CALLING ALL OTAKU!

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

I have just seen a commercial on tv for a cd.

A CD for PuffyAmiYumi.

Now, some of you may know that PuffyAmiYumi is a japanese pop "group" (theres only two of them) and if you dont...well...they are.

Now then, I am extremely excited by this for a number of reasons, and you should be too.

First of all, its a japanese pop group with ads on american television. I, for one, have never even HEARD of anything like this, and that alone is enough to get me excited ^^ However, this is big news folks, and if we play our cards right it could be the start of something even bigger. Seriously, this has the potential to be Sailor Stars on network tv uncut uncencored and SUBTITLED kinda big. This is a first timer for me. Ive heard of JPop being sold domestically before, but that was a long time ago, and almost always in limited release, and never publicised. If this album sells well enough, it could help pave the way for more jpop (and forgien contemporary music in general (you jrockers you XD)) to be sold domestically. This is an excellent time to show your support, people! I say we show them that there IS a pre-established fanbase out here, ready to shell out our hard earned money for the music we love. I say we show them that the american public *IS* ready for forgien music, ESPICEALLY japanese. I also say that the best way to tell them this is to speak with our wallets, as well as our voices. If you like jpop at all, even if you dont particularly like PuffyAmiYumi, go buy the cd! Call up your favourite radio station and request a song from the album (particularly songs that are IN JAPANESE.) KEEP DOING IT untill they play it, and then do it somemore! Tell all your friends and everyone you know, weather on the internet or irl to buy it and request songs too! Tell them what we want! Speak with your wallet, and they will listen, but they cant hear you if you dont say anything. Lets do this and see what happens!

[Saffy]

lol interesting way of seeing it. though i have no money, it sounds like a good cause. or a commercial XD. either way, rock on

[Babbit_Chan]

Ahhh not to mention all T.M. Revolution fans should buy his Coordinate album and the DVD he released! More info at http://www.tofurecords.com, but basically you can go to Tower Records and pick up a copy =D *squeal*

[KinFreon]

Can it get any better for us American anime/manga/J-pop culture fans? And I thought it was something special that Waldenbooks/Brentano's started selling manga. Heck that was so good...it was more than enough reason for me to renew my Preferred Reader membership that had been dormant for years since I stopped regularly buying travel guides and paperback novels.

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

HUH! I remember when I first discovered the manga section at Barnes and Noble.

*looks at Inu Yasha vol 1 in hands*
*looks at big, comfy chair*
*looks at clock on wall*
*has two hours to kill*

..........!!

*read*




lol. And now that I work at gamestop, I get 30% off at barnes and noble! HA! (they own gamestop)

[KinFreon]

HUH! I remember when I first discovered the manga section at Barnes and Noble.

*looks at Inu Yasha vol 1 in hands*
*looks at big, comfy chair*
*looks at clock on wall*
*has two hours to kill*

..........!!

*read*

I never liked Barnes & Noble...either because I couldn't find their manga, their selection sucked, or their employees who, while well-versed in everything from Shakespeare to Sidney Sheldon, were complete idiots when it came to manga and remained oblivious to the mainstreaming of Japanese visual literature. And there's only so much Starbucks a guy can smell at one time (yeah, odd, especially coming from someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest AND could take you on a walking tour of Seattle where one of the stops would be "Ground Zero"...the very first Starbucks Coffee ever established, located at Pike Place Market).

lol. And now that I work at gamestop, I get 30% off at barnes and noble! HA! (they own gamestop)

Oh, yeah, they do. ^_^ I get a 10% discount at Waldenbooks in the Preferred Reader Club. I save a whole buck for every $10 volume I buy. And, with tax, that usually gets me just a tad under the cover price (unless I shop in Portland, where they have a sales tax rate of zero). But then I also get points on my card, for every time I buy a manga, and that adds up to my 100-points-per-dollar goal to another $5 certificate. With as much manga as I buy, those points add up and I've been getting them certificates more often than when I was buying travel and cruise guides years ago. And yes...those $5 chits help big-time! ^_^

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

I love Barnes and Noble. Its the biggest book store around, with one exception but thats a music and dvd store too, so that doesnt count.

