering all the time?

[Sollertis]

I don't like most of today's anime either where it's all about cute school girls or pretty boys throwing gay fanservice around. But there are some really good ones with well-written plots, interesting characters and some very touching scenes. And that are the ones I enjoy.

(Hell, my icon might look cute but it's taken from a fancomic for a series called "Berserk"!)

Well I'm not well versed in what qualifies as good anime, but when I think about the series I just don't like the worst offenders are shows like Naruto, it's the modern era for god's sake go get yourself a fire arm.

[Dark Romantic]

That makes sense I suppose, but then what's the point of the whole bloody nose thing? It's basically the same as showing a guy with a raging hard-on and it seems unnecessary to me. I can appreciate the ability to show things in cartoon that would be weird in live-action but it seems as though they avoid stuff that they could do (see nose bleed). Also, why are anime characters yelling or whispering all the time?

Eh, bloody nose thing might be just to show that some damage has been done in a way that'd be recognizable to the audience, before adding more wounds or injuries. An empathy trick, most likely. As for the yelling or whispering... probably to make people either more excited, or pay attention to what's being said more closely. It might also be in order to make the voices match the facial expressions, since they don't do that as much in shows that have a more realistic art style and feel, like Death Note or Monster.

[Ringed Raygun]

I would've agreed for the longest time, man, until I realized something. It's not anime I hate -- no, anime and anime-esque media can be amazing for their attention to detail, admitted cuteness (which I do not so much mind all the time, so long as its not overblown) and spectacular animation -- but the subculture based around anime, which anime has become derivative from. The one based on overblown cuteness, pretty boy heroes, fangirlism and fanboyism and oversized katanas and every sickening anime stereotype ever -- the same one that holds this stereotype closely and gladly without a second of rebuttal.

It's like loving WESTERN animation for crap like Johnny Test.

[Sollertis]

I would've agreed for the longest time, man, until I realized something. It's not anime I hate -- no, anime and anime-esque media can be amazing for their attention to detail, admitted cuteness (which I do not so much mind all the time, so long as its not overblown) and spectacular animation -- but the subculture based around anime, which anime has become derivative from. The one based on overblown cuteness, pretty boy heroes, fangirlism and fanboyism and oversized katanas and every sickening anime stereotype ever -- the same one that holds this stereotype closely and gladly without a second of rebuttal.

It's like loving WESTERN animation for crap like Johnny Test.

Yeah, there's a sad lack of good western animation. I used to love the Looney Toons, what happened? Have you ever seen Archer? That's a pretty damn hilarious show.

[bales33]

I like very little anime but some of it is really good. For example I thought Code Geass kicked ass, and I ain't liked any sense... Shit, maybe I don't like anime, but that show was cool. I also liked a show I seen on sci-fi, I think it was called "monster" but I could be wrong about the title. And, there is a few more I like but the name of those shows elude me.