Anime and Aspergers

Post Reply New Topic

I bring this up because of the recent discussion of Thomas the Tank Engine. As I read that a light went on, and I'd like some feedback.

The point was made that some young aspies like Thomas because of the exaggerated facial features and expressions. I've noticed several anime fans here. The anime style is characterized by exaggerated features, especially the expressive eyes. The depictions of emotion are intense and easily understandable even by those of us who have trouble reading people.

I will also point out that the interesting fact that aspie/autistic girls have become a stereotype in anime. I suspect that these are written to appeal to NT teen boys who want to see cute girls who are not emotionally threatening. One of the first significant possible aspies was Sailor Mercury in Sailor Moon. Others include Ayanami Rei from Evangelion, Yurika Readman from Read or Die, and Eureka (pronounced Eh-oo-re-ca) from Eureka 7.

Anyone have any comments about anime, cute anime girls, or other related subjects?

Yeah, those big eyes make me ill.

Not this aspie.

Anyway, you have to keep in mind how popular anime is in general. My sister can't get enough of it and she's as NT as possible, as are all her anime loving friends. Meanwhile old bro over here digs Werner Herzog flicks and obscure Russian animation.

i love anime.. i think it's way more insightful into social situations than a sitcom would be despite how exaggerated anime looks

I like anime but mostly because they have great storylines. I also like Japanese movies too for the same reason.

I have always been a great fan of mecha, and I find the faceless ones the most aesthetically pleasing. The author I like most is Shoji Kawamori, which is a fabulous mecha-designer other than an anime creator. I watch his anime first, then eventually the others.

Ugh, I do not like anime. I just don't see how people can get into it.

I like anime because of the villains. Its like looking at the who's who of abnormal psychology. I'm taking Ab Psych this semester and I was Floored to find out that multiple personalities only ever shows up in Western culture. There has never been even reported symptoms in the East. Which means that technically Sensui's 7 different personalties on Yuu Yuu Hakushou shouldn't have been possible.

Oh well Its only fiction

Anime just looks a bit silly to me, in an almost embarresing way. And anime shows have terrible frame rates

I do like some manga, but not anime, and not the big eyes

I hate anime, I think it´s really embarrassing to watch and the humor is mostly really childish in the shows I´ve seen.

My sister is really into anime, and I do believe she is an aspie as well. Other anime fans are about the only other people she can socialize with (though that’s not the only reason I think she’s an aspie).

I don’t think aspies are predisposed to enjoying anime in particular, but I can see why some aspies would. It’s a perfect medium for feeding an obsession, since there is just soooo much of it out there, plus it offers a fantastic avenue to socialize. Extreme anime fans tend to eat, breathe, and sleep nothing but anime – a dream come true for the aspie-anime-fan – it’s actually acceptable to talk to about their obsession nonstop!

I feel the same way. I'm not allowed to obsess over meerkats but everyone else is allowed to obsess over Harry Potter and anime. It makes me sick. If it wasn't like this, I would probably like it.

I like anime, although I wouldn't say I'm obsessed. (My current obsession is pet rats and X-entertainment.com). I do like the exaggerated facial expressions, maybe because I can understand them better but also because I like the art behind them. I enjoy the types of characters in anime better than the ones in American sitcoms. I feel like I can relate to anime characters better, such as Osaka and Sakaki from Azumanga Daioh. (I've noticed a few avatars from that show on this site.)

I do agree with KalhariMeerkat and Erilyn that anime has become a somewhat acceptable obsession. (More acceptable than obsessing over a specific animal, which I often get weird looks for). However, I also notice that non-anime fans tend to scoff at anime fans, as if the anime fans are a ridiculous excuse for humans. The ridicule is usually playful, however, rather than the type of ridicule that completely rejects someone. I've noticed that most people either love or hate anime, and there's seldom anyone who just thinks anime's okay.

I almost refused to read Harry Potter, just because so many people were into it. I don’t buy into things for hype at all. But a good friend of mine convinced me to read it, and I have to admit, I was hooked!

BUT – and this is the big difference between me and most HP fans – I can’t STAND gossiping about rumours and speculating about upcoming events. Harry Potter has become almost a social medium for many people, but I’m only into it because I like the story. I have no interest in HP websites, message boards, fan-fiction, merchandise, or anything else (though I do like the movies).

I was into Anime for about 15 minutes back in 80's when it first blew into America. Anime was new and purty but I quickly got over it and the fascination quickly wore off.

It's still a beautiful art form but nearly all anime is made in the same form and fashion. Anime is impressive. But it's also predicatible.

The funny thing is, I have Akira cued up to be the next movie Blockbuster Online is to send me.

So where's the icon with the big-eyed, pig-tailed school girl sitting on the ground with her knees together laughing, using the same 5 frames over and over again for 3 minutes straight?