Is it odd for adults to watch animation?

Links234 · 26-05-2014 06:44PM #1

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 · 26-05-2014 06:45PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:45PM

My thought? I love Spongebob.

Links234 · 26-05-2014 06:46PM

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

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

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller · 26-05-2014 06:47PM

Good lord no.

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

When The Wind Blows.

kfallon · 26-05-2014 06:47PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:48PM

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

ToddyDoody · 26-05-2014 06:48PM

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

Knasher · 26-05-2014 06:49PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:49PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:50PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:50PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:50PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:51PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:51PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:51PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:51PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:52PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:55PM

Even if it is odd...

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

smellmepower · 26-05-2014 06:55PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:56PM

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

Aongus Von Bismarck · 26-05-2014 06:59PM

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 · 26-05-2014 06:59PM

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 · 26-05-2014 07:00PM

Old school Tom & Jerry still makes me laugh.

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

tommyboy2222 · 26-05-2014 07:00PM

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 · 26-05-2014 07:01PM

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

Fescue · 26-05-2014 07:01PM

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 · 26-05-2014 07:03PM

The new Code Geass is crap.

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

Aongus Von Bismarck · 26-05-2014 07:03PM

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 · 26-05-2014 07:03PM

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 · 26-05-2014 07:03PM

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?!

Is it odd for adults to watch animation?

Is it weird for adults to watch animation? 452 votes

Comments