A Look at the "Whiteness" of Japanese Anime Characters
Japanese forumgoers examine facial structures unique to whites and Asians
Anime characters have hair and eyes in all the colors of the rainbow, but they still never look particularly Japanese. Despite arguments that anime characters are more designed in line with Japanese standards of beauty, it's still easy to see where people consider this (below) to be less "Japanese woman" and more "Nordic supermodel."
A Japanese forum took another look at the subject, comparing a typical Caucasian skull to a common Asian skull, then compared the facial structures of a young Caucasian woman to a young Japanese woman.
Finally, the same comparisons were made to illustrations, but here's the real surprise: the "Caucasian" character was K-ON!'s Yui Hirasawa.
It is worth mentioning this from the original Kotaku post regarding this comparison:
"Even though these images apparently originated on a Japanese web forum, there are several problems with the images, but the biggest is that they seem selected simply to further this individual's thesis. As one Japanese forum commenter pointed out, 'The choice of models is pretty terrible.'
In Japan, the white model might be considered an ideal Western beauty; the Asian model would not. A more valid comparison would be with someone like Koyuki, who is considered an ideal Japanese beauty. How would her features factor into this?"
It certainly is something to consider, especially with anime's unique visual style. I hardly doubt that there are many seven-foot-tall Japanese men built like Brock Lesnar, no matter what Fist of the North Star has taught me. What do you think? Does this comparison make sense, or is it just a wild theory thrown out by fans with too much time on their hands?
via Kotaku
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I was just about to say that XD
should've said K-On
should've said K-On
"Lucky Star's Yui Hirasawa"
<_< Am I missing something?
<_< Am I missing something?
2/7/12 by Fenriz153
you are! an obvious mistake.. i'v mixed up an a few animes before, same with actors or tv shows.. movies.. even put my shirt on backwards and OMG inside out!
if anyone actually wants to help the writers out when they most the news, can always send them a message on CR, by clicking the writers name Nate Ming at the top, then at the Nate Ming archive near the top there is a "writer Profile" button which will take you to the standard CR user page. send a message! thank them for their hard work! help them deliver accurate news!
sometimes they make mistakes and sometimes their sources do as well, they read these comments and follow their news stories to get our feedback and see the response their articles generate
in essence THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!
if anyone actually wants to help the writers out when they most the news, can always send them a message on CR, by clicking the writers name Nate Ming at the top, then at the Nate Ming archive near the top there is a "writer Profile" button which will take you to the standard CR user page. send a message! thank them for their hard work! help them deliver accurate news!
sometimes they make mistakes and sometimes their sources do as well, they read these comments and follow their news stories to get our feedback and see the response their articles generate
in essence THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!
Also, what's the point? I don't get why this is a big deal. Someone want to fill me in on why this is important?
2/6/12 by Koga1211
I don't think they need to be compared. They kinda do whatever they want with anime characters. Look at Dragon-Ball characters, then look at Gundam characters, then on to other non-action based anime as well, and it all can vary quite widely. Sometimes a character looks Japanese to me, sometimes a bit more Western, othertimes they don't look like any one thing to me.
I guess what I'm saying is, I don't think that Anime characters are every modeled off of any one thing, or are specifically always east or west.
I guess what I'm saying is, I don't think that Anime characters are every modeled off of any one thing, or are specifically always east or west.
That's what I thought too, haha.
You sir, are a brilliant man! I agree 100% with you! By the way quick question, the Caucasian model in the picture is pretty and the Asian model isn't....What gives? And also, I think it goes without saying that "Fist of the North Star" is FULL of things that just don't belong. Anime is a romantic fantasy, a dream of the what-if. That's why we love and/or worship it.
2/6/12 by ArouraLeona
Well ... gundam characters aren't SUPPOSED to be Japanese. Regardless of Heero's background or what have you (or Quatre's, ::snort:: that Aryan wetdream as Arabic, yeah), they're Space born. Colonists from all over living out in space breeding with whomever.
But I agree, no one naturally has sky blue hair or 8 foot long legs like Ami from Sailor Moon. It's animators making use of the medium. Why NOT go crazy and do things totally impossible with live action. And why limit yourself to the logic and realities of the real world when you're NOT playing with the real world.
But I agree, no one naturally has sky blue hair or 8 foot long legs like Ami from Sailor Moon. It's animators making use of the medium. Why NOT go crazy and do things totally impossible with live action. And why limit yourself to the logic and realities of the real world when you're NOT playing with the real world.
Fail - lucky star >.>
2/6/12 by Wild_Cards
Um...Yes, it's been said already, but Yui Hirasawa is from "K-On!"
Guess the writer's not a fan.
Guess the writer's not a fan.
2/6/12 by rayrae2008
If they were going to make a topic like this at least get where the character is from right ._.
But this post is interesting
But this post is interesting
It's K-on!! not Lucky Star. Any way to correct that?
2/7/12 by sortoffaerygirl
Possibly the best use of Youtube to defeat a stereotyping myth... ever...
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for posting!
2/7/12 by pika-pika-shuuichi
CR needs a thumbs up button, your comment deserves one.
This video is spot-on. Lots of examples, photographic evidence to back each one up, logical reasoning...
The article here has ONE example, and it's pretty damn poor. There's barely anything to this article in the first place!!
