Anime is a cartoon, that is made by Japanese animations. They are like cartoons but they have more developed stories and realistic characters. In the article What is Anime?, by Serdar Yegulalp, he defined anime as a specific cartoon made by Japanese animation studios, that has a unique style and story telling far from ordinary cartoons.
Anime has also become an international source of entertainment over the last two scores. "For decades, anime was produced by and for Japan -- a local product, with a distinct look-and-feel to not just the artwork but the storytelling, the themes, and the concepts. Over the last forty years, though, it's become an international phenomenon, attracting millions of fans and being translated into many languages."(http://anime.about.com/od/animeprimer/a/What-Is-Anime.htm).
Anime has indeed been one of the most popular and well-received shows ever since, it is translated to a variety of languages all over the world, making it an international trend.
II. The Mental and Social Effects of Watching Anime
A. Escapism
Escapism is a mental diversion in which we avoid reality by being immersed to a variety of forms of entertainment, such as music, movies, and TV shows. In the article Negative Mood and Its Effect on Watching Anime, written by an anonymous author, there he said that watching anime offers two sides of escapism. Both sides have different perspectives, but it both has similar effects. The light side is that watching anime serves as an escape from the problems of the world, while the dim side is regarding the world of anime as the real one.
As he said, "Watching light and peaceful anime awarded me an obvious route of escape for all the problems of real life and when watching dark anime, it also counts as an escapism of sort in a way that I can regard the dark world in the anime as a reflection of my real life societal enemy, and seeing the characters fighting against such a world gave me strength." (http://deluscar.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/negative-mood-and-its-effect-on-watching-anime/).
One good example of the light side of escapism is when one is really tired about the problems he or she has in the world, and he "escapes" from his bitter reality into the fictional world of anime. In the article Escapism: The World of Anime & Film, written by samabardeen, there he discussed that escaping to anime can be a really relaxing and relieving way of forgetting our problems, but not to the extent that he forgets his real world, basically he gets immersed into the world of anime just to get inspired.
As he said "Escapism being the key word here. Sometimes, it’s nice to kick back, switch on a good show or movie, and simply bask in the presence of a new world with characters you can grow to love, or immerse yourself in situations that leave you clinging to the edge of your seat. The wonders of being a consistent fan is endless, and as the years go by, you continue to dive into new worlds and meet new characters that span universes, dimensions, and alternate realities beyond your wildest dreams" (http://pandemimeprime.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/escapism-the-world-of-anime-film/).
It is really rare to see one person regarding the world of anime as his own, so the dark side of escapism is pretty bland, one may even believe that is doesn't really exist. The main goal of anime is just to inspire and help its viewers.
Escapism is an unavoidable condition when watching anime, but its effects are not really that severe. Seeking escapism is natural to human beings, since humans get tired of the conventional reality that is this world, some people revert to escapism habits such as watching anime.
B. Addiction
Addiction is a mental condition in which one is very attached in certain substance or activity, examples are drugs, alcohol, gambling, and of course, getting hooked up on a TV show. Anime is addicting, a lot of people, especially teenagers get hooked up on it. In the article Anime Addiction Problems, written by Kaya, she said that anime has basically become her life, she prefers watching anime instead of eating, or any other normal beings would do. She said to herself that she would stop, but she always ended up failing.
As she said "I do have a serious addiction to anime and I spend a considerable amount of time reading manga as well. Lately I feel like it is going overboard of a normal pastime. Instead of living my life I just watch the toons, every night and day I promise myself to stop and yet have been having relapses every time.(http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f124-addictive-behaviours/t94427-anime-addiction-problems/).
Indeed addiction is very common to anime viewers especially teenagers, this causes them to be mentally and physically unhealthy. But this condition can easily avoided if one is capable of managing his time, and controlling himself. Also, kids who are easily addicted to these types of things like anime, are mostly the ones who are isolated and antisocial, if one is socially active, he would not be easily be addicted to anime. But thanks to the progress of the social community today, even anime addicts, otherwise known as "Otakus", even have their own organizations today. They unite not to become more addicted to anime, but to control their addiction.
Although there is still some slight negative effects in watching anime, it is still recommended for children to watch it, because watching brings out more good effects than bad, and here are the reasons why.
