Snobbery towards anime fans

[Lace Neil Singer]

On one forum, I had someone say, "Stop using XD on forums; I hate all you 'omg kawaii!' anime fans". Talk about prejudice. I like anime, but I've never used the word "kawaii" in my life; in fact, I don't think I know what it means. It's just moronic to assume that all anime fans are thirteen year old fanbrats.

[Bloodsoul]

To be honest, I do like how "kawaii" (cute) and "kowaii" (scary) are smiliar. I've always wanted to do.. something with that. Well, assuming that I'm spelling them both correctly.

I can't recall receiving any such reactions in recent memory (not that my memory is very good, mind you). I did have to will myself not to use "XD" when e-mailing my uncle; not that he's against it, just that I'm not sure he understands what it means. Then again, I'm not even fully sure. I know when to use it, I just can't find the words to describe such an expression (I knew I should've payed more attention in English class).

Fortunately, I think I've balanced out my last anime shopping spree by picking up episodes of The Transformers and Darkwing Duck.

[Jack]

I didn't know XD was an "anime" emoticon. I use it all the time and am never accused of being an obnoxious anime fan.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I didn't realise that either, but obviously, "moron snob" knows better.

[Lace Neil Singer]

On the place in question, the format is as such that emotions can't be used and in order that I come accross as not being nasty, I use XD. I don't overuse it, so I really don't see the problem.

In any case, a lot of people who are prejudiced against anime haven't even watched it so don't really know what they're talking about. At least, that's what I've found. I don't mind someone saying they don't like anime, as long as they've at least tried to watch it and found it's not for them. ^^

[Stormraven]

I never knew XD as anything anime-related either. I've never cared for it in use - and by that, I mean I don't care if people use it or not, it's just an extraneous piece of text that I bypass.

[Akasa]

Idiot should be told not everyone who uses emoticons is into anime.

[Ipecac Drano]

I'm a smiley whore and I hate anime.


Nota Bene: One of my online friends has an anime avatar and I really like it. Aside from that...

[Lace Neil Singer]

I'm a smiley whore and I hate anime.


Nota Bene: One of my online friends has an anime avatar and I really like it. Aside from that...

Lol. My current avatar is anime. XD I may change it soon, tho...

Idiot should be told not everyone who uses emoticons is into anime.

Well, I did tell him to go and play in traffic...

[NateSean]

Don't change Alucard. We need him to kill Edward. Edward's unruly and takes risks that expose the vampire race. Go Alucard!

[Ipecac Drano]

Lol. My current avatar is anime. XD I may change it soon, tho...

Ooops! I didn't know it was. Make that two friends!

I changed mine because almost everyone on here has a cat for their avatar and I wanted to fit in. Not to mention that cats rule and that the one in my current avatar has the same facial expression I always have.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I'm not that much into Anime, 'cept Hellsing (duh) Cowboy Beebop, Blue Gender and Appleseed...

Eh this sort of thing happens with every possible group. The only reason I don't rail endlessly against all athletes is probably the fact that my second best friend was on the HS football team and simultaneously friend to yours truly, awkward nerd extraordinaire

[Lace Neil Singer]

Don't change Alucard. We need him to kill Edward. Edward's unruly and takes risks that expose the vampire race. Go Alucard!

Ooops! I didn't know it was. Make that two friends!

I changed mine because almost everyone on here has a cat for their avatar and I wanted to fit in. Not to mention that cats rule and that the one in my current avatar has the same facial expression I always have.

lol. XD Mine, as NateSean said, is Alucard. He kills vampires. And in my signature, he kills the Twishite abominations. XD

[NodmiTheSellout]

I consider things like XD, ^.^, etc. to be anime emoticons because they resemble the parts in anime that uh, go all chibi? I don't know what it's called. When a character's shocked or embarrassed and they make the art super childish. I kind of don't like them because they give the user a sort of hyperactive, immature air--probably due to their root in "childish" manga and anime art. As long as they're not used as punctuation, though, I can deal.

I'm snobby toward anime fans only when it comes to role playing. The influence of goofy action anime has a way of assuring that a person's writing will be shallow and unbelievable. Not to mention the fact that they feel that their character is accurately represented by a cartoon with no distinctive facial features. Kind of makes me feel like I'm RPing Who Framed Roger Rabbit? or something.

And whenever I say the above, people whine that I'm generalizing anime art--I'm not. There is a clear difference between someone like Ai Yazawa and, say, Akira Toriyama or whoever draws Inuyasha. The images people use tend to resemble the Inuyasha type more than something I consider artful and interesting, like the Nana artwork.

Now, I've seen people make arguments for the unrealistic art--that it's not supposed to be resemble a person, but a representation of a person (used to explain western comics as well). And that's fine, I can understand that in a certain context. But I get called a snob a lot for preferring realistic depictions of role play characters, because when I form mental images, it's a live action show, not a cartoon.

Basically I can get snobby toward anime fans in certain circles because I do not want to role play with something that resembles a twelve year old with boobies. I understand general snobbery because to many people, the artwork itself has this sort of visceral "I'm annoyed" reaction. And to them, it's sort of like, "OK, this is the Shit Taco restaurant. It actually serves some pretty awesome fried ice cream, but it specializes in Shit Taco. I am NOT going in there." I mostly feel that way, although I'm capable of enjoying anime (I liked Neon Genesis Evangelion and Nana).

I'd sooner call myself a hater of anime than a fan, because I don't want people to start talking to me about shit I don't like. There are a lot of trends in anime that contribute to my disliking it--art I consider ugly, squeaky-voiced female characters (and goddammit that is NOT a race thing, because I'm pretty sure Evangelion didn't have any), action-based shows that don't explore character depth very much (I like action for video games, not for TV shows and movies), etc. etc. etc.. I'm sure, eventually, I will find a substantial number of anime shows or movies I enjoy, but I still won't present myself as an "anime fan" because that does have certain annoying connotations.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Believe me, I get annoyed at anime fanbrats just as much as you do. They're nearly always the ones who are incapable of RPing normal characters; their characters always have to have speshul powers, even in RPs that are based on books etc that don't allow powers. -.-

Just as I get irritated with Twihards. However, I'd never assume that a person was a terrible RPer just cuz they liked a book series I hate. Thinking a person is stupid or immature just cuz they use XD or ^_^ just makes you as bad as the people who you claim to dislike.