Now a days the new anime that come out either depict two of the following: 1) Action w/ a romantic interest who barely has any clothes on or 2) A romantic interest who's over-sexualized. Most of the time it's a combination of both.
The question now becomes, does the over service of 'fan service' take away from the anime itself (artwork, story line, and character development)? Or does it bring to the table something that we have yet to notice? (This I doubt, but just to cover the basis and everyone's views).
Examples of these would be: Free!, Food Wars, Keijo!, and Okusama ga Seitokaichou! !.
I think the question you need to address here is the time frame. Anime is becoming more fan-service oriented compared to... when? Fanservice has been a massive presence in anime, especially that oriented towards the Otaku crowd, for well over two decades now. Even widely regarded and relatively ancient anime series like Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) included lots of tongue-in-cheek fanservice, even advising fans to come back next episode for "more fanservice!~~" I think a great watch for researching this piece would be the 1991 anime mockumentary "Otaku no Video," which takes a comedic look at the original generation of anime nerds... as well as the origins of fanservice. You could possibly contrast the contemporary shows you mentioned with older material: Did older series have as much fan service? Did they integrate it better? What makes it seem like fanservice is always increasing in anime? Are the *premises* for these shows getting more fanservicey? (I do have to say, I couldn't imagine Keijo! coming out 10 years ago, ahhahah~) – PeterThelonious8 years ago
Fanservice has always been present like PeterThelonious said. I don't think fanservice takes away from the plot as long as it's not the central focus. There's plenty of anime that incorporates fanservice but also has good storylines. Another example would be Code Geass – seouljustice8 years ago
While an interesting topic for discussion consider looking at it from a cultural perspective. Japan does not have she same Judaeo-Christian outlook on the human body especially breasts as can be seen in many of their gag gifts, video games, and Anime itself. They merely see the human body as that, the human body that's nothing to be ashamed of. So maybe try looking at this from a different cultural perspective and see if that helps or not. Hope the advice helps! – GingerSavvy8 years ago
While an interesting topic for discussion consider looking at it from a cultural perspective. Japan does not have she same Judaeo-Christian outlook on the human body especially breasts as can be seen in many of their gag gifts, video games, and Anime itself. They merely see the human body as that, the human body that's nothing to be ashamed of. So maybe try looking at this from a different cultural perspective and see if that helps or not. Hope the advice helps! - GingerSavvy – GingerSavvy8 years ago
Analyze what the effect of gore and violence cause in anime, and how it improves or degrades plot. Is gore and violence merely a visual appeal or is there more meaning to it. An example from a film is Quinten Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs." He mentions in an interview that he wanted to emphasize the violence in his film so that it's realistic and in your face, so that it has the effect of being spontaneous. Anime that could be considered for this topic could be Parasyte, Deadman Wonderland, or Attack on Titan.
I like this topic, and would like to add few more animes to the case studies. Definitely take a look at Devil Man by Go Nagai. Nagai's work has been tremendously influential, especially when it comes to sex and violence in manga and anime. It would be an example worth studying. – idleric8 years ago
Effect of violence is a two sided coin....while it can enhance the viewing by providing exhilarating action sequences,it can also distract the viewer by offsetting them or affecting the tone . violence done right should be a plot point rather than simply being a sort of fan service
. – Akash8 years ago
An example of violence done right is Hellsing Ultimate in my opinion. In a world full of sexual violence, warmongering, deceit, corruption, bigotry and sacrifice, the excessive gore and blood does not distract viewers but rather serves as a visual representation of the cruelty of the world. – AUSOtaku7 years ago
Are pokemon starting to cop-out on there designs i.e. A sword, machines you find in your home, a garbage bag. I kind of think they are. Some of the pokemon I like and I'm not saying they are bad mons, so don't be offended but are their designs lacking?
