|
Fanbase of Anything, I'm looking at you~
"Oh god YOU again!" Yes me again. /evil cackle Prepare for another terrible rant. Today, the fan base of any anime or manga, television show or movie (Ah Twilight...). Yes, you people currently clutching onto your "Naruto" and "Bleach" plushie's whispering on how you watch that character to do xXx to the other side character they despise. Those of you clinging to your "Edward" or "Jacob" stickers Sadly, this is mostly females, but I know you dudes are out there, I see you at cons. You can't hide. I write this because of a recent incident. I went to a con a short while ago, "conneticon" to be exact. While there I wandered in my outside, when suddenly this girl dressed in what seemed to be some Bleach outfit ran into me. Nothing wrong with that, and we started up conversation. When she asked me if I liked "bleach" or not I responded with a calm and collected "Err.... no." boy did she rant me out, you'd think I just ran over her pet. She was all in a huff exclaiming "how can you hatez it!? It ish sooo amazing! Everything is amaaaazzzziiinnnggg!" I instantly felt a need to slam her with my bag, but instead opted to turn and walk away before my friends did it for me. Once, a long while ago, I worked in a bookstore, and there I would sneak a comic or two and enjoy lazying about while other presumably stole all my merchandise. Sadly I would be awakened out of my half-coma (which I enjoyed mind you!) to a bunch of small girls picking up any Shonen Jump manga (I've accepted that's the catalog to turn to if you hate yourself THAT much) and letting out squeals of pathetic glee about some drawing being "Soooo HAWT! I could just DO HIM!" Along side this I found something horrifying. At said con above I happened to stumble upon a yaoi/yuri section. No issues. Yet I saw these small girls, couldn't be over ten, picking up these books and giggling at the characters inside. To my horror they KNEW WHO THESE PEOPLE WERE! Inside their hands I could see doujinshi's and such that I presume someone else of older age purchased for them, and these girls were screeching about how "this character would do this to this character, even though in the show they hate each other, but you know in secret they would sooooo do it!" Please, for the love of god people can you tell me why Sasuke and Naruto have such an obsession with each other? Why does Light want to lick L's.... everything? Why are the Hetalia characters suddenly having fascinations with each other, when I myself have decided to suffer through both the manga and show and have only seen fan HINTS! FAN!!! And the worst part of all is some people are placed in such a delusion that they actually believe THIS STUFF IS CANNON?! I will do a Yuri and Yaoi post later, that's another issue for another day. (Mind you, I do have a bit of both. I'm not against it, I'm against the people) You are the reason why other people in the community, people who watch normal shows and look at you strangely, do so. You are the people drawing others away. If you present the show in an intelligent manner maybe these people would be more inclined to enjoy the thought of watching a show which actually had base character interaction. Most do not want to be associated with some 24 year old squealing like she just hit puberty (you guys too, don't get me wrong, I just happen to see more females than males). I'm not saying you should conform to the opinions of others, and I'm not saying that you shouldn't enjoy what you do. All I'm saying is please, tone it down. I love these shows too, I do. but when I see you people freaking out, I want to run and throw everything I once loved away. I feel sad and pathetic. also, these actions turn many AWAY from shows. I'm not sure how psychologically this happens, but I know I have experience where I once enjoyed the show, but as soon as the fan base arrived I couldn't handle it. Maybe it's that being slapped in the face repeatedly by something good makes you get bored of it. Quote:
Quote:
So, what are your opinions on the fan base? Love em, hate em, are one of them? I've never actually had a civil conversation with a fangirl/boy, so I'm curious. No, I won't harass the crap out of you I promise, and neither will anyone else. I'm just curious, why?! And for those who feel like me, speak up! I don't wanna be alone! Co-dependency people! |
I am a fan of things, but I don't "ship" character together that would never go together in real life. That's why I don't read fan fiction. I don't really like Naruto either, but I can respect if someone else likes it.
It doesn't help that a lot of series (tv, anime and what have you) have the whole dynamic of "if they hate each other they're really secretly into each other". So if you write a realistic scenario about two people who dislike each other many can be mislead into thinking they're actually in love with each other. I don't see a problem with treating these characters like real people, as long as you remember the author has given then personalities that they probably won't stray from. Everyone has their own tastes, so I see no point in reaming someone out for liking or not liking a series. It's not like I'll change their mind. |
Oh heavens it's not about nliking or not liking a series. Trust me, there are a TON I adore. My big issue with fanfiction/shipping characters together and such (hence why I don't read a lot) is that it goes against the said character the creator has made. You are putting them in a situation they would never be in, making emotions this character would never do. In an essence you yourself are creating a new character while sticking the body and name onto it. I find this frustrating and a pure lack of creativity. I do not bash anyone who genuinely loves anything. I have moments in my life where I reach out and snatch whatever I see in a hell bent hissing match. I will not deny this. It's when you get over board. Annoying, crazed, loud, and scary enough, violent. When you become obnoxious to those around you, that's when it's an issue. |
You can't restrict the imagination, people are going to look at Voldemort and Dumbledore and see something that JK Rowling never intended- but hey ho that's how some people's mind wander....
|
I don't even read Harry Potter and you have no idea the unpleasent disturbing thoughts that entered my head. Thank you. >< Bleehhhh |
I hate when people get all mad because you don't like something they're obsessed with. This includes everything including religion. No one should take anything that seriously.
