Comments on: What it means to be a “true fan”

By: 21st Century digital boy

21st Century digital boy — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:31:56 +0000

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…

By: manga

manga — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:38:20 +0000

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.

By: wildarmsheero

wildarmsheero — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 06:57:30 +0000

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.

By: OGT

OGT — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 02:26:26 +0000

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.

By: roast-beefy

roast-beefy — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 01:19:42 +0000

Trading cards that is.

By: roast-beefy

roast-beefy — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 01:18:56 +0000

I watched Gundam Wing. I collected the trading cars too. :V

By: BrendantheJedi

BrendantheJedi — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:30:07 +0000

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.

By: jpmeyer

jpmeyer — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:59:16 +0000

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.

By: Jams

Jams — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:00:16 +0000

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).

By: Eleutheria

Eleutheria — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:44:41 +0000

Learning Japanese might make one more of a fan. But as I’ve discovered, learning Japanese doesn’t put food on your plate :/

By: Hidoshi

Hidoshi — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:35:00 +0000

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!

By: That’s Not Kanon » What it means to be a “true fan” - Expansion

That’s Not Kanon » What it means to be a “true fan” - Expansion — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 06:33:29 +0000

[...] 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. [...]