CRITICIZING ANIME
To this day, many cannot shake the notion that animation must be some particular thing. This applies to the current state of the anime industry as well as to Hollywood animated feature films. We all know that Hollywood currently seems to be in a talking animal rut. Anime has not escaped monotony either. Although there is a general lack of risk taking in the anime world, it's not necessarily the creators of the individual works that decide this, but the system as a whole. Director Satoshi Kon makes this somewhat clear in a recent New York Times interview about his upcoming film Paprika.
I make them with the intention of being for a general audience, a mainstream audience,but they tend to get perceived as much more artistic.
Animation is supposed to be like a dream, pretty and nice. When you see a Disney cartoon, you’re in a dream world of sweet animals and pretty flowers. The dream world in ‘Paprika’ is quite the opposite — frightening and horrible, a surprising notion coming from a cartoon.
Should such a thing really be surprising in this day and age? That very article goes on tot talk about how directors like Katsuhiro Otomo, Mamoru Oshii and Satashi Kon started a movement that changed the face of anime beginning with films like Akira, more inspired by serious science fiction writers like Phillip K. Dick and William Gibson than the works of Walt Disney. Still, Akira is almost twenty years old. How long does it take for a perception to change? Well, anime in general is a very niche market product, so from the mainstream perspective, there was very little perception to be changed in the first place.
Breaking out of this notions of what animation should be, especially across borders, can be very difficult. In this "new movement" in anime, no film that has been brought to America has grossed more than $3 million at the box office except the Oscar winning, highly promoted and twice released Spirited Away. Most gross less than $1 million for their time in theatres. It takes a very westernized Pokemon to make any real money in American theatres.
One of the greatest barriers to breaking notions of what animation should be is cultural, and more specifically, the religious ideas on which that culture developed. In Hollywood films, when religion is touched upon, it is almost always Catholic. In animation religion and its associated symbols are very rarely even hinted at. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane once said that simply showing a graveyard full of crosses in animation could up the MPAA rating to an R. While he was likely being sarcastic, I think he makes a good point. What the audience can accept, or what the system believes they can accept in animation will always hinder what can make it into the mainstream. When it comes to foreign cultural or religious concepts it gets even worse.
I understand that, from the Christian point of view, animism — where you give a soul and spirit to all sorts of objects — is wrong and incorrect. But I don’t think that is a reason to oppose any other country’s culture. In Japan, Shintoism is a polytheistic religion in which you believe in many different gods for many different people. Shintoism acknowledges the Christian God. Why not? There are many gods. But when I think about how that respect doesn’t go in the other direction, I get a little bit sad. I think that’s something that contributes to world cultural conflicts and problems.
So spoke Satoshi Kon in the aforementioned interview. Personally, I don't think there should be some grand movement to break these perceptions nor do I think anime is going to flood the mainstream. Niche markets are what they are. If we want to see change, or see more acceptance of a certain type of film, though, there simply needs to be more of those type of films. If we want to see more animation for older audiences, then we must make more animation for older audiences. If we want to see more cultural diversity in animation, then we must make those films which show that diversity. We must also find our own roads to get those films out because the system will not do it for us. The solution is, and can only be, to make films, and make films of all types and expand the perceptions.
I make them with the intention of being for a general audience, a mainstream audience,but they tend to get perceived as much more artistic.
Animation is supposed to be like a dream, pretty and nice. When you see a Disney cartoon, you’re in a dream world of sweet animals and pretty flowers. The dream world in ‘Paprika’ is quite the opposite — frightening and horrible, a surprising notion coming from a cartoon.
Should such a thing really be surprising in this day and age? That very article goes on tot talk about how directors like Katsuhiro Otomo, Mamoru Oshii and Satashi Kon started a movement that changed the face of anime beginning with films like Akira, more inspired by serious science fiction writers like Phillip K. Dick and William Gibson than the works of Walt Disney. Still, Akira is almost twenty years old. How long does it take for a perception to change? Well, anime in general is a very niche market product, so from the mainstream perspective, there was very little perception to be changed in the first place.
Breaking out of this notions of what animation should be, especially across borders, can be very difficult. In this "new movement" in anime, no film that has been brought to America has grossed more than $3 million at the box office except the Oscar winning, highly promoted and twice released Spirited Away. Most gross less than $1 million for their time in theatres. It takes a very westernized Pokemon to make any real money in American theatres.