I couldn't find their manga, their selection sucked, or their employees who, while well-versed in everything from Shakespeare to Sidney Sheldon, were complete idiots when it came to manga and remained oblivious to the mainstreaming of Japanese visual literature.

Not another one....

Listen, you. Thats because there IS NO MAINSTREAMING OF ANIME AND MANGA. Its NOT mainstream, and it NEVER will be. At least not in the forseeable future. It IS more popular than it used to be, yes, but it is still very much a niche market. This is the reason why companies continue to hack up anime for use on tv, because the original versrion is too japanese and that is NOT popular. Many otaku who surround themselves constantly with other otaku (like us) often cloud our own visions with the illusion that there are many more otaku than there really are, because those are the only people we see.

The fact of the matter is, while unlike five years ago the average american citizen may actually know what anime is, they still are not a hardcore fan. They may watch occassionally, but chances are small, and those that do probably watch the "americanized" versions.

Simply put, cartoons are still more popular than anime. Thus, when companies prep anime to be shown on television, they do their best to turn it from an anime into a cartoon, as cartoons are FAR more accepted, popular, and (most importantly) profitable.

The point is anime and manga are NOT mainstream in america, no matter what you may want or may fool yourself into believing. To expect the clerks at any given bookstore to have anything above a passing knowlege that "Manga is over there *point*" is to expect them to have indepth knowlege about every genre and subgenre ever. And if youve ever been to a REAL bookstore, you should know that thats just stupid. Romeo and Juliet alone probably outsells most of the manga section combined. Be glad they have any at all.

[Tendai]

Mrr.  I'm neutral on this music release.  Doesn't really have much of an effect on me in this case because I don't like PuffyAmiYumi.  If it starts to spread into Jrock..as long as the groups I love don't start pandering themselves to American audiences at the expense of their music, I'm fine with it.  But..yeah.  I have reservations.

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

Thats what Im saying. This could help pave the way for not just jpop, but also jrock, and foreign music in general. We must support!

[KinFreon]

I couldn't find their manga, their selection sucked, or their employees who, while well-versed in everything from Shakespeare to Sidney Sheldon, were complete idiots when it came to manga and remained oblivious to the mainstreaming of Japanese visual literature.

Not another one....

Listen, you. Thats because there IS NO MAINSTREAMING OF ANIME AND MANGA. Its NOT mainstream, and it NEVER will be. At least not in the forseeable future. It IS more popular than it used to be, yes, but it is still very much a niche market. This is the reason why companies continue to hack up anime for use on tv, because the original versrion is too japanese and that is NOT popular. Many otaku who surround themselves constantly with other otaku (like us) often cloud our own visions with the illusion that there are many more otaku than there really are, because those are the only people we see.

The fact of the matter is, while unlike five years ago the average american citizen may actually know what anime is, they still are not a hardcore fan. They may watch occassionally, but chances are small, and those that do probably watch the "americanized" versions.

Simply put, cartoons are still more popular than anime. Thus, when companies prep anime to be shown on television, they do their best to turn it from an anime into a cartoon, as cartoons are FAR more accepted, popular, and (most importantly) profitable.

The point is anime and manga are NOT mainstream in america, no matter what you may want or may fool yourself into believing. To expect the clerks at any given bookstore to have anything above a passing knowlege that "Manga is over there *point*" is to expect them to have indepth knowlege about every genre and subgenre ever. And if youve ever been to a REAL bookstore, you should know that thats just stupid. Romeo and Juliet alone probably outsells most of the manga section combined. Be glad they have any at all.

Well...I admit, I try to "dumb it down" to B&N employees by asking about "graphic novels", though usually I'd still get "huh?" or "are you talking about novels with explicitly-worded gory content?" or perhaps even looking at me with the stupid "Gah, you read comic books?" look. As having been both an employee and consumer of the retail world, I expect anyone at any store to have at least a basic knowledge of their product, whether they're selling vacuums, TV's, model airplanes, designer fragrances, whatever else. At its' heart, this is more of a consumer satisfaction and customer service issue than anything.