Reasons for Why Teenagers Should Watch Anime
Anime Is Socially Beneficial
It may sound ironic, because many people believe that anime causes isolation and behavioral problems , but because of the progressive community and technology in the world today, anime viewers around the world can share their experiences in social media websites, forums, conventions, and such. In the article The Good Effects of Anime on The Viewers, written by an anonymous author, he said that anime unites all its fans around the world. They connect through the internet, or by going to conventions and events. Many relationships also are founded because of the similar attachment of people to anime.
As he said, "Anime fans, like many media-specific fans, unite around their common love of a genre. Many gather online and at anime conventions around the world. Early anime fans pioneered the use of the Internet to share and discuss their favorite videos. At anime conventions, creative approaches are encouraged, such as making and wearing homemade costumes based on anime characters. Friendships, romances and even marriages have grown out of anime fandom" (http://www.ehow.com/list_6818727_good-effects-anime-viewers.html).
There many sites and groups on social media websites that unite in their growing fascination to Japanese animations. Examples of these websites are otaku.com, Anime Otaku Club, and many other countless organizations that welcome the so called addicts to anime today. This proves that anime is not only deserving to people around the world, but it is also needed.
It is rare to see the stereo typical anime addict in our world today, the kind that is always at home, never takes a bath, and only has fictional friends. Indeed technology and the progressive community of our world today are the reasons why even simple problems like anime addiction can easily be solved and controlled.
It Makes its Viewers Interested in Art
Anime could also inspire people in terms of their art. Many who aspires to be an artist got their inspiration from anime characters. In the article The Effects of Anime on Students, written by Amy McNulty, she said that those who are inspired by anime or manga usually are driven by their desire to create a character and a story of their own someday. While some teachers of art may not agree with the so called art style of anime, they still believe that those who like to use the anime art style is also a way to introduce other children to other types of art.
As she stated, "Many students interested in anime pursue an interest in art. These students are often interested in designing their own anime characters and creating their own manga (Japanese-style comic books). While some art teachers may be frustrated with these students' desire to draw only in the large-eyed, cartoonish anime style, an increased interest in art is an opportunity to introduce these students to other types of art. Teachers can explain that even anime artists must be able to draw lifelike drawings to be able to convey movement and poses realistically." (http://www.ehow.com/info_8177537_effects-anime-students.html).
Anime has its own unique and creative art style, while some people might disregard this statement, it is a fact that Japanese animations developed its own style of creating characters. Every characters in an anime show is different, but they are also the same. Their similarities include the large eyes and exaggerated style of hair, but their differences are to how their eyes are drawn, and if their body parts are proportionate. This basic structure of anime characters can inspire many people around the world, especially children.
In art, there is really no restrictions. Anime offers the students a unique and new way to express their feelings and emotions into making anime characters, and constructing deep and immersive worlds where these characters live in.
It Encourages Multiculturism
Viewers could learn the basic culture of Japan when they watch anime. In the article The Good Effects of Anime on The Viewers, written by an anonymous author, there he stated that those who admire the diversity of anime, could also learn the history, culture, and life of the Japanese people as some anime's plots are centered around these points. But not only in Japan, the setting of anime shows are different, some are in medieval times, and present times in other countries such as Russia, Great Britain, etc. or in some fictional places that are based on real ones.
As he stated, "Audiences around the world have embraced anime, which includes views of Japanese history, religion, and tradition. This may lead viewers to seek out and understand the culture of other nations." (http://www.ehow.com/list_6818727_good-effects-anime-viewers.html).
One good example of anime that encourages multiculturism is the anime show called "Kingdom", in the article Kingdom, written by Lesley Aeschliman, there she gave the synopsis of Kingdom, it is basically an anime show about the history of China. Of course, since it is a show designed for teenagers, they added fiction and powers to the main characters in order to attract its teenage audiences.
As she said "Kingdom is set in the Warring States period of China. The beginning of the story focuses on two war orphans, Xin and Piao, who are servants for the head of a village. In their free time, they like to battle each other with wooden swords; both boys also share a dream of becoming famous generals and escaping from their servant life. One day, a soldier sees them and talks with them about their dueling" (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art176912.asp).
Kingdom is a show that aims to entertain and at the same time make the audiences knowledgeable about the ancient history of China. The plot of this anime adds up to the learning factor of anime shows today. Almost most of the anime out there encourages multiculturism, except the ones that has a fictional world as its setting of course.
When one is inspired and captivated by a plot from an anime show, he will be curious about the setting, and history of a certain place or event, then he will research about the culture about the setting he was inspired with. Anime could encourage multiculturism as most of its plots and settings are actually based on real countries and certain events. This will make the viewer diversified and knowledgeable about the other races and countries in the world, thus making him multicultural.