This video is spot-on. Lots of examples, photographic evidence to back each one up, logical reasoning...
The article here has ONE example, and it's pretty damn poor. There's barely anything to this article in the first place!!
This video is just as subjective as the original article. He finds examples that fit his argument, ignoring any evidence that doesn't support his claims. I've watched plenty of series where the established Caucasian characters are visually indistinguishable from the Asian ones (that is to say, no exaggerated features). The arguments about eye-size are confusing, given that the large eyes are almost always a characteristic exclusive to female anime characters (which the video author makes no mention of), and is refuted by the fact that some (not all, but some) Japanese models have actually had cosmetic surgery to make their eyes appear larger. The author's point is further diminished when he brings up that many western cartoons also feature large-eyed characters - this seems to support the theory of anime characters looking Caucasian more than counter it.
The argument made for the wide range of hair colors, while certainly true, really only speaks to the lack of detail in many anime series. Once again, if we compare this trend to western cartoons, you'll see that many series (from The Flintstones, to Scooby Doo, to Family Guy) have no problem making characters look unique, simply by using different head shapes, facial features, and hair styles. They do, of course, have the benefit of a wider range of acceptable hair colors available, but my point is that these aren't relied upon to distinguish the characters from one another. In fact, it's been said that most Simpsons characters can be identified solely from their silhouette.
To be clear, I don't disagree with the video author - I just disagree that his proof is any less subjective than the article posted here. The style typically seen in anime is very exaggerated, and thus easy for *any* viewer to identify with, regardless of ethnicity.
The argument made for the wide range of hair colors, while certainly true, really only speaks to the lack of detail in many anime series. Once again, if we compare this trend to western cartoons, you'll see that many series (from The Flintstones, to Scooby Doo, to Family Guy) have no problem making characters look unique, simply by using different head shapes, facial features, and hair styles. They do, of course, have the benefit of a wider range of acceptable hair colors available, but my point is that these aren't relied upon to distinguish the characters from one another. In fact, it's been said that most Simpsons characters can be identified solely from their silhouette.
To be clear, I don't disagree with the video author - I just disagree that his proof is any less subjective than the article posted here. The style typically seen in anime is very exaggerated, and thus easy for *any* viewer to identify with, regardless of ethnicity.
two things: 1). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 2)This was from Brian Ashcraft......let me repeat that....Brian Ashcraft. This is coming from a guy who thought this was related to games and new worthy: http://kotaku.com/5881909/video-gaming-interrupted-by-sadistic-sisters-cruelty-ensues just saying
Wow! Looks like lucky star really amp'd up their art! (sarcasm)
hey! no commenting! go draw! haha
2/6/12 by kitsuneshoujo
Yeah I think this is someone who was trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole. The Japanese girl they used for a comparison wasn't even typical for the Japanese ideal, as was pointed out.
To me, it looks like they scoured the internets looking for what they thought was the most ugly girl and then compared her to some random white chick. Also the Japanese girl's head is canted in such a way that her head looks oblong, skewing the measurements and proportions.
To me, it looks like they scoured the internets looking for what they thought was the most ugly girl and then compared her to some random white chick. Also the Japanese girl's head is canted in such a way that her head looks oblong, skewing the measurements and proportions.
2/7/12 by kenjisugahara
Yeah no kidding. Where in the world did they pick up that Japanese model? Whoever did is an idiot. The gal is a little shall we say... みにくい...
Does the argument of a characters race really matter when half of them have either snaggle-tooths, are perma-cat faced, fly giant killer space robots, or harbor an intergalactic invasion force of frogs?
I mean, I get the argument, yeah a lot of characters look more white than asian. But they also have eyes a foot in diameter and all live on the same over used quiet suburban Japanese street across from their high school filled with suspiciously beautiful girls -_- *rant complete* *sleep-mode initiated*
I mean, I get the argument, yeah a lot of characters look more white than asian. But they also have eyes a foot in diameter and all live on the same over used quiet suburban Japanese street across from their high school filled with suspiciously beautiful girls -_- *rant complete* *sleep-mode initiated*
2/6/12 by xxkazenokizuxx
tefrin and nearandfar i could not have phrased it better my self but the only thing i got to add is who gives a dam LOL
haha, no one should, idk what race my main character is as long as the Gundam he pilots stays 80 feet tall and eats Zakus for breakfast ;P
Hah, I've always wondered about this.... white skull is better than asian skull... lol The only thing that annoys me is when the eyes don't look like "anime" eyes (like real people or something weird)
This was a really interesting article. They should have used a better Japanese model but their thesis does have some merit.
I'm just going to say this without beating around the bush:People who actually cares about this topic are idiots.Comparing drawings to real-life............GTFO!!!Fiction is fiction.
"Anime characters look western",yes that's an ignorant observation,you want a cookie?
"Anime characters look western",yes that's an ignorant observation,you want a cookie?
2/6/12 by JediPrime
Its not really ignorant for a statement like that. - I agree that no one should really care, but many text books have gone into the origins of certain characters not looking completely Japanese all the way back to the 1950's to expand Japanese audiences to international settings, not simply confined to Japanese stories but ones that could be set anywhere...even if Japanese usage and techniques were still used.
Artists today now create styles based on whatever they desire... for cuteness, specific character mood or just because they want to draw someone that way.
