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It wasn't until around the fifth grade that I began to think something was wrong. That year, a strange new cartoon worked its way into the social lexicon of coolness. It was called "Dragon Ball Z" and, for reasons my 10-year-old mind could not articulate, it was making me nervous. Ten years later, I can't help thinking that I could have done something, anything, to stop the tsunami of anime that was to come.
In a society dominated by excess and two-second attention spans, cartoons play a significant role in preparing us for the world. Each can be thought of as a 30-minute babysitter, instilling the kids who watch them with certain values and life lessons. But the landscape has changed.
Before I go any further, I should state the following: No matter who you are - whether you're black, white, Asian, Latino, even Canadian - I don't judge you by the color of your skin. I say this because I direct my comments to the media elites, in Japan and elsewhere, who have taken it upon themselves to flood the airwaves with shows like "Pokemon," "Digimon," and "Yugio" - sorry, "Yu-Gi-Oh!" They all started as card trading games, and should have ended there as well. Instead they've jumped to the mass media, where they're slowly chipping away at our collective moral fiber.
It's not a conspiracy. A conspiracy, by definition, requires that multiple parties are working together to achieve some sort of goal. None of the shows I've seen make nearly enough sense to be working toward anything other than a lackluster battle between Bulbasaur and Charmander and the next commercial break.
Don't believe the threat's real? A report from CNN's Tokyo affiliate in December 1997 documented an incident in which "More than 700 people, mainly school children, were rushed to hospitals Tuesday after suffering convulsions, vomiting, irritated eyes and other symptoms." Was it a gas leak at the local school? No. Were the kids breathing glue out of brown paper bags? No. Were they watching "Pokemon"? You bet your authentic Squirtle trading card they were.
Remember the cartoons you watched as a child, like "Rugrats"? Everyone watched "Rugrats." With his toothless grin and indomitable spirit, Tommy Pickles represented the very best in all of us. He was like a Che Guevara for the MTV generation. Sure, when he and the rest of the Rugrats "grew up" I died a little inside. But still, not a day goes by where I don't take a moment and thank Tommy for the life lessons he taught me. So what is Pokemon teaching the next generation of kids? The virtues of capturing exotic animals and making them fight for your amusement? I already learned that from Michael Vick.
Some of you may be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what about all of the mindless American television?" After all, this country invented mindless television. And networks like VH1 are keeping that proud tradition alive. But the difference here lies in the target audience: Shows like "Flavor of Love" and "Hogan Knows Best" are watched by people who have already been stupid for years, even decades. There's nothing we can do but make them as comfortable as possible.
The next generations of kids aren't even getting a chance. Unless something is done to reverse this trend, we're going to be looking at millions of high school dropouts who don't see the point in going to college unless it teaches them to capture magic crystals. No one wants to see that day. This issue transcends politics, even religion. It's the ethical dilemma of our day and age, one that makes me want to throw my hands in the air, and yell, "Will someone think of the children?"
24 comments
And about that whole college comment...What the hell!? Now that just pisses me off!!!! You think kids who watch anime don't want to learn or have a job because of anime!!!? Well I, along with all my friends, were inspired BY ANIME to go to college and do what we love! In fact, there are hundreds of fans who were inspired by anime to become actors or animators or authors or teachers or even Japanese Missionaries. I for one have been tremendously inspired by a CHRISTIAN voice actor named Vic Mignogna who takes tremendous pride in knowing that his work in anime is sparking the creativity of the youth. His work has inspired me to write and draw and someday animate my creations. How is that bad!?
Sorry to break it to you buddy, but Anime is better for the younger generation's morals than American cartoons in soooooooooooo many ways. Unlike it's American counterpart, Anime has deep, rich stories that are usually meant to go AGAINST violence and FOR protecting those you love. Compared to shows like even the Looney Toons, which is pointless and pure violence, Anime has that deep meaning and well-composed story that sucks you in and actually teaches you something.
Anime inspires and helps people, it doesn't destory the lives of children.
Next time....do your research man....
LONG LIVE ANIME!!!!!
my mistake.
I feel like also mentioning that you seem to be mainly sticking to using three shows to represent an entire genre as scapegoats for an imaginary problem. Your article doesn't seem to inspire much support for your ideas, so I suggest you brush up your knowledge a bit if you want to start making any valid points. I also feel like pointing out that the main revolving themes in Yu-Gi-Oh are friendship,compassion and forgiveness-- truly these values will bring naught but destruction and anarchy.
Simply put, your reasoning is off and you've done little, if anything, to prove your points. I admit that my own status as an anime fan might cause me to be biased, but as an intelligent high school junior whose educational future and success are being doubted, I'm entitled to a little bias and also the right to be insulted. YOU don't seem to be holding back your prejudice.
If you seriously stop to think about Tommy everyday, I fear for your stability.