Find the Anime Challenge

[Chris_Nightwing]

I really miss 2nd edition art - I loved some of the pieces from the old Tome of Magic. It's just a matter of taste though, and I prefer the old character on a detailed backdrop to detailed characters on an exploding backdrop. The new PHB cover isn't my favourite :s

 

[Geron Raveneye]

As to why this is in the 4e forums, meh, bump it to 3e if it bothers you. We're already seeing the "Oh NOES! 4e art will be BESM" crap making the rounds, so, I figured to nip it in the bud right here and now.

So basically you're setting yourself up as the foremost expert and authority on what others are supposed to think about 3E/4E art in D&D, hmm? You really think it'll change anything if you point to every picture posted here, claiming "NOT ANIME" or "NOT VALID" or "COULD BE IN A COMIC BOOK"? Just curious, because I can't take it at all serious...and I'm not one of those "D&D is teh animeh!" boogeymen. People use the expression to short-hand their dislikes about certain artwork, and this here won't budge anybody to do differently.

And to be honest, trying to find "100% anime" in D&D is completely beside the point of those who use the word in context with D&D. It has already been mentioned that "anime" is meant to describe a lot of factors that the respective person percieves as being derived from anime/manga, not that the picture in question could serve as a cell in Inu Yasha. Narrowing the whole thing doen to "killer kawaii" style only helps to try and ridicule the opinions of those who actually try to discuss anime/manga influences on D&D art seriously, and isn't helping either. And the whole argument chain about "western comics have been influenced by manga/anime, so most pics would feel right at home in X-Men" is a hilarious cop-out, seeing how the discussion of "mangafication" is going through the comics fandom just as much, if not more. Going "It's not Inu Yasha, so you're wrong!" isn't really helpful...trying to make it look like a "serious contest" doesn't make it better either. Basically, what you're doing is trying to set your opinion of what looks like it was inspired by anime rather than e.g. Frazetta up as the primary one, and yourself as final arbiter of it.

If you want to deny that there is an influence of anime/manga styles in D&D artwork, or fantasy artwork as a whole, that's your personal shtick (to crib from hong), but trying to make yourself the final authority on it and trying to suppress the opinions of others by setting your opinion up as the "only right" one is bollocks.

 

[The_Gneech]

Honestly, if I had my choice, the "Caves of Chaos" picture WOULD be the PHB cover. WAR is rapidly losing my interest. :\

-The Gneech

 

[Raven Crowking]

If you want to deny that there is an influence of anime/manga styles in D&D artwork, or fantasy artwork as a whole, that's your personal shtick (to crib from hong), but trying to make yourself the final authority on it and trying to suppress the opinions of others by setting your opinion up as the "only right" one is bollocks.

Quoted for Truth.

 

[Arnwyn]

For years we've seen people screaming up and down how 3e art is so heavily influenced by anime.
/snip/
But, as far as seeing clear cut examples of "manga art" in WOTC (and NO, Paizo does not count)

Why not?

So basically you're setting yourself up as the foremost expert and authority on what others are supposed to think about 3E/4E art in D&D, hmm? You really think it'll change anything if you point to every picture posted here, claiming "NOT ANIME" or "NOT VALID" or "COULD BE IN A COMIC BOOK"? Just curious, because I can't take it at all serious...and I'm not one of those "D&D is teh animeh!" boogeymen. People use the expression to short-hand their dislikes about certain artwork, and this here won't budge anybody to do differently.

QFT.

 

[WizarDru]

And to be honest, trying to find "100% anime" in D&D is completely beside the point of those who use the word in context with D&D. It has already been mentioned that "anime" is meant to describe a lot of factors that the respective person percieves as being derived from anime/manga, not that the picture in question could serve as a cell in Inu Yasha.

I'm not disagreeing with that point, but it is awfully frustrating to try and argue that D&D is not overly influenced by anime when the definition of anime appears to be indicated as both incredibly broad AND incredibly narrow at the same time. In a previous thread, some folks said that it was ridiculous to try and refute what anime was because people more familiar with anime could always find exceptions to whatever rule was offered (for example: all anime has people with dish-sized eyes and ridiculous sized weapons). But at the same time, many of those same people then returned to the discussion by saying that anime was a broad set of qualities that applied equally to anime, comic books and several other visual mediums. In other words, we return to the 'anime as pornography' argument of "I know it when I see it". That makes any discussion of it problematic. By making anime so subjective and personal, it's virtually impossible to refute the scope of it's influence, artistically.

Put another way: Is Jethro Tull a Heavy Metal band?

 

[Raven Crowking]

WizarDru, I guess "anime" is like "sense of wonder"......

.......And Hussar just found his own personal version of the "sense of wonder" thread!

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Oh, and something else that occurred to me. I'm seeing some proxy edition war art discussion going on. What art occurred in earlier editions is beyond the scope of this thread. It doesn't matter if Di Terlizzi is your personal god, if it doesn't appear in a 3e book, it's not up for discussion.

Please stop crapping in my thread.

I think it bears a certain relevance, particularly when people talk about art growing less realistic throughout the editions. There were quite a large number of spandex heroes in 1st edition.

Take this guy... I'd say he's clearly derivative of your typical anime villain, white hair, uber cool sword, impractical armor and all. Were it in a 3rd edition product, you knwo someone would have posted it by now.

You're going to have edition war stuff crop up in the thread, since its based on a grognard complaint about new editions.

 

[WayneLigon]

Yeah, I gotta agree with Firelance on [Gnome Alchemist illustration] too. I can see that one.

See, I don't consider that one very anime-like. It seems more Hildebrant-like with the 'small races' given human-child-like proportions (which include a larger head and eyes) rather than the 'normal' 3E human-adult-proportions that at least halflings have.

 

[AllisterH]

I still think Rangerwickett's post was the best one for this thread.

Looking at Easley, Elmore and Caldwell, I don't know of any good action shots a la WAR. Personally, when I look at a 2E picture, I don't think "I want to be that guy/gal/whatever". I just want to find out about the story behind the picture.

With WAR, I want to be that buttkicker.