The Wrath of the Otaku.

How heavily does Japan actually influence America?

As with most things, there's always a nay-Sayer to the group.  Especially when it comes down to Americans who take interest in Japanese culture.  Phrases such as, "Stick to your own country you wanna be oriental!" or "fake American!".  I shouldn't even have to explain the ignorance that follow that statement.  I shall show and explain one of the Japanese cultures that have found their way across the seas.

Anime

Anime is an animated show featuring body characteristics ranging from close to realistic all the way to downright abnormal.  Usually it focuses on a younger protagonist chasing after some stupidly overpowered enemy.  Usually incorporating supernatural events and super powered characters on the same level such as that of Superman.  Heroes and villains alike, more than not, carry a power known only as BS.  Seriously.  Watch 3/4 Anime series and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Typical Anime artwork consisting of young characters in school uniform.

 

 If you'd like to know more about Anime, check out this link right here--->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime

 One of the most popular by far is Anime, or Japanese animation.  Check above for description.  Now, in light of the aforementioned description, a lot of people have got it in their heads that all Anime is the same.  
They think it usually features women with ridiculous breasts or some form of inappropriate material, and automatically assume the fan base of these shows are all the same and generalize them to the extent that they've even come up  with a name for them.

 Otaku.

[Actual definition: Otaku-someone who feels very strongly about a certain hobby or has an obsession.]

With that being said, your stereotypical moron would say something along the lines of, "Ur a faggot, u watch anime! u prolly watch hentai 2, pussy. get a life".  I'll let the idiocy speak for itself.  However, this is the most common reaction we see in America when someone else takes an interest in Anime.  That, or

"watch regular cartoons at leest, fag."

 

It's understandable, I suppose...seeing as how American's weren't raised on Anime or brought up around it so that they may build an understanding, right?

WRONG.

If you go to any child who was born between the years 1990-2000, and ask them their favorite childhood cartoon, I am willing to bet dollars to donuts you get the same answer at least 60% of the time.  Almost every one will most likely answer with at least one of the three major shows popular in that time.

Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-OH!

Some of you might say, "but...but...but...those are American shows cuz they speek english, rite?!"

WRONG.

...again

Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and Yu-Gi-OH! were all originally Japanese Manga series (Japanese comic book) that were adapted into an Anime and then translated and dubbed (re-voiced) in English, for an international audience.  

 Awp, here he comes.

"but, but, i didnt watch doze shows cuz i thot dey were stoopid n for kidz!"

 Well, regardless of what a lot of people may say now, statistics say that over 70% of children born in the 90's watched at least one of the three regularly.  In fact, Pokemon was so popular they've had more than 4 cartoon spin offs, countless games, toys, dolls, movies, a trading card game and conventions based solely on it.  Yu-Gi-OH! and Dragon Ball Z are no different.  Both creating such a splash in the US that they inspired countless new generations and revivals of the old classics.  ALL of which originated in Japan.  These shows even aired on the biggest TV stations in America, such as Cartoon Network, Disney, and Nickelodeon.  How many people in the US watch Adult Swim?  How many watched Toonami?  Good old fashioned all-American cartoons, right?

WRONG!

man, don't you ever get tired of being wrong?

Toonami, and Adult Swim both featured a line up mostly comprised of Anime.  Classic cartoons such as Gundam, Code Lyoko, Code Geass, Sailor Moon, Ronin Warriors, Tenchi, The Big O, Zoids, .hack//Sign, YuYu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin, Inuyasha, and One Piece.  ALL Anime.  Okay, now that I've got you thinking, I'll hit you with what may be the biggest mind-fuck to some of the less informed readers.

  Ready?

I want you to name one of the most popular cartoons out right now.  As of 2012.

.

.

.

Chances are, one of your answers was this...

"but that's american! thats not anime right? its on nickelodeon."

 RIGHT.

for once.

Don't get too cocky just yet.

"haha so that means it has nothing to do with anime. :) take that."

  

WRONG!

told you not to get too cocky...>.>

Now, while it's true that Avatar: The Legend of Korra, and it's predecessor Avatar: The Last Airbender are not Japanese productions, and therefore technically not Anime.  It WAS, however, greatly influenced by Japanese animation and drawn in the same art form. 

"..."

Even now, Anime still has a MAJOR influence on the cartoons presented in America.  The current lineup on Cartoon Network even, supports this, carrying shows such as Beyblade, Bakugan, Yu-Gi-OH! 5D's, etc. (I can't even keep up anymore. -.-).  While all of the shows shown may not be strictly Japanese made.  ALL carry a strong influence from Anime.  

"well...whatever. eventually the shows will end and itll be over. they cant last that long..."

*sigh* Do I really need to say it?

 

If you take a look at shows like Naruto, Bleach, and even Dragon Ball Z, (I don't have to count the obvious Pokemon and Yu-Gi-OH! which both ran for over 400 episodes. -_-), you can see the true length a show can run for.  Dragon Ball Z had two different spin offs.  Dragon Ball Z itself was a spin-off of Dragon Ball.  Then there's GT.  Collectively it ran for over around 10 years.  The first two, Naruto and Bleach, are STILL going.  Naruto started around 2005 and is still only about 3/4 of the way through...The original, Naruto, ran for 220 episodes.  The second coming, Shippuden is still running and is currently on episode 274.  The manga is a different story.  I think the last chapter to have been released was 597, and is still going.  So, if you think one episode and one chapter a week.  Then times that by 597 and 494, respectively, you start to get a scope of how long a show can actually last.  With that being said, you'd think America would have gotten a more profound understanding and respect for them, right?  Sadly, this is not the case.  While I'm fully aware that as long as we live, we'll never experience a day of mutual respect throughout the country, I can at least try and put things in perspective...

I think I'll go ahead and end it at that, considering I've said quite a bit and you still need the ability to ponder on it all.  Anymore and your brain would just give up.  I hope I at least cleared things up for a couple people out there.  If not, at least I said what I felt like needed to be said, and at the end of the day that's all you can ask for.  

Remember everybody, stay open and stay thinking.
Sayonara, mina-san.