To be fair, Ravenus, our own site equates anime as a genre, alongside science fiction, film-noir, drama, comedy, action, etc. Look at the profile for
Akira. I certainly agree with your characterization of anime as a format. In my clearly uneducated opinion, where anime is concerned, I think it could almost be considered both, in a way. And here's why I say this. Yes, anime is the method by which the story is rendered. You can have an anime science fiction film; you could also do a drama, even a comedy. And, there's certainly no shortage of adult anime. But, I also see it as a genre. Why? Think of my favorite genre, film-noir. While there are certain character and narrative elements that help determine if a movie falls within that category (ie the femme fatale, the private dick, violence and a central crime, often a falsely accused protagonist, melodrama), there are also
stylistic elements that are very clearly at play. Noir can, of course, be shot in color, but when I think of classic noir, it is black and white, and the lighting methods and cinematography angles employed tend to give film-noir a gritty, and, at times, a voyeuristic feel. When a suspect is being interrogated, the bright lights make the viewer sweat alongside the accused. Even the clothing worn by the principal characters are styled for the genre. The private eye in the long trench coat, the femme fatale with the dark lipstick, and (for the time) alluring dress, showing off their legs. The hair styles, the doe-eyed look. Well, there are stylistic flourishes in anime, too, that set it apart from regular animation, aren't there? These alone might not constitute a genre, but different genres, when coupled with these stylistic choices, could further categorize a film as being of the anime genre. Take two films like
Bambi and
Akira. Both fall within the animation format. Yet clearly, from a stylistic standpoint, they could not be more different. Disney has a distinctive style, and, to my knowledge, anime comes primarily from Japan; those artists have their own flair. I would humbly submit that there might be somewhat of a gray area where this is concerned. Ain't that life, though?
I will admit that I am not a fan of anime, really, but that's because I haven't been properly exposed to it. That's certainly not due to some predisposition against it. I don't want to appear ignorant, and I would never say something like "
Criterion shouldn't have anime in their Collection."
Criterion is, ultimately, about art in film, and that art can come in many different forms. So, maybe I should check some anime out. This is probably the worst comparison to make, and I will likely be shining a bright light on just how big a noob I am. But I
loved watching
Star Blazers as a kid. One of my favorite ever cartoons. Is that considered anime?
Voltron, too.
I'm still a kid at heart, and probably always will be. I still watch
Battlestar Galactica because it was my favorite show as a kid. I remember when I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle in San Francisco in about 1980. I saw Dirk Benedict on the street, and started yelling out, "Starbuck!!!!!!!" It took both my Uncle and my Dad to restrain my little 8 year old body from rushing the guy for an autograph! The reimagined series is great, and the 70s show is definitely long on the cheese. But I still get a kick out of it. Maybe I can recapture part of my childhood by going back to the cartoons I loved, and then go from there into more serious endeavors.
I'm open to suggestions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravenus
Anime is not a genre it's a format to tell a story. Both Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon are regarded as masters of the format, but their films are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to the ideas and style. It's like equating John Cassavettes with Cecil B De Mille because, well both made films with actors, didn't they? So, no offence intended but, what you're showing here is not age, but a narrowness of mindset, hardly the right attitude for the fan of a label that prides itself on its commitment to garnering the best of cinema from across the world, regardless of period and style.
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