But, and please don't think I am calling you out on this or anything, when people on here are using words like ignorant or people are being racist, this has nothing to do with that when it comes to the original why.
There was a reason from the beginning. How people use it now is there choice...all you have to do is look at any animation from around the world and there is not a real standard anymore. (aka Disney in the past shooting for realism but having a larger budget than anyone else.)
Artists today now create styles based on whatever they desire... for cuteness, specific character mood or just because they want to draw someone that way.
But, and please don't think I am calling you out on this or anything, when people on here are using words like ignorant or people are being racist, this has nothing to do with that when it comes to the original why.
There was a reason from the beginning. How people use it now is there choice...all you have to do is look at any animation from around the world and there is not a real standard anymore. (aka Disney in the past shooting for realism but having a larger budget than anyone else.)
Cant help but notice, they probably grabbed the most unattracitve looking asian woman they could find, to compare with an avarage white woman. this is false data. But it is true Animations are drawn, and do appear "white" more so than asian.
2/6/12 by motytrah
You're being charitable when you say unattractive. Gaaah. On the one hand characters do appear more Caucasian than Mongoloid, but there are also features (like the really big round eyes) that really don't fit any race.
Usually the only thing off I tend to notice genetically is the eye teeth tend to push out. A common crowding issue for people of Mongoloid decent. Albeit easily corrected.
Usually the only thing off I tend to notice genetically is the eye teeth tend to push out. A common crowding issue for people of Mongoloid decent. Albeit easily corrected.
2/6/12 by figurehappy
I think that depends on the character, and only if I know the character's ethnic background. In Gosick-Victorica is a white character, Kujo Japanese- and knowing that, I'll like the proper backgrounds better. Aliens like Lum or world societies like in Gurren Lagann race is ambiguous so it all works well.
2/7/12 by narutoriki
That's due to the fact tht there is not a large fan base of pretty, beautiful, cute westerners.
I have seen a handful of somet what decent white cosplayers (Me included - I Cosplayed Hugh Anthony Disward recently - Blonde British guy for a Blonde British Character.)
Though most of the time all you ever see are white people with these traits - Fat, Spotty, Greasy, Smelly, Fugly, Ugly and highly unacttractive. Why? Because all the pretty girls who look after themselves in western countries dont care for anime.
I have seen a handful of somet what decent white cosplayers (Me included - I Cosplayed Hugh Anthony Disward recently - Blonde British guy for a Blonde British Character.)
Though most of the time all you ever see are white people with these traits - Fat, Spotty, Greasy, Smelly, Fugly, Ugly and highly unacttractive. Why? Because all the pretty girls who look after themselves in western countries dont care for anime.
I've seen proof either way, it is just an art style, these drawing shouldn't represent one race or an other. right now we r looking at one specific character from one anime, if we compare an other amines characters we may get different results. And if the view is frontal? would it be the same? Do you think the people who created this style of art work was actually thinking, "Eh, I know what let's make a art style in which the characters are Caucasian." I doubt it. An anime character could be a combination of the two, or just pure imagination to make character that look somewhat like a real person. So let's put this argument to rest with a nice cup of coco. IT'S JUST AN ART STYLE PEOPLE, NO NEED TO GET RACIST ABOUT IT.
2/6/12 by figurehappy
Good points all around. From in front, anime characters tend to have much rounder (Asian?) faces.
The theory is bogus. Ironically, to use K-On as an example: Mugi was thought to be a "foreigner" because of her PALE skin and THICK eyebrows when the other girls first met her. A lot of anime/manga design the European and American characters different from the typical big round eyes and tiny noses of the main Japanese cast.
2/6/12 by AnimeForDummies
lol I love the end picture comparison and is an interesting study :3
2/6/12 by LaughingTarget
A good article on skin color:
http://anthro.palomar.edu/adapt/adapt_4.htm
Southern Americans tend to be darker than the Japanese, for instance. By this measure, Japan is more white than most of America.
The main issue comes in terms of eye color. For me, this is THE point of confusion since colors other than brown are incredibly rare in genetically "pure" East Asians. Greens, Greys, Hazels, are predominantly Southern Europe, Western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East countries with rare occurrences outside of individuals with genetic ancestry to these regions. This is likely due to the relative geographic isolation of the European continent which didn't overwhelm the regressive eye colors with the predominant brown that happened elsewhere. There are some populations in Mongolia and Tibet that have larger non-brown eyed instances, but this is, like Europe, due to fairly extreme geographical isolation.
With eye colors other than brown wiped out in the critical mass in the Eastern part of Asia, getting parents together that not only both posses the regressive gene to deliver a blue eye child is already a needle in a haystack proposition, the genetic outcome has to also present both regressives in the child.
So, while facial structure, skin tone, or hair color won't confuse me, when I see blue-eyed Naruto and green-eyed Sakura, that tells me that, unless Konoha has a huge population of regressive gene members, they're much more similar to European or West Asian populations than Japanese.
http://anthro.palomar.edu/adapt/adapt_4.htm
Southern Americans tend to be darker than the Japanese, for instance. By this measure, Japan is more white than most of America.
