Is “Otaku-Man.” Geezer, give it up. You’re not writing the film, and I’m not “having trouble.” You get to wear The Turd Cape Of Shame™ for the rest of the week.
(The Turd Cape Of Shame™ is a No-Prize issued to Blog Nemeses.)
– W
My New Blog Nemesis
May 10th, 2007 · 60 Comments
Tags: Production Blog
60 responses so far ↓
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 8:51 am
Aww man, knew I should have chosen my words more carefully.
*puts on the Turd Cape of Shame and sighs*
Here I am, kinda hoping to make friends with Warren, and now I’m his arch-nemesis.
Course, the shunning by him could make me evil. It worked for the villain from The Incredibles.
Wonder if I should practice a diabolical laugh.
*Sniffs, realizes smell is coming from cape.*
When was the last time this thing’s been washed?
~Otaku-Man
P.S. Geezer?! I’m 24!
Brinstar // May 10, 2007 at 9:40 am
I’m guessing that Otaku-Man is either American or unfamiliar with British slang.
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 9:44 am
@Brinstar
American and guilty as charged I’m afraid. Currently working as a SharePoint engineer in Cleveland, OH.
Normally I’d have a good view of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame from my lab window, but the fog today is horrendous.
Although do please enlighten me on the slang that I have missed. It’ll be a good learning experience.
~Otaku-Man
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 10:10 am
Never mind. I looked “Geezer” up on Wiki, and now I am a wiser geezer for knowing it.
Although if it turns out there’s an additional slang for the Turd Cape of Shame OTHER than what I think it is, I will be delightfully surprised.
Kinda.
~Otaku-Man
Arikado // May 10, 2007 at 10:50 am
How did Warren manage to turn a turd into a cape?
Warren // May 10, 2007 at 10:56 am
Warren is magic.
Arikado // May 10, 2007 at 11:00 am
I bet you are….
*pauses to seriously think about this…….*
OMG! You are!
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 11:03 am
That he is. And from the stink of shame, I tell you this magic is the kind that sticks with, and on, you for a long, long time.
Yay.
~Otaku-Man
Arikado // May 10, 2007 at 11:24 am
Right. He’d have to be magic to score a job with IGA.
MAX_LE_FOU // May 10, 2007 at 12:03 pm
We have to be carefull in our future entries in this blog or next time he’ll raise his hands in the air, holding is magic staff while screaming: ‘You… shall not… Reply!!!’
Gota love magic.
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I dunno, if he considered working with IGA “magical”, I doubt he’d want to meet up with him in a dark alley and pound him to a pulp.
Course, bad luck may count as magic.
*Still smells the turd cape of shame*
Hey Warren! How long do I have to wear this thing to make it the rest of the week? Till the end of Saturday? Sunday? Friday?
(Please say Friday, please please please)
~Otaku-Man
l.m.orchard // May 10, 2007 at 12:38 pm
The fact that you’re still roleplaying wearing The Turd Cape Of Shame™ means you wear it until next Thursday, at which point your situation will be reviewed further.
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I prefer to think of it as “playing along”. Also acceptable is “Go with the flow” or “When in Rome…”.
Besides, it’s not every day someone gives you a Turd Cape of Shame. How am I supposed to know what to do with it?
~Otaku-Man
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I think of it more as “Going with the flow”.
~Otaku-Man
Dersu // May 10, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I’m sorry if this is off-topic. I’m only posting this here because it’s the latest blog and there’s a concern I have about these movies which I’d like addressed. The music. Please tell me the filmmakers plan to use orchestrated music from the game and not some generic soundtrack. Thanks in advance.
Benny C. // May 10, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Good god almighty, man, you realize that people will attempt to “out blog” each other for your attention now.
Otaku-Man // May 10, 2007 at 3:40 pm
One of these days I’m going to figure out why some comments don’t show up when you submit them; only to appear an hour or more later.
@Benny C.
You’re talking to Warren right?
~Otaku-Man
RJG // May 10, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Dersu brings up a good point. A very good point in fact. The CV series is known for it’s awesome orgasm inducing soundtracks. Will our beloved Michiru Yamane be involved? Will the anthem of the Vampire Killer play? Will there be a cheesy “boss defeated” fanfare at the conclusion of a battle?