Also, B&N practically "hides" their manga, either mixing them with confusing American comic graphic novels or, even more crazily yet, meshing them in the "Science Fiction/Fantasy" category. Which in itself may work for such masterworks as "Gundam" or "Inu-Yasha", but alienates other titles of different genres.

I choose Waldenbooks because their manga are clearly identified, properly organized, and, in most locations, easy to find (such as with attention-grabbing graphics and displays or, in the case of the location at the Tacoma Mall, practically the first thing you see). And their employees, while most of them probably wouldn't know jack-sprat about "Kare Kano" or "Chobits", can easily guide you to that section in a friendly, knowledgable, non-patronizing manner. Because after all...in the end you're spending money at their store, whether you're buying classics, Clancy, Clavell, CLAMP, or even a few pictorials or Idiot's Guides. With that, they want you to keep coming and doing such. On another note, if there was a "Complete Idiot's Guide To Customer Service", I'd suggest it to the morons at B&N. But that's my opinion, and where I shop is my choice. You have your opinion, and where you shop is your choice. Isn't our country great? ^_^

*clears throat*

Anyway...on the other point...I understand your zealous fervor as a fan of anime, manga, and other Japanese pop culture as a whole. I share your pride in our beautiful culture, and it sometimes pains me to think of the sad word of "mainstreaming" (which I foreshadowingly ranted about in a newsgroup years ago...perhaps I should find it on Google Groups). Yet the thing we can't deny, no matter how much we try, is that such mediums are being localized and mainstreamed by corporate schmucks who only care about making money (the most notorious of them all being Stuart Levy, co-founder of Mixx Entertainment/TOKYOPOP, whom I had the sad and dubious honor of meeting as a guest at Baka Con 98 where he proceeded to treat us anime otaku like the scum on the bottom of his shoe...except we'd be the scum who'd make him money in this "Japanimation comic book" scheme). These hucksters are even starting to cash in on the exotic and intellectual allure of "anime" and "manga", rather than just classify them as just "cartoons" and "comics" as they might be known here.

There are two reasons why anime localized for our consumption seems so "cartoony"...mostly so that we, in our still majorly American culture, can understand and digest the story and characters better; and, sadly, to not piss off "angry parents with powerful lawyers" that will take away the corporate money and, of course, prevent more anime and manga from being brought here. That's not to say that anime and manga don't sell. The serials depicted on Adult Swim are just as profitable, if not more, than those on Toonami or Kids WB or wherever else anime is shown to a more widespread market. Almost every corporation dealing in popular culture on this side of the lake is catching on to not really just another "cartoon fad", but onto the magically entertaining and profitable rubber-suited monster that is anime...so the so-called "mainstreaming" is becoming just as sad a fact of life in our capitalist nation as some heartless developer buying and demolishing the neighborhood we live in so they can build a shopping mall. We can't fight the free-market economy, no matter how hard we try. Moreso...we just end up its' willing pawns, even if only subconsciously.

In "mainstreaming", I applaud that our favorite media is being more widely distributed and available. With that, I laud the fact that more people are getting into our interest, whether it be more people cultivating their manga art skills, more anime clubs popping up, or even more people coming to party with us at our conventions, if not more conventions forming themselves. In fact...I see you and others cheering J-pop music being distributed by our country's own recording industry (of course that's the same recording industry who wants to send high-powered lawyers after your folks if they find even one single mp3 on your hard drive through your p2p client). Your words were even "speak with your wallet". That's exactly what the youth of our nation is doing with the rest of Japanese pop culture being released here. Since the corporations are making more money, they can afford to bring more good stuff here from that crazy fantasyland we know as Japan.

Alas...even I know there's a dark side to "mainstreaming"...

Anime otakudom may be gaining more members through this more widely available medium. But as more seemingly "normal" people join us, we otaku are starting to lose our cultural identity. Our beautiful culture as a whole is changing. We used to be a merry group of intellectuals, shunned by general society and "the beautiful people" as "nerds", yet we didn't give a care because we anime otaku were all friends...united under the banner of Japanese popular culture. Anime gave us all a sense of unity, of togetherness, even a sense of community and brotherhood. Sure, anime was harder to find back then, but we had our ways. Even if it meant programming our VCR's to tape "Sailor Moon", "Teknoman", or even "Samurai Pizza Cats" as we headed off to our schooling or jobs. And anime conventions...at least the ones I remember going to back then, were all about Fanime's "By Fans, For Fans" credo...just a bunch of people getting together to have anime-type fun (never been to a Fanime yet, so I can't say anything else about it in particular; though I remember back when it was the closest anime con for us in the Pacific Northwest to even go to...which led to the forming of Baka Con 98--the convention that came be known as Sakura Con).

