The Deviant Art’s Otaku Spot (THE DAOS!)
Issue Eight: The Anime Artist’s Retort, To the Anti-Anime Artist

This week, the DAOS, will be talking about a common issue amongst anime/manga otakus and artists alike, and that is what to do with your anti-anime artwork friends. For our otakus readers, we will try (and I mean try) to explain why they are that way. And for Anti-Anime Artist readers, we would like to explain why it is okay to not like anime and manga, but not okay to disrespect our art styles or the artists who do the actual artwork.

Missed an issue? James Kyoya-Sama, friend and part-time columnist of the DAOS, has graciously allowed us to use his DA as the place where all of our past issues will now be held. He also will be the one where all of our latest news and updates about the DAOS will now be! So go and watch him for all the latest DAOS Project news!

--Is The Magical Portal Key! Tell him Miss Red Rose Sent Ya!

The DAOS, would like to remind all of our readers about our Art logo, Deviant Stamp and our Name that Topic contests! It’s a great way to get noticed, and win FREE DEVIANT ART SUBSCRIPTIONS! If you are interested, the news link is here: [link] The Deadline for both the Logo and Deviant Stamp contests are NEXT WEEK! SO GET THOSE ENTRIES IN!

Issue Eight: the Anime Artist’s Retort, to the Anti-Anime Artist

This topic was brought to the DAOS from and from the collection of hate mail that we have been receiving. Therefore, because we are writers, we decided to write about it. The original question from Damage927 was why do non-anime artists, have a prejudice to anime? Moreover, the collection of hate mail we received, always ask us why do anime artists “suck” or why “we get so much hype”? Therefore, the DAOS, in an effort to promote unity and love amongst all artists of all art forms, is going to try to make both sides understand each other.

This isn’t going to be a very user-friendly topic. Nor is this going to be a very artist-friendly topic either. I’m about to say things concerning both sides that Anime Artists and Anti-Anime Artists are not going to like. Nevertheless, the DAOS always writes it’s columns with one thing in mind: “To sugar-coat the truth, is worse than actually lying.” Please take everything I’m about to say with a grain of salt, and think intelligently and thoroughly before forming an opinion. Especially if you decide to send me a comment or note after reading this column. With that, here we go.

Who is an Anti-Anime Artist?

An Anti-Anime Artist, is one who completely dislikes anything and everything that is anime/manga related in artwork. In addition, normally, most Anti-Anime artists admit that they don’t like anime/manga artwork, but they respect the artist, and just leave the artist alone. And I join the otaku community when we say, that it’s okay, if they don’t like our artwork.

So why do Anti-Anime Artists act the way they do towards us Anime Artists?

There is no one official reason as to why Anti-Anime Artists act the way they do. To try to pinpoint one reason is like trying to define human nature. Which is an impossible pursuit in any case. Regardless, I’ve spoken to many “converts” as I like to call them, along with a lot of CONSIDERATE Anti-Anime Artists as to why they don’t like us. And I’ve formed this list to help explain it.

Reason #1: Most artists as well as non-otakus in general, don’t quite get us when we get really excited over a Japanese cartoon.
Most artists don’t understand why we get all excited of a “foreign franchise”. And to try and explain that, is as if trying to explain why there are Trekkies and Star Wars geeks in this world. It’s not really explainable.

Reason #2: Many artists, were not into the series that their friends were into. Or they had a bad experience with Anime/Manga in the beginning.
One of the downsides of mainstream anime, is that gets “bastardized” to the point where it’s just flat out bad. Want an example?

POKEMON..

Do you know how many potential otakus there could have been had they had put REAL anime on TV? Yeah so, it would have been gruesome, but this is the same generation group that lives off of HALO, God of War, The Grand Theft Auto Franchise, and Killzone all of which promotes violence and destroying everything on sight! I’m sorry, but an anime like Bleach looks like only child’s play in comparison to the video games that we all live off of. Sadly, many Anti-Artists are just not impressed with the anime/manga that is already out there in the world. Or, they have not researched deep enough to find a series with a style that they like.

Reason Three: Unfortunately otakus, Some Anti-Anime Artists exist, solely because they do not like anime/manga art style.

