From: bkeener@cs.ulowell.edu (Brian E. Keener)
Subject: Re: Why is animation for kids?
Followup-To: Sakottu Miraa's query about children's animation.
Summary: We're America.
Keywords: It's a cultural THANG
Organization: University of Massachusetts at Lowell Computer Science
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 19:31:15 GMT

>Well, with Anime Flame War '92 v2.0 in full swing, I am reminded of a question
>I've had for a while about the general _attitude_ about America and animation.

[Animation's only for kids, etc... etc...]

>How did this attitude come about?
>
>Why don't we have animated sitcoms, adventure, soap opera, whatever on
>TV to any real extent at all?  Why don't animated Sci-Fi movies pop up
>during the summer along side non-animated ones like T2 or Universal Soldier?
>Why don't animated versions of things like "Steel Magnolias" or maybe
>"Prince of Tides" exist at all for American tv or theatre?
>
>Most importantly, who can we blame? :)
>
>Just (very) curious...

Simple.  We're America.
Sounds a tad lame, eh?  But look; the basic foundings of America, some 300-
	400 years ago, was basically of religious origin.  Not to put down
	religion, but America has never quite managed to lumber out from
	under the oppressive yoke of moral censorship.
Therefore, no adult material in animation.
Therefore, animation is only for kids.
A similar thing happened in the U.S. comic book industry.  While Japan saw a
	rapid increase of sexual promiscuity, violence, etc. in their comics,
	increasing their appeal, the high n' mighty Comics Code was established
	in the U.S. - a form of self-censorship of the comic book industry.
As a result, the giant, booming comics industry of the 40's and 50's found
	themselves only able to portray moralistic superheroes and sinister
	"bad guys", with little/no deviation in this format.  SEX became tabboo
	while violence was sometimes allowed, and much more often than sex.
By the 1970's-1980's, the American Comic industry had lost millions in circu-
	lation.
Meanwhile, in Japan, billions upon billions of people were reading their
	"morally shocking/unpure" comics with vigor.
And, in much the same way, so went the animation industry.
Look at the early WB material; comic characters put guns to their heads,
	flirted uninhibitedly with co-stars, used (albeit censored) profanity,
	and were all-around more real-to-life than they are today.
How come?  People are utterly and thoroughly convinced that media directly
	affects people, and that by allowing violence and SEX in particular,
	the society will degrade.
Of course, Japan's culture is one of the most "pure" cultures in the world.
But we're not Japan.
We're America.  ;)

DISCLAIMER : The above statement is the opinion of an individual; it is in no
	way to be taken as an absolute truth, and malice towards any persons,
	groups, etc. is anything but intentional.

The source for the comic book portion of the above statement is derived from
	the book "Manga! Manga!", which I highly recommend for anyone inte-
	rested in Japanese comics.

Responses are welcome, but kindly flame the STATEMENTS made, not the INDIVIDUAL
	who made them.  Merci.  :)

							-MetalMaster (Ed)

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