The times, they sure have a-changed, though...

Now, with this sad mainstreaming of our media, we're starting to attract the wrong people. Anime fandom, once barely even a mature collegiate subculture, has descended into an adolescent socio-political nightmare; it's getting to be more like high school, if you will. The "beautiful people" are starting to encroach upon our culture. And while they may take an interest in the media and its' culture (yes, you also notice how being a "nerd" in general is in fashion as well), they still bring their elitist tendencies with them and still make people like us feel inferior. We are starting to get more petty politics, cliquish factioning, interpersonal conflicts, snooty elitism, harried one-upmanship, and internal alienation than we'd like to have cared for years ago.

Even many conventions in themselves are changing. Many high-level staffers at other cons are turning into stuffy, uptight, corporate stuffed shirts who lose sight of their own anime otakuness in favor of pandering to the corporations, projecting a positive image to the mundanes, or even adopting the myopic delusion of "family-friendliness" (which, as many otaku know, is bullsnot because not all of anime is fluffy kids' cartoons). Some cons have even become so much like high school with the same kind of short-sighted administrators that see many old school, die-hard, party-hearty otaku as trenchcoated threats. Where we once were free to have fun and not give a care as long as we acted within reason and law, we now have to walk on eggshells...lest we be cast out unceremoniously by Con Security, even if our only sin was living life to the fullest.

Soup to nuts...I'm sure a lot of us got into anime and manga so we could be different, and to even escape the rigors of mundane high school society. Alas, with the mainstreaming of anime, we're losing our individuality and mundane high school society is following us like a lost puppy...that is, a lost puppy that's rabid and wants to tear us to shreds.

Don't blame me. Blame our country's humanity and its' relentless pursuit of the proverbial "dead presidents".

In closing, I have made my point. That is my opinion, which I have the right to. You have the freedom of choice to agree or disagree. You also have your opinion, which you have the right to. God Bless America! God Bless Otakudom!

Having said that...I still would like to see what Fanime has to offer. Even if I can't escape the high school society of anime fandom and its' conventions...sometimes the best thing to do is to just change schools. And kids...I am that mysterious transfer student you see and read so much about.

You'll hear from me. I am Kintaro Freon, a transplanted Californian from the Pacific Northwest, and I Am Otaku. Feel The Love, and Keep It Real. Peace out.

Required Viewing--"Otaku no Video" by GAINAX, released domestically on VHS and DVD by AnimEigo. DO NOT LOSE SIGHT!

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

[Reply Pending]

A post of this calibur requires an equally great reply. However Im busy, so I cant take the time to figure one out, and Im too distracted by other important things for it to come to me smoothly as my posts usually do, so that would make it take even longer. I'll get around to replying eventually though. lol

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

Not bad...your posts rival mine XD Written some massive essays on this and other boards in months past. This one is massive lol Anyway, here we go...

Point taken. While I concede that B&N could categorize its manga better, I still feel that, in a medium as massively gargantuan as books and general literature, you cant really expect more than a passing knowlege of what each genre is and where in the store to find it. As for the staff, Im going to have to assume that its just the B&N in your area. Never had troubles here.

Now then.

What we have here is, I think, not so much a difference in opinion, but a difference in prespective. Whereas you see anime being mainstreamed, I see anime being "americanized," and the americanizations being mainstreamed, while the actual "anime" is left out of the passive eye of the general public. We see the same thing, but seem to be processing it in two different ways.

Yeah our contry is practically based on making money. Free enterprize. As long as they put out a (seemingly?) quality product, it sells and money is made, often regardless of the attitude of the owner(s) or other random bigwigs of the company. Ive heard reports about Levy being an ass before, and also throwing the quality of his products into question, but as of yet noone has been able to give me a straight answer as to what exactly he's done that makes him an ass, or what exactly is wrong with the manga TP spits out (other than the fact that its flippeed.) I'll start a new thread on that after Im done with this (if I remember.)

