Is it odd for adults to watch animation?

Links234

So there was a thread here a little while ago asking if people thought playing games was sad, and a resounding answer was that of course not, it's just another form of entertainment or artform just as valid as the next one. Being quite the gamer myself, I didn't really think anyone would think it's sad at all. But in a few threads here on After Hours where anime was mentioned, some posters said that it was weird for anyone over 18 to like anime or cartoons in general for that matter.

To me, this seems completely absurd
Just like it was thought that games or comic books were just for kids, I thought we'd moved past the idea that animation was kids stuff?

So I thought I'd put it to you AH, do you think it's strange or weird to enjoy animation?

Personally, I'd say hell no!
I think animation can not only be an amazing art form, but it can often be incredibly touching and effect us emotionally. I'd point to the episode of Futurama with Fry's dog as an example, and I've heard people say that they've never had a live action movie or show effect them as much as that did. Or what happened to Nina Tucker in Fullmetal Alchemist (Or for that matter, Col. Mustang's whole "It's starting to rain..." bit) Talk about heartwrenching. Some of the funniest things on TV are animated too, just look at Rick & Morty or for that matter The Venture Brothers as some of the most downright clever, witty writing.

And you know, some of the most mindblowing things I've ever watched have been Japanese anime, not only can they be visually captivating, but the medium allows for some of the most incredible and imaginative narratives that would be next to impossible to pull off in a live action setting. It's given us incredibly ambitious narratives like Evangelion, or beautifully imaginative tales like just about anything from Studio Ghibli.

But, even ignoring that there's plenty of animation aimed squarely at more mature audiences, why would you deny yourself something just because it's aimed at kids? I don't get that. I went to see Brave when it was in the cinema and it was absolutely wonderful.

What are your thoughts on this AH?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

It's an art form.

Asking is it odd for adutls to watch animation is a bit like asking is it odd that adults watch theater, or cinema or go to museums.

Penny Tration

My thought? I love Spongebob.

Links234

And if you've not seen Rick & Morty yet, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOqU1gPSWz8

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Good lord no.

One of the greatest films I have even seen was animated:

When The Wind Blows.

kfallon

Sure whatever people are into, who is anyone to judge another about what they watch or don't watch for entertainment.....as long as it's not something depraved or illegal!

Fescue

I see absolutely nothing wrong with coming home from work, opening a beer and watching a few episodes of Rugrats.

ToddyDoody

It'd only be weird if it gave you a boner or something

Knasher

I wouldn't consider it that odd, but then I'm a fan of it myself so perhaps I'm biased.

I can see where people who consider it odd are coming from though, even though the situation is changing a little, the vast majority of animated medium that is produced in western countries is either suitable or exclusively aimed towards kids. So the association is completely understandable.

Links234

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

It's an art form.

Asking is it odd for adutls to watch animation is a bit like asking is it odd that adults watch theater, or cinema or go to museums.

See, that's what I would've thought, but a few posters on other threads seemed to think it was weird or even creepy, and I'm thinking whaaat?

Now I'm just wondering how many folks on AH might hold that view.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

ToddyDoody wrote: »

It'd only be weird if it gave you a boner or something

Ahem.

Love me a bit of BDSM Hentai.

Aongus Von Bismarck

Certain types of cartoons yes. Things like South Park, Family Guy etc are all fairly juvenile, and beyond college students holed up in flats, most adults should grow out of them by their 20s.

As for anime. I just find most of those chinese and japenese cartoons just weird, and anecdotally the people who I know who are fans are slightly 'off' too.

The Backwards Man

I still love the Roadrunner and Dastardly and Muttley.

The old Scooby Doos were great too, never like that upstart Scrappy though. Always reminded me of Macaulay Culkin.

Hotale.com

A lot of Irish people think it's weird to watch animation but in my opinion that just comes from insecurity or ignorance.

Older people especially think adults who watch cartoon are immature, childish and/or weird because cartoons are generally associated with children, here they were anyway up until South Park and the like got popular.

Most of the cartoons adults watch are Japanese/Korean and these would never have been seen in Ireland up to, say, 20 years ago. So obviously older people will think it's strange that adults would watch these because they were never popular when they were growing up.

