Ask John: Is Anime Repetitive?

Question:
I really notice the lack of variation in style, though I’m aware that anime has a lot of content, and this may be a consequence. But, this can get annoying.

Answer:
I’ll concede that a superficial observation of anime may conclude that it’s all big eyes, unrealistic hair colors, and exaggerated action. Even a slightly more thorough examination may conclude that contemporary anime consists of wish fulfillment fantasies about fantastic adventure or being surrounded by attractive young girls. I’ll admit that there are enough titles that fall into these two categories to give some validity to the generalization. But there’s much, much more to anime than just initial impressions. There actually is a tremendous variety to anime, in both narrative and visual aspects. Viewers need only look for unusual or unique anime to find them.

Dead Leaves, Cat Soup, Reign the Conquer, Gilgamesh, Gankutsuou, Mini-Pat, My Neighbors the Yamadas, and Requiem From The Darkness are anime titles commonly available in America which all have very unusual and distinctive visual design. Viewers who import anime from Japan can also sample titles like 1,001 Nights and Angel’s Egg, Fuujin Monogatari, Mind Game and Kemonozume, Dragon’s Heaven, Crayon Shin-chan, Gokinjo Monogatari, Honey & Clover, Ergo Proxy, Noein, Noiseman, and Trava: Fist Planet, all of which employ artistic visual styles far removed from the typical bright colors and soft, round curves associated with anime.

The stories told through anime are as diverse as prose fiction. There are anime about virtually every topic and theme imaginable. Once again, there are anime titles with stories that can interest or surprise even the most jaded viewer. Commonly available titles like Serial Experiments Lain, Boogiepop Phantom, Human Crossing, Arjuna, Genshiken, Grave of the Fireflies, Voices of a Distant Star, Yugo, and Zipang, just to name a few, are anime titles easily available on American DVD that have very unique or unusual stories. Once again, viewers with access to imported anime can seek out Mushishi, Flag, Akagi, Twilight Q part 2, and a variety of other programs that feature stories, story development, or narrative styles that lie outside the norm.

Comparing and critiquing similar anime shows is valid criticism that identifies the qualities and faults of each title, and stimulates the viewer’s critical thinking and perception of anime. But viewers should beware of allowing comparison to degenerate into stereotyping that limits perception and appreciation. No matter how similar two series may be, every anime is individual and unique. The primary conceit of GTO reappeared in the Salaryman Kintaro and Gokusen anime that followed it. Angelic Layer is a remake of Plawres Sanshiro that simply switches the male protagonist into a girl. Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto feels like a loose remake of Star of Cottonland. Mamotte Shugogetten is basically a remake of Ah! My Goddess with younger characters. Harem anime including Tenchi Muyo, Love Hina, Happy Lesson, Hanaukyo Maid Tai, Sister Princess, Eiken, Shuffle, Ai Yori Aoshi, Maburaho, and Hand Maid May all feel very similar, but each of these shows has unique characters and situations. Fans who like one show may not like others in the same genre, despite their superficial similarity.

It’s easy and tempting to say that anime, especially contemporary anime that seems heavily dominated by the “moe” ideology, seems to be all the same, but that’s not really true, and it’s a dangerous assumption. There are more than enough examples to disprove the theory that anime is too repetitive or too homogeneous. And acceptance of the theory that all anime is the same limits one’s ability to fairly judge individual examples of anime, and narrows one’s willingness to explore the true diversity of anime.