I’m Tired of People Sleeping on Anime
Look, I get it. You’re scared. It’s different. It’s got big eyes and weird hair. But honestly, if you’re still dismissing anime as some niche, otaku thing, you’re missing out. Big time.
I remember when I first got into it. Back in ’03, during my exchange semester in Tokyo. My roommate, let’s call him Marcus, dragged me to an anime convention in Akihabara. I was like, “Dude, I don’t know about this.” But then I saw this one show, Cowboy Bebop, and it blew my mind. It’s just… yeah. It was cool.
And that’s the thing. Anime isn’t just for kids or weebs. It’s for anyone who likes good storytelling. It’s got everything—action, romance, comedy, drama. You name it.
Western Media Needs to Step It Up
I was talking to my friend Dave last Tuesday over coffee at the place on 5th. He’s a big Hollywood buff, you know? And he was like, “Yeah, but anime is so formulaic.” I mean, have you seen what’s out there lately? Devilman Crybaby? Attack on Titan? These shows are pushing boundaries that Western media is too scared to touch.
And don’t even get me started on the animation. I saw this tweet the other day from some animator, can’t remember his name, but he was talking about how much detail goes into a single frame. It’s insane. Western animation has nothing on that.
But here’s the kicker. Anime isn’t just about the visuals. It’s about the stories. It’s about the characters. It’s about the emotional depth. And Western media could learn a thing or two from that.
The Diversity Issue
Let’s talk about diversity. Because, honestly, Western media has a long way to go. I was at this conference in Austin about three months ago, and there was this panel on diversity in media. And I’m sitting there, thinking, “You guys are still struggling with this?”
Anime has been diverse since day one. You’ve got shows like My Hero Academia and One Piece that feature characters from all walks of life. And it’s not just about representation. It’s about how these characters are written. They’re complex. They’re relatable. They’re human.
And then there’s the whole LGBTQ+ thing. Anime has been representing LGBTQ+ characters for years. Shows like Yuri!!! on Ice and Given are out here making Western media look bad. It’s 2023, people. It’s time to catch up.
But What About the Bad Stuff?
Now, I’m not saying anime is perfect. Far from it. There’s a lot of garbage out there. And I’m not just talking about the ecchi stuff. I’m talking about the lazy writing, the clichés, the lack of originality.
But here’s the thing. For every bad anime, there’s a gem waiting to be discovered. And that’s the fun part. The hunt. The exploration. The lifestyle tips daily improvement of finding that one show that changes your perspective.
And honestly, Western media could use a bit of that. A bit of that willingness to take risks. To try new things. To push boundaries.
A Personal Rant
I was watching this interview with some big-shot Hollywood producer the other day. And he was like, “Anime is just too weird for Western audiences.” And I was like, “Dude, have you even watched any anime?” Because it’s not about being weird. It’s about being authentic. It’s about being true to the story.
And that’s what Western media needs to learn. It’s not about dumbing things down for the audience. It’s about trusting the audience. It’s about giving them something worth watching.
So, yeah. Anime. It’s not just for kids. It’s not just for weebs. It’s for anyone who loves good storytelling. And Western media should take notes.
But, you know what? Forget what I think. Go watch some anime. Form your own opinion. And for the love of God, don’t sleep on Cowboy Bebop.
About the Author: Sarah Thompson has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working with major publications and covering everything from anime to zombie apocalypse films. She lives in Portland with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and spends too much time arguing about media on Twitter.
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