Hmm
When I watch anime, I see meditations on despair and redemption (Haibane Renmei), speculations about information technology and consciousness (Denno Coil, Serial Experiments Lain), case studies in dealing with grief and the importance of music (Sugar, a Tiny Snow Fairy), and illustrations of the importance of families (Jubei-chan: Secret of the Lovely Eyepatch and many, many others). When Brian Alexander, author of America Unzipped: In Search of Sex and Satisfaction, watches anime, he sees sex.1 I guess what you see depends on what wavelengths your eye is sensitive to.
(Via Derailed by Darry.)
- To be fair, he notes that “Of course, not all anime and manga is overtly sexual — a lot of it is meant for children. Even some adult anime isn’t sexualized any more than, say, Wonder Woman (who was created as a dominatrix bondage fantasy).” [↩]
Tags: Stupidity
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September 13th, 2008 at 5:43 am
I saw a link to this over at Josh’s blog and TBH it’s one of many dumb articles I’ve read over the years that claim to have a good grasp on the fandom. Alexander’s views might be worth reading if he emphasised how it’s the sexual side of the medium he’s concentrating on, but to claim that it’s all sexually-charged just to add credence to his own agenda (namely promoting his book, presumably) is irresponsible and misleading.
He’s either researched this badly, or deliberately put a sexualised spin on it to attract readers’ attention; it’s poor quality journalism either way.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
When you watch anime, you’re looking to be entertained, puzzled, frustrated-then-satisfied; to laugh, sniffle, groan, applaud. When Brian Alexander watches anime, he’s calculating how best to shape a catchy, inflammatory, titillating expose that’ll net a wodge o’ cash. “America Unzipped”? Puh-leez!