They just don't understand that cartoons aren't always for kids and don't appreciate how deep and meaningful some of them can be, so therefore they think it's odd for adults to watch them. People always find things that they don't understand odd.

Tardful Slakerly

A lot of animation will be closer to the bottom of the barrel, and plenty of it is aimed at kids although that's changed a lot recently, it's mostly on the trashy side of things and seems to cater to the twenty-something and still not grown-up demographic. Having said that Rick and Morty I have watched and enjoyed. I don't think there's huge merit in animation though, not content wise.

Tar.Aldarion

No, anime is awesome, it often lets you depict a story that you couldn't using conventional TV, it opens up the screen for great imagination.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Certain types of cartoons yes. Things like South Park, Family Guy etc are all fairly juvenile, and beyond college students holed up in flats, most adults should grow out of them by their 20s.

As for anime. I just find most of those chinese and japenese cartoons just weird, and anecdotally the people who I know who are fans are slightly 'off' too.

As I asked before: In what way is animation solely for children?

Fescue

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Certain types of cartoons yes. Things like South Park, Family Guy etc are all fairly juvenile, and beyond college students holed up in flats, most adults should grow out of them by their 20s.

As for anime. I just find most of those chinese and japenese cartoons just weird, and anecdotally the people who I know who are fans are slightly 'off' too.

South Park at its finest is brilliant satire. My parents are massive family guy fans!

SilverScreen

Even if it is odd...

Being odd >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> being normal

smellmepower

I'll admit to (ignorantly!) finding adults who like anime a bit odd.Probably because I don't get the appeal of it,and the only people who I've met that were into it are quite odd lads in general.

Never really watch much animated stuff besides a few episodes of The Life and Times of Tim,at whatever ungodly hour RTE decided to show it.Have never seen an animated film in the cinema either as I always assumed the cinema would be full of annoying kids!

Drexel

if it tells a good or interesting story, I dont give a sh*t was form its in

Aongus Von Bismarck

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

As I asked before: In what way is animation solely for children?

And I replied its not, and told you that "Waltz with Bashir" is one of my favourite movies.

However, certain types of cartoons are very juvenile. Family Guy, South Park, American Dad, all that stuff is all fairly immature. Really can't stand it, and I find people who enjoy it generally don't have the most refined taste in comedy. I also find the chinese stuff just weird and creepy, and most of the people I know like it just to be 'quirky' or 'zany'.

Adamantium

Grave of the Fireflies.

Prepare to to have your assumptions, destroyed. I know I didn't, and I was in a pool of tears.

FunLover18

Old school Tom & Jerry still makes me laugh.

Do children really appreciate how heartbreaking the opening of Up actually is?

tommyboy2222

smellmepower wrote: »

I'll admit to (ignorantly!) finding adults who like anime a bit odd.Probably because I don't get the appeal of it,and the only people who I've met that were into it are quite odd lads in general.

Never really watch much animated stuff besides a few episodes of The Life and Times of Tim,at whatever ungodly hour RTE decided to show it.Have never seen an animated film in the cinema either as I always assumed the cinema would be full of annoying kids!

All episodes of The Life and Times of Tim are now available on Youtube.

Quality show !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJGAqwCgL-c&list=PLTQwm0eTyqCm6rT5EUk8H-TuhLhsPEU7Z&index=1

frozenfrozen

Bronies are weird. But adults watching animation is not inherently odd, no.

Fescue

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

And I replied its not, and told you that "Waltz with Bashir" is one of my favourite movies.

However, certain types of cartoons are very juvenile. Family Guy, South Park, American Dad, all that stuff is all fairly immature. Really can't stand it, and I find people who enjoy it generally don't have the most refined taste in comedy. I also find the chinese stuff just weird and creepy, and most of the people I know like it just to be 'quirky' or 'zany'.

What qualifies as comedy for those of refined taste?

Peregrine

The new Code Geass is crap.

Wait, what was the question? Oh yeah..anime is awesome.

Aongus Von Bismarck

Fescue wrote: »

What qualifies as comedy for those of refined taste?

Ones that don't rely on toilet humour to get a laugh out of their audience.