Anime has also become an international source of entertainment over the last two scores. "For decades, anime was produced by and for Japan -- a local product, with a distinct look-and-feel to not just the artwork but the storytelling, the themes, and the concepts. Over the last forty years, though, it's become an international phenomenon, attracting millions of fans and being translated into many languages."(http://anime.about.com/od/animeprimer/a/What-Is-Anime.htm).
Anime has indeed been one of the most popular and well-received shows ever since, it is translated to a variety of languages all over the world, making it an international trend.
II. The Mental and Social Effects of Watching Anime
A. Escapism
Escapism is a mental diversion in which we avoid reality by being immersed to a variety of forms of entertainment, such as music, movies, and TV shows. In the article Negative Mood and Its Effect on Watching Anime, written by an anonymous author, there he said that watching anime offers two sides of escapism. Both sides have different perspectives, but it both has similar effects. The light side is that watching anime serves as an escape from the problems of the world, while the dim side is regarding the world of anime as the real one.
As he said, "Watching light and peaceful anime awarded me an obvious route of escape for all the problems of real life and when watching dark anime, it also counts as an escapism of sort in a way that I can regard the dark world in the anime as a reflection of my real life societal enemy, and seeing the characters fighting against such a world gave me strength." (http://deluscar.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/negative-mood-and-its-effect-on-watching-anime/).
One good example of the light side of escapism is when one is really tired about the problems he or she has in the world, and he "escapes" from his bitter reality into the fictional world of anime. In the article Escapism: The World of Anime & Film, written by samabardeen, there he discussed that escaping to anime can be a really relaxing and relieving way of forgetting our problems, but not to the extent that he forgets his real world, basically he gets immersed into the world of anime just to get inspired.
As he said "Escapism being the key word here. Sometimes, it’s nice to kick back, switch on a good show or movie, and simply bask in the presence of a new world with characters you can grow to love, or immerse yourself in situations that leave you clinging to the edge of your seat. The wonders of being a consistent fan is endless, and as the years go by, you continue to dive into new worlds and meet new characters that span universes, dimensions, and alternate realities beyond your wildest dreams" (http://pandemimeprime.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/escapism-the-world-of-anime-film/).
It is really rare to see one person regarding the world of anime as his own, so the dark side of escapism is pretty bland, one may even believe that is doesn't really exist. The main goal of anime is just to inspire and help its viewers.
Escapism is an unavoidable condition when watching anime, but its effects are not really that severe. Seeking escapism is natural to human beings, since humans get tired of the conventional reality that is this world, some people revert to escapism habits such as watching anime.
B. Addiction
Addiction is a mental condition in which one is very attached in certain substance or activity, examples are drugs, alcohol, gambling, and of course, getting hooked up on a TV show. Anime is addicting, a lot of people, especially teenagers get hooked up on it. In the article Anime Addiction Problems, written by Kaya, she said that anime has basically become her life, she prefers watching anime instead of eating, or any other normal beings would do. She said to herself that she would stop, but she always ended up failing.
As she said "I do have a serious addiction to anime and I spend a considerable amount of time reading manga as well. Lately I feel like it is going overboard of a normal pastime. Instead of living my life I just watch the toons, every night and day I promise myself to stop and yet have been having relapses every time.(http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f124-addictive-behaviours/t94427-anime-addiction-problems/).
Indeed addiction is very common to anime viewers especially teenagers, this causes them to be mentally and physically unhealthy. But this condition can easily avoided if one is capable of managing his time, and controlling himself. Also, kids who are easily addicted to these types of things like anime, are mostly the ones who are isolated and antisocial, if one is socially active, he would not be easily be addicted to anime. But thanks to the progress of the social community today, even anime addicts, otherwise known as "Otakus", even have their own organizations today. They unite not to become more addicted to anime, but to control their addiction.
Although there is still some slight negative effects in watching anime, it is still recommended for children to watch it, because watching brings out more good effects than bad, and here are the reasons why.
Reasons for Why Teenagers Should Watch Anime
Anime Is Socially Beneficial
It may sound ironic, because many people believe that anime causes isolation and behavioral problems , but because of the progressive community and technology in the world today, anime viewers around the world can share their experiences in social media websites, forums, conventions, and such. In the article The Good Effects of Anime on The Viewers, written by an anonymous author, he said that anime unites all its fans around the world. They connect through the internet, or by going to conventions and events. Many relationships also are founded because of the similar attachment of people to anime.
