As I've stated a few times now, I'd love to reach out to people that aren't into anime and find out what makes them tick. I plan to continue reaching out those people through all sorts of methods, Twitter included. I've had a few fantastic conversations already, but here's one that just took place. Not exactly a winning situation.
I post this here to document an exchange, not as a call to arms. Please leave this person alone. This is simply to reinforce my articles on this site and my goals for the future.
As I was searching Twitter for anime mentions, here's one I came across.
Watching some Anime that's on at 2am, called Nichijou. I don't watch Anime really, Ryu fell asleep and I can't find the remote.
This sounded like the perfect person to reach out to! I got in touch to explain what I do, and try to figure out why she doesn't watch anime. Her response was...
I will never be a fan of anime. Haha. Sorry.
This only made me want to talk with her more! As you know, 'never' is a pretty long time! I sent a Tweet out asking if I could pass on a few questions to her. The following was her response.
Haha, I don't really want to talk about Anime. That doesn't sound like something fun. Sorry.
That's where I decided to let things go. I'm not out to be rude to people. I honestly just want to see what their motives are for not liking anime. I told her that the offer stands, and if she wants to take me up on the questions opportunity in the future, I'd love to. The only bit of insight I can get from her is a comment she made to another friend, who also happened to read her original anime message.
I'm too much of a realist to actually like anime. Plus Otaku really REALLY tend to get on my nerves.
I'm starting to think she didn't want to talk with me because I'm everything she dislikes! I can only imagine what she would say if she knew I liked video games.
So yes...getting people to check out anime is going to be an uphill battle in some situations. There are going to be instances where people are not going to have an open mind and the conversation will come to a dead end. That's just the way the world works. I completely respect everyone's decision to like/dislike whatever they want in this world, and they have absolutely zero obligation to tell me why. I can ask, but if I'm shot down I'll have to leave it at that.
Again, I'm not out to belittle anyone for what they believe. I'm not going to be rude to someone just because they don't like what I like. What I can do is continue on with my goal and find others that will give anime a chance. It's happened already since this blog started, and that's a sign to me that I'm heading down the right path.
Of course, thanks to all of you for your support so early in this blog's life. At least I know we can all enjoy anime together!
It's Gaijinwife isn't it? :P
ReplyDeleteOtaku can be a very big killer for anyone enjoying anime.
ReplyDeletePeople who love anime too much and make it into something where they are in love with characters and get into a sort of Twilight fanbase format essentially ruin the experience.
It's one thing to be an excited and big fan, but most anime fans take it way too far and that ruins it for other people.
For that matter, even though I am a huge fan of anime, I myself cannot stand fans most of the time and I try to distance myself as much as possible if I can.
The whole "realist" thing makes no sense, though. Sounds like they're just closed minded outside of hating rabid fans.
I think the best way to get people interested in something you are interested in is to show them how passionate you are about it.
ReplyDeleteFor example, although I've always liked video games, it wasn't really until I started visiting GoNintendo that I could honestly say that I was passionate about them. A similar thing happened with anime. It wasn't until I had seen so much amazing fan art on deviantArt that I became interested in anime.
Passion breeds passion, so I think by having this blog you are doing exactly what needs to be done, RMC. Haters gonna hate, but your passion is contagious and this blog is an excellent medium through which you can spread it.
Yeah otaku's can be annoying. Not to be sexist, but I notice it most in girls :/
ReplyDeleteNichijou is pretty amazing though.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't want to say 'Otakus' can be annoying. It's more of what I guess could just be best described as Weeabos. I started noticing them in high school and they always try to be friend me. Which is nice, but I honestly can't stand hanging out with them.
ReplyDeleteSeems like most anime/videogame/manga bros are too busy hiding their power level to find real friends though. Can't blame them though. I rarely reveal my full power level even around some of my closest friends and relatives.