I don’t really make new year’s resolutions, I just pick up things as they come along. I do really like the general idea though. There’s something commendable about a society choosing to make self-improvement into a celebrated tradition. It’s sweet if a little silly. I mean you don’t have to wait until January 1st… What if you decide you want to get in shape in March?
But you know, whatever the reason for you wanting to improve yourself or kick a bad habit, in the end, as long as it works for you, that’s all that matters. I am almost perfect in every way already, so improvement is challenging. I’m sure many of you are familiar with this problem. I share your pain. However, if I look real hard and stretch really really thin, I guess I have picked up certain attitudes towards anime that could be considered less than optimal in certain circumstances if you don’t know all the details.
I bring you the my top 5 tiny things I could improve as an anime fan.
5. Realize that genre is meaningless
I should really know this already. I’ve written about it enough…yet, like a lot of people, I still find myself taking a look at the cover, a glance at the synopsis and randomly categorising a series in my mind which will then help me decide if I want to watch it or not. Don’t get me wrong, you need to decide somehow, you can’t watch everything. Going by genre is a good way to go, just not for me. I have a horrible track record with that method.
For instance, I really enjoyed the three shows I did episode reviews for last season. I would have skipped them all based on genre. Tsurune looked like a pretty boy drama hiding behind a sports premise. I did not care much for Free! But Tsurune’s slow calm atmosphere won me over. Zombieland was a cgdct offering and I was a bit burned out on those. Turned into my favorite by far. As for Dakaichi, a romance with a lazy gimmick should have annoyed me to no end. It’s sweet though. In 2019, I’m going to try to base my watchlist decisions on something more substantial. Like how attractive the main character is!
4. Appreciate the business of Anime
I do look into what studios produced my favorite shows, but not much beyond that. I pay little to no attention to the others. I also have no clue when it comes to anime market trends or corporate investments in series. If I’m lucky a kind reader tells me about it. Yet these are the outside forces that shape my favorite medium. And it’s pretty interesting on top of that.
I find myself constantly baffled by (do not finish that sentence in your head) new anime tropes or shifting show popularity. I honestly enjoy trying to predict what I can expect from season to season. This would be the basic information I need. I’ve been blaming it on most sources being in Japanese but that’s cop out. I’m just lazy. I should be less lazy.
3. Learn more about the techniques
Personally, I have always enjoyed practical considerations. I can appreciate a piece of music that’s played with great precision and little feeling, for instance. Well crafted things bring me comfort. That’s why I try to mention production aspects of anime whenever anything at all strikes me about a show. But to truly appreciate all the effort and details it takes to create even a modest anime, I need to truly understand the inner workings or at least know about them. (I like how I instantly scaled back there!)
I once again have decided to pay special attention to production features and try to give them their proper place in the whole. Maybe I’ll learn a bit about video editing and that will help me out as well!
2. Stop reacting as if shows are my friends
It’s no secret that I form some type of emotional entanglement with the series I love. I think we all do. But on occasion, it’s been less than ideal. I have generally little issue with what other people love or hate and how loudly they do so. You do you boo. I also have fairly thick skin when it comes to criticism being directed at me or this blog. However, I feel strangely compelled to defend shows I love. Not all shows mind you, just certain ones. The ones that get the most undeserved flack in my opinion. And it goes to the point that I can get a little bummed out when everyone starts dumping on a series I loved. This does not seem like the most productive use of the few feelings I have.
I’m going to really try to remember that tastes are subjective and if that little Anime got an English release at all, it means someone out there liked it enough to invest. It’s not necessary that I mama bear shows. In fact it’s useless. If someone has already seen the series, what could anything I say change and would I even want that? The world would be super boring if we were all the same.
1. Share my hobby a bit more
You know how I whine all the time that I have no one in my daily life to chat about Anime with? Well to be completely honest, I don’t exactly go out of my way to do so. Whenever my friends take an interest and ask me about it, I sort of stay dismissive and vague. I feel like they’re just being polite and I don’t need to be humoured. But why???
I love anime. I think there’s a lot of interest there. It should follow that other people, especially my friends who are on some level similar to me, would think so as well. I tried so hard not to be that annoying guy who imposes their tastes on everyone else that I erred to far in the other direction! From now on. I’m letting my Otaku flag fly high!