One of the greatest barriers to breaking notions of what animation should be is cultural, and more specifically, the religious ideas on which that culture developed. In Hollywood films, when religion is touched upon, it is almost always Catholic. In animation religion and its associated symbols are very rarely even hinted at. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane once said that simply showing a graveyard full of crosses in animation could up the MPAA rating to an R. While he was likely being sarcastic, I think he makes a good point. What the audience can accept, or what the system believes they can accept in animation will always hinder what can make it into the mainstream. When it comes to foreign cultural or religious concepts it gets even worse.
I understand that, from the Christian point of view, animism — where you give a soul and spirit to all sorts of objects — is wrong and incorrect. But I don’t think that is a reason to oppose any other country’s culture. In Japan, Shintoism is a polytheistic religion in which you believe in many different gods for many different people. Shintoism acknowledges the Christian God. Why not? There are many gods. But when I think about how that respect doesn’t go in the other direction, I get a little bit sad. I think that’s something that contributes to world cultural conflicts and problems.
So spoke Satoshi Kon in the aforementioned interview. Personally, I don't think there should be some grand movement to break these perceptions nor do I think anime is going to flood the mainstream. Niche markets are what they are. If we want to see change, or see more acceptance of a certain type of film, though, there simply needs to be more of those type of films. If we want to see more animation for older audiences, then we must make more animation for older audiences. If we want to see more cultural diversity in animation, then we must make those films which show that diversity. We must also find our own roads to get those films out because the system will not do it for us. The solution is, and can only be, to make films, and make films of all types and expand the perceptions.
7 Comments:
I think in order for people to accept and respect new ideas, well basically other religious ideas, the best medium for that is still the printed page.
I don't think animation will bring about that change. In the U.S market a religion like Islam is automatically associated with terrorism. It's demonized to no end.
I also think add the current anti-intellectualism in pop-culture with the current and forever prevalent 'US is the best' attitude and I understand why some foreign films won't do so well in the States. They're foreign, our culture is not tolerant and very ignorant. Quick example, I don't know if you saw the movie the Last Samurai, but the last surviving samurai was a foreigner. Of course, the film was created by a westerner.
Wow. we must remember that some people are just to narrowsided to open up to different horizions:(
i think south park is the only animated series that has ever touched on all aspects of religion,well almost all.
very interesting.
-omnimegnalon.
No matter how much we desire for and try to accomplish a "revolution" in Animation, it seems that that dream just never comes to pass. I'm struck by similarities of this to a recent article on Ain't It Cool News which discussed the 1982 animated film "The Secret of NIHM". In addition to reviewing the film, the author goes on to talk about the 'revolution' that "NIMH" was suppose to unveil on the Animation Industry - one of creativity, artistry, and passion. However, that revolution has sadly wilted and dissolved over the years into the same type of Corporatation-driven, Focus Group-tested, child-safe GARBAGE that we had in the 70s and early 80s.
In order to succeed in reviving the Animation Industry from the outside, independent creators have to create films - more importantly, they have to create GOOD films. If my time away from the technology and software/hardware side of filmmaking has taught me anything, it's this: in order to make a good film, you have to be influenced and inspired by things OTHER THAN THE TYPE OF FILM YOU"RE TRYING TO MAKE. The absolute reason (I believe) why a lot of these online shorts are terrible is because the filmmakers haven't looked 'outside the box', they haven't looked at/studied works BESIDE anime or BESIDE "The Martix". Read books on all different types of subjects; write or sketch your thoughts; get away from the Tech side of filmmaking; heck, watch networks like the Discovery Channel or History International... most importantly, though, you have to study GOOD FILMS from all over the world (not just the films made in 'the good old US of A'). Only by expanding your knowledge (and expanding yourself) will you be able to create a film of such high caliber that will force the Studios and the Audience to take notice of you and your film/s.
vee: The sad fact is, apart from filmmakers and lovers of Cinema (such as ourselves), most of America doesn't give a flying flip about foreign films - yes, "The Last Samurai" was a total commercial piece of crap, but I bet more people saw that movie than watching a great film like "The Seven Samurai" or "Ran". However, it's not just a matter of American audiences not seeing great films, but they're also missing the films that inspired or influenced American filmmakers. People may love "The Matrix" and it's science fiction story, but I guarantee that most people don't have a clue that it was heavily influenced by Ingmar Bergman's "Fanny and Alexander" (terrific film, btw).
