Avalon

On anime

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Anime, at the end of the day, is just a series of animated pictures engaged in story-telling, what some unfamiliar with it will feel more comfortable terming as "cartoons", all in the name of reducing uncertainty and making sense of things. Why does watching cartoons evoke certain emotions that other forms of drama presentation which come closer to 'real life' may not be able to, can be a mystery to some, but not to those involved. Of course, like many forms of drama that is but a fictional remake of events in the 'real' or imagined world alike, one has to get involved to really know.

The audience has to be convinced, of the things that are happening, of the feelings that are being transmitted and interpreted. Otherwise, you can be seeing someone fall right next to you but still not be convinced except that this is all a mere act, something a significant amount of indifference and cynicism can get you.

I feel the idea here is that anime is a continuation of dreams, be it childhood dreams, daydreams, bittersweet dreams, happy endings... And although it may not be a direct realisation of these dreams, it is like seeing another world from your own, as an onlooker, a third-person, who joins the pact spiritually by trading his or her own emotions and imagination. If one thinks about it this way, it is an alternative actualization of dreams. And for one I think those who believe, feed on dreams. For now, I am a believer, be it a willing or willful one at that. Understanding comes with appreciation, and this probably goes both ways. If one wants to understand something then it will be a part of him or her, but of course there is no loss incurred where there is a lack of interest, for there are always other worlds out there waiting to be understood. Only when one traipses off thinking that they understand without even being involved before can there truly be a loss. Though that still is his or her personal freedom until it trespasses on another's.

At the end of the day, anime, to me, just provides another means of perception of a world. Yes, not the world, but a world. And yes, it is entertainment but no, it is not just entertainment.

Envoy of the Stars @ 6:30 PM
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