| So earlier there was a thread asking the question of "what anime will be remembered as classics 15 years from now". I would link that here but I can no longer find it so don't know what happened to that. Anyway, looking through many of the comments that people were posting, there seemed to be this main theme of "an anime will be a classic because of its popularity". Many of the anime listed as examples were SAO, Attack on Titan, Death Note, Steins;Gate and so on and so forth. And so this got me thinking: can an anime be considered a classic purely based on popularity or is there more behind it? Personally I believe that there is a lot more behind it and while popularity does play a part I think it more or less comes down to how a certain anime impacts the industry and the anime community and how it is remembered in the community as a whole. And also, what exactly does it mean to be a classic? Does anime being labelled as a classic mean it's good or can it also mean it's bad? |
amk_2397Feb 17, 2016 2:43 PM
 |
| Classic often refers to being heavily iconic. So yes popularity is a huge factor but's it's also a case where something is used to represent the various stages of the genre, themes, time periods, etc. So one good example would be Gundam kind of became the flagship of the mecha genre even though there were many other popular shows before it. But one other factor that often defines a classic is nostalgia, popular shows that got people into anime will often fall under this category. So in say 15 years Attack on Titan or SAO could be considered classics for that reason. Just as Dragonball or Sailor moon got many people into anime a couple decades prior. As for whether classics are good or bad that will vary by person to person as with all other shows. But generally they will range on the side of good because most people will tend to remember things fondly versus negatively. |
amk_2397 said: we can start from here:And also, what exactly does it mean to be a classic? ☑ kinda old ☑ sortof popular ☑ has/had some fanbase amk_2397 said: I'd say Elfen Lied is a classic, but many people consider it bad. Animu like Akame ga Kill, Mirai Nikki and Danganronpa might have similar fates.Does anime being labelled as a classic mean it's good or can it also mean it's bad? |
 |
| Unpopular classic shows are cult classics to me. I think there's lots of classics (movies, albums, whatever) that weren't and haven't been particularly popular but which are still critically acclaimed or well known among certain groups. I'd argue there's a lot of classic art, literature, etc that meets the same criteria |
Mayuka said: did you call holier than thou bitch right here last.fm |
romagia said: amk_2397 said: we can start from here:And also, what exactly does it mean to be a classic? ☑ kinda old ☑ sortof popular ☑ has/had some fanbase amk_2397 said: I'd say Elfen Lied is a classic, but many people consider it bad. Animu like Akame ga Kill, Mirai Nikki and Danganronpa might have similar fates.Does anime being labelled as a classic mean it's good or can it also mean it's bad? Elfen Lied is a classic in it's category, just like those awful horror-softporn 70's italian movies. Mirai Nikki is it's legitimate successor. |
Prophetess of the Golden Era  |
| When I think of a classic I think of something like Jurassic Park or E.T. Something that was, and/or still is, extremely popular and/or well-known (iconic). |
 |
sman3579 said: Pretty much this, having a reasonable popularity and fanbase it's not enough. It has to be something iconic and even recognizable to people outside the fanbase.When I think of a classic I think of something like Jurassic Park or E.T. Something that was, and/or still is, extremely popular and/or well-known (iconic). |
 NasalShark said: I'd love to squeeze your nipples until they look like a purple slushie, Senpai. |
amk_2397 said: Personally I believe that there is a lot more behind it and while popularity does play a part I think it more or less comes down to how a certain anime impacts the industry and the anime community and how it is remembered in the community as a whole. I think You answered your own question there , I would add that original works of some anime directors that made them what they are today can also be called classic in some way like Hideaki Anno's first work 1988 Gunbuster which is considered by many a classic even though it didn't impact the industry and/or isn't necessary the first mecha show |
 |
| Popularity does not equal classic status. A show has to at least be considered good to be a classic, its quality has to remain over time, so a show like Cowboy Bebop which is critically acclaimed and is still considered to be one of the greatest anime could be considered a classic. Also influential shows that have helped shape anime has a whole can help contribute to classic status. Classic adjective judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind. |
"Hurry up with my damn croissants." |
| They simply are. Nothing more, nothing less. |
 |