The main issue comes in terms of eye color. For me, this is THE point of confusion since colors other than brown are incredibly rare in genetically "pure" East Asians. Greens, Greys, Hazels, are predominantly Southern Europe, Western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East countries with rare occurrences outside of individuals with genetic ancestry to these regions. This is likely due to the relative geographic isolation of the European continent which didn't overwhelm the regressive eye colors with the predominant brown that happened elsewhere. There are some populations in Mongolia and Tibet that have larger non-brown eyed instances, but this is, like Europe, due to fairly extreme geographical isolation.
With eye colors other than brown wiped out in the critical mass in the Eastern part of Asia, getting parents together that not only both posses the regressive gene to deliver a blue eye child is already a needle in a haystack proposition, the genetic outcome has to also present both regressives in the child.
So, while facial structure, skin tone, or hair color won't confuse me, when I see blue-eyed Naruto and green-eyed Sakura, that tells me that, unless Konoha has a huge population of regressive gene members, they're much more similar to European or West Asian populations than Japanese.
2/6/12 by LaughingTarget
Forgot to add a part - blue eyes, once leaving the confines of Northern Europe ancestry, effectively vanish in populations given how extremely regressive it is.
'Recessive', not 'regressive'
2/6/12 by ZenFierce
Anime characters have always looked Asian to me considering the Anime style is specifically Japanese. Some characters do look a lot more Asian then others though.
Btw the Bleach example above makes no sense, she is a Death God from the Soul society, we don't know what her ethnicity is.
Btw the Bleach example above makes no sense, she is a Death God from the Soul society, we don't know what her ethnicity is.
2/6/12 by ArouraLeona
This. There seems to be a lot of forgetting that a many anime characters aren't from anywhere we recognize.
Koyuki looks more Malay/Austronesian than Japanese to me.
My response to this post would be that, on average, Japanese anime/manga characters look Japanese and anime/manga characters of other ethnicity look their appropriate ethnicity within the context of the anime/manga.
Take" Blood+". The characters in the series look their ethnicities. In "BlackLagoon", you can even tell that Revy is Chinese.
I mean it's so evident that the characters look Japanese. The hair colour is just for distinction. Large round eyes is considered beautiful for Japanese people, which might come as a shock to many westerners who can't even tell the difference between Japanese and Chinese people, while the Japanese people have mostly round eyes and Chinese have mostly squinty eyes. And the puffy cheeks, damn, that's a big, big, big giveaway!!!
My response to this post would be that, on average, Japanese anime/manga characters look Japanese and anime/manga characters of other ethnicity look their appropriate ethnicity within the context of the anime/manga.
Take" Blood+". The characters in the series look their ethnicities. In "BlackLagoon", you can even tell that Revy is Chinese.
I mean it's so evident that the characters look Japanese. The hair colour is just for distinction. Large round eyes is considered beautiful for Japanese people, which might come as a shock to many westerners who can't even tell the difference between Japanese and Chinese people, while the Japanese people have mostly round eyes and Chinese have mostly squinty eyes. And the puffy cheeks, damn, that's a big, big, big giveaway!!!
2/6/12 by ichigo0213
.. sigh .. most useless article ever.. this is the kind of things that make me want to cut off my membership with CR.
2/6/12 by WonderlandsHero
japanese artists know it, we know it, thats why they use the american style, because the japanese style is butt ugly and not visually pleasing
This again..@_@....aye lol
2/6/12 by lordjeusechrist
not this shit again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKTvFhRbBt8&feature=player_embedded HERE NOW SHUT UP AND REALIZE HOW MUCH OF A DOUCHE EVERYONE WHO THINKS THIS IS TRUE IS
2/6/12 by fghh778
Anime characters don't look like real three dimensional people - and for damn good reason. What works in animation and what works in real life are very different things. I find that every time an anime stresses realism in character designs, I find it quite unattractive. Anime is art, not reality.
This whole debate has always been very silly, to put it charitably.
This whole debate has always been very silly, to put it charitably.
wow i never noticed that
2/6/12 by D-Railer
I'm sorry, but for me Reon Kadena took the title of "ideal Japanese beauty" a long time ago and she has kept it since.
On the topic itself: His/her argument was paper thin. It only needed different models (beautiful Japanese woman and ugly American woman) and it would have been massively countered and left writhing on the floor.
On the topic itself: His/her argument was paper thin. It only needed different models (beautiful Japanese woman and ugly American woman) and it would have been massively countered and left writhing on the floor.
They are obviously meant to be white and the only reason that makes any sense is that many Japanese have some kind of weird inferiority complex. It's a strange paradox to the overt xenophobia that runs throughout their soceity but these things never make any sense.
My sister lived in Osaka and Tokyo and people would yell "gajin" and somtimes spit on her in the street.
My sister lived in Osaka and Tokyo and people would yell "gajin" and somtimes spit on her in the street.
HAHAHAH Yessss XDDD
As everyone pointed out, 1) Anime isn't meant to be real 2) the 2 models chosen for comparison isn't too fair - BUT! BUT!
Just as not every white people look like Megan Fox or Rosie O'Donnell, not every Japanese (or Asians for that matter) look like THAT model or Koyuki. It's usually a big range somewhere between.
I actually wonder how many of the commentors who say "Aw not this again!" here are of Asian descent. I know that this issue has been a big problem for some Asian artists who are accused of not properly depicting their own race or something like that.
