Just out of Sheer Curiosity for my fellow anime fans....

[ChristianKitsune]

I have a question...

We here at CAA all LOVE anime...am I right? Anime comes from Japan for the most part, Again correct me if I am wrong...

But I have a question for myself and other anime fans... Why do we seem to think that a dream vacation would be to go to Japan? Why are some of us so obsessed with this culture?

Now, I am not flaming anyone for feeling this way, I used to feel this way too, and still kinda do... but is it because of anime? Or is it something else?

[Debitt]

I myself don't have a "dream" vacation, but I would like to see Japan sometime, but not just for the anime. I'm very interested in the culture, language and food as well, and I have family there that I've never met before, so it'd be a nicely rounded trip for me to hopefully take on day. ^^

[Aeolus21]

We learn things about Japan through many of the references that are thrown around in anime and it seems to spark interest in knowing more. I think it's pretty common to see fans who have had a "glimpse" of what the culture is like and start to imagine visiting the country to see what it's like in person. I wouldn't mind taking a vacation there myself, but living there would be a bit of a stretch.

[Stephen]

THIS ISN'T MENT TO BASH ANYONE!

Do you write in Caps because you think the mods are idiots who need to be spoken too like a misbehaving dog, or because we might be hard of hearing? Just curious. Next time, rather then treat others like they are below your intellegence level...simply say, please guys...don't take this the wrong way. See how different that looks compared to your opening line?

[mitsuki lover]

I think it has to do with the entirely foreign culture that is represented by Japan and the Orient in general.Since most of us aren't Asian or of Asian descent(I do apologize to my friends such as sao sakura who are,I'm not ignoring you guys
but just responding as someone who is of European ancestry)the Japanese culture
is interesting since it is also so very much exotic.Perhaps(again speaking as an
Euro-American)it has something to do with the Marco Polo factor.Ever since
Polo came back from China and told his tales of the Orient Europeans have had a fascination with it.

[Myoti]

Ditto what KD said. I'm interested in seeing it soem time.

Actually, my real dream "vacation" would be to go to E3 someday (though since it'd technically be counted as "work" when I get there, I can't really call it a vacation...).

[Ingemar]

On this topic, I have posted threads on this and several other fora that asks the question "Countries OTHER THAN JAPAN you would like to visit." It's good to appreciate other cultures, but to emulate and fawn over one or another too much (in my view) is poor form. This is why "otakus*" bother me just as much as upper-middle-class blondies who think they are black.


*This not only applies to whites, but any other ethnicity as well, and to Asians who are heavily Americanized (ie me)*

[Alice]

When I was a child, I got deep fads about several countries: England, Ireland, Scotland, Russia...

But I've never had a deep fad about Japan, like wanting to visit it, and I seem to have recovered (somewhat!) from getting fads on countries.

::shrugs::

[uc pseudonym]

I am indeed a fan of anime (hence my membership here), but I do not wish to go to Japan nor am I particularly impressed by its culture. I say this not to contradict you, but merely to answer a question of yours, in a way. Looking at the general population, I would say that some of them would be very obsessed with the culture of any given country (not many, but some). On CAA it is really much the same, but only those who feel strongly about the subject make posts. You'll find very few "Who is relatively indifferent about going to Japan?" threads.

[BigZam]

i'm not as much into anime as i used to be....in fact i have hardly any involvement with anime at all. but i still find great interest in Japan and would love to go there someday. along with England and Germany and other countries.

[Mave]

Good griefy, this isn't even close to bashing or flaming, ChristianRonin. Just try to avoid using CAPITAL letters since ppl will misinterpret them. I doubt you meant to yell out or be harsh in any way.

I can say that not everyone here loves anime obsessively and wants to absorb into the Japanese culture that desperately. We should be contented where God placed us, after all. XD

Now, in regards to the Japanese culture, I find myself fairly attracted to some parts of the culture (fashion, architexture, music). But, there are some parts, which I don't embrace and don't like at all. I wonder whether some ppl only see this culture from the romantized point of view. It's not just sakura blossoms, hot baths and green tea, ppl.

[Alice]

It's not just sakura blossoms, hot baths and green tea, ppl.

And you can get cherry blossoms, hot baths, and green tea here at home, too.

[Debitt]

Now, in regards to the Japanese culture, I find myself fairly attracted to some parts of the culture (fashion, architexture, music). But, there are some parts, which I don't embrace and don't like at all. I wonder whether some ppl only see this culture from the romantized point of view. It's not just sakura blossoms, hot baths and green tea, ppl.

I think the problem that a lot of people who say "ohmigoshness I wanna live in Japan!11!!1!!" have is that they don't bother to see it from any point of view other than a romantiscized one. Every culture has its admirable or beautiful aspects, and in the same way every culture has some aspects that are less than admirable. I love the Japanese fashion and architecture, the art and history of Europe, etc., but there are still things like anti-semetism and the emphasis of the group over the individual that I don't admire about those particular cultures. There is no such thing as a perfect society and I think that very often people are blinded by the good parts and turn a blind eye to the bad, which is when people become ignorantly obsessed with a country or culture.

But to be a bit more positive now - I admire people like missionaries who know what they're getting themselves into and still go overseas to do God's will. ^^;

[ChristianKitsune]

Do you write in Caps because you think the mods are idiots who need to be spoken too like a misbehaving dog, or because we might be hard of hearing? Just curious. Next time, rather then treat others like they are below your intellegence level...simply say, please guys...don't take this the wrong way. See how different that looks compared to your opening line?

umm... it was more of a disclaimer..because.. I didn't want anyone to think I was downing anyone... I am sorry if it sounded like I was being rude.... I... really didn't intend for it be that way.... sorry.. I was trying to avoid being rude...