amk_2397 said: The Room is a classic and it's fuckin terrible.Does anime being labelled as a classic mean it's good or can it also mean it's bad? FlatEight said: Yeah, thanks Sherlock.They simply are. Nothing more, nothing less. |
NasalShark said: I'd love to squeeze your nipples until they look like a purple slushie, Senpai. |
It means that there's something about it worth remembering. This could be:
|
 ~Appilesh~ |
| [quote=-Senpai-] amk_2397 said: The Room is a classic and it's fuckin terrible.Does anime being labelled as a classic mean it's good or can it also mean it's bad? Agreed, I feel like that's where stuff like Mars of Destruction and School Days falls under. |
|
| tldr it's four things for me having a strong influence or shining among other shows, looking like oldish anime, or being really good, or being unique |
 |
| Including everything people have already said, I think to be a Classic Show, it has to be remembered. I Love Lucy was an extremely popular show from the 1950s and it's still being played in over 50+ countries worldwide to this day. Almost everybody who has ever lived in America, including foreigners and immigrants, has probably heard about it or have seen it. Perry Mason, also another extremely popular show in its day (it aired around the same time I Love Lucy did) has been long forgotten in the world. No doubt, both shows are extremely good, but only I Love Lucy is called a classic because it is remembered. Neon Genesis Evangelion can be called a classic because it's popular and remembered. Though people seldom call City Hunter a classic, because nobody knows about it. |
| To me, a classic anime is one that sets a either sets a precedent or breaks new ground within the anime medium, whether it be as a whole or in a particular genre. For example, Yuu Yuu Hakusho would be a classic Shounen as well Dragon Ball, because they both helped define what battle Shounen was about. Ghost in the Shell would be a classic cyberpunk, earlier Gundam series' classic mecha, etc. Like mentioned above, being a classic does not inherently mean the animd is good, but rather iconic due to its contributions to anime or a genre of anime. |
| Signature removed. Please follow the signature rules, as defined in the Site & Forum Guidelines. |
| Well, no one ever listens to me over what a masterpiece is, let alone a classic, so I'd say that a classic is whatever is popular with casual viewers for more than 2 years but already ended it's running. It pains me to think of Sword Art Online as a classic though. |
  Rarity is Best Pony! |
| Something that is still remembered fondly and praised by many people despite having been many years since it came out (I usually go with a decade or more otherwise to me it's still "recent"). |
| "The name's Gambit. Remember it." -Gambit "X-Men '97"  |
-Senpai- said: amk_2397 said: The Room is a classic and it's fuckin terrible.Does anime being labelled as a classic mean it's good or can it also mean it's bad? FlatEight said: Yeah, thanks Sherlock.They simply are. Nothing more, nothing less. No problem buddy. Always on the case. |
|
| The thing is even if it's adequately good but gained massive popularity it will be remembered and appreciated a while later. Take GTO for example: It was addictive, fun to watch but the characters, their actions and decisions felt stupid in context to real life (I mean seriously, If Onizuka were a real person he would be in jail right now). So in the end it was a good show but why is it being looked back upon so fondly? If you ask me even the emotional factor comes into play as well: Some fans remember these anime from their heyday and will have a few memories attached to them. Those opinions are then passed on to the next generation of viewers.. I mean, would you have movie 'classics' if older people never talked about movies? What defines an anime classic is whether it still holds up after a couple of decades. At least that's what it should be.. About 20 years from now no one will look back at all these echchi harems (most of them anyway ) because that fad will have passed and people would've moved on to another one.. And yeah, the thread was taken down because the forum guidelines fucking suck and apparently some other dude made a somewhat similar thread back in September 2012.. |
| I made that thread I believe. It's a shame it's been taken down but that's the way it is I suppose. Anyway, to answer your thread: I think that in order to be a classic it should be something which people remember in a good way. Take Dragonball for example. No matter how much Dragonball Super failed people are still remembering the original DB and DBZ. Another thing we can talk about is influence. If a show has a tremendous influence on later anime it will be remembered as a classic. Gundam is not the first mecha, but it did influence other mecha on realism. Before that mecha were basically indestructible until they needed something new to keep the show from being predictable. You won't see maintainance or malfunctioning in those series unless it's to keep people entertained during fights. Third is impact. I can only explain this with an example so here it goes. The reason Neon Genesis Evangelion is seen as a classic is not only its quality but also the fact that it saved the anime industry back when it aired. People suddenly gained interest in it and even now the show attracts new viewers. That's something I can't see SAO doing 20 years after its release. And of course critical acclaim is a factor. It isn't nessecarily a key factor though. When A Clockwork Orange was released the critics didn't think much of it and neither did the audience. It's only later that it got its current fame. |