On a note about the fan characters. I hate that especially if they are treated as a "God like" character or are just like another character in the series. I used to be friends with a girl that got mad at me because I said I did not care for Inu-Yasha. She seriously stopped talking to me over it. I didn't even try being friends again because it just was not worth it. |
I also despise Mary-Sue's. Do I really have to explain why? Especially in fanfiction. >< Such things dragged me away so quickly. |
The only fanbase I belong to is Sailor Moon. I love everything about that show except for Sailor Mars and Sailor Uranus (ugh). And the only non-canon pairing I'll EVER agree with is Anne + Mamoru, Alan + Usagi, Prince Diamond + Usagi, and Taiki + Ami. Ofcourse I'd love it if Yaten + Lita was mentioned in the anime since Lita is my FAVORITE.
But other than that, I don't go to cons or go crazy at these things. I feel sorry for those that do. |
There's nothing wrong with a fan base, as it's what keeps good shows going. There's nothing wrong with fan-girls/boys, as they make up the fanbase and often help fund the show. However it's the rabid ones that you have to look out for, they pretty much convince themselves that >insert fandom here< is their life. Since it's their life (even if they don't realize it) when you insult >insert fandom here< they take it as a personal insult and lash out like anyone would if they were personally being insulted. It has less to do with the fact that they're fans and more to do with the fact that they lack a reality beyond the fandom. Otherwise they should be able to see that it's an opinion, and people are allowed to have them.
As for the confusion of what is or is not cannon; I personally don't have the money to buy the manga... let alone the DVDs (and that's assuming that they are even in stock) so sometimes I can only resort to word-of-mouth or fanfiction. I do take this with a grain of salt, people exadurate, fanfiction is just that, fiction. Some people don't grasp that. There's also the fact of wishful thinking that makes people not even care if it's not true. They WANT it to be true. It WILL be true... at least to them in their minds. Plus its often sexy when all that hate and tension breaks down into sexual tension. Can't really blame a person for having fantasies, it's just the rabid imposing fans that kill the joy. |
I go to conventions, I debate with other people about shows, I grab what I can when I can. I do adore certain shows (sadly I have been unable to watch what I used to love as much, just no time with everything else going on and new responsibilies) As Vixeona stated, it's the scary ones I fear. They are what make me sad. I will never call myself a fan-girl (Okay... maybe for Resident Evil, but I don't attack people. Oo I just happen to know about the entirety of the series) If I ever question a relationship in a show or real plot points I make sure to avoid the fan-base. I go onto informative websites and such to acquire such information. As for fanfiction, they have provided (when I used to read them) essential information that I was unknown to, but I rarely believed it until searching for it myself. If I was confused I made sure to find hard evidence, not question the eleven year old writing down her sexual fantasies she shouldn't even be having about two guys that don't even MEET in the show. Sadly, I cannot agree to the sexual tension as much. I don't hate yaoi, yuri, shonen-ai, shoujou ai, or any of the such. I don't hate two characters having a relationship. I have a ton of manga both straight, gay, lesbian, and with none at all. Personally in some stories I find romance to be kind of annoying, as it sometimes takes away from the plot. I feel if you take two characters that despise one another (we'll throw Sasuke and Naruto out there, since everyone seems to know them) and suddenly write how much they actually long for one another, that's not them anymore. That's a whole new character. Unless of course I see supposed proof of this. Not sure if anyone has watched/read Tsubasa, but there are two male characters in there who have a close bond, who didn't appreciate each other to begin with. I am not saying they are romantically involved, but there is a serious close relationship that the writers allow the reads to create for themselves. I actually appreciate that more than anything else. Dead god I should get to class. Oo |
Quote:
I figure all the rest is in good fun myself. Yes, Naruto and Sasuke haven't a snowball's chance at anything beyond brotherish-friendship, but I find it interesting to read peoples attempts at making it believable. Though it's rare, occationally it happens. It helps not to look at it as part of the story and as more of an A/U. |
It's when I find those few people (who are sadly becoming a part of the larger market) who are demanding to me that "NUUU! See! They looked at each other in panel 34, the las tone! They were staring at one another in the eyes for like, a second! THEY MUST BE IN LOVE!" >< Though, not sure if this is off topic or not, I was at a recent con and was watching for the first time ever an anime chess game. I hadn't seen much of Hetalia at the time (still haven't) but I recognized the characters from the fan-base. One of the countries "died" in chess, and all I remember is another country running down, sobbing on the corpse, talking about his romance toward the character. All I could hear was the screeches of little girls and I think my ears bled. Not that I didn't think it was entertaining, it was just the young-ins. By the way. Learned quickly saying "booooo" is a good way to get yourself hung. And there's not much the guards can do against eleven year olds who are angry. Oo |
Yea, can't exactly tackle a little girl to the ground... or put her in a headlock... and against a whole group of them, lol. Though, I do so enjoy the mental image of a little rabid fan-girl getting bodyslammed for being too rabid.
