Ask John: Is It Wrong to Prefer One Genre of Anime?

Question:
Referring to your April 23rd answer you seem to look down upon people that only like one genre. Well, I only like mecha anime. I guess, if you prod me, I’ll like Sci-fi as well. What’s wrong with that? I’m a 16 year old male. For all intents and purposes, I shouldn’t like all anime. I don’t think Japanese 16 year old males flock to watch Spirited Away and Sailor Moon. Don’t take this as a diss, but what’s wrong with just enjoying the genres you want to enjoy? I have given other genres a chance. I wasn’t very interested in the horror stuff, romantic comedies / harem shows, and comedies such as Trigun. I’d buy a disc or two, then trade them in because they didn’t hold my interest. Where did this idea that to be an anime fan you have to like every genre come from? I don’t think every sports fan likes every sport, and a movie buff doesn’t need to like every type of movie.

Answer:
In my latest “Ask John” article I stated, “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with preferring particular genres or styles of anime. But limiting one’s viewing to only particular genres of anime or particular shows makes a person a fan of one particular title or style of anime, not a fan of the art form itself.” As you yourself admit, you’re a fan of mecha anime and you’re perfectly satisfied being so. I’m also glad that you’re a mecha fan. I’d prefer to see people be a fan of one variety of anime than be a fan of baseball cards or coin collecting or some other hobby.

Anime is a form of entertainment, so individuals should prioritize watching whatever type of anime they find most enjoyable. My point is to make it clear that individual fans who prefer a single genre of anime may be knowledgeable about that particular genre, but may not be familiar and knowledgeable about the entire spectrum of the anime art form. I repeat, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with preferring a single variety of anime. But people who wish to be extensively experienced anime fans, familiar with as many aspects and areas of Japanese animation as possible, need to expand their viewing to include as many different shows, as many different genres, and as many different types of anime as possible.

I’m not trying to criticize fans who are satisfied and happy with one variety of anime, as you are. My goal was to urge a revelation in anime fans who zealously watch only a limited scope of anime but consider themselves experienced and knowledgeable “anime otaku.” I think it’s great for fans to specialize as “mecha otaku” or “shoujo otaku” but to be an “anime otaku” it’s necessary to be a fan of all styles and genres of anime. And one can’t possibly be a fan of every type of anime by watching only one type to the exclusion of others.

It’s true that in loose terms, a sports fan may not like every sport, or a movie fan may not enjoy every genre of movies. But when we apply the genre specialization of anime to these examples, it becomes more accurate to call someone that likes baseball and football but not hockey a “baseball and football otaku,” not a “sports otaku.” However, a sports fan appreciates and respects all sports. A movie fan appreciates the art of cinema. But within American anime fandom we find many self-proclaimed anime fans who lambast hentai or disregard children’s titles like Pokemon or respect only their own favorite anime genre. Fundamentally, my argument is partially one of semantics. Partially it was intended to encourage a respect for the art form of Japanese animation, and an appreciation of its diversity. Basically I eagerly encourage anime fans to watch what they enjoy. But a fan that seeks to be a holistic aficionado of the art of Japanese animation needs to indulge in Japanese animation holistically.