Sunday, September 07, 2008

I Just Don't Get It - Anime

Welcome to the first installment of "I Just Don't Get It" - where I freely admit that I just don't see what other people in a certain item, be it reality television, snub-toed pumps or Honda Element SUVs (which I have dubbed, 'The Element of Ugly').

Today's subject is Anime. I know this form of Japanese animation has devoted followers, who can talk endlessly about the joys of Sailor Moon (sorry, it's the only one I know). They love the detail, the expression, the style.

I find it creepy.

Anime, in my limited experience, tends to be bloody and graphic. I'm watching the segments of The Animatrix, which features robots tearing apart human soldiers. This is supposed to be essential viewing for the Matrix fan, but even in the parts where nobody dies, there's always blood. I get that it's the leadup to the movies and explains how the machines subjugated the humans, but do I have to hear the screaming?

It also tends to feature emaciated or bug-eyed girls wearing revealing clothing, yet looking just-this-side of jailbait. Childish, yet heavily sexualized, in little panties and barely-there tops, but with wide eyes and pointed chins, faces unlined. I understand what men might see in a Wonder Woman or some other comic book heroine - she at least looks old enough to vote. (Even if, let's face it, no crime fighter would RUN in thigh-high stilettos with Double-Ds bouncing in the breeze and supported by only the most meager of fabric. Come on. That HURTS. )

I do agree that sometimes the animation is quite detailed and in its own way reflecting of realism. I also realize that there are different kinds of anime - at least from my limited experience - some more childlike cartoonish, others with humans drawn to look like real actual people. And some of these Animatrix shorts feature some great music. And I'm willing to say, if you're a big fan and want to explain to me the lure of this grown-up animation, I'm all ears.

But I think when it comes down to it, I want my cartoons to be innocent, childlike and not quite real - and blood-free.

I think I should just stick to Scooby-Doo.

Monday, September 01, 2008

The Facebook Conundrum

I've just signed up for Facebook - which I find very popular among my peers and former co-workers - but here's what I'm wondering:

Why do people want to 'friend' you on Facebook when you're pretty sure they don't really like you in person?

I assume it's just to boost their friend totals, pilfer from your friends list for anyone else they might actually like or to laugh at your profile. I don't know. Maybe I'm mistaken about their personal feelings, but I don't think so. Okay, they're probably doing it because we have friends in common, and why not, since we know each other?

Regardless, it seems like a fun way to connect with old friends - it appeals to an older set than MySpace - and I'll happily give it a try.