Richter Belmont // May 10, 2007 at 11:58 pm
“Dance Of Illusions” must definetely be played during the fight with Dracula…
MAX_LE_FOU // May 11, 2007 at 4:35 am
Very true. Also “Wicked Child” would defiantly be a great score for an action/chase sequence.
Otaku-Man // May 11, 2007 at 5:28 am
There seriously needs to be a discussion thread or a blog entry about fan input about music.
Apparently, people around here want to take everything off topic, whether it be who should voice who or the Turd Cape of Shame, and direct to talking about music.
I got some thoughts on that, but I’m not posting them here. I’m waiting for a REAL music discussion to get started elsewhere.
~Otaku-Man
Victor // May 11, 2007 at 6:55 am
You should get U2 to cover Vampire Killer.
Okay, I’m done laughing now. CV music however has always been somewhat of a cornerstone of the game. Much like having a vampire menace, the castle or a hero with some link to Belmont, Morris or Dracula himself. I’m not doubting anyone’s ability to compose or pick good music for this project.
Craig // May 11, 2007 at 8:12 am
Does anyone else remember the days when fans let the professionals do their work instead of insisting that they not only have a hand in process, but also know absolutely what’s best? Yknow, the days before internet born atrocities like Snakes On A Plane?
Otaku-Man // May 11, 2007 at 8:34 am
Wow, I must REALLY be evil to get Warren to post a blog entry with comments turned OFF!
Not that it will stop the Castlevania fanboys to go on and on about who or what the music compostion will be.
But wow! I was just saying that out of annoyance at the constant banter about the music. Never thought it’d be taken seriously.
I must be a really good nemesis!
Like Control Freak from Teen Titans, but with less body odor.
~Otaku-Man
Victor // May 11, 2007 at 9:23 am
I thought all otakus came with body odors?
Otaku-Man // May 11, 2007 at 10:33 am
I said LESS Body Odor, not none. Although most of that smell is likely coming from the Turd Cape of Shame.
Anyway, the amount of odor from an Otaku is determined by what KIND of Otaku they are (and their bodyfat ratio).
Let’s break it down:
Classical Music/Theater/Snobby Otaku -
The least stinkiest of all Otaku. These are the people that dress up in ballgowns and tuxedos and head out to the “OP-ER-AH!” to hear symphonies and famous composers. Not only do these Otaku not stink, but they actually smell nice. Too bad these are a dying breed, but they are often found in WASP nests and are known to swim in gold coins and jewels.
Star Trek Otaku -
While without a doubt the NERDIEST of just about any Otaku out there, they are also one of the more cleanliest. Being a Starfleet officer requires immaculate grooming, well kept hair, and a few pounds of makeup depending on which species you’re dressed as. If not dressed spic and span with phasers set to “Dashing”, the others are covered in so much makeup that it masks any body odor they have. They are as clean as they are intelligent.
Movie Buff Otaku -
While movie buffs are not as concerned with their appearance as Star Trek Otaku, their enjoyment of movies requires leaving their homes and going out into the open wild to see what’s showing at the local matinee. While judgemental of film quality, pacing, story, dialogue, and generally being quite snarky about their favorite films, they usually maintain a general level of human hygiene since they have to be able to sit in a dark, silent, packed theater on opening day. Odor would detract from the film experience.
Television Otaku -
Unknown to many, television Otaku are the most common Otaku. These people are the loyal fans of network television and cult cable classics. Able to explain who the current “Dr. McDreamy” is, or what the latest plot twist on Lost is, most of the time they are average joes who have nothing better to do during the weekdays. Usually maintain a hygenic standard appropriate for their employment.
Sports Otaku -
The epitome of machismo, these are the baseball, football, basketball, and hockey fans that often wear beer hats, team colored jerseys, and are often found with chips, hot dogs, and beer. LOTS of beer. When not at a sporting event, they smell a lot like the Television Otaku, but quickly degrade whenever “The Game” is on. Then the stench of beer breath, chip crumbs, and ketchup stains begin to hop into action. Thank Goodness this only lasts for about 3 hours a day, 4-5 days a week.