Hopefully, this mentality is starting to change a little (as evidence of the 2-disc edition of "Pan's Labyrinth", which has been sold out in every store I've been to), but I don't expect it to last as long as we wish it to.
Understanding Anime – I think the biggest challenge for Anime in gaining additional market penetration is our difference in culture. To those who have viewed Anime since the 80’s like myself may agree that it was difficult to understand some of the gestures and actions made in the animations. I’ve said before that I’m a big Robotech fan and much of that material was alien to me at the time. I must admit that I thought a lot of the material is saw seemed childish at the time even though I was a child. One example would be the typical shy school boy. That character was so over done and exaggerated that it seemed unreal. Now, if you are interested, there are so many resources available to one who would like to understand Anime or the Japanese and Korean cultures. I think a lot of the new stuff coming out has made great progress in bridging the gap between the cultures.
Vee – get off the “Hate America” bandwagon. America is one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world. There are few places that are as open to allowing various religions to practice openly. I think you are confusing several topics and trying to pull them together into one point. If you believe in the Bible or the Qur’an, then you only believe in one God and cannot be open to other ones by the very nature of the Religion. You cannot “fear” or “respect” all Gods in several modern religions. America respects the individual’s right to practice any religion that they wish as long as that religion abides by the laws of the land. That level of respect says a lot about America and more than many countries can.
Hollywood for years has been responsible for making the Arab a stereotype for a terrorist. We should look to them for change and stop viewing those shows and movies that represent that opinion. However, one could say that for the most part, shows like the CSIs and 24s of the world are representing an exaggerated drama of the current state of the world today. You’d be living in the clouds if you didn’t believe that radical Muslims are capable and willing to commit terrorist acts. If the show 24 was on TV 30 years ago, the terrorist or major threat would be a Russian. It wouldn’t be as exciting or relevant if those same plot topics were used today. Even though it isn’t pleasant, it is human nature to fear differences. I’m an African American and have experienced other people’s fear of me because my skin color. So I agree that it can be ridiculous. This is not only an American problem however, it is a humanity problem. Why do you think Islam is so against Christianity and the Western-world? Maybe fear and intolerance?
One final point on the subject is that if you feel that America as a whole is unfair on the matter then why are you able to watch or listen to whatever you want and pray to whatever God you wish? If America was as tolerant as the common Muslim countries overseas, then there would only be one God “Allah” and all forms of entertainment, communication, and belief would be closely monitored and controlled. Let’s be real.
I think I wrote about The Last Samurai once and mentioned that in order to bring American audiences to even view that story, a western character and actor on the level of Tom Cruise had to be there. Still, I think the title The Last Samurai does, in fact, refer to Kan Watanabe's character.
Things are starting to change. The success of Crouching Tiger and Hero at the U.S. box office, though they played only in Chinese language, says something. Of course, they are high flying martial arts films and I doubt a Chinese drama would come close to those kinds of numbers, but it is a start.
More films with African American stars, in good, non-stereotypical roles, are also getting made and distributed. Nowhere near enough, but it's a start. Of course, where I work, we still make horror films where the black dude dies first. ;)
Frank,
I was more or less commenting on the attitude of pop culture, mainstream culture not American politics or their policies concerning people of different religious backgrounds. Note, most of your comments about the America's political tolerance are on point. No argument there. I think you read too much into what I said. I don't hate America and I won't begin to complain about what is or is not fair. Life is harsh, so what.
The attitude and the language of pop culture towards other religions or people of different ethnic backgrounds is simply less than stellar. The attitude is lazy.
The point I was trying to make is that I think the printed page is a better medium suited to bring about the appreciation for different animated films that are viewed as artistic or too intelligent for audiences.
It is in human nature to take the easy way out. Hence, many movies are filled with stereotypes without examination. Shark Tales. There's a movie filled with stereotypes made palatable for children with jokes and inuendoes that will fly past them unless they decide to explore some the ideas presented further . . . which is usually done through the printed page. Just like I don't expect a higher appreciation for different ideas in animation I definitely don't expect it in the video game industry.
The director Satoshi Kon said he made his film for a general audience. If I was making a film for a general American audience I would dumb down my concepts and make sure there is either violence or sex. And last but not least, throw some monsters in there for good measure.
My bad Vee. Point made. Americans do sometimes think that we are at the center of the world. I moved from CA to CO and find that all my old friends are completely unaware of a world outside of California.
Frank
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