Is it ''wrong'' to enjoy anime in the West?

[Salandrin]

I know it's basically all the rave in Japan, but outside of there, I notice Anime fans are often called derogatory names, or harassed to the point that the anime audience in the West is an extremely minority. In your opinion, do you believe people who enjoy Anime, outside of Asia, are really all that bad, or do you believe it is particularly wrong to do so? I know it's quite awkwardly explained, but I am certain you can get where I am coming from. Among the harassment I see, some of the more common things I hear are ''weeaboo'', or ''scum''.

I want to know your opinion on this.

[Drikkink]

I know it's basically all the rave in Japan, but outside of there, I notice Anime fans are often called derogatory names, or harassed to the point that the anime audience in the West is an extremely minority. In your opinion, do you believe people who enjoy Anime, outside of Asia, are really all that bad, or do you believe it is particularly wrong to do so? I know it's quite awkwardly explained, but I am certain you can get where I am coming from. Among the harassment I see, some of the more common things I hear are ''weeaboo'', or ''scum''.

I want to know your opinion on this.

Generally, those terms are used to describe the people who basically live and breathe anime. Enjoying it, isn't really a problem to most people.

[Dezerte]

Why do you care what others think? Watching animé isn't hurting anyone.

[Salandrin]

Generally, those terms are used to describe the people who basically live and breathe anime. Enjoying it, isn't really a problem to most people.

But no one minds if you live and breathe american TV.

[Thallidomaniac]

But no one minds if you live and breathe american TV.

I would think that you would be more likely to get ridiculed for enjoying Western Animation compared to Japanese Anime, due to the stigma about Western Cartoons being "inferior" and worse in comparison, aside from a few Western titles. (i.e. Adventure Time, Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra, and My Little Pony to a certain extent.)

[xChurch]

But no one minds if you live and breathe american TV.

Says who? lol

[Deleted]

I think it's wrong for anyone over 12-14. It's like adults running around in diapers and playing with teddy bears and barbies. It may be funny in a comedy but unfortunately not so much in real life. Of course I personally wouldn't call them anything, it's their own choice. Still, I think it's "wrong".

[Salandrin]

Says who? lol

I mean for example, you can live and breathe Breaking Bad and talk about it on and on and people will be in agreement with you, and be friendly. But if you were to say, hm, talk about Fullmetal Alchemist in the same manner, it won't end up well.

[jbombard]

I know it's basically all the rave in Japan, but outside of there, I notice Anime fans are often called derogatory names, or harassed to the point that the anime audience in the West is an extremely minority. In your opinion, do you believe people who enjoy Anime, outside of Asia, are really all that bad, or do you believe it is particularly wrong to do so? I know it's quite awkwardly explained, but I am certain you can get where I am coming from. Among the harassment I see, some of the more common things I hear are ''weeaboo'', or ''scum''.

I want to know your opinion on this.

I am not sure "all the rave" would be the right words to describe it. In Japan it is an embedded part of their culture and not really any sort of trend or fad. Our culture is different, and therefore people are going to view it differently. There are all kinds of things people from other cultures do around the world that if you did in the U.S. people would think you were loony. That said, do what you enjoy and don't worry about what people think, acceptance of cultural changes have to start somewhere.

[Deleted]

Is it wrong to start eating a sausage from the end instead of from the start? Who knows? Who cares?

[Masochist]

a weaboo is basically someone who is about as enthusiastic about watching many anime as a raider is about their performance

if that's an analogy that makes any sense to you

umm i think people picked on me in school? if someone gave me shit now id just give it right back to them lol

[Itisamuh]

Even if there are people out there who think it's wrong to enjoy anime (I'm not convinced they exist, but for the sake of argument we'll say they do) there are also people who say it's wrong to enjoy porn. Do you let that stop you from watching it? No? Then who cares? I'm not sure I've ever talked to any young guy that didn't at least watch Dragonball Z to some degree. Just don't go to school or work dressed like an anime character, then nobody gives a crap.

[kynthrus]

If by "all the rave in Japan," you mean that it exists in Japan, then yes, it does. To answer your question though, do whatever you want to do and don't take shit from any person who feels the need to belittle others for their hobbies.

[Wildmoon]

What's wrong with enjoying something that has absolutely nothing to do with other people? I find animes to be far better than most western fiction and cartoon.

[Salandrin]

Well, I'm grateful for some of the responses here. Gave me a little more self-esteem in what I enjoy.

[Deleted]

I mean for example, you can live and breathe Breaking Bad and talk about it on and on and people will be in agreement with you, and be friendly. But if you were to say, hm, talk about Fullmetal Alchemist in the same manner, it won't end up well.

You can live and breathe Breaking Bad because most people watch it as well, hence agreement with you. If you watch something else that nobody else spends time on, they will look at you with a different angle.

Why are you victimizing freaking anime and worse, yourself?

There are people who wanna talk about what they watch and these are mostly the people that will tell you to get a life/ get a new hobby/watch something better if you start talking about something they have no clue about.

Its like if you were going to explain horizontal integration to a 15 year old that has not studied anything. He wont take you seriously because you are just telling him nanners.

Discuss the same thing with people that study/work within the perimeters = you get breaking bad scenario.

Gave me a little more self-esteem in what I enjoy.

I fucking knew it, "poor me i need cheering up by hearing words from people that agree with me".

[Deleted]

Nothing wrong with watching anime, never been wrong and never will be. The hate you explain is for the koreaboo/Wiggas and other similar conditions when a person pretends or tries way too hard to adapt/convert to a race,culture or belief they have no heritage or connection to what so ever and the hate for them is completely justified in my opinion.

[Shamanberry]

Hobbies that deviate from the norm are always looked at less favorably than those that are more typical and more familiar, regardless of how little difference there may be between the activities.

Playing D&D vs Fantasy Football.
Watching Attack on Titan vs Game of Thrones.
Reading Sci-fi novels vs John Grisham.

Etc, etc.

[Cheshi]

Problem is that most westerns see anime as just one thing. That is like saying family guy and my little pony have the same target audience.

[DPA]

Watching and enjoying anime is fine. Going over the edge, purchasing dolls and filling up your room with expensive fan stuff, is stupid IMO. Is it wrong? Who am I to judge whats wrong and right.