Hmmmm…what do you think guys? Would these make me *too* perfect. Cause that could be a problem. Maybe I should play it safe and only do one to zero of these…
How about you guys? Any plans on becoming even awesomer this year? Is the world even ready for that? Lemme know!
Too perfect?
It is impossible to make something too perfect. You can only change the appearance of the already existing perfection.
I can definitely say that this list should be things that I should try and put into practice for the upcoming year. Especially with your first point, it’s difficult to decide what to watch even if I do try to go by genres.
Nowadays, I just head over to watch the trailers and read the comments section to see if anyone can convince me to check it out or just watch it for the sake of trying it out – which led me to enjoy shows like Zombieland Saga and Beelzebub Jou or to see what shows didn’t make the cut for me – but it’s all so time-consuming. Meh.
Studying up on anime production and the studios creating them sounds like a worthwhile thing to do to further appreciate the artistry and hardwork (and blood and tears) put into making all these shows during the year.
I can relate to sharing my love for anime and that’s related to my writing (of which I’m self-conscious of) but I should put more faith in the things that I’m passionate about.
Thanks for sharing this awesome post Irina!!
Emiko you and I have to have more faith in those around us. They will be able to see the awesomeness in anime like we do!
For sure. (*O*)
Resolution 1: Watch more anime.
…
Yep. Didn’t get to watch a single anime finals week! Theres tons of good stuff I just haven’t gotten around to, but have to!
well finals are a bit time consuming! I’m sure you’ll make up for it! Ganbatte
Even awsomer or more perfect? Sounds exhausting–I’ll leave that to you! I’m content to remain adorable, cute, and fluffy. As for anime, I hope to eat more ice cream while watching (the drinking more thing didn’t work out so well. . .)
Ohhh good resolution! Good luck, you are our hero
I decided earlier this year to drop shows more quickly. The result: fewer anime to watch, but a greater ratio of stuff I really enjoy. Only last year I might have watched Conception and the space fishers (both concepts so silly they should have been good [but weren’t])?
Also, I think you’ll like Asobi Asobase.
I have heard excellent things about it. I’ll get around it for sure
Directed by Seiji Kishi (Humanity Has Declined, Assassination Classroom, Danganronpa).
fine fine – I’m sold!
You know, I never realised I sounded like I was really pushing the show. That last comment? I like Kishi, and that’s why I posted it.
Not to withdraw my recommendation, it’s a good fun show, a bit like Zetsubou Sensei, but with a broader humour and less satire.
If I were pushing a comedy that aired that season, it’d be Jasshin chan Dropkick, actually, (which is like a more gory Gabriel Dropout).
that sounds good as well
But… Hunter x Hunter is my BEST friend…
Leth – You’re Married now you already have a best friend. You’re just going to have to accept that Hunter x Hunter is my best friend now! kkthxbye
You have a point…
I’ll just need to let it go.
Dare to be awesome and rise your flag high\😁/ my otaku resolutions for this year involves watching old and less mainstream anime, push myself out of my shoujo/comedy/romance comfort zone and explore more genres and review animes every now and then 🧐 (with fanart extras).
OR and just hear me out – Nozaki-kun / Natsume marathon!!!!
As for fan art – Pinterest has taken over my life …I hear you
Omg yes, I need a Natsume marathon *priorities have changed, Natsume suddenly rises to the top* ~ Welcome to the Hotel Piiiinterest, such a lovely place, such a lovely place~ ~you can log out any time you want but you can never leave~ hahaha yep, that’s Pinterest in a nutshell and I luv it 😛
Oh man, Pinterest should by your Hotel California remix. It’s perfect!
I think it’s good to defend shows that you like, as long as you can make a good argument for it and not be dogmatic about it. Personally, I like it more when people disagree with my opinions than when they agree, because when they disagree it usually generates a better and more interesting discussion!
I agree!!
Joking – yes having a conversation or even debate is healthy and interesting. Getting depressed about it is less productive.
4k is my new year’s resolution.
Watch anime in 4k.
Hue.
It’s even more beautiful than you’d imagine!
just twist that knife…
Fancy – invite a girl over will ya
Hold up… shows are not our friends???
Of course they are – I just shouldn’t mother my friends…
Oh good. You had me worried… thought I was going to lose half my friends!