Many Anti-Anime Artists, do not like the style of the art form period. Something about it for them, just does not do it. Some don’t like it because they think that all anime/manga artwork is all alike, and that anime artists cannot draw anything else better. Now many artists use anime/manga artwork as a form of a stepping-stone to hone their skills a little bit better. Many only draw anime as a side project or for fun, they have no intention on making their artwork their number one priority.

Reason Four: Even sadder than the previous reason, some Anti-Anime Artists, are jealous of Anime Artists.

Yes, you just did read the above sentence correctly. But don’t get mad until you’ve read my justification below..

I hate to even have to think this way, but its human nature, for us to be jealous over skills that someone can do better than we can. Some Anti-Anime artists, can’t draw or write on the same level of details that Anime Artists can.

Heck that even goes in reverse. Some Anime Artists are envious of the artwork that Anti-Anime artists create because they can’t do what the Anti-Anime Artists can do.

And then it hits its own self. Some Anime Artists, are covetous of their own fellow Anime Artists. This is the complexity of human nature at work. But it’s the truth, when you’re green with envy, you only think of how you can discredit a person’s work, or even outdo their work. *shrugs shoulders* Sorry.

Reason #5: Fear of the unknown + Not the status quo = Anti-Anime Artists

Anime/Manga artwork is not the “status quo” (think the High School Musical Song). Anti-Anime Artists consider Anime/Manga a “childish” pursuit. And some, may not even know about anime and all of its attributes. There are a lot of artists, who may love fantasy, novelty comics, science fiction or any other mainstream genre. But for some artists, they see anime/manga kind of as a cult that they don’t want to get into. Humans have always had a natural fear of the unknown, when they see a bunch of Trekkies, they either get really freaked out, or join them. It’s the same kind of premise in this case. Their either like the anime/manga style, or they don’t.

The DAOS’ Official Standpoint
*sighs*

I don’t like to get into artistic arguments. As far as me and my friends have always seen it, artwork is a form of a person’s expression. Regardless of whether we like it or not, we must respect the artist, because it takes a lot of time to create things. Writing, drawing, editing, or any other form of artwork, takes time that an artist can’t get back, so we respect that.

But as of lately, I’ve been noticing an increase of arguments for and against anime artists on Deviant Art. With the suggestion from =Damaged927 , along with a collection of hate mail that the DAOS receives from anti-anime artists, we here at the DAOS now must halt our plans and talk about this. Why are we having to stop and talk about this?

Anime artists, I hate to say it, but this issue is not ever going away. But regardless of how Anti-Anime Artists feel about our works, and their rejection of anime/manga styles, we must respect their decisions to do so. We anime artists, are human beings as well, so respect should always be upheld no matter where they are in their preferences. This entire conversation, is based solely on the premise of personal choice. And while we choose to draw/write in the style of our choices, artists have the choice to like it or not. We don’t have to comment on it, we just have to plainly respect that.

But now a word must be spoken to all Anti-Anime Artists who are reading this issue. First, thanks for taking the time to read this issue, and hearing what we have to say.

Secondly: Are you serious?

We shouldn’t have to be here having this issue, but apparently, there are so many people who are unhappy with anime artists. There is even a whole forum thread on DA’s Artist Forums of anti-anime artists complaining about anime artwork on DA. I mean.. Really, think about it:

Do Anti-Anime Deviant Artists have so much of an ego that they have to hate on another person’s freedom of artistic expression?

What we Anime Artists (drawing artists and writers) are frustrated with, is that every other group and faction in the Deviant Art community gets respect and props for their artwork. But the minute we upload an anime or even an “anime-style like” picture onto the community, we get slandered, harassed, ripped and even bombarded with offensive comments and posts from Anti-Anime Artists. Why are we being “segregated” and “artistically lynched” in the art community, when we anime artists, do no such thing to any other art form?

