02-03-12, 12:15 PM
Gift Wrapping for the Shallow Viewer
There is a very real problem plaguing anime today. One that has rapidly been on the rise as the intelligence of the average person declines. One that threatens the future quality of anime for everyone. And that is: the shallow viewer.
To put it candidly, the shallow viewer is dumb. They do not like to think. They are awed by cool animation, big tits, unnecessary nudity, and other fan service, and even an epic soundtrack. (I hate to include music with the rest of these, but in the end, it's not one of the key elements of the work--just something nice to go with it.)
People tend to call these superficial things--animation, fan service, and music--by different names; some "accessories," some "icing on the cake." I prefer "wrapping paper." The reason is fourfold:
To expound upon 2, pretty wrapping paper can distract someone so much that they never bother to open the actual gift itself and see what it contains--much like how anime viewers get so blinded by pretty visuals and/or fan service that they never bother considering what really matters. They are shallow. They don't care about what's really going on, because they're too busy drooling.
So what really matters? What makes a good gift? Well, if that needs to be explained to you, you're probably retarded, but I'll give you some help anyway.
So what's the point of all this? Why does it matter if there are dumb people who are easily amused? Why does it matter what they like? Well, simply put: there are a lot of them. Which is bad, because the more people like this there are, the more anime writers/directors think they can safely get away with giving you a shitty present--as long as they wrap it nice and pretty. They know there are plenty of people who will never take off the wrapping paper to see what it actually offers. It will still sell, because for every intelligent viewer who criticizes it, there are two, three, four... maybe even more people who are dragging a bucket around to collect their own drool whenever they see something pretty or some fap service.
As long as producers know it will sell, they will mass-produce soulless, mindless, shitty material, making it harder and harder for those who actually like to watch something good to... you know, find something that's actually good. I fear for the general quality of anime in the future.
To put it candidly, the shallow viewer is dumb. They do not like to think. They are awed by cool animation, big tits, unnecessary nudity, and other fan service, and even an epic soundtrack. (I hate to include music with the rest of these, but in the end, it's not one of the key elements of the work--just something nice to go with it.)
People tend to call these superficial things--animation, fan service, and music--by different names; some "accessories," some "icing on the cake." I prefer "wrapping paper." The reason is fourfold:
- Wrapping paper can only conceal what's inside.
- It doesn't matter how prettily you wrap the gift up. If the contents are shit, the contents are shit. It can't make it better by itself, unless it's never opened, but I'll get to that in a bit.
- Wrapping paper is nothing without a good gift to cover.
- A gift can exist without pretty wrapping paper.
To expound upon 2, pretty wrapping paper can distract someone so much that they never bother to open the actual gift itself and see what it contains--much like how anime viewers get so blinded by pretty visuals and/or fan service that they never bother considering what really matters. They are shallow. They don't care about what's really going on, because they're too busy drooling.
So what really matters? What makes a good gift? Well, if that needs to be explained to you, you're probably retarded, but I'll give you some help anyway.
- Story. Naturally, it's possible to not really have one (i.e. a lot of slices of life, although they generally have a point). But if you don't have one, you have to stay strong on other aspects.
- Characters. Are the characters charming/likable/interesting? Do they have clearly defined traits/quirks/personalities that make them unique? Do they behave consistently and not change personalities randomly?
- Originality. Technically, nothing's original because the underlying concept has already been used/existed elsewhere in its most basic form. (In the end, Steins;Gate is *just* time travel, Clannad is *just* a slice of life, and Evangelion is *just* a mecha.) The key, then, is to pull off the idea in a new, innovative, or interesting way. Originality comes in when you put your own spin on it and make it look like something completely new. This doesn't go for just the basic setting--it goes for character tropes, individual events, dialogue, and the like. Using something that already exists is okay, but only if you have the creativity to handle it in your own way so it doesn't look like you just copied something you saw. If people can consistently draw parallels between your writing and works that came before, it's clear that you have no capacity for creative thought and simply steal ideas from other people.