Rock Music Otaku - The punks and the rockers, these guys are known for outrageous hair and clothes that look like a wolverine made them their chew toys. These people like to jump around and exert themselves in ways that make them sweat. Add the rolling around in mud, and they get pretty stinky. When they come home from the Nickelback concert, make sure that they take a shower, brush their teeth, and remember to turn off the light before tucking them into bed. They’ve got school tomorrow!
Comic Book Otaku -
While stereotypically known for being inverts, the comic book fan tries to maintain a small level of cleanliness to ensure that their comic books stay in mint condition. Very dedicated to hygiene of the hand, they wash them to the point of OCD. However, at conventions they tend to let it all hang out and often mull about, not really caring what germs they pick up from all the handshakes. Be careful of the ones that shake hands with Stan Lee; they often swear to never wash their hands, or hand, again.
Anime Otaku -
Like the Comic Book Otaku, but slightly worse smelling. This is often attributed to the constant insistance on playing music based games that require excessive body movement which they are in no shape to perform. This generates great amounts of sweat and stink. Thankfully, the Anime Otaku community has become aware of this problem and have taken steps to provide free sample size bars of deoderant to anyone that goes to the game room.
Star Wars Otaku -
While definitly a noble and respected Otaku fanbase, keep an eye on the ones in the full body armor. Odds are that the plastic covering them from head to toe begins to create a funk after a while. Always stick to the Light Side of the Force, cause the dark side smells like feet wrapped in leathery, burnt bacon.
Furry Otaku -
For people pretending to be animals with heightened senses of smell, they themselve seem to have dulled olfactory sensors. While not all are that bad, and some of the people in this Otaku-dom are really nice and understanding, the ones to watch out are the ones in the fur suits. Make sure they have a flea bath once leaving the suit cause who knows what smells or pests they obtained while in that thing!
Porn Convention Otaku -
By far, these people are THE stinkiest of any Otaku, or human being, on the planet. Never leaving home, never forming human relationships, these people that attend use whatever money they can to just wallow in filth. If you ever smell them, NEVER ask what it is that smells. Just DON’T!
While this does not list all the different kinds of Otaku, it does give a good breakdown of the odor level falls for each kind. As Otaku-Man, I have the geekery of an Anime Otaku, but the smell of a Television Otaku.
And there you go.
(Now to copy this to my Blog!)
~Otaku-Man
Pedro // May 11, 2007 at 11:09 am
Benny made a point. Now that there is an official “blog nemesis” award, people will be posting like mad just to earn it.
Warren // May 11, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Oh dear god.
Otaku-Man // May 11, 2007 at 1:34 pm
*The following comment to Warren is meant for entertainment purposes only. Is it not to be taken serious or meaningful in anyway. After all, it’s just a blog comment!*
*imitates the voice of Skeletor*
YES, Warren! You were the one who gave me the Turd Cape of Shame, branding me your nemesis.
And nemesis I shall BE!
From now on, I shall wear this foul cape with pride, leading your blog nemeses to create an army; an army of bloggers who shall seek to annoy, to pester, and to counter ANY and ALL blogs that you create.
It is our REVENGE against the crimes of mocking and shunning us with blogs and comments intended to degrade us, to humiliate us!
Do not blame ME for this horrible monstrosity of bloggery! YOU are the one who cast me down when I was but with pure intentions, branding me with this wretched cape. Let this be forever on your head!
You MADE me into the madman that I am now, Warren. You may consider me your nemesis now, but soon I will be more than that! I will be your ARCH-NEMESIS; The Otaku-Man!
With weapons of sheer implausible geekdom, such as THIS one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NAAEuklEJA
My legions shall expose you to the massive power of geekery in such a way that you will TREMBLE in abject horror and fear!
Nyeh heh. NYAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
*Once again, I would like to remind the readers that this is in no way a serious monologue of supervilliany, but actually a parody of said super-villainy. Please do not request to be part of the blog army. There isn’t one. This is a joke, people! ‘Tis all in good fun. :)*
~Otaku-Man
Brinstar // May 11, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I’m going to say what I’m sure a lot of people are thinking:
Otaku-Man, you are one odd fellow.
You have possibly also irked Warren slightly.
Otaku-Man // May 11, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Yeah, I am odd. And I also know that I irked Warren with some of my statements in previous comments.
