As a child, I used to not be interested in anime at all. But them, in my teenage years, I was introduced to the really popular shows of that time, like Pokémon and Dragon Ball, and I slowly but surely got acquainted with its animation stylings and some of the recurring storyline elements and themes. But it mostly remained just another pasttime of mine for a long while.
Around 2006, Dutch television aired Cowboy Bebop. This was unlike any animated show I had seen before. I loved it, and it opened my eyes to what an animated TV series could be like. I wanted to see more anime, and soon enough Evangelion and Ghost In The Shell followed. As I watched more shows, I was intrigued by the specific Japanese cultural elements that are part and parcel of anime, as much as the individual qualities (in storyline, characterisation, social commentary, etc.) of each separate show.
I'd like to believe that anime has been a catalyst in broadening my own perspectives into a more cosmopolitan view, where before I had been very Western-oriented. It's helped heighten the appeal of other foreign media/art from various countries and regions.
Also, I find that many anime shows present mature themes in an intelligent manner, where Western animation falls short, or fails to think out of the box. Overall, I think anime is very rich, because of the wide range of genres presented. There are a lot of beautifully animated shows with great storylines.
I've thus far not learned much Japanese, except for the odd word or phrase here and there, but since I currently watch about 3 anime episodes every day, my exposure to the language has increased, and I try to pay a bit of attention to it.
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clarity of thought before rashness of action
14 Jan 2014, 11:58 am
