Ok, I know this isn’t new news or anything like that, but there’s been something I’ve just had to get off my chest. I’m not checking my grammar or anything this go around. Alrighty, my question is this: Avatar (The Last Air Bender) CAN’T POSSIBLY BE AN ANIME SHOW CAN IT!?!?
Ok ok…first, what the hell’s “anime” anyways? When you really think about it, it’s a little hard to pin down elements, but lets see…I looked around the web to supplement my thoughts. I even grabbed an encyclopedia…o.O
The Studies show....
1. Anime deals with much more complex plots and frequently stretches the story out over numerous episodes. Of course there are a couple exceptions, like the ever-so-charming Azumanga Daioh.
2. Anime deals with life: death, murder, romance, secrets, and even…a demon girl that offers to do your bidding via her own website (HellGirl). Usually there is a good or evil.
3. Anime (for the most part), comes out in Japan. All the really great kind at least.
4. C0lors are often vibrant and characters end up having hair all sorts of different colors. Blue probably being one of the most average alternate hair colors. Eyes aren’t always big, contrary to stupid people’s beliefs.
5. Anime is like an art. The angles in which things are done are thought through very carefully. Anime tends to be an alternate version of the real world with insane stories…if you can believe that.
6. One of the reasons for large eyes is so characters can show emotions freely and successfully.
7. Anime shows often give ‘asides’ or glimpses into their thought processes instead of what they only say externally. It allows the viewer to connect to a character and get inside their head, literally.
8. Unique design and sometimes language abound in Japanese animation. Language might not always be course, but messages are conveyed in a clear manner.
......
Ok, that’s all I can think of right now regarding what anime is. Ok then, fine, I’ll try to give this a fair chance…let’s get this over with. I’ll be comparing this sad excuse for TV to the criteria I listed above.
Story: Alrighty, first of all, I suppose Avatar is relatively deep compared with the rest of certain shows out there. Avatar spans throughout several seasons in fact, focusing on specific parts of a goal-oriented story just anime does. Ang (I believe that’s how you spell it) has set out to basically tell the world to shut up and stop being mean to each other. The “Fire Nation” were the ones that supposedly started the whole thing. Over a season or two and a movie that capped things off on Nickelodeon (a kids channel). Ok, fine.
Life & Death: Life and death among other things are looked at too. Fineeeee. But wait! When it comes to actually killing people are laying it down, no one does it. There’s no blood or anything. Wtf…I mean come on now…how can you expect to save the world and not kill anyone. Let’s get it right. Well let me correct myself, people are killed, but not out of free will or “calm,” only when the world’s about to end.
Eyes/Filming: The eyes in Avatar are okay. They do their best to copy from legit productions, but when it comes down to it, they only do what America cartoons do: cry, smile, and frown. Simple as that. The filming is quick and nothing special’s done to entice the viewer.
they can't find Avatar in the Anime Library...wonder why...
Connection: Needless to say, Ang or anyone else for that matter doesn’t let the viewer tune in to their thoughts. They might speak outloud every now and then, but let me assure you it’s nothing that could have been inferred using monkey logic. Things are so obvious and predictable. Anime often takes turns for the worst, and pulls you around for a couple episodes. This show…does not. You’re only allowed to be sad for a couple minutes, then something great happens. Whatever.
In Conclusion: I know that this dumb show’s targeted towards kids, hence being only on Nickelodeon, but I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people (sometimes my age!) say, “oh yeah, you like anime? Oh hey! You like Avatar?” NO, I DON’T F**KING LIKE AVATAR…excuse me. It’s mushier than the most “girly” manga. Actually, I feel bad saying that, because it insults “girly manga,” which is good in it’s own write. Avatar is just crap.
To hurry and finish, I’ll say a couple more things. This is from wikipedia I found a while ago. OH, another thing, some people say wikipedia is not dependable, not true. Wiki is just as credible as an encyclopedia. One of my old professors told me that. And no, he wasn’t being sarcastic. Feel free to comment on that one, cause’ I know we all use it. Amen. Anyways, here’s an insert from the Anime section of Wikipedia:
“Anime-influenced animation refers to non-Japanese works of animation that emulate the visual style of anime.[48] Most of these works are created by studios in the United States, Europe, and non-Japanese Asia; and they generally incorporate stylizations, methods, and gags described in anime physics, as in the case of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Often, production crews either are fans of anime or are required to view anime”
SEE! I TOLD YOU, EVEN WIKI THINKS SO!!!! Wiki is edited and changed by people, and checked every time things are edited. That’s been there since forever. People who watch anime know what anime is, and Avatar…not anime. So in grand conclusion, Crapitar, the last pear eater is NOT anime. Curtains. Please come again.
I love the X in avatar picture..
The only “anime” show I like. I’ve tried watching multiple anime shows yet none grabbed my attention enough for more then 3 episodes. This is easily my favorite animated show. Just because it’s not Anime doesn’t make it a bad series.
I concur. I love doug and hey arnold even though they are not anime. I just don’t like it for the above reasons and a couple other things.
Wow. This was about the biggest waist of time in the history of EVER… By the way it’s spelled “Aang” if you spent as much time on actually putting all this negative energy into crap like this as you did creative thinking you might go somewhere. If Avatar was such a crappy show, it wouldnt be one of the highest grossing “Anime’s” in existence now would it? You have no idea how hard the people who created that show work everyday. Also I think it’s absolutley hilarious that you think Wiki is a credable source for information. LOL! It’s one of the greatest shows out there. Maybe you should grow some taste and watch it sometime. But honestly I don’t think you deserve it.
Unfortunately, I didn’t check the facks for the name and this “negative energy” is my non-biased view on if avatar is anime or not. Please don’t get sucked into if this show is “good or not.” That’s not the focus. Azumanga Daioh is a GREAT anime, but many of my anime friends hate it. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact it is still anime.
Yes, it has grossed quite a bit of money, but that means in no such way it’s anime. Do me a favor and get on google and search for, “avatar not anime,” or “avatar, anime or not.” Many others will break it down for you and tell you Avatar, is NOT anime. It might break your heart, but sadly, you’ll be mistaken.
I don’t doubt the creator’s work and their effort, nor the validity of wiki. But by the wiki comment, I was saying anyone can change it, but with change comes verification. If it wasn’t true, people would have changed it, or a record would be there.
I think our tastes are just different, so I won’t discuss this whole “one of the greatest shows out there” thing, and everyone “deserves” to see a great show. Avatar just isn’t one. Now the aforementioned in this last paragraph, is opinion, and even I understand that. But what you don’t is how Avatar is NOT an anime…even though I clearly broke it down for everyone to see. Even the second comment knows…but you don’t.
When you argue or debate, it’s important not to bring in others things that have nothing to do with anything. It is very easy to get “passionate” about the things we like, but try to keep a rational and cool head. I appreciate your feedback very much, but the verdict still stands, Avatar is not an anime. Case closed.
And p.s. don’t comment on the spelling, I just woke up.