I'm an Asian and I have watched animes way before I ever watched some of the new American cartoons, but these are the reasons why I prefer to watch cartoons over anime.

1. The "This is too much information, and I'm sitting here digesting it all" pause : I'm pretty sure most animes have this nice feature. All too often and sometimes right in the middle of the action, the characters just freeze with their mouths open and let out a sound like they were just punched in the stomach. I don't know why this feature is so popular, maybe they include this to eat up minutes. Maybe there are other reasons, but I don't know what.

2. The "I'm either freezing my ass off or I'm clenching my muscles too hard" pose : If it is not number 1, it is this. When something big happens, some of the characters stand in place and shiver. I think this is used because animes are much more character driven and the characters use this time to talk to themselves or each other to find the resolve to take care of the situation. One example can be seen in Naruto when Naruto fights Kiba and when Kiba is running in to attack, the camera shows Naruto shivering and we see him think and talk to himself to get the courage to fight back. It even goes to a flashback to show Kiba laugh at Naruto when they were young. After a couple minutes of the flashback and shivering, the action resumes. I like flashbacks and can accept the shivering, but only so much.

3. The "I feel like a teacher so I'm gonna explain this" parts : This only applies to action animes but gets on my nerves nontheless sometimes. Whenever somebody does a move, everybody else stop what they are doing, and explain exactly what happened either to themselves or to someone next to them. Sometimes I think the anime makers think the audience is dumb, that they can't figure out what happens themselves. I know that there are some complex moves used in some animes, but I feel as if this explanation goes on everytime something happens. It gets to me sometimes.

Cartoons have little to none of these above features, but it also has some bad points. Cartoons are story driven, so we can't identify with the characters as easily. Most every episodes are self contained, every episode is a different story. (I think cartoons are made this way because they think about syndication; self contained episodes are generally watched more in syndication) I think that's what I love about anime the most. It tells a great huge story and some big battles can last 6 episodes. But I still prefer cartoons because they don't have the 3 reasons that I mentioned. Heh if you read all this without getting super mad, I salute you.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

Answers

i'm more amused than mad. you remind me of my three-year-old brother, whose fav shows are Tom & Jerry and Mickey Mouse. Most good anime shows require people with more intellect to appreciate and enjoy, so i can't say i blame you. you're welcome to continue watching your cartoons. it's fine with me. really...

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

I wouldn't exactly say I preferred American cartoons to anime, but I agree with points 2 and 3, especially when it comes to Naruto. That's the main reason why I stopped watching it: everything takes too long to happens. After watching anime for a while, I went back and watched some old Spiderman episodes and I was amazed at how fast- paced it seemed. There are some American cartoons that I enjoy watching, and a lot of anime that pisses me off, so I'll just have to say I watch what I watch and so should you.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

"Most good anime shows require people with more intellect to appreciate and enjoy" nobody, you snob.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

snob? maybe, but you guys can't judge anime just by watching naruto. just like i'm wrong to judge cartoons by the kiddish shows my brother always watch every single day.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

I'm not judging anime based on one show alone, or obviously I wouldn't be on an anime bulletin board. Just saying that Archibald is not entirely wrong and not entirely right. I don't mean to condemn you either, but the idea that anyone who doesn't "appreciate most good anime" cannot be as intelligent as those who do sure sounds snobbish and elitist to me.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

-__-there are many animes that are drawn very well, american cartoons have two dimentional characters and the only thing cartoons are good for is humor. Inzader Zim is a good example of this, its very random, and rarely caries events into other episodes, but thats why its funny, if you want to watch animation with deep, thought out, and three dimentional characters then theres anime. But I have never seen an american cartoon that was drawn as good as anime, and I live here so I should now. But every one is entilted to there own opinion, so think what you want, but this is my own opinion.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

I think you have some very good points there, and while my room mate will disagree I think I like both American cartoons and anime the same. Each has their own good and bad points. The storylines in anime's can be FANTASTIC...but I seriously understand where your comming from with the fight scenes...too many pauses, not enough happening and stuff...

P.S. There is nothing wrong with Tom and Jerry...personaly though I like Pinky and the Brain better...

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2003

Cartoons are mostly just dumb for five-year old kids. It's not that I don't enjoy watching Tom and Jerry once in a while, but when I want to see great quality animation, I go to see good animes like Jin Roh And when I want to have some good laughsI pick some funny anime like GTO

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2003

whatever u like, u like. why do ppl get in such big discussions about these things. its not like what the ppl here are doing affects ur life. Just cause a couple ppl dont like anime doesnt mean that they r insulting it or u (unless they specificly say something). it all just confuses me really.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2003

In my opinion I would choose Anime over american cartoon anyday!! American carttons are so stupid, but they can be humerous at times.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2003

Looks like you don't like too much in sight... or maybe you just live too 'real' to like it..... whatever......"diferent strokes for diferent folks".....

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003

GTO is the best!! yeah well anyways I like anime better but there are some good american shows, like family guy that shit is funny. A lot of american cartoons that have been coming out are really stupid thats why i haven't been watching them, for a good example sheep in the big city wtf is that? There are some stupid anime to but i haven't downloaded any yet.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2003

he got a big point there

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2003