I understand why anime is americanized. I just dont like the reasons. You dont like what happened in this show your kid is watching? Thats your fault. For one thing, you should be monitering the tv programs your children watch, if not watching with them, if you feel so strongly about it. For another thing, you should allready be teaching your children that the questionable content youre so worked up about is wrong if you feel so strongly about it, and if you ARE teaching them, whats the big deal? Your children know right from wrong. If they dont, its your fault. Finally, if you dont like whats happening on the show, DONT WATCH IT. People dont seem to understand that the right that gives them the freedom to be all pissy about whats on tv IS THE SAME GODDAMN RIGHT THAT GIVES THE FREEDOM TO PUT THAT STUFF ON IN THE FIRST PLACE. You dont like freedom? Move to Iraq. OOPS! Too late! My point is, the average american is a moron, please dont feed the monkeys, it only eggs them on. Im moving to Canada.

As for anime being kept from domestication, or japanese artists trying to "americanize" for a more mass market appeal, Im not TOO too worried. As far as domestication is concerned, otaku have survived when there was NO domestication of anime. If todays domestication is slowed or stopped, its not going to stop the real otaku. Fansubs will live forever. If nothing else, some sort of whacked out ban or restriction on american businesses translating anime and manga would help return the otaku community to its original state you seem so fond of, by helping to weed out the "commoners" through restricting exposure to the masses, thus returning otakudom to the tightly knit community of yore. Hey everyone, lets all go sell hentai to minors! J/k lol

As for japanese artists trying to play to american tastes for mass market appeal, its doubtful. There might be a little with a few people, but on the whole I cant really see it happening all that much. Anime is japanese, and its for japanese people. Not even AMERICA does that all that much. Its rare for an american company to not use an idea, or alter a creators idea terribly much just to get japan to like it, so why would japan change their ways just to get america to like it? Then theres the cultural differences themselves. Japanese culture is all about being japanese, and being a japanese citizen. You are japanese, and damnit your fucking PROUD of it. And its such a traditional country, too. They almost NEVER let traditions die. I cant see something thats such an integral part of japanese life and culture as anime, manga, or music changing so significantly in such a short amount of time, just for a few extra bucks. Remember, the creative minds behind the works ARE artists. They do what they do because they love it, getting paid is just a bonus. There are VERY few rich mangaka.

"But Neko-chan!" I hear you say. "You said things like music wouldnt change just to suit americans just to make money! Hasent some japanese music gotten distinctly more american over the years? And just look at the fashions in japan!"

To which I say, yes, it has, but thats completely different. Some japanese bands have a more "american" sound these days, but thats because they like the style of american music (which is actually pretty big in japan,) so its only natural for them to adopt the sound. They dont alter their style to sell more albums in america, they alter their style because they like it. The same goes for fashion. Also, in both cases, notice that though the styles are obviously based on american "originals" (like we didnt steal most of our stuff from someone else) they almost always have a distinctly japanese spin to it. Again, I just cant see japanese artists changing their ways for a few extra dollars. Its just not in the culture. This fears are mostly just the product of conspiracy theorists being paranoid.

That said, if the japanese dont change what they make, it wont matter what kind of versions are released to the american populace. The REAL otaku of whom you and I are so fond will always be able to obtain our anime in all of its original greatness. Im not too worried.

As for the feds on our asses for mp3s, Im not worried about that either. Almost ALL of my mp3s are forgien music. And I mostly download it because I cant easily purchase the cds myself. If there was more japanese music sold in america, I wouldnt have less mp3s, Id just rip them myself from my own cds instead of downloading. =P Besides, most of that crap about arresting people because of MP3s is hype. Sure it happens, but the "suits" play it up as a scare tactic. They have to, its the only way they can win. There is no feasable or cost effective way to stop filesharing, so all they can really do is arrest a few people now and then and make a big deal about it try and scare people out of doing it in the first place. Furthermore, its always big, popular, AMERICAN artists that the people are arrested for. IE, artists that just about everyone has on their machine. Another part of the scare tactics. Ive never heard of someone being arrested for having Megumi Hayashibara, or Dir en Grey on their pc. Again, I have mostly japanese music on my pc and again, Im not too worried.