 |
| I'd say something old that is and was incredible popular sounds about right. Popoularity is pretty much the only category I guess, a lot of people have to still like an old show. |
holysauron said: I made that thread I believe. It's a shame it's been taken down but that's the way it is I suppose. Anyway, to answer your thread: I think that in order to be a classic it should be something which people remember in a good way. Take Dragonball for example. No matter how much Dragonball Super failed people are still remembering the original DB and DBZ. Another thing we can talk about is influence. If a show has a tremendous influence on later anime it will be remembered as a classic. Gundam is not the first mecha, but it did influence other mecha on realism. Before that mecha were basically indestructible until they needed something new to keep the show from being predictable. You won't see maintainance or malfunctioning in those series unless it's to keep people entertained during fights. Third is impact. I can only explain this with an example so here it goes. The reason Neon Genesis Evangelion is seen as a classic is not only its quality but also the fact that it saved the anime industry back when it aired.People suddenly gained interest in it and even now the show attracts new viewers. That's something I can't see SAO doing 20 years after its release. And of course critical acclaim is a factor. It isn't nessecarily a key factor though. When A Clockwork Orange was released the critics didn't think much of it and neither did the audience. It's only later that it got its current fame. Lol oh please. There was a lot if great/popular anime during the 90s including dragon ball, Gundam ect. The industry would be just fine without evangellion. Not dismissing the impact it had on the industry. But it did not save anime in any shape or form. Sao or any single anime obviously won't save the industry, because a single anime can't save an entire industry, but I won't be so quickly to say the series won't attract new viewers 20 years from now. Sao gets shit on regularly, but for some reason its member count is still continuously growing. I wouldn't be so quick to say that. |
keragammingFeb 17, 2016 11:47 PM
| Being influential and/or has gone the test of time...are usually the criteria for this. |
| I define it as something that was special back when it aired or someting |
| Signature removed. Please follow the signature rules, as defined in the Site & Forum Guidelines. |
| A classic is something that will stand the test of time, meaning that it's still considered a great piece of work by the future generations. |
BlueKite said: Pretty much this.A classic is something that will stand the test of time, meaning that it's still considered a great piece of work by the future generations. It doesn't haft to have a huge noticeable influence. |
 |
| How influential it was How remembered it was How well it doesn't date itself. How good it still is decades later compared to all the newer anime out. |
| If it aired 10 or 20 years ago and was very very popular, to the point that almost everyone knew about that anime and still remember how good it is even after decades has passed. |
 |
keragamming said: holysauron said: I made that thread I believe. It's a shame it's been taken down but that's the way it is I suppose. Anyway, to answer your thread: I think that in order to be a classic it should be something which people remember in a good way. Take Dragonball for example. No matter how much Dragonball Super failed people are still remembering the original DB and DBZ. Another thing we can talk about is influence. If a show has a tremendous influence on later anime it will be remembered as a classic. Gundam is not the first mecha, but it did influence other mecha on realism. Before that mecha were basically indestructible until they needed something new to keep the show from being predictable. You won't see maintainance or malfunctioning in those series unless it's to keep people entertained during fights. Third is impact. I can only explain this with an example so here it goes. The reason Neon Genesis Evangelion is seen as a classic is not only its quality but also the fact that it saved the anime industry back when it aired.People suddenly gained interest in it and even now the show attracts new viewers. That's something I can't see SAO doing 20 years after its release. And of course critical acclaim is a factor. It isn't nessecarily a key factor though. When A Clockwork Orange was released the critics didn't think much of it and neither did the audience. It's only later that it got its current