As he said, "Anime fans, like many media-specific fans, unite around their common love of a genre. Many gather online and at anime conventions around the world. Early anime fans pioneered the use of the Internet to share and discuss their favorite videos. At anime conventions, creative approaches are encouraged, such as making and wearing homemade costumes based on anime characters. Friendships, romances and even marriages have grown out of anime fandom" (http://www.ehow.com/list_6818727_good-effects-anime-viewers.html).
There many sites and groups on social media websites that unite in their growing fascination to Japanese animations. Examples of these websites are otaku.com, Anime Otaku Club, and many other countless organizations that welcome the so called addicts to anime today. This proves that anime is not only deserving to people around the world, but it is also needed.
It is rare to see the stereo typical anime addict in our world today, the kind that is always at home, never takes a bath, and only has fictional friends. Indeed technology and the progressive community of our world today are the reasons why even simple problems like anime addiction can easily be solved and controlled.
It Makes its Viewers Interested in Art
Anime could also inspire people in terms of their art. Many who aspires to be an artist got their inspiration from anime characters. In the article The Effects of Anime on Students, written by Amy McNulty, she said that those who are inspired by anime or manga usually are driven by their desire to create a character and a story of their own someday. While some teachers of art may not agree with the so called art style of anime, they still believe that those who like to use the anime art style is also a way to introduce other children to other types of art.
As she stated, "Many students interested in anime pursue an interest in art. These students are often interested in designing their own anime characters and creating their own manga (Japanese-style comic books). While some art teachers may be frustrated with these students' desire to draw only in the large-eyed, cartoonish anime style, an increased interest in art is an opportunity to introduce these students to other types of art. Teachers can explain that even anime artists must be able to draw lifelike drawings to be able to convey movement and poses realistically." (http://www.ehow.com/info_8177537_effects-anime-students.html).
Anime has its own unique and creative art style, while some people might disregard this statement, it is a fact that Japanese animations developed its own style of creating characters. Every characters in an anime show is different, but they are also the same. Their similarities include the large eyes and exaggerated style of hair, but their differences are to how their eyes are drawn, and if their body parts are proportionate. This basic structure of anime characters can inspire many people around the world, especially children.
In art, there is really no restrictions. Anime offers the students a unique and new way to express their feelings and emotions into making anime characters, and constructing deep and immersive worlds where these characters live in.
It Encourages Multiculturism
Viewers could learn the basic culture of Japan when they watch anime. In the article The Good Effects of Anime on The Viewers, written by an anonymous author, there he stated that those who admire the diversity of anime, could also learn the history, culture, and life of the Japanese people as some anime's plots are centered around these points. But not only in Japan, the setting of anime shows are different, some are in medieval times, and present times in other countries such as Russia, Great Britain, etc. or in some fictional places that are based on real ones.
As he stated, "Audiences around the world have embraced anime, which includes views of Japanese history, religion, and tradition. This may lead viewers to seek out and understand the culture of other nations." (http://www.ehow.com/list_6818727_good-effects-anime-viewers.html).
One good example of anime that encourages multiculturism is the anime show called "Kingdom", in the article Kingdom, written by Lesley Aeschliman, there she gave the synopsis of Kingdom, it is basically an anime show about the history of China. Of course, since it is a show designed for teenagers, they added fiction and powers to the main characters in order to attract its teenage audiences.
As she said "Kingdom is set in the Warring States period of China. The beginning of the story focuses on two war orphans, Xin and Piao, who are servants for the head of a village. In their free time, they like to battle each other with wooden swords; both boys also share a dream of becoming famous generals and escaping from their servant life. One day, a soldier sees them and talks with them about their dueling" (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art176912.asp).
Kingdom is a show that aims to entertain and at the same time make the audiences knowledgeable about the ancient history of China. The plot of this anime adds up to the learning factor of anime shows today. Almost most of the anime out there encourages multiculturism, except the ones that has a fictional world as its setting of course.
When one is inspired and captivated by a plot from an anime show, he will be curious about the setting, and history of a certain place or event, then he will research about the culture about the setting he was inspired with. Anime could encourage multiculturism as most of its plots and settings are actually based on real countries and certain events. This will make the viewer diversified and knowledgeable about the other races and countries in the world, thus making him multicultural.