As an Asian myself I'll say this out loud - ASIANS LOVE WHITE FEATURES. Aside from the basic scientific research done about how many people prefer (almost) baby-like features like big eyes, small nose, etc., we DO have white-superiority or whatever that stuff is called. Why do you think even some Asian companies HIRE white foreigners to stand around in their company to "increase the company's value" or something like that. As someone said, "If you're white and you go to Korea (Japan, China,etc.) , you'll be treated like the president. If you're colored and you go to Korea, you're treated worse than dirt."
There are LINES of Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese in front of the plastic surgery area of Seoul, looking to up their nose, get double eyelids, saw away their face to have a more V-shape, etc. In fact, it's now a very common procedure for even ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS in Korea to get the double-eyelid surgery.
Of course, I hope that no one believes that Japanese look like their anime characters. I hope no one seriously excepts to see average Japanese people looking like Naruto or Sakura or even Light, with their EXACT features. (And I certainly, certainly hope that no one believes that Japanese high schools are like those in animes)
Your everyday Japanese (who never had plastic surgery to touch up their features. Apparently having plastic surgery's really common in big cities like Tokyo) aren't very pretty. They're not very ugly either. They're just... plain.
And on the issue of cosplayers, I believe that there's just more number of Asian cosplayers devoted to good cosplaying than white people who might do it just for fun. BUT~
When a good white cosplayer cosplays an anime character... Well holy cow, they fit the character even better than their Asian cosplay counterparts!
Take Hatsune Miku cosplayers. Hatsune Miku is no doubt meant to be a Japanese. But some of the best, BEST Miku cosplays I've seen are done by white people.
As everyone pointed out, 1) Anime isn't meant to be real 2) the 2 models chosen for comparison isn't too fair - BUT! BUT!
Just as not every white people look like Megan Fox or Rosie O'Donnell, not every Japanese (or Asians for that matter) look like THAT model or Koyuki. It's usually a big range somewhere between.
I actually wonder how many of the commentors who say "Aw not this again!" here are of Asian descent. I know that this issue has been a big problem for some Asian artists who are accused of not properly depicting their own race or something like that.
As an Asian myself I'll say this out loud - ASIANS LOVE WHITE FEATURES. Aside from the basic scientific research done about how many people prefer (almost) baby-like features like big eyes, small nose, etc., we DO have white-superiority or whatever that stuff is called. Why do you think even some Asian companies HIRE white foreigners to stand around in their company to "increase the company's value" or something like that. As someone said, "If you're white and you go to Korea (Japan, China,etc.) , you'll be treated like the president. If you're colored and you go to Korea, you're treated worse than dirt."
There are LINES of Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese in front of the plastic surgery area of Seoul, looking to up their nose, get double eyelids, saw away their face to have a more V-shape, etc. In fact, it's now a very common procedure for even ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS in Korea to get the double-eyelid surgery.
Of course, I hope that no one believes that Japanese look like their anime characters. I hope no one seriously excepts to see average Japanese people looking like Naruto or Sakura or even Light, with their EXACT features. (And I certainly, certainly hope that no one believes that Japanese high schools are like those in animes)
Your everyday Japanese (who never had plastic surgery to touch up their features. Apparently having plastic surgery's really common in big cities like Tokyo) aren't very pretty. They're not very ugly either. They're just... plain.
And on the issue of cosplayers, I believe that there's just more number of Asian cosplayers devoted to good cosplaying than white people who might do it just for fun. BUT~
When a good white cosplayer cosplays an anime character... Well holy cow, they fit the character even better than their Asian cosplay counterparts!
Take Hatsune Miku cosplayers. Hatsune Miku is no doubt meant to be a Japanese. But some of the best, BEST Miku cosplays I've seen are done by white people.
2/6/12 by funnyginsan
Well I don't agree with the majority of what you said I do agree on the cosplay part. We just don't have the number of people dedicated to really good cosplay like they do. Ohh and we are usually fatter lol but here is one with asian and white cosplay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQ-3oX9wCA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQ-3oX9wCA&feature=related
never really thought about this lol, but i do have to say one thing.. 2D and 3D can't always be compared they are different things lol
2/6/12 by mhenderson
This is by far on of the dumbest things I have read, I think I have actually lost IQ points for reading this! Personally I would like to know the author of this so I punch him.
Naruto always looked white
2/6/12 by DeViceCrimsin
Excellent topic of discussion though example against the Japanese model was very exaggerated, obviosly chosen to prove there point. And! It was not even a Main/major character . . .
wow o.0...cant wait to tell my wife this, seeing how shes a artiest . ganna teaser her about it as well =D.
That Japanese model was close to being deformed so that was a pretty crappy comparison. But, the whole whiteness thing still is true to me. Pick a random picture of an Asian person and a white person of the same sex, then get a picture of an anime character. 9/10 the character looks way closer to the white person than the Asian.
Japanese people are funny like that. It's some sort of weird stockholm syndrome idolization type of thing going on.
Japanese people are funny like that. It's some sort of weird stockholm syndrome idolization type of thing going on.
Lol this is funny.
2/6/12 by funnyginsan
Ok obviously the comparison is ridiculous but I know when I try and show anime to people who haven't seen it they ask "Why do the main characters look white?" Personally I think anime characters look like a mix between Caucasian and Asian the majority of the time. However there is a wide range of characters in anime that can represent any race. I think the way they brought up this issue was very stupid. To say anyone who has ever thought this is an idiot or lacking in IQ is kinda ridiculous. People judge and make comparisons everyday. They use things they see around them constantly as a basis for their judgements. I have a theory about this.