In a funny kind of way, I find being Warren’s nemesis kind of funny and think hamming the role up is quite amusing.
On a more serious note, what I REALLY want to be is a friend of Warren’s and would like a chance to clarify my previous statements and apologize for any insult Warren may have taken from them.
Like I mentioned in a previous comment, I suffer from a condition known as Asperger’s Syndrome. This is kind of like a minor form of Autism, but not to the point where I am incapable of function with the rest of the world.
The thing is, in my mind, I was not insulting Warren with my comments and words. However, my mind is not like all minds, and it’s more than likely I said something to offend him.
I’d really like a chance to apologize in a more serious venue, but since I am his blog nemesis, I kinda thought to myself:
“Well, if I’m supposed to be his nemesis, maybe I could play along. Exercise some creative muscle in pretending to be some kind of evil villain from the 1980’s. I don’t believe he is seriously upset at me, so if I play along, maybe it will help get on his good side.”
Of course, my logic can be wrong. In fact, a good portion of the time, at least when it comes to common sense, it usually is.
So, hope that clears up a few things. Now then, should I just let this joke die, or keep hamming it up?
~Otaku-Man
Brinstar // May 11, 2007 at 2:10 pm
You know, that actually does clear some things up. A couple of my friends in the gaming society (table-top/LARP, not videogames) at university had Asperger’s, and the detailed line of thinking you’ve been using in the comments here bears some similarity to how my friends discussed things.
It’s up to you to continue or not.
Otaku-Man // May 11, 2007 at 2:14 pm
There’s actually a VERY good YouTube video on that. It made front page.
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbgUjmeC-4o
Quite nice really. I wrote a MySpace blog response for it since YouTube doesn’t give enough proper space for it.
Although it probably will once the two fuse.
~Otaku-Man
Arikado // May 12, 2007 at 6:08 am
I think that this blog was dedicated more to Otaku-Man than the movie.
Its’ cool that Warren has such a great sense of humor. Maybe you will see your name under “Special Thanks” in the films’ credits Otaku-Man.
Otaku-Man // May 12, 2007 at 8:35 am
I hope you’re right. Last thing I want is the wrath of Warren Ellis.
~Otaku-Man
Eli // May 12, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Dear god! Otaku-Man, will you please just shut up, and let the joke die?
Thank you Warren for making it clear about the fan imput in the movie. I think some people needed it spelled out to them.
Finally, any hint of when we might see some art stills or a preview of animation? Is the project that far along yet?
adamag // May 13, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Dear Warren,
When is the Press Release for the Movie ?
Doom Saber // May 13, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I agree with Craig’s post, which is
————————————–
“Craig // May 11, 2007 at 8:12 am
Does anyone else remember the days when fans let the professionals do their work instead of insisting that they not only have a hand in process, but also know absolutely what’s best? Yknow, the days before internet born atrocities like Snakes On A Plane?”
—————————————
It is so true and I think ppl assume that just because their is a blog of the movie, it is an open invitation to give our inputs to the blogger and that the blogger has to use their ideas. While they will do ask for what ppl think of their input in the movie, this doesn’t mean that they will actually use your ideas. Just to hear what you think and if they like it, maybe they will use it. Blogs are mainly used to give the audience the behind the scenes look of a production , but I think people misinterept them as the blogger asking the community to help write the production.
Kai // May 14, 2007 at 5:51 am
Jesus, blogs are fucking intense.
Otaku-Man // May 14, 2007 at 6:10 am
I frankly don’t care if they use any ideas I mention here or not. I just like being able to actually have moderate conversations with other Castlevania fans and the production staff.
…even if it does make me a blog nemesis.
Although you do have a point that if everyone here were to put in input, it would be like cooks and broth; too many of the first spoils the latter.
What’s more is that they get the most crucial input from the most important source:
IGA!
I may not be a mind reader, but I foresee that with the crew working on the film so far that this is going to turn out fantastic.
And lastly, while it is often the nature of blogs in general for fans to try and become involved in the film production, criticize production releases, make comments and suggestions, etc., etc….
I think a good amount of that blame kinda falls on me as I made the original post suggestion, before IGA joined the team or was announced as a part of it, of having a “Fan Advisor” staff member.
Then things went from this to that, brick a brack, and you get the idea.
