Ask John: Is it Wrong to Judge Anime on Art Alone?

Question:
Is it wrong and/or superficial to judge or not read an anime or manga because you do not like the art?

Answer:
Actually, I’d like to provide a bit of an expanded response to your question because I think your question naturally leads to related ones that you haven’t asked. It’s easy to be casually intellectual and say that of course, judging a book by its cover is superficial, but I think that there’s a bit more to the question when it’s applied to anime. Both anime and manga are primarily visual mediums. Both have a story, and both may be text or dialogue intensive, but the most immediately impactful element of anime is its visuals, and one of the primary characteristics of manga is that the visuals alone can convey the basic story of a good manga. So it’s unavoidable for a viewer not to form expectations based on appearances. In fact, especially the anime industry is partially based on the assumption that viewers will develop visual classifications of anime in place of a formal ratings system. Japan clearly labels erotic anime as suitable for adults over the age of 18 only, but there is no formal ratings system applied to all other types of anime. Viewers are expected to determine what is and isn’t suitable for them based on appearances, and, in the case of TV anime, at what time it’s aired. Furthermore, there’s just too much anime available for any single person to watch everything. Even sampling one or two episodes of every anime title could take a lifetime. So it’s very necessary for viewers to selectively choose what they watch and read based on its appearance. The best way to decide what to watch or read or buy is to base your decision on what looks appealing to you.

However, it’s important for a well-versed anime fan to avoid peremptorily rejecting an anime or manga based only on its appearance. By that I mean that anime fans shouldn’t hastily reject an anime or manga because they don’t like its art, and also shouldn’t automatically assume that an anime or manga is good just because it’s very attractive looking. Every manga and anime is a combination of elements including story, dialogue, art, and in the case of anime, music and audio. I’ve encountered anime fans that aren’t interested in Galaxy Express 999 because the characters look like deformed human potatoes. But choosing not to watch Galaxy Express because of its character design deprives viewers of experiencing one of anime’s most beloved character development heavy space fantasies. Likewise many anime fans won’t be interested in watching Princess Tutu because it appears to be a show about ballet intended for little girls. But making that assumption would deprive viewers from experiencing one of the most amazingly dynamic and macabre and mature anime series in years. Similarly, Wolf’s Rain is a fan favorite and had high expectations surrounding it because of its pedigreed production staff and attractive visual design. However, at least in my opinion, Wolf’s Rain is all superficial beauty with no substance or meaning or depth. Likewise the Air TV series has been highly praised by anime fans for what American fans, at least, cite as outstanding animation. But in fact, while the Air TV series does have a very attractive visual design, its actual animation quality isn’t exceptional, and neither is its rather superficial story and minimalist characterization.

Speaking from personal experience, from 1986 until 1990 I avoided Dragonball because I thought it was just a children’s show. But when I finally set aside my predispositions I found that I really enjoyed the show. Likewise, in 1999 I was very hesitant to try out the One Piece anime because I thought the character designs were ugly. But I did try it; it surprised me; and since then I’ve watched over 200 episodes of the show. In fact, there are probably dozens, if not hundreds of anime series that I would never have experienced if I hadn’t consciously subdued my first impressions. There are also probably countless anime that I’ve discovered that I really like, which I didn’t expect to like. Initial D is a fine example. The characters of Initial D look like potato headed idiots, and I’m not usually a fan of cars or car racing. But I tried the Initial D anime anyway, to give it a fair chance, and its dynamic action and interesting characterizations and adept combination of animation and music quickly won me over. I still think the Initial D characters look goofy, but I don’t let that prevent me from enjoying and appreciating the show.

I think that individual viewers should watch whatever anime interests them, and I believe that individual viewers should use whatever criteria they are comfortable with to determine which series to watch and which manga to read. After all, you’ll never enjoy any anime more than one you personally find interesting. But refusing to take a chance with an anime or manga because of an uninformed, uneducated first impression harms yourself more than the anime or anyone else. Refusing to even sample an anime or manga because of superficial bias only places artificial limits on your own knowledge and entertainment. If you actually try watching an anime or manga you may find yourself unexpectedly enjoying it. Or you may find your suspicions confirmed, in which case they’re no longer suspicions and you’ve become better educated about anime. In either case, acknowledging your first impressions but preventing yourself from being bound by them is beneficial for you as an anime fan.