I hate it when this happens!!! (Rant Thread)

[Dragon Rider]

I like Naruto alot, but I hate what business has done to it! I mean, because people like it, they start merchandising like crazy, and it loses that unique touch. Worst of all is when because of this, people who stick with the anime/manga get flamed and put down for liking an "overhyped anime" which is only overhyped for profits! Grrrrrr! Naruto's no the only victim, though. One Piece and Pokemon suffered this too! WHEN WILL IT STOP!!!!!!

*cough* Sorry, just had to get that off my chest Feel free to rant away.

 

[Chris]

Let's clear up a few things.

1) Naruto is popular on its own. People will want merchandise. And because the creator needs to be paid for his work as well does the anime staff, their source of income comes from how well the series does. How do they know? By how much merchandise they sell. *GASP*

2) The anime isn't overhyped because of its merchandise. Just about everything in Japan has a large amount of merchandise available for it. The fans are what make a series more than what it really is. You seem to be forgetting that Naruto IS a kids' show, afterall.

3) One Piece isn't exactly as heavily merchandised or advertised for products as Naruto is, however, its hype comes from its fans who love the series to death.

4) Pokemon = Cash cow for Nintendo. I don't think I have to explain further with this.

 

[That Scary Clefairy]

not to mention that many series in SJ or any shonan series(not sure on shoujo though) are bond to become really popular and sell. Its more obvisious. Seinen series have less chance of merchandising than a shonan series.

 

[Dragon Rider]

All that does make sense, but how about the people who bash fans just because it's popular? That's really annoying!

 

[Chris]

Usually they'll be right about it as there are fans who make shows out to be more than what they really are.

 

[Little_Pikachu]

Welcome to the real world. It's called supply and demand, people like a certain thing so they want more merchandise for it, the more they want the more is made. I bet you and a lot of other fans would be annoyed if you really liked something but could never find any merchandise for it like I was about 3 years ago when I first got into Naruto. Now it's become more popular I can get my hands on pretty much anything I want so that's a good thing.

Anyone who puts you down or insults you for liking a totally harmless anime isn't really someone who's opinion should be important to you. If it's a crap anime then fair enough, they have some rights to disagree with your choice, but if the only arguement anyone can give of why you suck for watching something like Naruto is "because it's popular" then that doesn't make sense. For something to be popular and hyped up it generally has to be good (note: GENERALLY has to be good), so the popularity of such a show would imply it is a good watch and no one has a right to whinge at you for watching it.

The only time I would agree with someone being flamed for liking an over-popular anime is if they just started watching/liking it because it was popular and that's usually the majority of people so the odd one or two fans who've been around for years and liked it because they actually liked it will get caught up in the crossfire and the thing is, they wont actually care about the bashing, they had their ninja fun years ago when no one knew what the hell they were talking about but now the hype and the magic has died down for them, they know the fan base of their favourite show has become over populated but they'll just sit back and let it happen because they understand that's just how the world works.

The above is theory and personal opinion.

I'm currently hoping for Eyeshield 21 to reach some level of popularity as I really want a Deimon football jersey :}

 

[HK]

All that does make sense, but how about the people who bash fans just because it's popular? That's really annoying!

I tend to bash the majority of the shounen series because of the acclaim that some fans give it, though that isn't as important as how basic and simplistic characters and plots tend to be. [/Is one of those people who bash fans who are blinded and ignorant.]

But yeah, fjust ace the fact that most shounen series are not really that great in terms of depth, and they generally do what they are supposed to do: provide entertainment. And, with the case of shounen anime that are adapted from popular shounen manga, they are also meant to get people, typically younger ones, to buy merchandise. Realistically, that is what a lot of anime does, and isn't meant to go beyond entertainment, though a few go beyond that, like, say, Yoshitoshi ABe's work with Serial Experiments Lain, NieA_7, Haibane Renmei, and Texhnolyze (from what I heard about the last one; I plan on watching it once Geneon releases the box set).

The only time I would agree with someone being flamed for liking an over-popular anime is if they just started watching/liking it because it was popular and that's usually the majority of people so the odd one or two fans who've been around for years and liked it because they actually liked it will get caught up in the crossfire and the thing is, they wont actually care about the bashing, they had their ninja fun years ago when no one knew what the hell they were talking about but now the hype and the magic has died down for them, they know the fan base of their favourite show has become over populated but they'll just sit back and let it happen because they understand that's just how the world works.

Pretty much the truth right there, from what I can agree upon.

 

[Cutiebunny]

Welcome to the world of mass production!

When Sailormoon was really popular in Japan(during the S and SuperS seasons...1994-1995), they made everything under the sun you could think of. There was Sailormoon champagne(non-alcoholic), Sailormoon shoes, Sailormoon furikake, Sailormoon bubblegum, Sailormoon clothes, Sailormoon dolls....even Sailormoon toilet paper. When something becomes very popular in Japan, the brand becomes licensed and the production of anime related goods starts.

It's ok to complain, but companies don't take notice unless their bottom line is being effected. If you don't like the fact that your fave anime is producing goods, don't buy them..and even better, don't watch the shows that help make the goods. That way, you can tell the 'man' that you're tired of him marketing your fave shows.

 

[That Scary Clefairy]

Little Pikachu and HK pretty much hit the mark right there.

man i'm getting too lazy nowadays...lol