I think it hits home for alot of people who grew up in the anime boom era. I remember before turning eleven I was a rabid Pokemon and Digimon fanatic before realizing that there was alot more to anime's storylines then what certain dubing companies were implying -_-'
Probably the biggest reason I became so fascinated with all kinds of anime is because it's a franchise that isn't afraid to step on toes and kick puppies all in the name of entertainment.
That's really true. Fairytales were always popular with me as a kid, but anime replaced them because the storylines are more complex.
Not all fairytales are perfect though, ever heard of the Brothers Grimm?
I'm with DemonKingAtticus; Disney glosses over a lot of the dark and really messed up stuff. I mean, I love 'Sleeping Beauty', but if you read the actual story, the prince takes advantage of a comatose, underage girl twice and she only wakes up when one of her newborn children begins nursing. And in the end of 'Cinderella', her mean stepsisters get their eyes picked out by those cute little birdies that'd been Cinderella's friends. And so on.
I suppose he's right--to an extent. I think the line of these serious themes stop at franchises such as Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh!, neither of which are realistic or relevant to intense situational trauma (on a serious note). This is probably another reason why LittleKuriboh poked satire at both so consistently.
Can I just steal this moment to add that (the original) Shaman King is possibly the greatest anime ever created? I thought the story taught me a lesson or two...
Very interesting read indeed. Although I agree that kids shouldn't be exposed to such ... intense things so early and Disney really has made such a protected little fantasy for them to live in, it wont harm them to have a peek at some more realistic matters like sacrifice and loyalty etc.
A Fiery Spirit (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 12/27/09 | Reply
This brings up an interesting view actually. Anybody who has actually read The Little Mermaid knows that she turns into seafoam at the end of the story, in The Three Little Pigs the first two are eaten because of their laziness, and in Snow White she was destined for death but was saved by the hunter who couldn't kill her.
While the endings to Western fairy tales are typically of some sort of pleasant resolution, there has been some whitewashing of them to protect children. I ain't saying you should read "Band of Brothers" to a 5 year-old but it's in their best interest to give something that has some meat in the story to make them question and think. Kids aren't stupid but those who think they are might be.
Fairytales in the west aren't really gone. I mean have any of you seen the fairytale "The Princess and The Frog" (2009) in theaters? Even with anime around, the west is still doing fairytail books and films today.
Interesting read, that's for sure.
Actually, anime did take the place of fairytales for me. When I was growing up I loved reading the stories of princesses being rescued by princes, with happily-ever-after endings.
But once I started watching anime and reading manga, I began to want stories that weren't so cut and dry. I wanted happy endings that had to be worked for; realism.
And after watching the first season of Magic Knight Rayearth, every now and then I get the urge for a story without a complete happy ending.
Keiyou
Otakuite+ | Posted 12/28/09 | Reply
I think it hits home for alot of people who grew up in the anime boom era. I remember before turning eleven I was a rabid Pokemon and Digimon fanatic before realizing that there was alot more to anime's storylines then what certain dubing companies were implying -_-'
Probably the biggest reason I became so fascinated with all kinds of anime is because it's a franchise that isn't afraid to step on toes and kick puppies all in the name of entertainment.
sunachick
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/28/09 | Reply
That's really true. Fairytales were always popular with me as a kid, but anime replaced them because the storylines are more complex.
Not all fairytales are perfect though, ever heard of the Brothers Grimm?
cougarsama
LDS Fangirl! (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 12/28/09 | Reply
I'm with DemonKingAtticus; Disney glosses over a lot of the dark and really messed up stuff. I mean, I love 'Sleeping Beauty', but if you read the actual story, the prince takes advantage of a comatose, underage girl twice and she only wakes up when one of her newborn children begins nursing. And in the end of 'Cinderella', her mean stepsisters get their eyes picked out by those cute little birdies that'd been Cinderella's friends. And so on.
kugen
Grand Otaku | Posted 12/28/09 | Reply
I suppose he's right--to an extent. I think the line of these serious themes stop at franchises such as Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh!, neither of which are realistic or relevant to intense situational trauma (on a serious note). This is probably another reason why LittleKuriboh poked satire at both so consistently.
Can I just steal this moment to add that (the original) Shaman King is possibly the greatest anime ever created? I thought the story taught me a lesson or two...
artamateur
Senior Otaku | Posted 12/28/09 | Reply
Very interesting read indeed. Although I agree that kids shouldn't be exposed to such ... intense things so early and Disney really has made such a protected little fantasy for them to live in, it wont harm them to have a peek at some more realistic matters like sacrifice and loyalty etc.
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 12/27/09 | Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uASVzkrEKgs
DemonKingAtticus
A Fiery Spirit (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 12/27/09 | Reply
This brings up an interesting view actually. Anybody who has actually read The Little Mermaid knows that she turns into seafoam at the end of the story, in The Three Little Pigs the first two are eaten because of their laziness, and in Snow White she was destined for death but was saved by the hunter who couldn't kill her.
While the endings to Western fairy tales are typically of some sort of pleasant resolution, there has been some whitewashing of them to protect children. I ain't saying you should read "Band of Brothers" to a 5 year-old but it's in their best interest to give something that has some meat in the story to make them question and think. Kids aren't stupid but those who think they are might be.
stararnold
Otaku Eternal | Posted 12/27/09 | Reply
Fairytales in the west aren't really gone. I mean have any of you seen the fairytale "The Princess and The Frog" (2009) in theaters? Even with anime around, the west is still doing fairytail books and films today.
Shadow Vampiress
Otaku Legend | Posted 12/27/09 | Reply
Interesting read, that's for sure.
Actually, anime did take the place of fairytales for me. When I was growing up I loved reading the stories of princesses being rescued by princes, with happily-ever-after endings.
But once I started watching anime and reading manga, I began to want stories that weren't so cut and dry. I wanted happy endings that had to be worked for; realism.
And after watching the first season of Magic Knight Rayearth, every now and then I get the urge for a story without a complete happy ending.