If you live in a place where there are not many Asians you'll see white people in anime. If you live in a place with a high concentration of Asians you'll see Asians in anime.
Like I said I think both are wrong XD
here is a link that was posted earlier for people who think all anime characters are White
Be prepared to pause often
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JKTvFhRbBt8
They cherry picked examples and made some leaps in logic but overall VERY GOOD.
I think the hair colors and the different color eyes are what throw most people into the camp of "anime characters are white"
I will say if people who don't watch anime are shown a picture of Naruto, Bleach and FMA's main characters (3 of the most popular anime here in the USA), they will say the main characters look white.
Interesting topic that was poorly presented and made some ridiculous "scientific" comparisons.
If you live in a place where there are not many Asians you'll see white people in anime. If you live in a place with a high concentration of Asians you'll see Asians in anime.
Like I said I think both are wrong XD
here is a link that was posted earlier for people who think all anime characters are White
Be prepared to pause often
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JKTvFhRbBt8
They cherry picked examples and made some leaps in logic but overall VERY GOOD.
I think the hair colors and the different color eyes are what throw most people into the camp of "anime characters are white"
I will say if people who don't watch anime are shown a picture of Naruto, Bleach and FMA's main characters (3 of the most popular anime here in the USA), they will say the main characters look white.
Interesting topic that was poorly presented and made some ridiculous "scientific" comparisons.
2/6/12 by funnyginsan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNQ-3oX9wCA&feature=related
Kind of a video to illustrate my point. It can work either way.
Kind of a video to illustrate my point. It can work either way.
2/7/12 by funnyginsan
HAHA yeah that is true. Whoops ya got me. I was just trying to think of the three most popular anime and I put that.
2/6/12 by XxNaruTheNarcissistxX
Now which "Ken" would you be talking about? I can think of about a hundred anime/manga/video game character with the name "Ken".
2/6/12 by greygollum
I remember reading somewhere that a lot of the anime character features were actually derived from American cartoons of the early 1900's. Especially the eye features from cartoons like Betty Boop and Disney's early Mickey Mouse. While the article seems to suggest larger physical features such as head shape, body structure, and breasts it may be more of a question on what the animation is inspired from and what its evolved into.
thats a very thought provoking question for me, since ive never really given it much consideration. i just figured people drew what they like, and that they weren't based on actual races or whatever the case may be. but i do know this japan wins in the robot division lol ^-^y
2/6/12 by Bane13
Anime and Manga characters are drawn as such to add individuality and uniqueness. As far as the eyes, the overly large eyes are used to express powerful emotions easily, which they are very successful at doing. Maybe you need to try to focus on american Hollywood putting whites and other americans of many colors in what need to be Asian only roles in live-action films. Unless you are an artist currently active in the Anime-Manga industry leave the aesthetics to the professionals. If Iceland made 100 anime shows with all characters with Icelandic features, who could tell 1 blonde blue-eyed character from another ? Besides, Japanese ethnic supremacy wont help bring the population up. Try treating Japanese women well for once in their lives and see what happens. Pathetic.
2/6/12 by XxNaruTheNarcissistxX
I'll all fairness, they compared a hot white girl to a not-so-hot gorilla. I'd say that this study is inaccurate.
Why does it really matter? Before grilling Japan on their own animation, lets look at America's first.
this may seem long but i like art so....
um really now think about it : Caucasian and Asian what the differences if you look at the words only there just three (well 4 but ones repeated) added to the front, soo......
Plus anime is all fantasy if they really want to know why they look like they do, they need to ask each and every creator all the way back to when it started. kinda like with ALL forms of art. if you really wanna know go find them and ask dont try to "solve" it with weird equations and such, it wont help. or well try drawing your self, how "easy" is it to draw a human, and especially one that is only in your mind, and only having a short time to do it.
and way back when live paintings where done, how long do you think everyone had to stay still for, so that the painter could make them as real as possible. and how many days they took to do just one picture.
um really now think about it : Caucasian and Asian what the differences if you look at the words only there just three (well 4 but ones repeated) added to the front, soo......
Plus anime is all fantasy if they really want to know why they look like they do, they need to ask each and every creator all the way back to when it started. kinda like with ALL forms of art. if you really wanna know go find them and ask dont try to "solve" it with weird equations and such, it wont help. or well try drawing your self, how "easy" is it to draw a human, and especially one that is only in your mind, and only having a short time to do it.
and way back when live paintings where done, how long do you think everyone had to stay still for, so that the painter could make them as real as possible. and how many days they took to do just one picture.
Why is this such a issue and why are we even talking about it? So most anime characters don't look japanese. You think I give two drops of Goku's urnie about that?
2/6/12 by jake2034
Anime characters' looks really do depend on the artist, setting, and genre. Like anime that's based in Japan, tend to look more like japanese folk (unless they're stated to be a foreigner). But, in fantasy realms, who cares?
But, I always thought a majority looked more western, but, you could probably pick out a trait from almost every region.
But, I always thought a majority looked more western, but, you could probably pick out a trait from almost every region.
Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, and WRONG.