We anime artists, respect your decision to not like our art styles. But The Golden Rule artists, still applies here just like in the real world. TREAT OTHERS LIKE YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED. You may not personally like our choices in artistic expression, but what if you had a bunch of people, who sent you tons of hate speech and comments on your works? After all the time and hard work that you put in, you were treated as a second-rate artist? How on earth would that make you feel? You don’t see anime artists going, “Bleep Fractual Artists!” or “Bleep Photomanipulators” or “Bleep Photographers!”. You don’t see any of that, because we appreciate all the work that you do in your choices of artistic expression. We ask that you give us at least the same kind of respect. Hate it all you want, but keep it to yourself. The whole world doesn’t agree with you.

And one more thing.. If any Anti-Anime artists wish to voice their opinion as to why you hate anime artists and our styles, do us all a favor, and please have an substantial, and non-offensive response. One thing that I’ve noticed, is that those who are Anti-Anime artists, say that they hate it in some offensive manners that are absolutely unnecessary, and makes you as an artist and a person look like a total douchebag. Remember: To hate on another artist’s form of expression, is to hate on your own, because others look at yours too and may not like yours either.

In closing, I would like to just put this little deviant stamp:

-- By

Thank you all for reading.

Otakus, tune in next week, when we talk about something more positive. And we’re not going to tell you what it is, cause it’s a secret.. Non-Otakus, thanks again for reading. All comments and notes can be sent here:

See you next week!
~Miss Red Rose~

Did you miss a previous issue? Check them out right here at the DAOS’s new home over at our fellow columnist James’ DA!

-- Is the magic site!

Upcoming Releases: Remember that all release dates and actual prices vary from seller to seller, so remember to look around okay? Good Otakus..

Upcoming DVD Releases for 10/02/2007
hack//Roots (DVD 4)
Air Gear - A Battle of Kings (DVD 5)
Blue Gender Movie: The Warrior (DVD)
Cat's Eye (Sub.DVD 3)
Cat's Eye (Sub.DVD 4)
Fruits Basket - Clearing Sky (DVD 4 of 4)
Fruits Basket - Puddles of Memories (DVD 3 of 4)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - (DVD)
MÄR (DVD 3)
Nobody's Boy (Sub.DVD 3)
Nobody's Boy (Sub.DVD 4)
Peach Girl (DVD 5)
School Rumble (DVD 2)
Sentou Yousei Shoujo Tasukete! Mave-chan - (DVD)
Tenjho Tenge - Complete DVD Collection ( (DVD)
The Super Dimension Century Orguss (DVD 3)
The Super Dimension Century Orguss (Sub.DVD 4)
Welcome to the NHK - 1st Conspiracy (DVD)
Zatch Bell - (DVD)
Zegapain (DVD 1)
Zegapain - Special Edition + Artbox (DVD 1)

Upcoming Manga Releases for 09/04/2007
Kung Fu Jungle Boy (G.novel 1)
Angel Cup (G.novel 5 of 5)
Arcana [by So-Young Lee] (G.novel 6 of 9)
Beet the Vandel Buster (G.novel 12)
Bird Kiss (G.novel 5 of 5)
Bleach (G.novel 21)
Buso Renkin (G.novel 8)
Claymore (G.novel 10)
Dragon Drive (G.novel 4)
Dragon Head (G.novel 8 of 10)
Dragon Voice (G.novel 9 of 11)
Eyeshield 21 (G.novel 16)
Houshin Engi (G.novel 3)
Hyper Police (G.novel 10)
iD_eNTITY (G.novel 10 of 13)
Judas (G.novel 4)
La Corda D'Oro (G.novel 5)
Legend of "Zipangu" BLOOD SUCKER (G.novel 5 of 9)
Liling-Po (G.novel 7)
Magical x Miracle (G.novel 6)
Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (G.novel 1)
My-Hime (G.novel 4 of 5)
NANA (G.novel 7)
Naruto (G.novel 19)
Naruto (G.novel 20)
Naruto (G.novel 21)
Pixie Pop: Gokkun Pucho (G.novel 3)
Platinum Garden (G.novel 5)
Pretty Face (G.novel 2)
Reborn! (G.novel 5)
Saint Seiya (G.novel 21)
Strawberry 100% (G.novel 2)
Tail of the Moon (G.novel 7) [99
Tramps Like Us (G.novel 13)
Vampire Knight (G.novel 3)
Wild Adapter (G.novel 3)
Yu Yu Hakusho (G.novel 13)
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist (G.novel 23)