Comment on What is Anime? by Nyet-PingIsOnDA
Don't steer clear of anything, be versatile.
I think the only reason people frown on it is for two reasons:
(I hate to say it) it's not American-- or western, perhaps. I think there's this hidden, unspoken pride about having western-based things because cartoon style is fine, but anyway...
The second one would be that these artists/art schools see problems associated with the style, not the style itself but what comes out of it when people decide to make it their primary style. There's this assumption that it limits the mind (it doesn't, but you can say the 'fanbase' decides to let it be a limitation).
For example, anime doesn't have any 'weird' proportions or anatomy as compared to any other cartooning style. In fact, some manga styles actually stick to the 8 head height ideal proportions principle and animators must have learned anatomy and proportions in their years of schooling. It's just that a lot of people who are drawing in this style (non professionally) are not doing those things therefore making up that excuse... I've seen in a lot of anime and manga where there are elements of realism in panels, especially when it comes to the human face (which, okay, I'll admit tends to be not well proportioned in this style, same with cartooning). So basically, it's probably just the fanbase and the fact that it's not western.
I know a couple of people who can draw anime, it probably was one of the first things they began drawing but you probably wouldn't have expected that if you were to see their work.
Oh yeah, and to make you feel better, when I went to a convention some professional comic artists didn't mind the style when executed well, they just don't like when it's executed improperly.
I think the only reason people frown on it is for two reasons:
(I hate to say it) it's not American-- or western, perhaps. I think there's this hidden, unspoken pride about having western-based things because cartoon style is fine, but anyway...
The second one would be that these artists/art schools see problems associated with the style, not the style itself but what comes out of it when people decide to make it their primary style. There's this assumption that it limits the mind (it doesn't, but you can say the 'fanbase' decides to let it be a limitation).
For example, anime doesn't have any 'weird' proportions or anatomy as compared to any other cartooning style. In fact, some manga styles actually stick to the 8 head height ideal proportions principle and animators must have learned anatomy and proportions in their years of schooling. It's just that a lot of people who are drawing in this style (non professionally) are not doing those things therefore making up that excuse... I've seen in a lot of anime and manga where there are elements of realism in panels, especially when it comes to the human face (which, okay, I'll admit tends to be not well proportioned in this style, same with cartooning). So basically, it's probably just the fanbase and the fact that it's not western.
I know a couple of people who can draw anime, it probably was one of the first things they began drawing but you probably wouldn't have expected that if you were to see their work.
Oh yeah, and to make you feel better, when I went to a convention some professional comic artists didn't mind the style when executed well, they just don't like when it's executed improperly.
Ah okay, that makes sense. Thanks for your input, I'll definitely take note on what you've said.