It's about facial SYMMETRY. How many pretty anime characters are drawn with ASYMMETRIC faces?
(There's lots of monster characters with asymmetric faces, there's BLACK JACK.... but seriously, how many?)
There. "Mystery" solved.
http://theperfecthumanface.blogspot.com/
It's about facial SYMMETRY. How many pretty anime characters are drawn with ASYMMETRIC faces?
(There's lots of monster characters with asymmetric faces, there's BLACK JACK.... but seriously, how many?)
There. "Mystery" solved.
http://theperfecthumanface.blogspot.com/
2/6/12 by Biyomon
The thing is, different anime (and of course the manga from which most anime are derived) are drawn by tons and tons of different people. Since manga-ka typically try to make their female characters "cute" or "pretty", they probably each draw on their own ideals of beauty when designing the characters. Some might find more typical Japanese features the most appealing, others might like a more western or European look. It boils down to personal preference, and that is a vastly varied thing.
If we were all to sit down right now and draw our ideal "dreamgirl" that we'd most like to date or look like, I can guarantee you none of our drawings would match. :) Same case in anime; or any animation or art, really. Each artist has their own idea of what's most beautiful to them.
If we were all to sit down right now and draw our ideal "dreamgirl" that we'd most like to date or look like, I can guarantee you none of our drawings would match. :) Same case in anime; or any animation or art, really. Each artist has their own idea of what's most beautiful to them.
2/7/12 by figurehappy
The round faces, the giant eyes, the tiny up turned noses, the ittibitty mouths... Clearly Caucasian.
eye roll
I'd say, most cartoon people only look vaguely human anyway. Do characters from Wallace and Gromit look English? The Simpsons are... I don't know what their heritage is.. Lego men are also yellow, so Danish? Stewie Griffin would have similar ancestry to (Hey!) Arnold based on skull shape?
Flintstones....
Quick draw a person. Did you make a stick figure? o+< an smiley face? :) These are basic symbols, and you can flesh these out to cartoons, more complex symbols.
As you flesh it out, do you think about what race the person is? Your race, another race? Unless it's important to the drawing, probably not. Chances are it defaults towards a race with which you are most familiar.
In this case, the default race of people is East Asian. If the story is set in the West, most characters are still drawn as this default "people". It's vague and open as far as lighter races are concerned.
Gurren Lagaan is mostly comprised of what race? Best answers are: 1) Human Race 2)That doesn't matter at all.
Anyone watching Code Geass, can You tell Brittanian from Japanese? If you could, it'd kill some plot points. Colin is a Japanese red head. Lelouche of Britanian decent has some of the darkest hair on the show. And Viletta, is dark with white/silver hair.
Naruto? It's all about tribes, but is racially fairly blind. With the variety of hair colors i was surprised one of them became a plot point in a flash back.
Yep. Drawn as people. Let's all enjoy.
eye roll
I'd say, most cartoon people only look vaguely human anyway. Do characters from Wallace and Gromit look English? The Simpsons are... I don't know what their heritage is.. Lego men are also yellow, so Danish? Stewie Griffin would have similar ancestry to (Hey!) Arnold based on skull shape?
Flintstones....
Quick draw a person. Did you make a stick figure? o+< an smiley face? :) These are basic symbols, and you can flesh these out to cartoons, more complex symbols.
As you flesh it out, do you think about what race the person is? Your race, another race? Unless it's important to the drawing, probably not. Chances are it defaults towards a race with which you are most familiar.
In this case, the default race of people is East Asian. If the story is set in the West, most characters are still drawn as this default "people". It's vague and open as far as lighter races are concerned.
Gurren Lagaan is mostly comprised of what race? Best answers are: 1) Human Race 2)That doesn't matter at all.
Anyone watching Code Geass, can You tell Brittanian from Japanese? If you could, it'd kill some plot points. Colin is a Japanese red head. Lelouche of Britanian decent has some of the darkest hair on the show. And Viletta, is dark with white/silver hair.
Naruto? It's all about tribes, but is racially fairly blind. With the variety of hair colors i was surprised one of them became a plot point in a flash back.
Yep. Drawn as people. Let's all enjoy.
2/7/12 by Crinkletoes
Lol, I don't really think there's any race definition in mainstream anime, especially when you get characters like those in code geass who are meant to be of different race, but to our eyes look no different.
2/7/12 by ShaneK1990
I think both of the 'models' they chose have oddly shaped heads that are in no way indicative of the skull shape of a whole race.
WHITE POWER!
What a bad choice of images to compare! The caucasian woman looks like a model but the japanese woman hardly looks like a model (maybe it's some random photo they found)
2/7/12 by gai-sensei
anime gets it roots from old american cartoons like Betty Boop so its no wonder they look caucasian
2/7/12 by TheSkyIsUp
I've always thought this myself. I support this comparison because it is similar to my own thesis.
2/7/12 by SilverxButterfly
I feel bad for the Japanese woman that was used as a terrible example.
2/7/12 by LosingOrbit
Because multi-colored hair, large eyes, tiny noses, and line-drawn mouths are typical of the Caucasian race. Please.
Its anime who the hell cares what race they are! But still a kinda interesting article.
One of those Racist or Realist moments, for sure.
