Forum - View topic

EP. REVIEW: Interviews with Monster Girls

ChibiKangaroo wrote:

Blood- wrote: I have a pretty strong, "sigh, that's anime for ya" filter. And that's the problem Blood-, you shouldn't have to. But anime producers know we have these filters so they often don't care to do better.

No, anime producers know their core Japanese otaku audience and create shows to appeal to them. They couldn't give a toss if non-Japanese otaku audiences have a filter or not. It's irrelevant. That's why I don't get all bent out of shape when an entertainment format which is not designed to accommodate my Western sensibilities, doesn't.

CK, that's a garbage argument. Nobody has ever defended crappy character development or bad writing as "the Japanese way." Can we please have a discussion that doesn't devolve into strawman idiocy? What is relevant is that there are certain cultural mores that do not translate from Japan to the West. Having students flirt with a teacher wouldn't raise many eyebrows among Japanese otakus. It is more likely to be objectionable to some Western viewers. That's just a fact. And yes, it would be objectionable to some Japanese viewers, as well - just not the people who actually buy the stuff.

Blood- wrote:

CK, that's a garbage argument. Nobody has ever defended crappy character development or bad writing as "the Japanese way." Can we please have a discussion that doesn't devolve into strawman idiocy? What is relevant is that there are certain cultural mores that do not translate from Japan to the West. Having students flirt with a teacher wouldn't raise many eyebrows among Japanese otakus. It is more likely to be objectionable to some Western viewers. That's just a fact. And yes, it would be objectionable to some Japanese viewers, as well - just not the people who actually buy the stuff.

Lol, you say nobody like I won't point at it with a huge, flashing neon sign next time it happens Seriously though, it just annoys me a lot when people make the argument of discrediting criticism by saying "western sensibilities."

I guess I'm not really understanding your point. For you, is the reality that anime is not a cultural product intended for you as a Western viewer odious because:

1) You believe anime producers should be taking into account sensibilites other than their target market or,

2) You simply don't accept the reality that anime isn't designed for you as a Western viewer.

It it's 1) then good luck with that and if it's 2) enjoy the colour in your world.

Episode two was thoroughly charming.
If there is anything to Kyoko's predicament that might endear the viewer to her plight for acceptance and normality, we were gratefully treated to it. True to the show's presumed cause, what begins as an odd character gimmick is afforded more dimension than one would expect: while she clearly sustains herself on affirmation from others, she also enjoys a certain agency, self-conception and independence that would be unusual of the moe stereotype after which she is seemingly modelled.

While Megiddo is correct to say that a wider focus on society is absent as of yet, Kyoko's feelings and concerns for herself are treated with too much care to flatly dismiss the writing. Still, it may be helpful to corroborate my views with others at this juncture. I would be interested to hear if anyone else contends that Kyoko aids the show's undercurrent of inclusivity, or conversely that her presentation attracts more lighthearted charm than any earnest empathy. I relish stories like this, you see, to the extent that my judgement is perhaps distorted.