Ask John: What Will Happen to Anime Fans if Anime Becomes Too Mainstream?

Question:
Is anime becoming too mainstream? It is widely aggreed upon that anime is still an alternative form of entertainment and that people who watch anime exclusively, or at least the majority of the time, are a very small minority. So perhaps I should phrase the question, “What if anime becomes too mainstream?” But anyway, the fact is that many of us are fans of anime because it is unique and something that the majority is not accustomed to. Anime becoming mainstream invalidates being a fan because it is more like the norm; one can no longer be called a fan. What then?

Answer:
I’m aware that the following statement will sound absurdly obvious, but I think there’s more meaning to it than is initially apparent. Being an anime fan means being a fan of anime. Specifically, in my opinion, being a genuine, distinct anime fan, opposed to being a fan of animation or a fan of “anime-style art,” necessitates being enamored with the unique characteristics of Japanese animation. For non-Japanese fans, one characteristic of anime is its foreign-ness. Many anime fans are interested in anime because it’s underground and unusual. I won’t dismiss that motivation for liking anime, but I hope that serious fans of anime like anime not just because it’s foreign or underground. Anime is a combination of many elements including art design, coloring, story, music, dialogue, language, cultural context, and the philosophy behind its production. I believe that anime fans are people who are interested in all of these components, or at least most of them. In fact, I think that’s how anime fans should be. It’s fine for the cultish status of anime to influence a person’s interest in anime, but a person who like anime only because it’s underground and exclusive isn’t a fan of anime itself. That person considers anime as a means to an ends, not an ends unto itself.

I’ve personally always hoped for mainstream popularity and respect for anime in America because what I love most about anime is anime itself. As an anime fan, I’m not particularly preoccupied with the attitudes that surround anime fandom nor am I preoccupied with the social status of being an anime fan. My dream, in particular, has always been to see Japanese animation respected and appreciated within mainstream American culture. I would feel very gratified to see mainstream America recognize that Japanese animation has as much literary and cinematic value as any other type of film, if not more in some cases. I would be very thrilled to be able to watch anime that retained its unique Japanese characteristics broadcast on mainstream American television. America has been home to major, theatrical wide releases of Chinese language films including “Iron Monkey,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Hero,” and “House of Flying Daggers.” However, we haven’t been as lucky with Japanese animation.

There’s a significant linguistic and philosophical difference between mainstream popularity and “mainstreaming.” I support anime becoming popular in the American mainstream, but I vehemently oppose anime being altered for mainstream American consumption. I believe that viewers should appreciate art in as authentic and pure a form as possible. Art that’s been altered to be more commercial, even if it was commercial art to begin with, is not what the original artist wanted to share with his/her audience. Artists may be willing to accept compromises in order to reach a wider audience, but major compromises wouldn’t be necessary if viewers themselves would willingly expose themselves to art that challenges their complacency. Just because foreign film becomes mainstream doesn’t mean that it has to loose its foreign characteristics.

There’s more to anime than just its cultish status as imported, niche market animation. The alternative, exclusive spirit of anime is just one of many things that make anime appealing to American fans. I personally love anime. How popular it is among other Americans has no effect on how much I love anime. I’m glad when other Americans share my obsession, but not particularly surprised when they don’t. I honestly believe that it’s possible for anime to become mainstream in America without sacrificing its foreign characteristics. Whether or not that has happened or will happen is a different matter. Ultimately, I believe that the status of “anime fan” is determined by having a deep love of Japanese animation, regardless of one’s own social status or the mainstream perception of anime. I mean no offense, but I have to question the depth of a person’s devotion to anime if that devotion can be undermined merely by having anime become more popular. A fan is a fan. How many other fans of something there are doesn’t make an individual more or less of a fan as long as that individual’s interest remains intense and focused.