| I think it would be interesting to discuss what kind of 'cultural meanings' people have learned about anime that originate in Japanese culture. For example anime contains symbols that might not be clear to non-Japanese people who do not know their meaning in Japan. There are still many of these 'hidden meanings' that I am sure I do not know yet, but I have learned of a couple since becoming a fan of anime: 1. In Japan white doesn't symbolize good the way it does in the west, instead it is often seen as a color of death. Apparently this is why many villainous characters in anime have white hair. 2. Another one is that apparently in Japan there is a superstition that you sneeze when someone is talking about you behind your back. So sometimes in anime characters will sneeze for no clear reason, and then it will cut to a scene where someone is talking about the character. Can anyone think of other symbolic type things like this? I know there are more. |
| nice observations i got none. |
tizara said: . Apparently this is why many villainous characters in anime have white hair. but.. but.. how about characters like allen walker and kakashi, arent they good guys?! |
| Lulz |
gummypantsJan 2, 2010 10:11 PM
| -Apparently "manly men" aren't typically supposed to like sweets. In Tsubasa Chronicles that is why Kurogane gets angry with Fei for making him eat sweets for breakfast. This stereotype is also mentioned in Otomen. -Also instead of Fall like in the U.S., Summer is considered a time for spirits and ghosts. |
 R.I.P J.D. Salinger <3 |
gummypants said: PuzzleBobble said: tizara said: . Apparently this is why many villainous characters in anime have white hair. but.. but.. how about characters like allen walker and kakashi, arent they good guys?! oh yeah what about Chika Akatsuki from zombie loan He said many villainous characters in anime have white hair, not every single one, so why ask something stupid. |
 |
gummypants said: PuzzleBobble said: tizara said: . Apparently this is why many villainous characters in anime have white hair. but.. but.. how about characters like allen walker and kakashi, arent they good guys?! oh yeah what about Chika Akatsuki from zombie loan yeah I can think of tons of exceptions, but this isn't something I just made up. I read the explanation on some anime source and I think it is a pretty common thing. I'm not saying all white-haired characters are bad. I guess you could think of it as something like villains wearing black in western entertainment- not all characters that wear black are bad, but in western culture the color black sends a certain mental signal to viewers so that it has the potential to make the character appear more threatening. Same with the white hair I suppose. |
sevenayJan 2, 2010 8:53 PM
Chibi_Poppet said: -Apparently "manly men" aren't typically supposed to like sweets. In Tsubasa Chronicles that is why Kurogane gets angry with Fei for making him eat sweets for breakfast. This stereotype is also mentioned in Otomen. oh yeah I forgot this one- this is also a joke in Ouran where Honey-Senpai is always eating sweets because he is supposed to be pretty much the opposite of manly, heh |
| Wow, I don't really take note of this stuff xD When I think about it, with some exceptions, I can see what you mean about the white-hair comment... Interesting.. |
" ... carpenters fashion wood; wise people fashion themselves" - Buddhism |
| 2. Another one is that apparently in Japan there is a superstition that you sneeze when someone is talking about you behind your back. So sometimes in anime characters will sneeze for no clear reason, and then it will cut to a scene where someone is talking about the character. Incorrect, that isn't unique to Japanese culture, I've known of this decades before I knew anime existed. |
| While not technically anime, currently I am a big fan of Hatsune Miku. At least I can go see her in concert. |
| The Japanese wear a lot of their recent history in the anime. The Second World war greatly affected their psyche as a nation. |
| While not technically anime, currently I am a big fan of Hatsune Miku. At least I can go see her in concert. |
| Since Hiroshima, nuclear radiation had mutated a chromosone in the way of thinking of the japanese, therefore releasing fucked up stuff suck as tentacle rape. |
| -Fixing- |
Chibi_Poppet said: -Also instead of Fall like in the U.S., Summer is considered a time for spirits and ghosts. Yeah, that's why schools that go on camp/school trips host Courage Tests in Summer |
 |
Feito said: Chibi_Poppet said: -Also instead of Fall like in the U.S., Summer is considered a time for spirits and ghosts. Yeah, that's why schools that go on camp/school trips host Courage Tests in Summer Or maybe because it's hot and it's a more ideal weather for camping and school trips? |
 Waratte Oemashou Sore ha Chiisana Inori |
Sukunai said: That's true. In a history of anime that Starz had put out, they mentioned that quite a bit. Infact it's the major influence in the stories. In the US, our animation major influence came from Vaudeville, and sadly, it still does.The Japanese wear a lot of their recent history in the anime. The Second World war greatly affected their psyche as a nation. |
| What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about? |
| Going to the ocean, telling ghost stories, taking adventures through the woods to the temple, camping, are all summer things because it's simply just the idea of cooling down since it's a hot season.( Horror = Cold ) ladyxzeus said: Feito said: Chibi_Poppet said: -Also instead of Fall like in the U.S., Summer is considered a time for spirits and ghosts. Yeah, that's why schools that go on camp/school trips host Courage Tests in Summer Or maybe because it's hot and it's a more ideal weather for camping and school trips? Going to the ocean, telling ghost stories, taking adventures through the woods to the temple, camping, are all summer things because it's simply just the idea of cooling down since it's a hot season.( Horror = Cold ) |
[right] |
| whenever someone sees something pervy they nosebleed |
tizara said: I think it would be interesting to discuss what kind of 'cultural meanings' people have learned about anime that originate in Japanese culture. For example anime contains symbols that might not be clear to non-Japanese people who do not know their meaning in Japan. There are still many of these 'hidden meanings' that I am sure I do not know yet, but I have learned of a couple since becoming a fan of anime: 1. In Japan white doesn't symbolize good the way it does in the west, instead it is often seen as a color of death. Apparently this is why many villainous characters in anime have white hair. 2. Another one is that apparently in Japan there is a superstition that you sneeze when someone is talking about you behind your back. So sometimes in anime characters will sneeze for no clear reason, and then it will cut to a scene where someone is talking about the character. Can anyone think of other symbolic type things like this? I know there are more. Actually for 1: It isn't just in Japan, I've seen it a lot in Chinese shows that I've watched ever since I was a child and because of the fact that I'm Chinese I know it isn't just in Japan. White is also associated with death in China and is used predominantly in funerals in Chinese culture. And as for 2: I've also seen this technique used in Chinese shows a lot. |
DavyuJan 16, 2010 8:24 PM
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| The Japanese are allergic to rain water, they 99% of the time get sick after exposure. Often results in the common cold. They almost always depict Americans with bolnde hair blue eyes, which is kinda funny seeing as how, natural blond hair and blue eyes are extremely rare in any country. They like women to have high pitched voices. Character with big eyes are nice characters and characters with small eyes are mean. all I got for now |
| It doesn't think, it doesn't feel, it doesn't laugh or cry..... All it does from dusk till dawn is make the soldiers die. |
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