Anime culture and D&D

[hexgrid]

I've heard this a few times now, maybe you can clear it up for me: What's so great about hearing dialogue in a language you don't understand?

It's the same as colorizing old films or cropping movies to fit television screens- it violates the artistic integrity of the original work. I don't want to watch a version of "Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent" with an audio track that Satoshi Kon didn't direct.

Also, anime dubbing is generally very poorly done.

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

I don't think there's such thing as non-crap dubbed anime.

I see what you're saying, but I really disagree. Cowboy Bebop and any Miyazaki film are always dubbed well.

To answer the original question, I'm definitely not an anime fan. Which is ironic because I've been to Otakon (humongous Baltimore anime convention) three times. But yeah, the first anime I ever followed was Cowboy Bebop. I think it sorta spoiled me, because I really didn't like anything else very well. The rest were either bad or cheap imitations of something else.

Speaking of bad imitations, has anyone seen the anime movie Lily C.A.T.? Blatant rip-off of Alein (with added anime blood sprays and bodily explosions). So bad it's hilarious though. I recommend it for a good laugh.

 

[Ranger REG]

We are talking about animated characters, here. It's not supposed to represent reality.

One could make the same argument for D&D, despite many attempts by fans of realism (aka the dirty "r" word).

 

[Teflon Billy]

It's the same as colorizing old films or cropping movies to fit television screens- it violates the artistic integrity of the original work. I don't want to watch a version of "Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent" with an audio track that Satoshi Kon didn't direct.

Also, anime dubbing is generally very poorly done.

What I'm asking is: if the dialogue is all gibberish to me, how am I expected to enjoy the cartoon?

I mean really, "the artistic integrity of cartoonists" tends to take a backseat to "my enjoyment (and hell, comprehension) of the cartoon" in the grand scheme of my free time.

 

[Ranger REG]

*sigh* And the myth continues. Personally, I believe that it's self-perpetuating--all these geeky guys who feel that society is "keeping them down" because of their geeky habits want to imagine a place where they can do exactly what they do now and not be seen as geeks, but it really is just an imaginary place, IMO.

Nah. You just have to know where to look. After all, if there is a place for the populars, there is always a place for us freaks n' geeks.

 

[Sound of Azure]

One could make the same argument for D&D, despite many attempts by fans of realism (aka the dirty "r" word).

Sure. D&D's not supposed to represent reality. Unless you want it to, of course.

I'm not sure why you brought that up, though... :\

 

[BroccoliRage]

So the worst aspects of anime make you avoid it for the most part, but you are willing to overlook some of the bizarre and often ridiculous elements of wuxia? Or do you avoid the crap in wuxia as well? (for my money there is a big difference between Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Duel to the Death, for example)

(I'm a fan of both anime and wuxia for the record).

I avoid the crap.

Wuxia has a pretty hallowed history: the idea of flying is a fantasy man has had for years, and the idea of flying warriors is fun; I can tolerate the crap in wuxia a little more, but I still try to avoid it.

I'm like that with most art, once I've seperated the wheat from the chaffe I demand wheat. IF you guys like it, that's fine; I just can't enjoy most anime. Wuxia is usually fun in the sense that the campiness is part of the charm in much of the older material, and sometimes the campiness in the older material results from much being lost during translation.

Duel to the Death is a terrible example of wuxia, whereas Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is superb.

 

[Ranger REG]

Duel to the Death is a terrible example of wuxia, whereas Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is superb.

*looks up to see his DVD shelves where his Duel to the Death is sandwiched between Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and HERO*

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I guess I just find dismissing a large body of entertainment due to generalizations to be odd. Chalk it up to personal preference and people only having so many hours in the day I guess. *shrug*

Well, much as I loathe face-faults and all that, I don't watch anime because I don't like the whole style of anime and manga art.

While I recognise that this:

is better than this:

the whole suite of stylistic conventions is ugly in my eyes.

I just can't watch it.

 

[Desdichado]

It's the same as colorizing old films or cropping movies to fit television screens- it violates the artistic integrity of the original work. I don't want to watch a version of "Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent" with an audio track that Satoshi Kon didn't direct.

That always struck me as a bit of an elitist attitude for the most part, especially given most of the anime I'd seen, which was hardly "high art."

That said, I've been known to make the same kinds of statements about some other movies; I wouldn't dream of watching The Seven Samurai dubbed, for instance, so I guess I get it. Doesn't bother me, though--I'm not a sub vs dub fan in the few occasions I watch anime. In fact, I'd rather have dubbed.

Also, anime dubbing is generally very poorly done.

Urk. Yeah, that has been a problem with some that I've seen. But not all.