Obviously, I haven’t been posting much lately, and the explanation for that is fairly mundane: I’ve been busy with other stuff. Of course, “stuff” means all sorts of things: work, other hobbies, watching anime, writing the Great American Novel (or not), etc. I recognize that cobwebs are starting to pop up around here, and that doesn’t make me happy. However, every time I think, “I should give the blog some love and affection,” something shiny catches my eye and off I go. Deep down, I can see the writing on the wall. I’m just not yet willing to accept it.
There’s another thing, though. The anime fan community is getting to be in a weird place nowadays, and it’s starting to concern me. It’s funny, really… for the longest time, I never understood why the Laughing Man icon was so commonly used by Japanese fans to censor faces in photos shot at fan events or on the streets of Akihabara. My opinion is that, if you’re out in public, you should be prepared to have your picture taken. And I still feel that way. However, I’ve come to realize that fans who publish these photos on their blogs and websites censor them out of respect for their fellow brethren. Respect. It’s something the Japanese fan community understands, I think, be it respect for each other, respect for the anime they watch and the people who created it, respect for copyright law, etc. There are exceptions to the rule, of course - the human cesspool that is 2ch, for example - but, for the most part, I think they get it.
The overseas fan community, however… well, I’m not quite so sure. In the past, I’ve argued that overseas fans have gone out of their way to import some of the worst the Japanese fan community has to offer, to the point that you have people walking around proudly wearing their perversions and lack of social awareness on their sleeves like a badge of honor. I suppose it’s easier to be a weirdo outside of Japan. However, there are those of us who, despite being anime fans, lead fairly normal lives both within and outside the fan community, and as the line between what is acceptable and not acceptable in the eyes of the general public becomes increasingly blurred thanks to the tireless efforts of the weirdos among us, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep ourselves “clean” and removed from that which we want nothing whatsoever to do with.
Of course, if you asked me, “Do you have a problem with people having these interests?”, my answer would be, “No, not at all.” I’m a reasonable and open-minded person, after all. No harm, no foul. However, if you asked me, “Do you have a problem being associated with these interests?”, my answer would be, “Yes. Most definitely.”
And I know what you’re probably thinking at this point: “Dude, this is YOUR problem, not OUR problem.” And you’re exactly right. It IS my problem. And that’s why, ultimately, I’m the one responsible for finding the proper way to respond. For a long time now, I’ve made efforts to watch my own back. Practice self-censorship. Avoid trouble when I see it. It’s getting more and more difficult, however, and the older I get and the more responsibility I take on, the more diligent I have to be. At some point, I’ll have to say, “Enough is enough,” and take my leave.
I don’t know if I’ve reached that point yet, but I can feel its approach.
Also, readers may notice that I’m being intentionally vague about things, avoiding specific descriptions of what troubles me most about today’s fan community. I would ask that those of you leaving comments please keep that in mind. Thanks.
Thankfully I’ve only seen few occurences of people being blatant about their less-than-savory interests in public. I agree that there’s a lot going on in today’s fan community that people would not want to be associated with; however, I find that refusing to participate in it puts me in a position where I’m not quite a part of the fan community nor am I a non-fan either. How would you approach that situation?
Eh. I mostly live on the internet so I usually let my “eccentricities” run wild. In the small amount of time that I’m interacting with real people, I act more or less normal. Unless they’re my close friends.
I was just about to e-mail you and ask what really happened but it doesn’t look likely to be constructive. If you wanted advice, you would have asked, right?
Just one note: something in the list of “respects” does not belong, and that is the respect to the copyright law. I respect the valid rights of others and I respect the property rights. This includes intangible properties, such as securities; registered properties such as real estate and trademarks. But the copyright law in the U.S. is manufactured by media companies to the detriment of their own customer, the consumer in general, and the larger public. Why should I respect that?
I understand that one can rationalize away anything inconvenient with arguments which are similar, at least superficially. I delude myself with thinking that I considered the matter, and in fact this conviction originates elsewhere, outside anime.
I don’t think Respect is the primary driving force to censor images by japanese photographers, rather the strict handling of privacy law and the right of an individual, to not have his image published without consent.
I was thinking of the right word, but vague fits like a glove. I can only guess what this rant is actually about, a little more clarity would have been helpful.
Nothing happened, really. It’s just something that’s been bothering me for awhile now, and I thought it was time to finally say something.
As for your take on copyright law… I agree that copyright law (in its current state) is broken, but I still respect the spirit of the law and the protections it provides creators and license holders. If you honestly love anime, you should at least have a little bit of respect for the intellectual property rights of the people and companies who created it. I’m no angel here… I download fansubs and republish promotional art on this site. But I still make it a point to purchase anime-related goods and promote the efforts of those whose thoughts, time, and money went in to creating the stuff.
I like the R.E.S.P.C.T. angle of this rant. Even when it may not be the fact of reality, it is the truth that we all should live by–and even more so when it isn’t the fact of reality.