The first games had pink goo Pokemon, ball Pokemon, upside-down ball Pokemon, mole Pokemon, three mole Pokemon, magnet Pokemon, three magnet Pokemon. Design concept is something that hasn't always been present in every Pokemon species from the first games, and while I do agree that some of the newer Pokemon have poor design choices, that could be said from the beginning as well. They aren't all going to be winners, and with the soon-to-be over 800 species nobody is going to like all of them. I certainly don't, but as with everything it's just a matter of opinion and there's nothing to stop someone from using six Charizards or only legendaries or just the cute ones if they so choose :) – Nayr12309 years ago
Very interesting topic - scope for an interesting article here – J.P. Shiel9 years ago
I disagree with you completely. There are many questionable designs from the first generation. I'm not hating on them or anything because I love Pokemon as a whole but the argument on newer Pokemon being uninspired is pretty unknowledgable. There was a magnet Pokemon, rock Pokemon, goo Pokemon, and even a Pokeball Pokemon. Oh and there's one that's just a reversed Pokeball Pokemon. A lot of Pokemon were probably created and used later. I believe that was stated by the company. Some Pokemon were supposed to be in previous generations such as the second generation Pokemon being in the first. – melvin28988 years ago
I agree that the designs are lacking in originality and quality in comparison to the original Pokemon. But there could many different reasons in this decline of design. Could it be due to a running out of ideas because all of the good ones are already used? Could it be that the Pokemon designers feel rushed due to an increased want for their games now that they have a more developed fan-base and standing in the gaming world? Or could it be due to a laziness developed through the awareness that their fan base is developed and going nowhere? Or could it simply be a misplaced sense of nostalgia that regularly comes with video games in that old games are always perceived as better? There are many avenues with which one could take this topic. – mattpellegrino8 years ago
There are hundreds of Pokémon now. Shouldn't be that surprising that 20 years later, they are running out of unique ideas lol. Same goes for shows like the Power Rangers as well. Producing unique content for fantasy shows isn't difficult, but keeping that content fresh for years, or even decades is almost impossible. At least the games stayed good and the story still flows well. That is pretty much all you can ask for. – MikeySheff8 years ago
I would say that during Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon designs started to decline and the fans were well aware of it too. Since the release of Sun and Moon, Pokemon designs have become more interesting in my opinion and they have introduced different forms of fan favorites. Can we really blame them for being short on ideas after 20 years? – DjLarry8 years ago
One of the most common tropes in pornography today is incest, which has appeared in practically all art forms.The Artifice article "Titillating Anime" codifies many of Anime's more risqué shows as either parodies of hentai, in which incest and other sexual fetishes are ironically used to critique the genre, or as "something for dads;" however, I believe that there are more serious explorations of incest and prevision in anime. I am thinking particularly of Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. OreImo goes beyond the typical analysis of incest and perversion by exploring the complex relationships between a brother, a sister, and their mutual friends. All of the shows young characters are isolated by their interest in the 'perverse.' Incest and other 'perverse' attractions go beyond ironic critiques of genre and/or an art form that allows us access to the 'forbidden fruit.' I would be interested in an analysis of this more serious artistic form that might suggest why we are interested in incest, or, at the very least, what hides behind the forbidden fruit of incest.
a study of the first relationships humans know, the parents - son/daughter relationship, might be a good place to start. the answer, i suspect, lies not within this relationship but within the more specific study of sociability/isolation of siblings and peers but it begins in the same place as everything else about us (humans).
– hawkeye8 years ago
The anime "Naruto" deals with the concept that no one is inherently evil. All of the "bad guys" have a back story. Their back story explains why they have done what they have done and how they have become who they have become. Often times, the "bad guys" have been wronged in their past and their actions are well intended. What are the implications of showing this gray area in anime and TV? What is the significance in making the audience empathize with the antagonist? Does it become more enjoyable when the villains are more layered than they initially appeared? Does the "bad guy" not actually being evil, undermine the protagonist?
