Ernest Schaal wrote:

> I don't hate anime, I just think that it is a genre that hasn't
> produced as good cinema (from a critical view) as some other genres,

American critics may disregard most animation (any source) out of hand when
considering what is good cinema, period. This cultural bias or lack of respect does
not necessarily mean that the genre is lacking.

And since we are talking about Japanese entertainment, exactly which genre of TV or
film is capable of consistently putting out critically acclaimed work, or work you
appreciate? Are Japanese formulaic jidaigeki, yakuza movies, juvenile delinquent
films, high school or youth dramas, actors in rubber suits, shows with animals,
trendy horror, comedies, revisionist history or historical fiction, movies from TV
shows, remakes of movie or TV classics, adaptations of comics or animation, or take
offs on foreign entertainment, which make up most of live action entertainment,
more deserving of critical acclaim or your respect?

> in the same way that porn hasn't produced that many Academy Award winners or
> winners at various film festivals.
>
> Over the years, I have seen a lot of anime, more so when I was away from
> Japan. Much of the anime seems to be television based, with the movies being
> simply longer versions of the television series that have been around for
> years. Often, the films are not as good as the series upon which they were
> based.

And what say you of the thousands of OVAs/OAVs which share shelf space in Japanese
stores, and are not necessarily kiddy fare (or porn)?