What it means to be a “true fan”
June 7th, 2007 at 01:48:44 by wildarmsheeroSome people think I’m one of those guys who hangs out with anime fans just to make fun of their favourite anime because I hate every anime ever. No. I’m not Daryl Surat. I love Japanese cartoons, and because I love them I’m extremely critical about them. As an artist, I am watching the work of my fellow artists, and good artists criticize other artists. I don’t write rants about why Gundam 00 is going to suck just because I want to shit on, I write rants like that I because I honestly love the franchise and hate the direction that it’s going in.
A true fan knows what’s crap, and knows what’s good. Someone who just consumes everything and likes it regardless of quality simply has no standards or taste. They are just casual consumers– hardly fans. Fans genuinely care about their hobby, and it’s only natural that they’d be annoyed at the industry when most of the titles out there are absolutely terrible. I’d like to think the majority of Japanese otaku fit my description of being “true fans.” However, my hope is wavering, considering the amount of tripe that clogs the airwaves.
I think as a fan I’m pretty bad. Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny are both horrible shows, but I’m still buying them. Probably just because I think they’re funny, but it’s not teaching the industry anything except for that “this dumb shit sells.”
Anyway, the point of this was to dispel any kind of misconceptions that I hate anime, because that’s not true. I like a lot of things passionately, but I have strict standards. Because I’m a fan.
June 7th, 2007 at 02:33:29
[...] Wildarmsheero has decided to clarify the fact that he does not in fact hate anime, but he enjoys being a critic. Why? Standards. Necessary, wonderful standards. [...]
June 7th, 2007 at 02:35:00
I completely agree with you. Although really, put your wallet towards something more worthwhile than the mere amusement of SEED. :P Like… Gardening equipment. Hours more fun!
June 7th, 2007 at 05:44:41
Learning Japanese might make one more of a fan. But as I’ve discovered, learning Japanese doesn’t put food on your plate :/
June 7th, 2007 at 06:00:16
Meh, I think being able to rant about a franchise you like going in a bad direction is a pretty good sign of being a fan. And at least you said WHY you think Gundam 00 will suck (unlike some people who’ll automatically hate it because it’s not UC).
June 7th, 2007 at 15:59:16
I’m amused by the fact that people would think that someone whose blog is called “Mistakes of Youth” wouldn’t be a Gundam fan.
June 7th, 2007 at 16:30:07
For the most part you’re right, but there is a good reason to still buy Seed. Gundam is dying over here in the US, and while Destiny completely blows we need to buy it if we ever hope of getting ZZ or Turn A over here. In a way the bastards are holding good hostages and hoping we’ll buy into their crap series first. Despicable.
June 7th, 2007 at 21:18:56
I watched Gundam Wing. I collected the trading cars too. :V
June 7th, 2007 at 21:19:42
Trading cards that is.
June 7th, 2007 at 22:26:26
Uh, okay.
1) You don’t like the Gundam franchise as a whole. You like Universal Century. There is a difference, believe it or not. And if you don’t like G Gundam, that’s your problem and none of my own.
2) Just because you watch a small quantity of shows does not make you a more “elite” fan, or prove that you have higher standards. By the same coin, just because someone watches a lot of shows doesn’t mean they have “low standards” or are “casual fans.” Arguably it’s the reverse–those who watch a lot of anime generally have a genuine interest in the genre as a whole. Usually those kinds of fans have a much more refined sense of perspective than those who only watch a few greats. They know that not every anime is going to be ground-breakingly revolutionary, and as such they don’t expect perfection. That’s not “low standards,” that’s liking something for what it is, not hating it for what it’s not. I’ve seen at least 120 series over almost 5 years, and really liked a good portion of them. Are there some I finished all the way through that I wouldn’t watch ever again? Sure. Would I buy every single series ever? No, not necessarily (but I try my damndest anyway).
Also I think it’s pretty funny that the same person–you–posted this post and watched Zero no Tsukaima. That really says something.
June 8th, 2007 at 02:57:30
Way to totally miss the point. All I was saying is that I don’t hate every anime under the sun, like you think I do. I watch quite a lot and like each show to varying degrees. I’m just a critic, that’s all. Also, the comment about liking everything wasn’t directed at you– it was directed at people who truly do like every single damn thing regardless of quality.
Also, anime isn’t a genre for chrissakes.
June 8th, 2007 at 14:38:20
Hm, anyone who is able to joke about anime is most likely a “true fan” to anime. Otherwise there´s no way anyone could use it and make a joke out of it :p
I don´t think I´ll have to comment anymore.
June 8th, 2007 at 15:31:56
i’m glad you brought up anime isn’t a genre before i did, wildarms, cuz I’d have broken into an all out rant, lol. Anywho, I think it’s a great idea to have a critical eye, and I agree about people having low standards. While it’s true that there are many people, in america mostly, who are simply undereducated toward anime, the fact that this crap is still pumped out over there means there must be a lot of jackasses over in Japan watching this crap.
I know what it’s like to feel like a bad consumer though. *looks over at 11 Naruto volumes* mistakes of youth indeed…