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Hey, Answerman! [2006-04-21]

It can be said that the overwhelming majority of the “New Generation” of western anime/manga fans are simply crude and lazy, and things are simply getting worse.

The often mindless prattle at Anime Conventions, kids simply making stuff up to be heard or doing the most ridiculous thing for a simple stick of Pocky.

They shut themselves in their room to watch the next Anime series he or she just pirated off the net while stealing the next one, all in the name of “Supporting” the show in its “True” form. This effectively isolates them from the world around them; all of which contribute to a breakdown in civility.

The first generation of anime fans have seemed to lived its prime. I like so many others were before the mainstream indoctrination of the art form. In our time it was the few that followed such unmannered anti-social behaviors and it was the majority that still held decent character and morals. We all strived for the day that anime could become commonplace, however was it worth the sacrifice made. The culture of the Otaku has become ugly, it is a backwards go-no-where cesspool that will lead stagnate and ignorant to the world. With civility, one would understand that anime isn’t a life style, but merely a form of entertainment, and when viewed in this form, it isn’t ugly at all.

Well, I don't think it's fair to really completely disagree. Based on some posters we've seen on the anime boards, especially in posts along the lines of "How important is anime to you?" or related posts, we know the types exist.

I don't think this can be blamed on the immature nature of the age group.

I don't think anyone is saying that type of fan doesn't exist, but that that type of fan isn't a new phenomenon by any means, and that it's not only the "new generation" that acts like that.

The rant also reminded me of an event that occured about a month ago. I went to buy a few manga at the book store, however when I tried to get to the section I was looking for, there was a girl around the age of 13 sprawled across the floor, with her bags scattered all around her. This made getting around difficult, so I politely asked if she could move for a second so that I could get by, in responce I was told to back off, as well as being called a few choice names that I didn't appreciate.

But according to Jason, her interest in anime/manga actually had something to do with her behavior. Do you think that's the case?

And you've probably forgotten the dozens of friendly people who were browsing the manga section on other ocasions. Remember, people who act normally and in a polite fashion don't stick in your mind. They're just background. Your encounter with the rude little girl is probably a once in a year (or less) event, but it's going to stick in your head because it's unusual. Which is a point I think bares repeating again : the social pariah anime fan is the exception, not the rule.

I personally think it is a good example of the behaviour of certain members in the new generation of Otaku. In no way do I think that this is how all of the otakus in her age group act.

Again, I think it should be stressed that this kind of behavior is neither a recent trend, nor is it exclusive to the “new generation,” or to children. This kind of thing has always gone on, and it isn't a product of the current anime culture, or even culture in general. There are rude people in every age group, country, and sub-culture. It has nothing to do with current trends in anime fandom.

you make a good point. The reason that this is getting so much attention though, is because it is in our sub-culture. It is somthing that we (and everyone) has to deal with. Another reason we tend to fucus on this group is because of what belisarius said. People do remember the bad times before they remember the good. As a result, someome looking at the otaku sub-culture may see us all as rude and uncivilized, and I don't think anyone here wants that. Therefore I think it is important to fucus on putting a stop to this behaviour.

Oh don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t agree with this kind of behavior, but I hope you won’t see me as too much of a cynic when I say it’s simple human nature to be rude at times, that children are especially susceptible to this flaw, and there is no way to put a permanent stop to, or even reduce it.

Anyway, the rant was coming across like the ranter believer that this sort of this was new or somehow a product of the times. My main point is that it is not. In fact, these same points were being brought up in rants when I was new to the fandom a decade ago. It was the same old, "Back in the old days blah blah blah. I don't much care for this new blah blah blah..." stuff.