When people become fans of an anime (like Berserk) they often take the energy and inspiration they got from the show and transfer it into creative outlets, like fan-art, fan-fics, cosplay, BBS chats, analysises, etc.
I was debating with myself if all of this was a good thing or not.
I began thinking this: your feelings towards something like an anime or a song are malleable to a certain degree. For example, if you hear a song long enough eventually the passion you hear in it will fade. Another example is this: if you are a fan of an Gundam W you probably know that numerous fans write fanfics that depict the main characters as gay lovers. After seeing so many fanfics like that, its hard to look at your favorite G-Wing characters without being reminded of the fan-fics. One last example: I recently saw some figures for sale that depicted Asuka and Rei (from Evangelion) naked and in sexy positions. I didnt want to see these figures because I was afraid would tarnish my impressions of those characters.
Fan creations (and some merchandise) give your mind associations that you dont have when you first get into a particular anime series.
With all of this in mind, how should we treat anime fandom? Can it soil and deform our favorite shows? Also, does anyone else find that as more people surround a series (ie, as it becomes more popular) that your passion and/or appreciation of that series dissapates? Typically when an anime that I like starts to get popular, I feel threatened.
I'm not attacking anyone for their creative input into their favorite animes. I do those things just like most other fans. I am just bringing up this issue because its been bugging me.
WHat do you guys think?
I was debating with myself if all of this was a good thing or not.
I began thinking this: your feelings towards something like an anime or a song are malleable to a certain degree. For example, if you hear a song long enough eventually the passion you hear in it will fade. Another example is this: if you are a fan of an Gundam W you probably know that numerous fans write fanfics that depict the main characters as gay lovers. After seeing so many fanfics like that, its hard to look at your favorite G-Wing characters without being reminded of the fan-fics. One last example: I recently saw some figures for sale that depicted Asuka and Rei (from Evangelion) naked and in sexy positions. I didnt want to see these figures because I was afraid would tarnish my impressions of those characters.
Fan creations (and some merchandise) give your mind associations that you dont have when you first get into a particular anime series.
With all of this in mind, how should we treat anime fandom? Can it soil and deform our favorite shows? Also, does anyone else find that as more people surround a series (ie, as it becomes more popular) that your passion and/or appreciation of that series dissapates? Typically when an anime that I like starts to get popular, I feel threatened.
I'm not attacking anyone for their creative input into their favorite animes. I do those things just like most other fans. I am just bringing up this issue because its been bugging me.
WHat do you guys think?