These are the kind of statements that go around in online and offline communities that have anime fans like myself. All of which are wrong. This isn't a rant. But like in every family or community, sometimes certain issues need to be addressed.
There Is No Superior Opinion
Let me explain, before the gurus pick up their pitchforks. Being into a particular genre for years definitely has a more grounded opinion as an end result. However, it doesn't put you on any kind of pedestal because it's still just that. An opinion. A novice saying Naruto is his favorite anime is saying that based on his entire viewing experience up until a certain point in time. Nobody was born with a plethora of knowledge on series. I'm tired of seeing young and curious fans getting bashed because of their early opinions.
News flash: Nobody likes people with superiority complexes. When you feel someone is ready to "advance" to other series, use that opportunity to suggest something and be helpful instead of being the snob.
News flash: Nobody likes people with superiority complexes. When you feel someone is ready to "advance" to other series, use that opportunity to suggest something and be helpful instead of being the snob.
You Are NOT What You Watch
Ever stumbled upon: "You're basic for liking _____"? Or what about: "You're fake if you only like _____"? Take the Big Three for instance. It's really funny how people use series to determine a person's character. If appreciating horror or graphic violence doesn't make me an isolated sicko destined to shoot up a school, why would being being a fan of a mainstream series make me basic?
There are way too many elements in a single show that could be the very reason why someone is into it. Ignorance is when you act like you know in what way a series satisfies me. What I take from it might not be what another viewer takes from it. For example: Death Note. Some liked L, others thought Light was right. I liked Matsuda. Different elements of attraction, same fanbase.
Quality
Why do a lot of people criticize fans of popular series, loosely labeling shows "trash" as if to say there is no quality in them at all? Mind you, these words usually come from the "12 episodes per show" fans. Those series are usually just as generic as a lot of shounen series in their own way.
Don't get me wrong, I'm an all-rounder myself as I try to have diversity in my content. But quality is measurable. Basic elements like the plot, setting, story structure, characters and their development are either sufficiently present or not. You're more likely to find a good balance of those elements in longer series, simply because the writer has more space to work with.
Now, I'm not bashing short series here. Nor am I saying that 500 episodes is always better than 100. But a lot of people downplay stories because they're long. Or because they tend to get a lot of attention. Long and popular series don't fade as fast, which results in bigger fanbases. It makes sense.
Real Or Fake
Back when I was a kid, I used to run back home after school to catch this mini block they had on a local channel. Pokémon, followed by Dragon Ball Z and then Gundam Wing. I may not have been aware of it, but back then I was a real anime fan. See how simple that is?
Hell, if I choose to only watch one anime, it'd still make me a genuine fan of the genre. People just can't grow into what they love at their own pace anymore because of many longtime fans. But even if someone ends up only being into the more popular content, it's still:
Hell, if I choose to only watch one anime, it'd still make me a genuine fan of the genre. People just can't grow into what they love at their own pace anymore because of many longtime fans. But even if someone ends up only being into the more popular content, it's still:
- Anime
- A lot of content, which means time has been invested (especially if any of those is one of the Big Three)
- Not a reason to judge. Not everyone has the time to dig deeper. Being reasonable is key.
"Oh, Naruto is your favorite? Try Hunter x Hunter, you'll love it." That's what I'd like to see more instead of negativity, elitism and self-exaltation. Being confident in your own knowledge and taste is one thing. Bashing or even insulting others over anime we're all supposed to enjoy is something completely different.