Of all the different topics that arise from a show like Naruto, this is one of the hidden gems. Not many pick up on that duality driving villains in a show like Naruto, but nonetheless it is a profound idea. Good topic and poignant questions. – MikeySheff8 years ago
But there is always a bright side about Naruto and positive inspiration. – HaodiNi8 years ago
I like this a lot! I think a lot of times some shows focus on portraying villains as wholly evil even though this shouldn't be the case. Each person is complex and isn't entirely evil or good. I think allowing the audience to see an antagonist as a complicated person with mixed motives is a good way to create a real story. – seouljustice8 years ago
Naruto uniqueness lies in the fact that all central conflicts arises due to clash of ideals. All characters seek peace ,but all in a different way. In doing so it breaks the cliche of good v evil. – Akash8 years ago
Naruto is very good at making you question your morals. There are tons of villains in Naruto and other anime but more often than not, you find yourself relating to the villains. Stubbornness is a trait that I think all the villains have in common; by adding in these emotions we experience every day, it gives a sense of realism and connection the characters. – aguzma38 years ago
I like this idea for a topic! Although, I would find it interesting to include- for the case of Naruto specifically- that many of the main antagonists (the Uchiha, for example) and their backstories provide an interesting commentary on privilege and oppression (here the Senju could represent the dominant majority while the Uchiha are the suppressed minority). Rather than necessarily "undermining" the protagonist, I would be curious to see how they instead highlight the protagonist's social standing and how it shapes their worldview and, thus, pits them against the antagonist in the first place. – ees7 years ago
With anime like Kuroko no Basket, Daiya no Ace, and Haikyuu!!, watchers of sports anime are immediately thrust into settings with high school-aged characters that are passionate about the sports they play. And with that passion, comes a lot of information about the rules of the sport. Even upon watching the first episode of, say, Daiya no Ace; watchers are already being forced to learn – or at least acknowledge – the rules of baseball, through the dialogue of the characters. In later episodes, and especially later seasons, watchers (over the span of watching more episodes) obtain a lot of information about the sports the characters play. And because it is "sports anime", the anime is based off of the sport it portrays, and thereby (attempts to, or) abides by the rules of the game / sport. Watchers of sports anime may even find themselves watching live-action sports on television and being able to understand at least some of the rules of the real game.
With that said, sports anime like Kuroko no Basket and Prince of Tennis obviously have many extreme elements – like characters with (basically) superpowers (The Generation of Miracles [Kuroko no Basket] and Echizen volleying 10 tennis balls in one stroke [Prince of Tennis]).
Is it okay to classify sports anime as accurate? The extreme elements of these anime are clear, but the anime simultaneously are based around the rules of the sport. Is sports anime considered ridiculous on a "literal level" because of its extreme elements, or can the real and the fake elements coexist to create a sensible story line?
Granted that sports anime have a great deal of passion, but isn't passion a common trait in anime. – RadosianStar8 years ago
You're absolutely right. Passion, almost to the point of extreme devotion (in this case), is definitely present in anime. – gabby9188 years ago
We all know how popular shows such as "one punch man","naruto", etc. have been received here in America but how has the mainstream attention to anime effected the industry as a whole. What do you think of the working conditions for the Japanese animators as well as the quality being delivered, is anime progressing, or is it stagnating or even being degraded? What do you think?
Discuss the reason why most anime is created (advertising the source material) and what makes it financially viable. Talk about how many anime receive anime-only endings or unfinished stories because they exist to promote the source material, which is the more profitable. Talk about light novels and manga, how both have been used as source material, why they're more profitable, and which ones have been more popular at what points in time.
I agree with Kristian. It is rare that anime adaptions help to boost sales of the original source material, although K-ON! and Hyouka are two series that have done this. That wasn't their main purpose for being created, just a lucky side effect. I don't think your assumption is accurate. – Jordan9 years ago
Cultural differences between audiences (i.e. Japan and U.S.), and what makes such profit in both may be a factor worth examining. – JDJankowski9 years ago