And, yes. I *do* think we should speak with our wallets. Its the only way we KNOW we'll be heard. BUY the uncensored, subtitled, uncut anime with cool extras and liner notes explaining the japanese culture jokes (Ranma 1/2 vhs subtitled tv does this, as does Urusei Yatsura (Lum) dvd subtitled tv.) BUY the cds of forgien bands that have most of the songs in their native languages. BUY the uncensored, well translated, unflipped manga that has the sound effects and some of the dialog still in japanese so as to preserve the art with the translations in the margins. Again, I say speak with your wallet, and theyll listen, but they cant hear you if you dont say anything.

Whew! That was a long shpiel. On to the next!


Our culture is changing, but I am unsure in my own mind weather this is entirely a good or bad thing. Anime and manga is becoming more easily available in various forms, and with that change in availability, its only natural that a culture of which this availability (or lack therof) is an intergral part would change too. However, weather or not this change is good or not has eluded me for some time.

On the one hand, there is some validity to what you say. I, too, have noticed an upswing in the number of...people of an undesirable creed trying to impose on our culture in the last few years. People who feel that they are better than others because they are pretty or popular,

Ive found that the best way to deal with these types is to simply and abruptly knock them down a peg or two. Let them know that we have a CULTURE. The same way that any country or anyone else has their own distinct culture, we, as a group, have a CULTURE. Thats what it is, and if you want to be a part of it, you have to abide by it. You dont necessarily have to change yourself or your opinions, but you may have to learn a few new ways to look at things, and you may have to find new resons to respect people. However pretty or popular you may be in the outside world, youre on our turf now, and here, that doesnt mean squat. You are, for lack of a better term (though none could be more fitting) a NEWBIE. Popularity isnt determined here by looks or money or even material posessions, (those people who think theyre superior because they have such a great collection give nerds a bad name,) and you have to learn that. In OUR culture, respect is earned through intelligence, expireance, frienship and kindness. Let those people know that we have a culture. We are a seperate people, and that they need to respect that. Sometimes I get some plain jackasses who obviously dont know what theyre talking about, but STILL try to give me lip. I tell them Ive been on this scene for going on ten years, and laugh on the inside as they sort of wither and walk away. We should all preserve, and above all protect, our culture. Dont let the newbies push you around, let them know whos boss, but also let them know that theyre welcome if theyre willing to give a little, and willing to adopt a few of our ways.

On the other hand, the same way that Im afraid the outside may deform our precious and beloved culture into something hideous and disgusting, I am also hopeful that, instead, we may put something of our ways back into the world at large. I think we can all agree that otakudom and espiceally nerds in general have a higher concentration of thinkers and intellectuals and generally smart people than most other sub cultures do, espiceally the populars (freaking jackass jocks and "pretty" airheads.) Furthermore, its probably a fact that we have a higher tolerance of other creeds and lifestyles (such as gays and bis) than most other cultures. (*cough christians cough*) It is my hope that, instead of general socioty horribly disfiguring and mutating our beloved ways, we might instead put a bit of ourselves back into american culture at large. As more and more people start watching anime and reading manga, I hope that more and more people also start to adopt our ways, instead of trying to change them. Mabe, just mabe, we'll ALL benifit from this transition. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but thats a dream I wouldnt mind waking up to. However, if its going to happen, I think its going to be up to us to do everything in our power to preserve our culture.

As for conventions, Im in no better position to comment than you are. Whereas youve never been to Fanime, Ive never really gone to anything but. But I must say that I dont recall ever seeing anything like the horror stories youve talked about, except perhaps regarding the no weapons policy and other crap the westin made us put up with, and that fanime had no control over. Certianly noone would ever get hauled away by con security for having completely legal fun. In the Der Cosplay alone, there was a stripping vash, not to mention a dancing armitige whose breast popped out of her costume. There was also a pair of senshi (Sailormoon and Sailormercury, both girls) who did some VERY suggesstive dancing, with full on french kissing, and THEY won an award for it. In my expireance (which dates back to when fanime was a one day event at foothill college) Fanime has lived up to its "By the Fans, For the Fans" creed extremely well. I even put it on my Dennys Midnight Dinner sign.