Overheal

Links234 wrote: »

And if you've not seen Rick & Morty yet, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOqU1gPSWz8

Seriously.

Look, we all grew up in the 90s, if you're an adult now that is. or the 80s whatever. Everyone gets it. Look, advertisers get it: how do we relate to the dads of the generation? Hmmmm........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQipQLF0VWM

catallus

Hold on a second, I was given to understand that when we grow up we're all supposed to stop doing things that are fun and to avoid anything that gives us joy? The whole point of being an adult is to suffer through this cradle of filth, despising every beat of our hearts and to stifle our imaginations until we die. Was I misinformed?!

SilverScreen

Studio Ghibli films such as Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away appeal to all ages. Age doesn't matter when you have excellent storytelling like in these films.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

And I replied its not, and told you that "Waltz with Bashir" is one of my favourite movies.

However, certain types of cartoons are very juvenile. Family Guy, South Park, American Dad, all that stuff is all fairly immature. Really can't stand it, and I find people who enjoy it generally don't have the most refined taste in comedy. I also find the chinese stuff just weird and creepy, and most of the people I know like it just to be 'quirky' or 'zany'.

The Simpsons was one of the finest satrical shows on TV for a good 10 years. Family Guy has it's moments as well. Both can be fairly sophistciated when they want to be.

The other two, I don't watch so can't comment.

Boradly speaking, though, the immaturity angle is a bit of a cop-out for me. And and Dec is immature. Most of the ****e ITV/TV3 puts out is immature. Jedward is immature. And none of them are animated.

So the question thuis is this: is you problem with the expamples you mentioned the fact that they are animated or just the fact that they are immature?

FunLover18

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Ones that don't rely on toilet humour to get a laugh out of their audience.

Are you one of the comedy snobs who thinks Stewart Lee is a genius?

Aongus Von Bismarck

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

The Simpsons was one of the finest satrical shows on TV for a good 10 years. Family Guy has it's moments as well. Both can be fairly sophistciated when they want to be.

The other two, I don't watch so can't comment.

Boradly speaking, though, the immaturity angle is a bit of a cop-out for me. And and Dec is immature. Most of the ****e ITV/TV3 puts out is immature. Jedward is immature. And none of them are animated.

So the question thuis is this: is you problem with the expamples you mentioned the fact that they are animated or just the fact that they are immature?

I think I answered that by telling you that one of my favourite movies is animated. Its down to the subject content. Unfortunately the vast majority of animated stuff out there is aimed at either kids, or immature men. Beavis and Butthead is another example of one that is held up as a hilarious animated show, and its simply low-brow stoner humour.

Fescue

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

Ones that don't rely on toilet humour to get a laugh out of their audience.

I wouldn't say that South Park or Family guy rely on toilet humour. They may use it at times but they are much broader than that.

Adamantium

Anime seems to be treated with the same disdain that serious sci fi, in that it can't explore serious stories, when in fact it has shown the most potential of all visual forms to explore much more than you'd get away with in any other media.

For e.g. Some of the stuff in Battlestar Galactica would have immense uproar at the time, but because it was sci fi and the message was wrapped in an allergory for the real world, nobody batted an eyelid, and paradoxically few took it seriously and watched it.

People only give a **** about good drama/themes when there is real world uproar at it. BSG was a far more provocative and deep story than Breaking Bad, but the watercooler talk was about BB, because the plot was SPELLED OUT.

Mass audiences don't wet themselves over allegories in general.

Lyaiera

Fescue wrote: »

What qualifies as comedy for those of refined taste?

Bob's Burgers and Archer.

Links234

FunLover18 wrote: »

Are you one of the comedy snobs who thinks Stewart Lee is a genius?

Hey!

I like Stewart Lee

19543261

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

...the people who I know who are fans are slightly 'off' too.

Which is why some people keep their interest in it a secret, I'd imagine.

psifyou'rewatchinganythingotherthanSidonianoKishiBabyStepMushishiandChaikathisseasonthenyou'refilth

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

I think I answered that by telling you that one of my favourite movies is animated. Its down to the subject content. Unfortunately the vast majority of animated stuff out there is aimed at either kids, or immature men. Beavis and Butthead is another example of one that is held up as a hilarious animated show, and its simply low-brow stoner humour.