- Execution. You could have the best premise/concept/ideas, but it doesn't matter if you fail at using them effectively. Conversely, you could have a shitty/uninteresting/boring/uncreative premise, but if you pull it off in a unique, creative, or innovative way, then it doesn't matter.
- Structure. Is it consistent? Does it contradict itself (in laws or rules already established within its setting)? Are there plot holes? Ass pulls?
- Enjoyability. The wrapping paper too often gets factored into enjoyability ratings, which should not happen. Enjoyability should be more about interesting dialogue, comedy, and "smartness" (wittyness; treating the viewer like they actually possess the capacity for intelligent thought).
So what's the point of all this? Why does it matter if there are dumb people who are easily amused? Why does it matter what they like? Well, simply put: there are a lot of them. Which is bad, because the more people like this there are, the more anime writers/directors think they can safely get away with giving you a shitty present--as long as they wrap it nice and pretty. They know there are plenty of people who will never take off the wrapping paper to see what it actually offers. It will still sell, because for every intelligent viewer who criticizes it, there are two, three, four... maybe even more people who are dragging a bucket around to collect their own drool whenever they see something pretty or some fap service.
As long as producers know it will sell, they will mass-produce soulless, mindless, shitty material, making it harder and harder for those who actually like to watch something good to... you know, find something that's actually good. I fear for the general quality of anime in the future.
Posted by DraconisMarch | 02-03-12, 12:15 PM | 12 comments
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FourteenthAngel | 04-08-13, 6:38 AM
I been meaning to write something like this for so long but it looks you beat me to it. This basically is everything I wanted to say in here and probably more. Very accurate view on the state of the industry! |
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fedecala | 03-03-13, 10:13 PM
We must blame japanese otaku, they buy the Blu Ray/DVDs and merchandise. |
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fedecala | 03-03-13, 10:10 PM
You are probably right.But, it will never change. |
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Nikolai_F_A | 02-16-13, 11:39 AM
shouldn't this be targeted to the jap viewers/buyers/consumers(in other words TL to jap). since they basicly controll the shit that is comming out, and not the rest of the world. As l see the text; you like fanservice and you should feel bad... because fuck you.The people this is meant to (people that understand English, and probably stream it online) Have little to do with the shit that comes out. lt kind of put you in the position(From my stand point; not, knowing, shit): *Walking down US internet lagoon, screaming* "fuck ya'll! fuck ya'll! ya'll ruin anime quality!" Is this outdated? |
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DraconisMarch | 05-16-12, 12:42 PM
I'm not going into a case-by-case examination of what you said about Angel Beats! and FFVII (because it seems you're irrationally butthurt over both of them for some reason or another), but your criticisms of both of them directly contradict your ratings for other anime (mindless moeblob fest K-On! better than either of these? lolol. Just one example).I think you fail to realize that the blog post is about anime with no substance whatsoever and try to hide the fact by appealing to stupid people. Neither Angel Beats! nor FFVII try to do this, so I'm not sure what you're on about there. (On an unrelated note, glad to see you like AKB0048.) |
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Seasonreaper | 05-16-12, 4:10 AM
Heh, looks like someone watched Guilty Crown... that thing is pretty much defined by this entire blog.Multiple other things come to mind, like Advent Children's shiny ass animation or Fractale's overall visual tics. Unfortunately whilst they all LOOK nice, it doesn't stop them being festering piles of poorly written and terribly structured shit that make me want to vomit my own appendix. In fact... there's something else that annoys me about everything I just mentioned: they all had potential. Problem is, they're all dumbed down to a preschool level of plot progression whilst trying to simultaneously be deep and intellectual. Not only do they try using simplistic and nondescript methods of providing information which in itself is something which shouldn't happen, but they manage to fuck it up somehow. You end up with empty shells for characters which are little more than basic archetypes, a plot which has been cut down to it's most basic plot points