At least Anime/Manga had a good run, a time when the rabid fan-girls/boys were buisy... I dunno >.> spazzing about Harry Potter or Pop music? (not to say I don't like either though.) |
I have a friend who is getting a Harry Potter tattoo on both feet. xD I don't hate the show/book, just never got huge into it. I think that's hilarious though and I can't wait to see it. :3 I would enjoy seeing small children getting tackled... course they do have those yaoi paddles... FEAR. |
Harry Potter tattoos... on... the feet? Now, I pride myself on my very vivid imagination, but I can't even begin to concieve what kind of Harry Potter tattoo would go well on feet o.o Kinda want a picture of that...
|
Maybe Gryffindor one foot and Hufflepuff on another?
|
Fanbases seem to be the new, socially acceptable "porn industry" for younger people. Unfortunately too young at times (I was actually one of those too-young girls. I just didn't go to stores or share what I read online with my friends. In hindsight I learned a lot about myself with those stories. xD ). |
I think it's close to what Leenalia said, or some saying or word. (I don't read Harry Potter! Sorry! xD) Trust me rawcookiedough, I would have. oo >< Curse social laws! |
:gonk: Laws. Those are pesky. |
I am a huge Naruto fan which one can tell by by signature and I also like yaoi and yuri fanfiction of the show but I never go on about it. Honestly, I doubt I have ever once mentioned Naruto in real life. I don't go to conventions or start up conversations or anything and if a person doesn't like it then I don't press them to. I often chat with a person online who doesn't like Naruto and we joke sometimes about how much of a Narutard I am. Seriosuly, those people who are prepared to kill because someone doesn't like the same movie or show they do are just odd 0-o
I mean, it's fictional. People aren't hurting the characters feelings by saying they don't like the show XD |
Completely agreed. But you must remember that some of these "fans" are also just in it for fad, and will squeal about anything they see. It's pathetic and down right stupid. It's perfectly ok for them to be fan's and like the characters, but they need to start thinking realistically and being mature about it.
|
I can understand why 'rabid fan girls' would be annoying, but the way someone reacts to things is part of who they are. I myself don't get very excited about things, I have friends though that do. I would never ask them to change because they're 'annoying'.
If people bug you that much - ignore them. Don't go to conventions where you know they will be a lot of them - or at least don't talk about not liking shows if you know that's the kind of reaction you're going to get. As for shipping characters together. I don't see a problem with it. If done well, it could very well be realistic. I don't see how this isn't creative. I believe it takes a great deal of originality to write a convincing fan fiction that isn't garbage. After all, in most cases we don't see everything about each character, how they think/act/speak most of the time. If someone wants to take their interpretation of a show and write about it - good for them. It's not hurting anybody. |
I have nothing against fan obsession, right down to the weird shipping and tattoos. I do however have a problem with ANYONE trying to ram their opinions about anything down other people's throats. I also hate how instead of being a unified fanbase, usually it's a battle between 'hardcore' original fans of a series/book/whatever and new fans, who have to prove themselves worthy. It's like highschool drama constantly with a dynamic like most fanbases have, and all it really does is discourage fans from connecting.
I love cosplaying, but because of all the aforementioned reasons, I hate going to conventions. It's hard for me to find other people who can be a fan of something without feeling the need to be superior or something in their fandom. |
People like that piss me off. I mean, I like anime but I don't act annoying and stupid by screaming when someone doesn't agree with me. Fans like that don't need to be at conventions in the first place if they can't even hear someone's opinion without freaking out. And about the "porn", I don't really care if some little ten year old kids go buy it to laugh at it. I do find it kind of funny that little kids would be buying that. Anyway, I mind what you're a fan of as long as you don't try to shove it down my throat.
|
I once said I liked watching Naruto in Japanese with English subtitles and because I'm a teenage girl, it was assumed I was one of those crazy fangirls that obsesses over everything Japanese and who dresses up as the characters and who thinks Naruto is the best anime ever. This made me laugh. Moslty because none of it's true. Geez, those crazed fans have taken over and now none of the sane fans can say they like something or they'll be called crazy obsessed weirdos that deserve to die.
It's like those Twilight fans, I used to think they were all hyper teenage girls who wanted to get into Edward's pants and then I met a few who were actually sane and who even thought those fans were totally nutso XD |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 08:28 PM. |