To be honest, depending on which hat I’m wearing I will behave different I.R.T. the reaction I have when I encounter various nefarious troublemakers. The comforting fact is that pretty much always these goofs on the internet are living out their childlike, uninhibited ego. This is true no matter where you are, on or off the internet. Within the confines of this “modern-visual-monocultural” subculture there is liberty to pursue the things within (I think I recently ranted on this) but with freedom comes responsibility. And as always with responsibility there will be people who aren’t.
That’s the two conflicting hats that I wear. On one hand I want to foster human interests by encouraging some sort of community around the issues surrounding anime/manga/games/whatever, but on the other hand crap people are crap people no matter where they are.
“…readers may notice that I’m being intentionally vague about things, avoiding specific descriptions…”
So are you saying I SHOULDN’T have posted that XXX-rated picture of you and a snorlax? I didn’t think you’d mind…
Apologies for the off-topic comment, but
What is the source of the image used for this post? I am fond of that kind of AIR images for wallpapers. The previous ones that I have seen are of DVDs 1-5 and Summer. Is this the one of the memories DVD? (any way I can get a wallpaperable version of the image?)
—
Back to topic,
However, if you asked me, “Do you have a problem being associated with these interests?”, my answer would be, “Yes. Most definitely.”
(under the assumption that ‘interests’ refers to ‘anime and manga and related things like merchandize - I am into figures’) I don’t have a problem being associated with such interests. Although I don’t like talking with ‘unknowns’ about this hobby unless I am directly asked, I don’t hide the fact that I like it. What I really have problem with is being associated with those you described in the post, which do nothing but reinforce the negative stereotypes about anime and fans.
I don’t expect anime to become mainstream, but at the end of the day, something is going to be respected or taken as seriously as the people who are into it. Unfortunately, the fact is that nowadays, in general, anime is considered to be cartoon porn for losers/perverts/socially inept/stupid/immature/[insert adjective here] kids.
I like anime, but I don’t like the current state of fandom.
Re: the covering of faces of people in Japan - my (Japanese-American) boyfriend went back to Japan last year and being the geek he is, took pictures of everything and everyone that interested him.. until his relatives there scolded him for his lack of restraint. Apparently it’s illegal to take pictures of other people without consent, or something. I’m not sure what the exact law is, but at least that seems to be the perception of at least one Japanese family living in Tokyo.
Since you’re being vague, I’m only guessing about what you’re talking about. If my guess is correct, yes, it bugs me, too, particularly when it comes down to the “Do you want to be associated with this?” question.
I do worry that 2-ch is spreading its “aesthetic” to other parts of the online anime world. Beyond an occasional old-fogey harrumph, I don’t know what to do.
My guess may be completely wrong, however.
This article explains the situation of the LM faces fairly well:
http://www.dannychoo.com/blog_entry/eng/896/Japan+Portrait+Rights/
IMO Japan and the Americans are just on two different extremes, an equilibrium between the two would be nice, but that’s not going to happen. ;)
Well, I can’t tell if ‘taking your leave’ means closing a blog or not, but I hope that is not the case.
When it comes to forums, chat rooms, and such like, being around things you disapprove of can be trying. We’ve all grown weary of one forum or another in our lives, and any community tends to spiral towards it’s lowest common denominator as time passes.
I think it’s healthy to move on when you are tired.
But would disappearing altogether from the anime fan ‘blogosphere’ (I hate that word, but I guess because I can’t think of a better one means it has its uses) have any benefit?
In a world full of anime blogs I can barely stand, yours acts as a little haven away from the increasingly omnipresent *chan-mind :P
I think rather than being afraid of being associated with any particular personality traits, you should simply carry on and show the world you are not of that ilk.
All you do by leaving is make things just that little bit worse.
Can I second dm’s harrumph.
I don’t know what’s been concerning you, Jeff, I don’t follow the fan scene that much. I just watch the anime, buy the few that I enjoy that come out in the UK, and try to respect and support the people that produce stuff that I like, be they authors, artists, musicians, directors etc.
I hope whatever it is doesn’t see you stop blogging. However, I do appreciate though that this kind of enterprise takes dedication, and if the will is not there, for whatever reason, then it’s probably best to take break - a long one if necessary.
Japan produces perhaps the most violent and sexually charged entertainment in the world. It’s a synthesis of Japan’s violent past and it’s almost nihilist Shinto mindset. At the same time it’s a respite from an awesomely controlled (even repressed) society.
I think once you take entertainment intended for this very unique culture outside, it is almost always misinterpreted. Even the most violent Japanese films are often underpinned by deep cultural, philosophical and psychological questions. Westerners often see them only for the violence, exploitation and shock value…
…they think THAT’S the point, and they think that’s cool.
I love manga, but often I worry that my interest will be judged my it’s more salacious examples, especially as long as Borders is shelving all manga together regardless of content. I came for the Miyazaki, not for the Overfiend.
Save for my blog, I am about as far from the fan scene as it’s possible to be (unless you count making an AMV as part of said scene): I’ve never been to an anime convention, yadda yadda yadda.
