1. Animation: Iâve always loved animation. I know most people lose their attachment to it as they grow up, but for me it has continued to last. Since I was a kid Iâve always been more interested in watching animated movies and TV shows, and I still am today. So, since anime is obviously animation, Iâm drawn (no pun intended) to it.
2. Character designs: I know the typical anime âbig eyeâ look isnât for everyone, but I love it. I like how thereâs such a variety of anime character designs yet they all share a distinct look that letâs you know theyâre anime characters (the expressive eyes, detailed hair and clothes, etc). All someone needs to do is glance through a few anime artbooks at a Japanese bookstore to see the beauty and detail thatâs put into anime art. From action-packed shows like Code Geass to light comedies like Lucky Star, the creators donât forget to give each title images of beauty and appeal in their character promotional art.Related posts:Anime â a product of commercialism or art?
3. Settings: Similar to characters, the setting of many anime series are equally stunning and various. From the post-apocalyptic world of Evangelion to the medieval world of Spice and Wolf, the amount of detail and creativity put into designing anime settings is impressive. Like the character designs, just a few flips through some anime artbooks can show how artistically anime worlds can be designed. Likewise, just reading through some anime pages on Wikipedia can show how fantastical yet realistic anime creators can make their settings.
4. Music: Though liking anime music is pretty much liking Japanese pop music, its connection to the anime titles makes it more appealing to me. And letâs not forget the amount of work thatâs put into many anime BGM tracks. I think just about every anime series, regardless of popularity, has had at least one music CD released. Anime is visually and audibly engrossing.Related posts:Why do we like anime songs?
5. Stories: The variety of anime stories that exist never cease to amaze me. I know many people will complain that most anime stories, especially nowadays, are cliche. But I personally donât mind as long as the show does something appealing with the cliche its using. And itâs not like the hundreds of TV channels I have here in the US offer me the kind of unique stories, diverse genres, and solid storytelling that anime does. I donât watch much TV nowadays, but from what Iâve seen, I canât help but think that anime stories are more creative and serious when it comes to telling a good story. Again, all someone needs to do is look up quick summaries of some anime stories and see if they can find other TV shows that offer anything similar. Itâs just my taste of course, but American TV shows and movies have disappointed me more than not while anime rarely does (I just avoid the anime I know I wonât like and I do fine).Related posts:What exactly do Japanese and American otaku like about anime?
6. Character development: Probably one of the first things that comes to mind when a fan is asked what they like about anime. Though not every anime character is well-developed, the many that are are developed amazingly well. Many anime characters can be forever analyzed and dissected just like any famous literature character. Even characters who are not particularly unique are often shown to have a variety of emotions and individual backstories. Like John once said ââ¦anime characters are not like fictional characters but more like fictional peopleâ¦we are made to sympathize with them, and not simply be entertained by them.âRelated posts:What is Anime? (the written definition)
7. Fan immersion: And with the detailed artwork, settings, stories, and characters comes the incredible immersion that exists in the anime fan community. And anime is marketed in such a way as to bring out the passion of fans â the kinds of anime goods you can find at stores and the dedicated work of fans for conventions, fan art, AMVs, doujinshi, etc., is unlike any other form of media.Related posts:The branches of anime fandomDo the Japanese value fandom more than America?
8. Fetishes: Whether we like moe characters, cool mecha, tsunderes, yaoi relationships, intense violence, cute animals, angsty romance, etc., anime letâs us revel in whatever fetish or guilty pleasure we want. It gives us what we want without making us feel ridiculous for liking that fetish (other fans will take care of that XD)Related posts:The meaning behind the otaku
So those are my main reasons for liking anime (in general). I know Iâll think of more reasons later but Iâm gonna stop here.