So if anything, my bad.
~Otaku-Man
Scythemantis // May 14, 2007 at 10:54 am
You know, I’ve seen a lot of people across the internet gnash their little teeth over how a Japanese game is being adapted into an American animated movie, and while it may just be here on someone else’s blog, I feel like giving these people a little dose of reality:
-Japanese animation has literally nothing over American animation, people just drool over it because it seems exotic and fresh even though most of it is the same derivative, unimaginative trash. The Japanese happen to feel the same way about American animation…they eat it up mindlessly, and try to emulate it at every turn. Anime itself originated as an emulation of Disney animation.
-A movie inspired by an existing property does not need to get every detail correct to be a good movie. In fact, it doesn’t need to get any of them correct. It just has to be fun. Besides that, the Castlevania games are not Shakespeare and barely have consistent details that you CAN get “wrong”. They differ enough from one another that ANY movie adaptation with both a whip and a vampire in it will be as faithful as it needs to be.
-Except for “Snakes on a Plane”, there is no room for fan ideas in motion picture productions. For every moment you see in a finished movie, the creative staff had a hundred more ideas than could ever have fit into the final product. They have no business even reading the input of internet strangers.
-Finally: anime fans, gamers, and geeks of every sort need to accept that they are a tiny minority who don’t have any influence over anything that matters in all the world. Nobody cares what you think and you’re wrong to think it anyway. And by you, I mean us. And by they, I mean we. I am a TREMENDOUS geek, but I suffer no illusions of importance. Just because you’re a fan of something doesn’t mean you actually know what’s best for it.
Doom Saber // May 14, 2007 at 12:19 pm
I disagree with you about Japanese anime having nothing over America ones. I don’t think it is the art style, but how much budget they have. This is like saying the 80’s He-man cartoon is superior to something like robotech in every aspects. That is why I don’t care if Castlevania is being done in american art as long as the budget is there and the producers are willing to do everything they can to make this mature and enjoyable.
Also, you forget how american comicbook loves to emulate japanese anime into their art style; Mcafarlane, Scott Campbell, etc…
I think some ppl like anime just because of the maturity level of the majority of cartoons as oppose to american cartoons. This is because of society, though I realize japanese anime are being toned down to be more westernized. I mean when ppl usually bash anime, they usually bring up pokemon as if it is the sole repersentative of anime.
Besides, most american cartoons in the 80’s to today are done by some asian or Canadian studio. I think you just have a grudge wtih anime.
Otaku-Man // May 14, 2007 at 1:14 pm
And now the American animation vs. Japanese animation debate has begun. Does this production blog have a forum? Anyone? Bueller?
~Otaku-Man
Ralph // May 14, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Hey guys, why don’t you stop yapping and take this elsewhere? This is a production blog, not the ePenis Festival.
Danial // May 14, 2007 at 2:01 pm
*puts down ePenis, hangs head and slowly walks away while the depressing Charlie Brown Christmas music plays in the background*
seriously though, the whole production sounds like it’s doing great. I’m glad they are involving us fans this way, but I doubt they need our help.
Keep up the good work
Scythemantis // May 14, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I’ll publicly waggle my ePenis wherever I want! Besides, if my comment was approved it must have had some semblance of entertainment value. Right?
Right?
Brinstar // May 14, 2007 at 3:49 pm
OMG. This place has really gotten overrun ever since the fanboys heard about it. Especially that Otaku-Man.
Otaku-Man, you should start your own blog where you can droll endlessly on about your opinions or what you want in the film, because you’re really dominating the comments section, and not in a positive way.
After you have written (in your new blog, mind you) your lengthy and extensive responses to what the production team have posted, instead of making comment after comment here, you can just post a quick blurb of your opinion and a link to your blog… And if people want to debate with you and engage in further discussion on your views regarding every minute detail of the film, they can go to your blog.
Doom Saber // May 14, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I hope there is a new blog entry to talk since this one is getting out of topic….hehe epenis….LMAO.
I don’t want this blog to disappear because ppl cannot behave.
Victor // May 15, 2007 at 4:45 am
I wouldn’t exactly qualify JScott Campbell as being influenced by japanese art more than making girls with knockers twice the size of their heads and waists the size of their arm. I know some folk dig his style and such but I never really got into it. Now, Alex Ross… he’s one crazy artist. Of course all of this is subjective so it doesn’t really matter.