fame. Lol oh please. There was a lot if great/popular anime during the 90s including dragon ball, Gundam ect. The industry would be just fine without evangellion. Not dismissing the impact it had on the industry. But it did not save anime in any shape or form. Sao or any single anime obviously won't save the industry, because a single anime can't save an entire industry, but I won't be so quickly to say the series won't attract new viewers 20 years from now. Sao gets shit on regularly, but for some reason its member count is still continuously growing. I wouldn't be so quick to say that. I don't know. Even though there were very good anime back then the industry itself was not healthy. The economic recession back then made sure that people didn't really buy anime anymore. Gainax was even on the brink of bankrupcy because of that. NGE not only saved Gainax, but also the entire industry because it made people in Japan realise that anime can be a sophisticated form of entertainment. |
|
holysauron said: keragamming said: Lol oh please. There was a lot if great/popular anime during the 90s including dragon ball, Gundam ect. The industry would be just fine without evangellion. Not dismissing the impact it had on the industry. But it did not save anime in any shape or form. Sao or any single anime obviously won't save the industry, because a single anime can't save an entire industry, but I won't be so quickly to say the series won't attract new viewers 20 years from now. Sao gets shit on regularly, but for some reason its member count is still continuously growing. I wouldn't be so quick to say that. I don't know. Even though there were very good anime back then the industry itself was not healthy. The economic recession back then made sure that people didn't really buy anime anymore. Gainax was even on the brink of bankrupcy because of that. NGE not only saved Gainax, but also the entire industry because it made people in Japan realise that anime can be a sophisticated form of entertainment. I think the best word to use in evangellion case is, revitalize, evangellion revitalize the anime industry. But single handedly did it? I'm not too sure about that with so many impacful anime that came out in the 90s. Whoever thought the anime industry would've been none existent if evangellion did not exist in the late 90s to save the industry, are just plain fanboys. Period! Lol, you also made it sound like evangellion was the first well thought out anime in the industry. You're basically implying that the other anime in the 90s and below were just purely mindless entertainment before evangellion came along and save the day. I think 90s/80s anime fans would not like how you phrase that part I mark in bold. tl;dr basically evangellion is the god/saviour of anime. You don't need to say no more. |
keragammingFeb 18, 2016 5:15 AM
keragamming said: holysauron said: I don't know. Even though there were very good anime back then the industry itself was not healthy. The economic recession back then made sure that people didn't really buy anime anymore. Gainax was even on the brink of bankrupcy because of that. NGE not only saved Gainax, but also the entire industry because it made people in Japan realise that anime can be a sophisticated form of entertainment. Lol, you made it sound like evangellion was the first well thought out anime in the industry. You're basically implying that the other anime in the 90s and below were just purely mindless entertainment before evangellion came along and save the day. I think 90s/80s anime fans would not like how you phrase that part I mark in bold. I think I formulated that wrong. Of course there were sophisticated anime before NGE. I'm pretty sure that Akira and the likes were just as mature and here in the West Akira might have been the start of it all. But I don't know if the Japanese ever took any of those more mature anime before NGE serious. |
|
holysauron said: keragamming said: Lol, you made it sound like evangellion was the first well thought out anime in the industry. You're basically implying that the other anime in the 90s and below were just purely mindless entertainment before evangellion came along and save the day. I think 90s/80s anime fans would not like how you phrase that part I mark in bold. I think I formulated that wrong. Of course there were sophisticated anime before NGE. I'm pretty sure that Akira and the likes were just as mature and here in the West Akira might have been the start of it all. But I don't know if the Japanese ever took any of those more mature anime before NGE serious. Akira and a lot of other series were and still is well received in Japan. It's OK though, dont sweat it, I get what you were trying to say. I was just nitpicking on a few things I didn't agree on in your post. |