2/7/12 by kuryu_gunruku
i always looked at the anime characters and alot of them do look kinda more white then Japanese
I have ALWAYS thought this, ever since my first anime. Asians and Caucasians can both be beautiful, but are 2 very different types of beautiful, and the types I see in Anime are mostly white girls. ^_^ not saying it's bad, I like white girls. On the flip side, it would be nice to see some more asian beauties.
SERIOUSLY? Skull measurements? I know otaku don't get out much but has no one here heard of The Bell Curve?! 0_o
While we are all discussing the supposedly "stupid" nature of this article that "everyone" finds so "ridiculous" to "comment on, or even discuss"....I would like to throw wood on this crazy fire and mention, my boy............MR. POPO!
Discuss THAT one.
Discuss THAT one.
2/8/12 by RoyalLush
Not a surprise here. A lot of people forget that anime is based off of American Animation (Disney), in the first place. Any animation history class will tell you that. Heavily influenced by Snow White and other fairy tales before taking of into its own genre. Any classic anime like Speed Racer, Voltron, and other hero series had their creator's admit it was 'Americanized' for the style, personality, and appeal from what was on TV at the time. Even our American cartoons were being imported from Japan, since a lot of animation companies outsourced production work.
2/8/12 by bluerunner
The only thing I'm really getting out of this is the the Asian girl they used to compare is ugly, really? Your a bunch of meanies.
I don't really care. I mean if anyone sees an anime they'd know that it was made by the Japanese.
2/8/12 by MasamuneKakashi
It is kind of biased where someone is trying to prove their point, but I have always found ironic when people talk about "Whitewashing" the Hollywood Live action remakes or these. They're already so Caucasian looking, it doesn't seem to change much.
In short all anime characters look like there from america.
LaughingTarget@
In the south we are pale white. Theres only a few naturaly dark people excludeing black people.
Most girls in daytona just get a tan. and theres not as many red necks as you think in the south.
LaughingTarget@
In the south we are pale white. Theres only a few naturaly dark people excludeing black people.
Most girls in daytona just get a tan. and theres not as many red necks as you think in the south.
2/8/12 by kenjisugahara
Crunchyroll- if this is such big "news" why not simply ask some of the creators?
2/8/12 by phanAn
I find it stupid that the hypothisis given of two skulls saying one is prettier because it's a caucacian and the other being asian when there are some millions of skulls and many more beautifull asian women alive
I watch but don't really like those large eyes or the ones that every charactor looks the same
I watch but don't really like those large eyes or the ones that every charactor looks the same
People are forgetting one basic principle of Japanese citizenship.
In order to become a Japanese citizen via immigration, you must change your name to a Japanese one. This has been a big issue for many foreigners living in Japan as well as their offspring who must choose to give up their family's name in order to become part of the Nation of Japan. So just because an Anime character has a Japanese name, doesn't necessarily mean they are Japanese by blood
In order to become a Japanese citizen via immigration, you must change your name to a Japanese one. This has been a big issue for many foreigners living in Japan as well as their offspring who must choose to give up their family's name in order to become part of the Nation of Japan. So just because an Anime character has a Japanese name, doesn't necessarily mean they are Japanese by blood
I love the lack of intelligence many people are taking out of reading this... so many people just picking at a single mistake instead of looking at the subject as a whole. Good job guys your e-peen has grown, and mine has to by stating this woo..
The reason that people consider this important though is the cultural impact it has on youths and society in general. There is an issue when you stop paying attention to your own nation's beauty and start adopting another nation's because then you gradually cripple the confidence and preferences your youths have for each other. I could start bringing up a bunch of impacts this can cause and make it completely drawn out, but instead I'll just state the basics.
The problems with this is you are detracting and harming your youths self-esteem/image. You also begin to cause the youths to gradually critique their nation's beauty ideals more harshly overtime. As for the problems with the 2 comparisons in tests shown would be they seemed to have used a popular anime character compared to what I think is someone's personal character made model, which obviously has a huge difference in the quality made. Finally like mentioned in the article if you want to compare ideal to ideal use ideal to ideal instead of ideal to average.
Also what many people here seem to be mistaking is that this article isn't meant to make a ton of arguments for it, but it is meant to open your eyes to what is usually seen as "unimportant". The reality is there is importance to this on several different levels, and while there are different studies which may be more accurate this article is made to get people thinking not to be concrete evidence.
The reason that people consider this important though is the cultural impact it has on youths and society in general. There is an issue when you stop paying attention to your own nation's beauty and start adopting another nation's because then you gradually cripple the confidence and preferences your youths have for each other. I could start bringing up a bunch of impacts this can cause and make it completely drawn out, but instead I'll just state the basics.
The problems with this is you are detracting and harming your youths self-esteem/image. You also begin to cause the youths to gradually critique their nation's beauty ideals more harshly overtime. As for the problems with the 2 comparisons in tests shown would be they seemed to have used a popular anime character compared to what I think is someone's personal character made model, which obviously has a huge difference in the quality made. Finally like mentioned in the article if you want to compare ideal to ideal use ideal to ideal instead of ideal to average.
Also what many people here seem to be mistaking is that this article isn't meant to make a ton of arguments for it, but it is meant to open your eyes to what is usually seen as "unimportant". The reality is there is importance to this on several different levels, and while there are different studies which may be more accurate this article is made to get people thinking not to be concrete evidence.
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