This topic isn’t about shit capes anymore. It’s more about a shitty discussion that went entirely off topic.
Dersu // May 15, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I suppose I made a huge mistake even bringing up music in the first place. My reason for doing so was that so many video game movies in the past have not only fallen flat, but they often also use generic musical scores that are usually nowhere near as memorable as the music in the video games themselves. I’ve always wanted to see a brilliant “Castlevania” (or “Akumajou Dracula,” whichever you prefer) movie with beautifully orchestrated renditions of the music from the games. But in the end, I only want the filmmakers to be able to make the best movies they can, and if they can’t find a way to make the games’ scores work in these movies, then so be it. Once again, I’m sorry that my comments are off-topic, but then again, when the topic is about some kind of “Turd Cape of Shame,” I figured not too many people would care. I was simply looking for a “yes, we’ll use the game’s music,” or “no, we won’t use the game’s music” response. And if the answer was “no,” then while I’d have been disappointed, I wouldn’t have let it keep me from being interested in this project, which so far sounds like it’s coming together rather well.
Otaku-Man // May 16, 2007 at 6:03 am
@Brinstar
My initial reaction to your comment sort of made me… well… NOT want to post anything here lest I start something else that just blows out of proportion…
…AGAIN!
Of course, after reviewing other comments you have made, I think I may have taken your comment in the wrong way. I think you were upset, but you also made a good suggestion about how I can post my giant comments and give a venue for people to respond.
I think I’ll do that from now on. Well, at least for the comment after this one.
In the meanwhile, I’m just waiting for a new production blog entry. So long as all this hasn’t scared the staff off.
And Warren? I want to apologize if I’ve come off as snotty, know-it-all-ish, and rude. I’d much rather be friends than enemies.
Think we can bury the hatchet?
Okay, next time, I’m just gonna post a link to my blog.
Now then, s’aright?
~Otaku-Man
P.S. My name is Steve
Benny C. // May 16, 2007 at 8:55 am
Before this collective commenting devours my already tenous strain on sanity:
are there any chances of seeing the finished screenplay on the blog, just wondering.
and now I’m going to go bash my head into some cement blocks and hope all the blood loss will bring peace.
Victor // May 16, 2007 at 12:19 pm
I don’t think posting screenplays to something in production is considered to be best practice or something. Generally someone would want to keep stuff like that under wraps until the release of the actual material (if at all). I’m sure the crew will give us a few teasers and a heads up before they wrap things up.
It may be a few months off… heck maybe even over a year. We just have to sit down and wait it out. Play those mind numbing video games until then or whatever.
Arikado // May 16, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I think Warren has died (again).
Evidence of this: No new production blogs (that we can reply to) in over a week……
Check this out Smash Bros. fans (yes I know this is totally off topic - I’m bored)…
http://www.smashbros.com/
Brinstar // May 17, 2007 at 11:15 am
Otaku-Man/Steve: I wasn’t really upset, just very so slightly irritated. No harm done. I was just thinking of a way that you could 1) Expound as much as you wanted on whatever points of debate you saw fit to debate, 2) Constructively contribute to the conversation, but without appearing as if you wanted to dominate. A balance.
Karma // Sep 7, 2007 at 8:08 am
“I think some ppl like anime just because of the maturity level of the majority of cartoons as oppose to american cartoons. ”
It has that? Wow. Color me surprised.
After watching mindless tripe like Evangelon that spent an entire pretentious series trying to pretend that it meant something intelligent, when it was nothing more than a slide show of pointless symbolism that meant nothing and inaccurate, and unintentionally hilarious botched religious refrences….
As well as everything from the tens of thousands of genre clones, “original” romantic-comedies by the dime-a-dozen truckload and pretentious nonsense wrapped up in a sheepskin of imitation art-house garbage and nonsense, I’d have to differ on that one.
Out of a great deal of anime, only a very very small portion of it is creative, original, or even any fun to watch.
I happen to think that the statement before was absolutely correct. Anime is popular becuase it’s a trendy bandwagon to hop for kids wishing to be cool. It offers no maturity advantage over any style of animation from any other country that i’ve ever seen.