Please forgive my ignorance, Mr. Shatterheart Sir... I didn't mean anything by it...

[Arnobius]

When I was an otaku (in the negative sense of the word), I had an idealized view of Japan and had a dream of living there, and settling down. Anymore, I know I wouldn't fit in at all and don't really want to go. Once I learned about the real Japan (as opposed to the one set forth by the anime viewpoint) it seemed to be a less attractive place.

As for the side issue re: caps. I don't think CR was thinking anybody was dumb. I suspect it was more a concern with thinking it was important enough to emphasize that she was concerned with our being offended on the issue.

[ChristianKitsune]

Ahh OKIE! I just remember when I was young I was all, "JAPAN THIS.. JAPAN that..." haha...

I like some things about Japan's culture myself... I find it somewhat interesting..but I am not sure if I would want to visit there or not...it might be cool..but I am just not sure... I mean I would have to learn a Whole new language, which would be awesome... in order to understand any of the signs...

I think I would enjoy the food though.. LOL

[Arnobius]

Ahh OKIE! I just remember when I was young I was all, "JAPAN THIS.. JAPAN that..." haha...

I like some things about Japan's culture myself... I find it somewhat interesting..but I am not sure if I would want to visit there or not...it might be cool..but I am just not sure... I mean I would have to learn a Whole new language, which would be awesome... in order to understand any of the signs...

I think I would enjoy the food though.. LOL

The food is one thing I never was able to enjoy-- outside of taiyaki, which is great. I prefer Chinese food myself. Of course I don't like seafood at all and that is a large portion of the diet

[ChristianKitsune]

I like seafood...I love California Wraps... (rolls?) and I am eating miso soup right now... I love Ramen too.. so.. LOL )

[Joshua Christopher]

I don't really have any opinion. It'd be an interesting place to visit, but I wouldn't go out of my way to. I'm with UC here.

There are a few friends I would much rather see (and go out of my way to do so).

[Alice]

I like seafood...I love California Wraps... (rolls?) and I am eating miso soup right now... I love Ramen too.. so.. LOL )

Miso soup. This is my favorite of Japanese food, and I could easily become addicted. If I had a chance, I'd eat it every week. Possibly every day, at least for awhile.

[Maledicte]

Japan's just one of the many countries I'd like to visit.

[ChristianKitsune]

I bought this at walmart..compliments of Kikoman!

[ShiroiHikari]

I would love to visit Japan someday(after I get a better grasp on the language). I dunno why I'm drawn to the culture, but I am, moreso than anime and manga, nowadays. However, I wouldn't want to live there.

By the way, if you want to try Japanese food but don't want to eat weird stuff like octopus, go to a steakhouse and get teriyaki chicken or sukiyaki steak. Excellent stuff.

[Alice]

To tell the truth I'd rather visit China than Japan. Not sure why. :3

[yukinon]

Octupus isn't that weird. I just can't bring myself to eat calimari...

I know that ever since I was really little, I've been interested in other cultures and languages. A few countries I focused on were Mexico, Japan, China, and Germany. I was always the type of kid who wanted to find out as much about a subject as I possibly could, and commit it to memory. Eventually, my focus narrowed to Japan and Germany. My interest in Japan was fueled by observing bits and pieces of the culture in anime.

Actually, that was one of the first things that attracted me to anime and one of the reasons that I love simpler, more culture-based series such as Azumanga Daioh, or semi-historical ones such as Kenshin.

I would love to visit Japan, simply to observe and learn of the culture I have been studying from afar firsthand. Immersing yourself in a culture or language is the only way to truly understand and experience it. However, I don't have a particular desire to live there. But hey, who knows? I really have no clue where I'll end up, and I can't say it wouldn't be interesting to live in another country for at least some time.

[Aeolus21]

I will admit that I've never been really fond of Sushi until I found anime. It's weird, but I got the courage to try it once I was exposed to the culture.

[Stephen]

umm... it was more of a disclaimer..because.. I didn't want anyone to think I was downing anyone... I am sorry if it sounded like I was being rude.... I... really didn't intend for it be that way.... sorry.. I was trying to avoid being rude...

Please forgive my ignorance, Mr. Shatterheart Sir... I didn't mean anything by it...

No worries. I thought you were taking a shot at the staff thats all. ^^ Carry on.

[Syaoran]

It is not because of the anime, or the caltur, or any thing eals I can think of. I want to live there, and be a missonarey there as well. some thing is just pulling me that way and I am doing my best to go there. Yes I do like anime and mangas but that is not why I am going there. I feel the need to tell them about the good news and help them.

[Arnobius]

One good thing I did get out of my otaku period was my studying Japanese. That was a rewarding experience. I wish I had been able to gain fluency/literacy, but even the things I did learn were helpful.

[Technomancer]

But I have a question for myself and other anime fans... Why do we seem to think that a dream vacation would be to go to Japan? Why are some of us so obsessed with this culture?

Now, I am not flaming anyone for feeling this way, I used to feel this way too, and still kinda do... but is it because of anime? Or is it something else?

I can't say that my idea of a dream vacation would be to go Japan. Unfortunately, I suspect that much of what I really would want to see in Japan no longer exists or else has become so kitschy that it's no longer worth seeing. Shopping malls, however large, do not excite my interest.

I can't say either that I'm "obsessed" with Japanese culture either. I have some interest in it, but not really more than I do any pretty much other culture. I like anime because I like a good story, and by the by I have become exposed to the popculture of another country. That's not a bad thing, but nothing to do cartwheels over either, at least in this case.

As far as why some people become obsessed with it, I suspect that it's for the same reasons that people become obsessed with more socially acceptable things. In the case of anime, there's also the fact that many of the characters are from a pretty emotionally repressed society, and reflect it. I don't know, maybe there's a greater degree of indentifiation there.