But even with what little exposure to the scene as I’ve had, I’ve still detected an undercurrent of just plain nastiness. Someone I’ve been exchanging e-mails with pretty much refuses to watch anime, because someone she knows is downright offensive when it comes to anime. I’m paraphrasing here, but the gist was “he gets verbally abusive if you’re not a fan of what he likes” (CN stuff and hentai, I gather).
We all know people similar, I’m sure, but why is it that there seem to be more fans of anime that act that way than other media? I can only think of one answer: insecurity, whether real or imagined.
Maybe because of the percieved stigma of those ‘Japanese cartoons’, there’s almost a stream of self-loathing in some fans that leads to the over-the-top behavior we’ve experienced.
Or I could just be quacking up the wrong tree. I don’t know. I’ve been a fan since the early ’90s, and am glad of it. I’m as proud to be an anime fan as I am to be a collector of rubber ducks (170 and counting…). Respect for others should be a central tenet to just about anything in life, but…
Anyway. Opinions?
I second name and lastarial’s posts.
At the end of the day, the hobbie became a hobbie because of how we enjoy anime/manga/whatever, not because of the people around it, including the ‘rotten apples’.
The way I see things, I just do my best to not let common lower denominator mindset so prevalent online to get on my nerves. As I said before, I don’t like the current state of fandom, but I don’t let it affect my enjoyment of this hobby. There is more than one forum that I have seen go from an excellent source of information and discussion into a trainwreck of one liner, fanboyish, useless posts. I have no more choice than to move on, but it was fun while it lasted. I go to conventions (regardless of the funny looks I get when I say what kind of conventions), and I do my best to focus on what I am looking for (guests, panels, decent cosplay, dealer’s room) while filtering what I don’t feel like dealing with.
People have told me that this position is elitist, and I don’t totally disagree. However, if the best way for me to enjoy this hobby is to be selective on the community that is out there, so be it. When it comes to anime, I hang out with a very small group of friends. We created a local college-based anime club 10 years ago, and we still enjoy anime with the mindset of respecting and supporting the industry in one way or another. We used tape fansubs back then and digisubs today, but we remain conscious of what the original purpose of fansub is. We all are now graduated and left the college club to the students. Will it survive with the current state of fandom? I don’t know, but we are now focusing on a local region-wide small anime convention.
Jeff, this blog is one of the little reasons why I read anime an anime blog at all. I generall avoid them because of their cookie-cutter nature, but your posts and opinion often are interesting to read. If you just need a break from blogging, fine, but it would be a shame that you stop doing something that you enjoy because of the ilk out there. They are not worth it.
Er, sorry for the long rant ^^;
I feel it important to note that if you are taken aback by the more abrasive and distasteful nature of some of our less amiable fan-brethren, then you are not alone. Just reading the posts of the good ladies and gents that have posted so far will tell you that. The important thing to infer from that however is this; you have fostered an environment for like minded people, who hold similar values to your own. In this way, if you are finding yourself taken aback by the nature of some of the stranger fans out there, the community that takes part in this blog is certainly a safe haven from them. Though, you never really implied that you wanted to hang up your hat when it comes to your blog, it was just something I felt should be pointed out.
On the topic, in general, yes there are some things out there that I cannot stand much of, but I divide it into two categories. The first is within the content of the anime and manga itself, those rather unsavory elements that remain simply a matter of personal opinion, and I will not expand upon here because this. The second is within the fandom. Again this subdivides further but to speak in broad terms, personality and self-awareness have a lot to do with it. You cannot be a boor if you care about how you behave in public, for example. You cannot be a glutton if you know how to eat with class, regardless of how much you eat. (Eat a mountain for all anyone cares, if you can do it with a fork and knife, and chew every bite, no one else can say a word, right?) So when it comes to anime fans who behave like they’ve bet let out from under their rock for a day when they come to a convention, does the anime really have anything to do with it? You and I can watch anime without acting like this, so I refuse to think it does. This is a personal issue. So why are we seeing so much of it?
One word; ‘audience’. I am of the opinion that practically anyone can watch anime if they have an open mind and find something that corresponds with the kind of material they like to watch. However that has nothing to do with the fact that anime attracts a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. However we can split our audience up and find those groups that make your flesh crawl and see that it attracts most of them for the same reason. Someone earlier said it had to do with insecurity. Again, that is their personal issue, though I agree that the idea has merit. As for why they’ve been attracted, well that’s because anime is easy escapism. Escapism alone is addictive to a lot of people, just ask an MMO player. And honestly there’s nothing WRONG with escapism, it keeps us all sane. But anime is easy escapism that pushes the right buttons for a lot of folks, some of which you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley at night.
At least, this is my current theory. It’s a work in progress, but it has been applicable so far. Do not, however, take it as an attack on everyone, it is nothing of the sort. But we all have our tastes, and our tastes will not always coincide.
I guess using newspeak should be considered being respectful? IMHO, people should talk turkey or STFU for their own sake. Even by watching anime you can easily tell that the worst problems are always caused by lack of honest communication.
The other human cesspool:4chan