Anime is probably the most overrated style of animated production, bar none.
I’m not trashing all of it, as there are a few anime series out there worth watching, of which I own.
But that’s the key word. “Few”. There are so many anime series that are composed almost entirely of pretentiousness, filler, fill-in-the-blanks-with-your-own-meaning symbolism that is intended to find the easiest way out of any writing which might otherwise take thought to create, and repetitive mountains of genre-clone after genre-clone within itself that never offer anything new other than different ways to plagerize itself.
4 out of nearly 30 anime actually tries to do something different, rather then rely on cloning all of the cliches from another series like one nation-sized xerox machine.
The “It’s more than pokemon” defense might have flown in the days when Pokemon and Akira were the only two sides of the glass to look on (Both of which I found exceptionally poor),
But these days, when you have so many “varied” series out there all at one time like Eureka Seven, Naruto, Tokyo Mew Mew and Any given one of the millions of the “romantic comdies” out there, that are stolen, plagerized, and inbred, almost verbatim from “classics” like Gundum Wing, Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, and given one of the OTHER millions of “romantic comedies” out there, that claim of “maturity” and “sophistication” dosn’t fly much further than about 4 inches behind itself.
Aside from the 1 or maybe 2 original and creative anime series that come out every 5 years or so that doesn’t rely on xeroxing a past show and drawing mustaches on the characters so that they seem different, anime is more like 7 different shows that have been re-done and given a new coat of paint every year.
With so many genre clones, stolen ideas, self-plagiarism, identical stories, over-used cliches, cardboard stereotype characters, familiar concepts, and creative inbreeding that’s been unmistakably apparent in virtually all anime for over 50+ years, i’ve never seen anything that puts anime over American animation, aside from about several short “dark” years in the American 80’s.
Moreover, at least70% of anime, throughout that entire 50+ years, has, in many respects been much less creative, much less mature, much less sophisticated, and much less of a lot of things in many different ways.
Particularly during the entire decades of the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, in which American animation has been everything besides the average “Saturday Morning Cartoon”.
And yet again, in the 90’s, and especially today, when the downhill slide of anime’s quality is more apparent than ever.
That is, unless anyone can possibly defend pointless, plagiarized, cliche-ridden and unwatchable tripe like Naruto over works from legendary names and artists like Avery, Clampett, Jones, Kristfalusi, Bakshi, Disney, or Hanna & Barbera.
Anyone who could claim that the artistic sensibilities of most all of these serious and professional artists, who were always sincere to both their audiences and the nature of their own work isn’t “mature” in some sense, is most likely willfully ignorant of the industry, and therefore doesn’t have a solid opinion worth two dimes.
It’s not like I have anything against Anime as an equal opportunity artform. A small few anime series (Usually helmed by a very small number of artists and writers that actually care more about their work rather than rushing out another mindless genre-clone for japanese television) try to be clever, or original.
But Anime has such a steady influx of generic, badly rushed, bland, and below sub-standard crap on a monthly basis, that’s it’s very VERY hard to say anything good about the entire anime scene as a whole.
And this is completely regardless of any influence from American localization, which I happen to be a supporter of.
Anime is not magical, better, or any more mature or wonderful than anything else out there, just becuase being a foreign export magically makes it so, from trendy kids that like to pretend to be Japanese.
If it was somehow suddenly discovered that, for the last 100 years, there was not only life, but a culture on Mars, all the kids would be jumping on the “Martian Culture” bandwagon faster than they became elitists japan-freaks. They’d listen to Mars music, and watching Mars shows, and talking endlessly about how much Earth sucks, ect, ect.
I find that this “Anime is more mature” crap simply dosn’t wash. Not when it’s unmistakable that anime produces so many, worthless, inbred, diluted and self-plagiarized carbon copies of every other idea that every other Japanese author ever had for the last 50+ years.
This is not even counting the hundreds of anime that never gets ANY sort of localized release at all. And let’s face it, a lot of what is being localized (Such as Naruto for instance, which has stolen every lame Shonen-anime cliche for over the last 25 years, without adding anything creative or new to it at all.) isn’t exactly the cream of the crop, either.
