Is Anime a bad influence?
The Oregon Daily Emerald posted an exciting editorial by Elon Glucklich, the paper's resident Opinion Editor. I say "intriguing" since in the write-up, Glucklich raises the issue of the effects that anime shows have on our youth and tends to make some alarming allegations as to the future of our society.
Citing shows such as Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Glucklich suggests that the mass reputation of these and other anime series are "chipping away at our collective moral fiber".
The reasoning behind such a statement is the content of the shows themselves, complaining that they lack any solid life lesson to be passed on to the kiddos. "Unless something is completed to reverse this trend, we're going to be hunting at millions of high school dropouts who don't see the point in going to college unless it teaches them to capture magic crystals," he says.
But if we're going to go to that extreme with anime shows, then let's also take a trip back to the days of Tom & Jerry. Was there a life lesson there? Nope, not a one. What about Popeye and Brutus? Yogi Bear? The Flintstones, Woody Woodpecker or my all-time fav, The Wacky Racers? Hmm... entertainment and comedy, yes. Moral life lessons? No.
The truth is, tv has often been for the most portion, an entertainment tool and not a babysitter, as Glucklich suggests. Sure, there are exceptions - Sesame Street, The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet are undoubtedly good educational applications that come to thoughts, but again, they are the exception not the rule. Even today's prime time shows are willing to sacrifice education for entertainment and our personal news media will focus on Brittney's most current scandal before they'll speak about Darfur. Not to say that I necessarily agree with all of it but I do have online manga a selection: if I want to find out far more about Brad and Angelina, I'll stay tuned to the main media stations. Hunting for one thing with a bit a lot more substance? Well, then I know exactly where to locate that info also.
Now, I know Mr. Glucklich is not alone in his assessment, just as there were these who thought all rock music was satanic and Elvis' swinging pelvis was a threat decent young girls around the planet. But they were wrong and, sorry Mr. Glucklich, so are you. To adhere to this line of thinking is to assume that the American public (or any "public" for that matter) is devoid of any independent thinking and to place it nicely, as stupid as clams. This theory needs society to be painfully dumb and even a lot more naive, so significantly so that we'll think anything at all that is put in front of us, no matter how ridiculous, manga incredible or imaginary it may possibly be.
And I'll admit, I know a handful of people that would fit that bill but I do not believe its a fair stereotype to paint broadly across the board. We have often had imaginary friends, pretend play and a very good dose of daydreaming. Its called "creativity" and to be sincere, I tend to encourage it in my youngsters. From our classic superheroes with other-worldly superpowers to Harry Potter, Star Wars and yes, even Dragon Ball Z, imagination is a fantastic, strong thing that (like Goku's Spirit Bomb) can be utilized for great or for evil.
The point is that anime, like any and every single other television show is not responsible for the "fiber" of our society, moral or otherwise. That responsibility falls to us, as parents, as people and as component of the human race and personally, if we weren't often so prepared to play the victim so that we could blame our shortcomings on a person else, we might truly have to stand up and be a much better "folks" collectively - cartoons, anime and all.
As the anime guide, you can bet that my kids see a ton of anime. In reality, we watch it together and just like any other tv show, video games and other outside stimuli, I limit and supervise everything that goes into naruto shippudden information their little brains. That is how its supposed to be and I can assure you, my kids are undertaking just fine. Because despite the fact that they might do it with magic crystals or hidden powers, characters in these shows remind us that its okay to be different and your strength comes from becoming correct to your self. The great guys constantly win in the finish and evil is ultimately sent packing. They show us that you can not usually judge a book by its cover, no matter how various that cover might be from your own and that it doesn't matter how tiny you consider you are - you must usually stand up for what is appropriate, no matter how mean or corrupt the bully may possibly be.
Come to think of it, these are some pretty good lessons to learn... even if they are from an anime show.