All in all, I think we're doing allright, considering the circumstances. Things are changing, thats inevitable, but if we stand tall and continue to forge our own path as we've done for so many years, I think we just might be able to make the best of it, and perhaps even get something in retun. And the more things change, the more they stay the same. I feel that no matter what happens, the core of our culture will allways be there, and that the true otaku spirit will live on.

God bless Otakudom indeed.



[DISCLAIMER!] The mention of Iraq was just a metaphor. I could easily have used any other country that has similer restrictions. Iraq is just the most convineant. I support neither Iraq, the war, Saddam, or Bush. Furthermore, Id like to address my slander on christians. I, myself, am a Christian, however there are alot of christians out there who actively degrade and denounce people for their sexual affiliation, and site their religion as the reson for their prejudice even though the bible says nothing on the subject. I have nothing against christians in general, it is this specific type of christian to who I am referring. Just so you know.

[Suspicious]

He who has the gold, rules the world.  Unless truely ethical and communal companies tries to alter the mindset of every single person on the planet (well, those who have money anyways) to your views, wether it be elitist or otherwise, companies will try to appeal to the largest audience possible to make the most money possible.  Sure, I see some people trying to do this, but companies are making a lot more progress.

As for me, anime is slowly starting to lose it's appeal due to the incredible difficulty to stay in that informed, I know everything and have everything kind of group.  That's what determines your status in this community, isn't it?

As for the RIAA, they're working for a majority of people.  It's not practical, but it's working.

[KinFreon]

Currently, I'm not in the right frame of mind to come up with anything of my own in response to that...but here's something I remembered commenting to someone in my LiveJournal around this time last year...

Anime is a fad in our mainstream American culture. A fad that is burning at it's highest flash, fanned by curiosity and the pursuit of dollar signs. Long regarded as an underground genre of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy community, anime in the US has worked it's way up from becoming the fodder of college nerds to a widely-accepted form of entertainment to those who are tired of the cliches churned out by our creative geniuses.

But as with any conflgration, the fire will die down, if not be put out. Yes, one day anime will fade back into relative obscurity and intellectual stigma. When the smallest of embers burn out and the smoke clears, only the true fans will remain. The true fans who have been there since it's haughty days of collegiate subculture. The true fans who know that there is more to anime than giant robots, magic girls, and dueling monsters. The true fans who feel deep in their heart the passion and love for this art form from another nation, regardless of monetary income and material accumulation. Hereforth, it is these true fans who have not merely chosen anime...for anime has chosen them.

[SuperKawaiiNeko]

A worthy sentiment. I suppose that that is a possibility, though weather or not it actually comes about remains to be seen. One thing is sure though, the scape of otakudom is changing, and has allready changed a great deal in the last few years alone. I dont think it will ever go back to its original state when the first otaku started appearing back in the seventies and early eighties, its changed too much since then. Though, I suppose only time and our own abilities will tell.


This is getting interesting....

[KinFreon]

I'm gonna miss those days. Now it's getting to where anime and manga are going to have to be "solitary pursuits" (just like how I was into airplanes in high school) since the culture no longer accepts me; at least in the Pacific Northwest.

Ah, well...just gotta change schools. ^_^

[hakudoushi]

HUH! I remember when I first discovered the manga section at Barnes and Noble.

*looks at Inu Yasha vol 1 in hands*
*looks at big, comfy chair*
*looks at clock on wall*
*has two hours to kill*

..........!!

*read*


thats just what i did. ^_^



lol. And now that I work at gamestop, I get 30% off at barnes and noble! HA! (they own gamestop)

[VictimX]

...lol. And now that I work at gamestop, I get 30% off at barnes and noble! HA! (they own gamestop)

You still work there? I go there all the time, the one over on Stevens Creek?

[hakudoushi]

wheres that...-_-

[VictimX]

San Jose, San Tomas and Stevens Creek right at the corner. Barns and Noble and a Game Stop in one. The Game Stop there has like a 7ft screen.