And seeing as it’s the current favorite today from nearly all of the raving, 13-and-under, militant, anime-obsessed bandwagon hoppers that populate a heavy section of the internet, it must be a pretty good indication of the American anime fans opinion of what anime is.
They do not want “mature” or “creative”. Apparently they want every single shonen anime since Dragonball wrapped up into one, uncreative, filler-laden, pointless, plotless, mess of un-artistic drivel with “ninja’s” that do nothing but find flimsy excuses to beat each other up every episode for 22 minutes.
I dare anyone to say that Naruto is any more mature or sophisticated than the 1990’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” cartoon.
Lotus Petal // Sep 16, 2007 at 7:01 pm
[Reads the above comments by Karma]
Yes… Yes…. I would have to ardently agree with what you say there. In fact, in replying to your closing statement I would have to say that not only is “Naruto” heavily-cliched and annoying, but its popularity is also a testament to the overall ignorance of the American audience to the term “anime” in the first place.
I wasn’t entirely surprised but certainly disappointed nonetheless that people who had fervently been bashing on Japanese-produced animation were suddenly awed by this show and started raving about it like a meth addict who just received enough “candy” to make a hardcore Halloween Trick-or-Treater’s monumental stash look like a few trite crumbs. Behold the magic of Cartoon Network’s popular “Toonami” line-up! [I write this with a sad grin].
To all “otakukin” who think they have “ninja powers”, I say, put up videos of yourselves performing such feats on YouTube. Then I’ll be convinced you aren’t in need of serious psychiatric help. I’m sick of having to deal with freaks who are constantly trying to convince me my tastes in animation are “wrong” and “inferior” simply because I don’t think every anime series is the greatest thing ever made.
I’m a college student, but I still haven’t been able to escape the immature, obnoxious cult of “otaku” elistists who are obsessed with Japanese culture and try to pick out every single mistake I make when pronouncing a title unfamiliar to me, or even a character name from a series that is near and dear to me (Aoshi Shinomori from “Rurouni Kenshin” anyone?). If anything, it’s only gotten worse, since these people who had a serious problem in high school or before now have access to money and cars, wherewith they now have a means to waste their lives on an even larger scale. (If possible?! Scary thought there.)
But I digress. This blog is about the new “Castlevania” movie being made, yes? I’m a HUGE geek when it comes to “Castlevania” and am really excited about IGA’s involvement with the series. ;p
I do have one element that I would like to see in this movie.
Call it a fangirl’s deluded wish, but… I hope the movie begins with introducing Trevor Belmont as an outcast of Transylvanian society and that the townspeople fear and hate him because they are afraid of the Belmont family’s unique powers. I want to see him living deep in the mountains or something of that sort, receiving little company and only being allowed direct passage through the countryside to Dracula’s castle so he can, you know, kill Count Dracula.
I know it sounds silly, but I think it would be nice to see the movie light upon the historical fact that the Belmont family hasn’t always been regarded as “good and noble”, and that the bloodline hasn’t always been treated with kindness and support. Just a thought.
–Lotus Petal
Warren // Sep 17, 2007 at 5:51 pm
“I hope the movie begins with introducing Trevor Belmont as an outcast of Transylvanian society and that the townspeople fear and hate him because they are afraid of the Belmont family’s unique powers. I want to see him living deep in the mountains or something of that sort, ”
Very close to what I’ve written, in fact.
Lotus Petal // Sep 29, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Well, that was lucky… ^_^
Can’t wait to see the final product when it’s finished, and good luck to you all!
–Lotus Petal
TheUnbeholden // Dec 8, 2007 at 11:40 am
LOL.. Otaku man is writing the film it seems from what ive been reading.. well from what ive seen hes written more then warren.. (though of coures warren has written an entire screen play and has alot of screen play writing experience and is a successful at his job) Otaku man of which we know nothing about seems to be trying to be doing warrens job LOL. anyways fans are sometimes like this they tend to think they know whats best for the movie and tend to give their opinions as if the movie makers need it…
its a sad thing.. but they delusional as fans, they think they know everything about it.. and well they do know everything about the series, so I guess its ok for them to voice their opinions.. if it makes them feel better.
And i guess you can just ignore them if you want, giving a fan the turd cape of shame is a bit mean, these fans prize themselves for there intricate knowledge of the game.
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