Listening to the most recent ANNCast, and it finally felt time to lay this all out for folks since many of my previous posts have been hovering around this debate since possibly the beginning. And being within the first few weeks of a new year seemed only appropriate considering the changes that are likely ahead for the anime medium. It has been no surprise that feelings on multiple sides of the “state of anime” have been heated to boil for several years since the so-called “moe” boom has come and is nearly gone. The feeling that a trend of shows and projects based upon a growingly insular minority left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. There is definitely a sentiment that the Akiba-kei movement almost single-handendly has killed anime to a great degree. And while I may not agree with this entirely, for me, it is more a feeling of dropping out, a complete withdrawal from risk-taking. The very feeling that drives many to become artists in the first place, which leaves only the panicky bean-counters to fend for themselves, and the remaining creators and workers unable to express, but merely work in assembly-line shifts.

And while this can still very much be felt, even amidst the current crop of shows, the phenomenon of sameness, and the need for familiarity in all aspects of viewed media is by no means a new concept.

Simply put, fans and diminishing returns are massive factors in the types of shows we see released each season. And as much as I love bemoaning the seemingly neverending parade of young female character types shelled out every season to be the next great pillowcase, a part of me has to also shrug it off as a shade, a color of the current attitudes within the media consuming world.

And what seems to be the common theme from not only the anime world, but also from Hollywood (TRON: Legacy, anyone?), the publishing (Twilight?), and even the musical industries. There is a lack of completeness to current media, that is purely fearful of ideas, and ready to co-opt the next best thing. Namely meme-like concepts, half stories filled with stock-types. Think of them as the cultural equivalent to the lead in any basic visual novel, where the lead character (you) are featureless (the lead player character’s face/eyes are often obscured in order to allow the player’s wish to project themselves onto the character, so when the harem/reverse reacts, it is all the more personal.) The rest are given simple attributes that don’t even qualify as character traits, often lacking in actual nuance, reaction, or motivation. The very antithesis of character. It is almost as if we are being prepared for a virtual experience ourselves, taken into an artificial construct, only to be safely coddled, and remain unchallenged since our sensibilities would leave us too fragile to handle any real character arc. It in this inert state of being that entertainment is rendered questionable by those like me, and yet perfectly fine by others.

It is here, in this culture of creature comforts that is closer to where a character begins their journey. It is the equivalent to purchasing having morning toast, only for the cinnamon. This is perhaps the simplest way of breaking it down. As an increasingly meme-drawn culture, it is perhaps becoming harder and harder to consider an entire package, and to merely place value on aesthetic elements, which anime was often a clever melange. The end result of this type of fan-pandering-as-business can be equated with fixing a flat tire with a wad of gum. It is by no means a solution, but it seems to give off a fleeting sense of security. But very often it seems truly, deeply desperate. One can almost visualize an anime director holding a fragile young lady in a seifuku on a bridge, classic movie “hostage situation” style, daring us to watch or the kid gets tossed.
.
When it comes to some shows that allow us to see the framework, and do not attempt to go beyond the tropes, it is much less about story, and much more about disparate ideas. Which would be fine aesthetically if the creators took the time to do something new with it. Which is perhaps why I can empathize with fans of shows like K-On! The problems come when the writers and animators offer nothing honest or interesting beyond an checklist seemingly written on a Post-It! note. Then, the projects become closer in tone to a “Choose Your Own Adventure” without ever involving the player. We just sit there and watch. And as one who is bored by watching others playing games…

Which leads us to the particular phenomenon of “comfort food”, which is something of a marker of the times where running time takes a back seat to story, nuance, character, any identifiable totem of media. And perhaps this method of internalization is more a reaction to more than merely dwindling monetary returns. So when peers reacted wildly to the release of a long-awaited, mechanically made sequel or prequel, this sentiment is often fleeting (and more about the event/connectivity factor). This continues on toward the love of superheroes, pretty vampires, and yes, even super robots.

“as long as my requirements are filled, all is well…” – Almost sounds like a diet, doesn’t it?

Which hopefully reminds all that before the era of “moe” came along, anime/manga also had a fair amount of time drowning in mountains of mecha, psyonics, cute girls, maids, and more. It is an industry that has often worked like a junkie of the current flow. But perhaps mass media’s culture of addiction has never functioned at such a distressing fever pitch.

So do I agree with some of the ANNCast’s panelists when one says that the medium must crash in an ultimately massive fiery wreck before rising from the ashes? Perhaps a little adoption of the tsundere on this side of the screen is in order, giving the medium a much-required kick in the pants. But before that could happen, mediums  must often go through a prolonged identity crisis.  A rough process of implosion before it can once again explode. And perhaps this is exactly what the last few years were all about. Anime fans deserve to be reminded of the possibilities, rather than be coddled by it. Some of my favorite works of art are challenging; they invite us, provoke us, spark discussion, allow us to confront difficult daily questions. Art can also be an educator, and not merely a nanny. After all, any good diet requires often painful and uncomfortable sacrifices in order to remain healthy. So what kind of regiment would you consider?

Happy 2011!