and the gaps are filled in with pretty animation, fanservice shots and pointless scenes to cover up those faults. Managing to provide that level of completion shouldn't even be hard since it's flawed at the most simple level, but they can't even do that right. All it would take is for them to jump from plot point to plot point and fill in the gaps with some dialogue or a pretty fight or something. But no. Instead of jumping, they try to ride a bike between the points just to realise that not only do they not know how to ride a bike, but they also have no legs. They then proceed to fall off on multiple occasions into a nearby thorn bush or oncoming car. What remains after the series is complete is a once-clean (if simplistic) path marred by giant messy stains of failure. Advent Children is just mindless fanwankery with no real reason to exist other than to leech yet more money off the overreactive and dedicated FFVII fanboys who can't understand that it just wasn't THAT good. Fractale took an original source material, fucked around with the art and then forgot what pacing was and Guilty Crown... Well, I don't even know what the fuck happened there. It's like they got a great team of people to work on it but then realised that something intellectual wouldn't sell, lobotimised the entire team and told them to copy Code Geass whilst only showing them half of the franchise. Don't even get me started on Highschool of the Dead or Angel Beats! either. Yet more terribly structured rectal discharge without proper plot or pacing or, in these cases, any real idea what they want to achieve and yet people lap it up like dogs and praise it across the internet as the next greatest thing. No, it isn't the next greatest thing. It isn't even GOOD. I've seen 5 minute shorts with better character development than most of the cast in Angel Beats or HSotD, and to make things worse they both have casts of characters which are unnecessarily large for the scope and length of the series. ...and then there's the whole fanservice/ecchi genre. The fact that abysmal shite like Samurai Girls or Ikki Tousen even sell disgusts me in itself, but the fact that it sells well enough to get licensed and translated just makes me want to give up on human intellect. Still, in regards to the blog, I really can't disagree with your points. Too many fluffy accessories and pretty images covering up atrocious substance. |
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kapanihan | 03-14-12, 2:13 PM
Very very nice.Enjoyed reading this very much and couldn't possibly agree any more ^_^ |
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Solo_Remnants | 02-18-12, 2:01 PM
Good read. Nice points. Ultimately though, its a shame. I'd assume most hardcore anime fans are losers. And in saying that, I am also saying that these "losers" love fanservice and moe characters(I wonder why...) So while a lot of people are looking for good plot and such, the majority of people are content with anything decent enough, as long as animation/fanservice/etc. is there to make them think an anime was way better than it actually was. |
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Bouum | 02-13-12, 9:43 PM
Niiiice one ! ReallySadly, everyone have their own taste. Some people like Fan Services... Some doesn't. Some people care for really interesting storyline and character. Some don't. And about Animation... everyone prefer when the animation and the BMG are good too. Everything is fine. It is fine to try and make people buy/watch your product because of the 'wrapping'. I liked the Car exemple above and I'll use it here too. Publicity for Cars ! What do they show you ? They show you a Good Looking Car and they show you the 'best' of this aspect. Then there's how the car perform... and how it is 'inside'. That's usually the thing you see more when you get more information about the product. Anime is a produit. It is fine to make the product appealing to people with various mean. Their job is to 'feed' people. If people 'eat' whatever they get that's a problem. However, it is wrong to make the only thing interesting about you product : Shit Loads of Fanservice. Good Music. Good Animation. Moe Female Character. ...and nothing else. Don't get me wrong, Fanservice is fine... however it's fine when it's not all the fucking time. That's all the difference. When you go to the Library ? Do you take a Book only because the cover is cute ? I don't. I won't watch an Anime because the animation is good or because I see pixel boobs on my screen. No. If they are making show like that... it's also people responsability to say : Alright, this show is bad ! The End. Yes there's boobs or whatever but, is that people getting so fucking low to enjoy a show only for the Fanservice and good animation ? That's lame. I'm not going to watch Guilty Crown just