You sid you found it odd that grown men watched Japanese animation. Now it's immature animation. Now you're mentioning shows that arent'; even Japanese!

Your viewpoint seems to be moving about all over the place. Japanese animation is not in anyway immature. I;d argue that you don't watch enough of it to say. And the shows you mention are not immature because they are animated. They are just imature.

Fescue

Sometimes I find the people who protest about things been juvenile and immature are trying a little too hard at being a grown up, which in itself is very immature and juvenile.

Gatling

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller wrote: »

Good lord no.

One of the greatest films I have even seen was animated:

When The Wind Blows.

Stunning movie

Watership down is another .

First animation program I loved was Robotech amazing at the time way ahead of transformers imo

90s the best animation series was Batman

Burky126

The older I get,the more appreciation I have for the animation artform and how all the best animation is usually in what would be called "children's animation" from the 30's/40's.The attention to detail goes over your head as a child and re-examining it as an adult makes you realise the timeless quality it has.The humour and acting is varied and appeals to everyone and has way more thought put into it than most "mature" animation - let alone media around today.To dismiss the achievements of Chuck Jones,Tex Avery,The Nine Old Men of Disney and Miyazaki to name a few,is just pure ignorant!

Links234

Aongus Von Bismarck wrote: »

And I replied its not, and told you that "Waltz with Bashir" is one of my favourite movies.

So that's one of your favourites, but if someone appreciates Grave of the Fireflies or Barefoot Gen, they're weird? That makes absolute 0 sense to me.

I knew a guy who didn't watch anime, would refuse to even consider watching it 'cos it's all ****e according to him. He was a headcase with anger issues, and took a hammer to his computer one time. People who don't like anime, eh?

FunLover18

Links234 wrote: »

Hey!

I like Stewart Lee

I don't dislike him but there is a certain faction of his fans who think he's god's gift to comedy and think themselves above "toilet humour". The one Lee fan I know personally hates Family Guy because it's "immature"

RDM_83 again

I think there is a bit of a difference between liking something like American Dad, Archer or the Simpsons which are all pretty simplistic and sometimes puerile but have an obvious appeal to adults compared to watching something that is a childrens show aimed mainly at children, I recently had to suffer on the bus overhearing hours of conversation about Pokemon from a bunch of guys and girls in their early twenties (the horror of forgetting your headphones :eek: ).

Also while their is obviously classic anime, I just don't get the appeal of a vast amount of it, perhaps its a cultural thing but the majority of it seems to be just awful.
Also while Animation has its place I am not sure it really suits every type of film or story, I recently saw "When the Wind Rises", there was a scene that if it had been filmed with actors would have probably been very emotional but animated it just didn't work.
I don't think animation works for anything subtle, even the emotional films mentioned so far of this thread work more of hammering your emotions and dialogue than the human response, think about the feelings and meaning a decent actor can portray just by a slight change of body language and facial expression, all that is missing from animation.

Links234

FunLover18 wrote: »

I don't dislike him but there is a certain faction of his fans who think he's god's gift to comedy and think themselves above "toilet humour". The one Lee fan I know personally hates Family Guy because it's "immature"

I wouldn't consider myself 'above' any toilet humour or anything, but to be fair, there's plenty of reasons not to find Family Guy funny. It had stopped being good ages ago, it relied on way too many recycled jokes, like that damned chicken. It was funny the first time, but after that... yawn. It's like the Simpsons, just became stale.

Ruu

I got the Dungeons and Dragons boxset a few years back and watching it at the moment. Annoyed that the final episode never made it to production though.

Maximus Alexander

The only thing that would be odd is an adult being made to feel uncomfortable for doing something harmless that they enjoy. Seriously, if you like watching animation then knock yourself out, and let anyone who has a problem with that be damned.

Burky126

Links234 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider myself 'above' any toilet humour or anything, but to be fair, there's plenty of reasons not to find Family Guy funny. It had stopped being good ages ago, it relied on way too many recycled jokes, like that damned chicken. It was funny the first time, but after that... yawn. It's like the Simpsons, just became stale.

Plus the animation is horrible.It's barely animation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63wJItfmu_0