keragamming said: holysauron said: I made that thread I believe. It's a shame it's been taken down but that's the way it is I suppose. Anyway, to answer your thread: I think that in order to be a classic it should be something which people remember in a good way. Take Dragonball for example. No matter how much Dragonball Super failed people are still remembering the original DB and DBZ. Another thing we can talk about is influence. If a show has a tremendous influence on later anime it will be remembered as a classic. Gundam is not the first mecha, but it did influence other mecha on realism. Before that mecha were basically indestructible until they needed something new to keep the show from being predictable. You won't see maintainance or malfunctioning in those series unless it's to keep people entertained during fights. Third is impact. I can only explain this with an example so here it goes. The reason Neon Genesis Evangelion is seen as a classic is not only its quality but also the fact that it saved the anime industry back when it aired.People suddenly gained interest in it and even now the show attracts new viewers. That's something I can't see SAO doing 20 years after its release. And of course critical acclaim is a factor. It isn't nessecarily a key factor though. When A Clockwork Orange was released the critics didn't think much of it and neither did the audience. It's only later that it got its current fame. Lol oh please. There was a lot if great/popular anime during the 90s including dragon ball, Gundam ect. The industry would be just fine without evangellion. Not dismissing the impact it had on the industry. But it did not save anime in any shape or form. Sao or any single anime obviously won't save the industry, because a single anime can't save an entire industry, but I won't be so quickly to say the series won't attract new viewers 20 years from now. Sao gets shit on regularly, but for some reason its member count is still continuously growing. I wouldn't be so quick to say that. And plus he didn't even make that thread, I did. such plagiarism.. |
GesuYarou said: keragamming said: Lol oh please. There was a lot if great/popular anime during the 90s including dragon ball, Gundam ect. The industry would be just fine without evangellion. Not dismissing the impact it had on the industry. But it did not save anime in any shape or form. Sao or any single anime obviously won't save the industry, because a single anime can't save an entire industry, but I won't be so quickly to say the series won't attract new viewers 20 years from now. Sao gets shit on regularly, but for some reason its member count is still continuously growing. I wouldn't be so quick to say that. And plus he didn't even make that thread, I did. such plagiarism.. I didn't know that. Next time I'll pay you royalties. Alright? |
|
holysauron said: keragamming said: Lol oh please. There was a lot if great/popular anime during the 90s including dragon ball, Gundam ect. The industry would be just fine without evangellion. Not dismissing the impact it had on the industry. But it did not save anime in any shape or form. Sao or any single anime obviously won't save the industry, because a single anime can't save an entire industry, but I won't be so quickly to say the series won't attract new viewers 20 years from now. Sao gets shit on regularly, but for some reason its member count is still continuously growing. I wouldn't be so quick to say that. I don't know. Even though there were very good anime back then the industry itself was not healthy. The economic recession back then made sure that people didn't really buy anime anymore. Gainax was even on the brink of bankrupcy because of that. NGE not only saved Gainax, but also the entire industry because it made people in Japan realise that anime can be a sophisticated form of entertainment. Gainax's case though I wanted to point out one error. Gainax was in debt because there was an internal power struggle and overall issues with Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water which ended up putting them 80 million yen in debt with no actual rights to the series. Sure NGE ended up being that particular studios biggest hit of the time but it was basically saving a sinking ship that was a single studio. |
| If I've learned anything from this site and /r/anime, is if it deconstructs, has TEH FEELZ, is edgy, and came out after 2006. |
kenjigreato said: He said, without an ounce of bias in his view.GTO is a classic , I watched it back then , watched it recently . Holds up PERFECTLY. |
kenjigreato said: Ckan said: He said, without an ounce of bias in his view. Is even Buddha free from Bias? Or a Saint? Free or not, we'll cut them down to size all the same. That's impartiality for you. |
More topics from this board
» 🍷 AD Summer 2025 Best Girl Contest ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page )Shizuna - Sep 28 |
301 |
by DevilishIdol
»»
1 minute ago |
|
» Favorite eye design of the seasonTirinchas - 51 minutes ago |
1 |
by Zarutaku
»»
29 minutes ago |
|
» Do we need more girls in tank tops in anime?Catalano - 3 hours ago |
7 |
by Jackson1333
»»
31 minutes ago |
|
» Manga to Anime changes that are minor and pointlessTheBlockernator - 3 hours ago |
8 |
by JayDaAnimeLord
»»
31 minutes ago |
|
» Outdated anime tropes and slang you don't really see much anymoreTheBlockernator - 3 hours ago |
5 |
by TheBlockernator
»»
38 minutes ago |