because the animation in the first episode was badass. The Story didn't make it for me ? too bad soo sad. The Main Character is too annoying ? Well, that's too bad soo sad. I won't watch it and If I do watch it to give it a chance (again and again [like I am currently doing with Mouretsu Pirates lol]) , then this show doesn't deserve an overall of 8 just because the animation was good with good music as an extra. No Sorry. The Main Part wasn't there : Story! And Loving a show for Fanservice is just fucking lame. That person gotta press Pause and ask himself why is he watching Boobs and stuff, and thinking that this is fucking awesome ! lol lol lol This is Ridiculous. Anymore I shall stop here or I'll never stop on this topic. As I said before... I might not like fanservice but it is fine to have fanservice in my anime sometimes, might be funny or whatever and it is fine... but only one in a while. Not every fucking 5 minutes where a scene can't be normal. |
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DraconisMarch | 02-08-12, 5:02 AM
@ Yumekichi11: Your entire post contradicts itself and makes no sense. Anyway, not sure why you're even posting, since half of the pictures you post are pure fan service, and you say you appreciate the fan service scenes. Hence, you're one of the people I'm talking about.
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Yumekichi11 | 02-07-12, 10:19 PM
I agree with however sadly I came over this long ago. I know all of this but I myself delusion at how amazing some series are because I would fuck all this and do other shit in life. As such I find rejecting all you wrote while accepting it as truth helped me overcome the sad truth of what you wrote and increased my enjoyment. But good writing in here. |
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Salinga | 02-06-12, 11:09 PM
I think the best analogy would be a car. You can paint it and add as many accessories as you want, but if the inside is shit then what's the point of a nice looking car? Then again, if it's great on the inside then having a nice exterior (and speakers, too, if that can count for music) is just another plus. There's people who don't care too much about exterior but are picky about what's inside, there's some who don't care either way, and then there's of course some who only care about appearance. People have all sorts of preferences and strong opinions about cars. The most important thing, in my opinion, is that you enjoy what you want, but people also shouldn't be surprised if others are wanting to debate with you about why you like a show or why you think it's good. If you like it but know it's shitty and can say why, good for you. If you can't think of a reason then don't argue in the first place. Personally I like things that try to stand out as much as possible visually, even if the execution ends up disappointing me. At the very least I'll remember shows like that. Music is a really big deal for me (I'm a sucker for Jazz), and of course I keep an eye on story and characters that avoid the usual tropes. The average person is smarter than they have been in the past, but since there's increasingly more people of even /higher/ intelligence, there's a much more noticeable gap. I want to say we're doing better than the people of old ages, who were still largely illiterate and with very traditional (or "backwards", depending on what it is) views compared to now, but people like that are still around and with the amount of knowledge available to the common citizen it's mind-boggling that thoughts like that still linger. Eh, but an anime site isn't really the best place for discussing intelligence, although it's nice to see discussions like that pop up. |
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Solkiskey | 02-05-12, 9:31 AM
Were you inspired by Guilty Crown?I agree-- nowadays people associate quality with enjoyment. Of course, I enjoy watching big tits once in a while, but I know that objectively, they AREN'T good. It's probably why I never factor in enjoyment when I rate anime. The shallow viewer, though, will ignore the story and most character interactions (because liek, TITS man, they so good) and will rate based on enjoyment, completely ignoring the obvious flaws in the story/characters. The other day, I've seen a review with the following scores : Story : 3 Characters : 4 Animation : 8 Music : 8 Enjoyment : 8 Overall : 8 What the fuck? Basically, he admits that the story and characters suck, but since the animation was pretty and the music was good, hell, let's completely ignore the flaws and only concentrate on the good points. I think that's the main reason that some anime are rated way too high. Don't get me started with people hating on shows because they don't have the action they thought it'd have (I'm looking at you, Mouretsu Pirates.) |