Ask John: Why Watch Bad Anime?

Question:
A couple of posts ago while announcing the second season of Phi Brain, you mentioned your misgivings about watching a second season of a series that “wasn’t that good”. My own opinions about the show aside, if you do not like the show, why do you keep watching? Are there specific animes you commit you’re self to watching no matter what?

Answer:
I consider myself an anime fan in the literal sense that I enjoy and appreciate anime: all genres, vintages, and varieties. Naturally, I find certain anime more appealing than others, and I don’t hesitate to call bad anime “bad.” But I want to like every anime, and give every anime the benefit of as much positive goodwill as I can muster until I actually watch some of the show to determine whether or not it actually deserves my respect. I don’t ever predetermine that I’ll certainly watch the entirety of any given anime, especially if the show is a multi-episode series, although certainly some shows immediately seem more or less likely to be titles I’ll routinely watch. Following excellent anime is fulfilling and rewarding. But I’ve also watched the entirety of some very bad anime, because bad anime sometimes have their own, unique appeal.

I’ve watched all of particularly bad anime series including Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Koi Koi 7, Chou Henshin Cos-Prayers, Narutaru, Ghost Hunt (starts good but quickly becomes very, very bad) and Soukou no Strain. In comparison, the current Phi-Brain is far from the worst anime I’ve ever watched. Phi-Brain is rather silly because it revolves around a goofy concept – the idea that a multi-national organization implements deadly and even terrorist-worthy brain puzzles in order to train genius puzzle solvers. Furthermore, the show’s characters consistently maintain a deadly serious approach, even when joking around and being playful, despite being involved in such a patently ridiculous environment. The show’s two supporting masculine characters, Gammon and Cubic, also exude a devotion and infatuation with male protagonist Kaito that seems to extend beyond ordinary friendship or rivalry into sublimated homosexual attraction. I have no objection to homosexual characters or themes, but the presence of such passion feels entirely out of place and awkward in this particular show. And, in fact, it’s particularly these characteristics of the show which partially keep me watching.

The adage “so bad it’s good” does have some occasional validity. I particularly continued to watch the Umineko no Naku Koro ni and Cos-Prayers television series motivated by a masochistic curiosity to see just how ridiculous, disjointed, and unbelievable the shows would get. Bad anime like Musashi Gundoh and Zaizen Jotaro have developed a bit of a cult following because the programs are fun to ridicule. I don’t particularly like insulting anime, so the only shows I watch to laugh at are designed comedies. But certain bad anime are fascinating because they’re so unpredictable and unconventional. Simply watching an anime that’s so unlike the majority of anime in tone and production is sometimes a refreshing change of pace. Often times, bad anime are also easy to watch. Excellent anime are often very engrossing. They mandate intellectual and emotional engagement. Mediocre and bad anime often don’t require or engage such exhaustive engagement. Anime is meant to entertain and relax. So sometimes just watching a show to pass the time and ease the stress of the day is satisfying. Watching very disposable episodes of Phi-Brain is enjoyable because it’s much less taxing than watching shows like Nisemonogatari, Ano Natsu de Matteru, or Inu x Boku SS that naturally require more conscious investment and viewer engagement to watch and enjoy.

I’m not masochistic enough to force myself to watch bad anime. I’ve begun and quickly stopped watching countless bad anime, including Zaizen Jotaro, Hikari to Mizu no Daphne, Giniro no Olynsis, Kujibiki Unbalance, R-15, and Maken-ki, to name just a few. But a seasoned connoisseur is, or should be, familiar with both the good and the bad, as familiarity with the bad provides context for the good. Furthermore, drivel has its periodic place and purpose. An exclusive diet of expensive excellence risks becoming stultifying. A mixture of good and occasional bad keeps the palate refreshed and taste diversified and receptive.