Angelo.M
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2002
- Messages
- 4,007
I am merely curious why these anime characters don't look very asian.I believe the issue surrounding this is complex. As an anime fan and as someone also sensitive to these issues (my 3 year old daughter is Korean), I've looked into it a bit, and have found a lot of contradictory information.
I've come to understand it as a stylistic conceit. I'm told by some that having a more "Western-shaped eye" (that is, lacking the epicanthal fold) is desirable to some Japanese, to the point where some have sought cosmetic surgery to achieve the look. This is also reflected in a lot of Japanese advertising I've seen, featuring models that appear to be half-Asian, with eyes that have much more subtle folds.
Relating this back to anime, it's always been fascinating to me that certain anime characters are drawn with Asian features and others are not, often within the same film.
Watching Gatchaman ("Battle of the Planets") as a kid, I never thought of the characters as Asian, although my Asian friends certainly seemed to. When I watch it now, which is rare, I don't think of this at all.
My daughter isn't quite old enough to appreciate these differences, but I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions in the years to come. She loves My Neighbor Totoro, by the way.