"Those Anime Dolls"- Does the connection bother you?

It's not bug me because i think that there are people how try to custom a bjd like a anime character, i like dollfiedreams or dollfies like that but i love bjd custom as an anime charater!!

In other hand each owner can custom his/her doll as they liked, If the owner custom his bjd as a anime character it´s easy make people think that they are related.

The great thing of bjd is that each one can create a different doll!!!they can became in to an anime charater, or in a famous singer, in to a fantastic creature or anything you can imagine!!

 

It bugs me a lot, but I've been fighting most of my life with intensely infuriating "AWMYGAWD! You totalli draw anime!" when I most definately do NOT- and at the time I hated anime, so it was intensely offensive.
I love it now, but the association to things that are, in my eyes, obviously not anime annoy the heck out of me because of that past irk.

 

Not at all. I like anime and i know many ppl create a anime character for their doll, so if that pleased them.

 

Eh, anime is okay, but I'm not that into it. I prefer not to put my doll in the same thing as anime. I find BJDs as a quiet, quaint alternative way to anime.

 

Hmmm, well I haven't gotten anything like that yet. And if I did it would not bother me too much. I actually got interested in ABJD because I own other dolls. Had nothing to do with anime.

I used to be big into anime, but as I saw more and more, not so much. (I won't go into it, since it might bug people.)

However, what does bug me is when people say I have an anime style of drawing. Which it is totally not. It influenced me a tiny bit. Like how panels are set up. But my style in more american comic book style. What can I say I LOVE big pouty lips.

 

I couldn't even understand why anyone would care about the association with anime until I read all the answers. Wow, there's so much I don't know!

 

It's only natural for people to make the association since a lot of them are based on an Eastern aesthetic (depending on the company) and the fact that if there is any place you're most likely to encounter one in person, it's going to be at a convention--typically an anime one. Add in some of the customizations owners do to their dolls, it's no surprise.

Someone who comes up to you and says, "Hey, it's one of those anime dolls!" is going to be someone who doesn't know what they are. No need to become offended, just politely tell the person about this wonderful hobby. Otherwise, it's just like any other public comment that you may or may not care for--just ignore them.

 

Nah it doesn't bother me. It just so happens I AM into anime and otaku-related things, and I can understand how someone would lump a BJD in as Japanese merchandise, especially since owners often dress their dolls up in Japanese clothes and cosplay, and because many props such as rement are Japanese. Not everyone who's into BJDs is into anime, but I think people in America just assume all asian things are anime.

 

Although I've seen a bit of anime here and there, I'm not really into it at all, and it's not at all how I came to know BJDs. However, a LOT of BJDs, especially the adults ones have an anime aesthetic about them. Even if they're not "cartoony" looking, they might have the large eyes, small lips, angular features, and hairstyles that anime is associated with. Conversely, there are several BJDs that don't have this aesthetic. I personally am only drawn to the latter of the types, so even though I don't get up in arms about the comparison between anime and BJDs and goodness knows i understand where it's coming from, I don't really like the idea of ALL BJDs being thrown in that category considering there are many dolls and companies that stay away from the "anime" modeled doll.

 

An interesting thing to consider also, is the American anime fan sometimes confusing anime with all things asian-a little OT, but ive gotten the definite feeling/impression from a lot of people who are very into the anime community, who extend that enthusiasm to EVERYTHING associated with Japan and Asia as a whole ... and in that sense, I can sometimes get sensitive about my dolls being confused with anime, largely becasue I dont want to be confused with being a confused all-things-asian lover, if that makes any sense... it isnt for the safety of the identity of my hobby, but a concern for how I myself am percieved.

 

Japanophiles- we have them in Australia too. If it's from the east (in most cases, the obsession extends to other asian countries and cultures and sadly the whole lot gets lumped under the label "Japan") it's obsession material!
I actually haven't found any Japanophiles here, but I also confess a fear of being tagged as one. I do like anime, but not to the exclusion of every other animation style. I like manga, but again, i also like western comics and graphic novels, and yes, I like ABJDs, but all of mine so far are either Chinese or Korean in make.

It's a common misconception, and I admit it's not for lack of evidence, as they seem to be rather in your face and everwhere at the moment.

 

It doesn't bug me that BJD owners dressed their dolls up in anime style, characters, and etc. I'm into to anime, but I would never dress my doll up into a already created character.

 

As an Otaku myself, I am in love with ALL things Japan. This includes cosplaying, bento, lolita clothing in all its forms--Gothic being my favorite, and of course BJD.

As a member of this community, let me say that I am sorry for people's misconceptions and stereotyping--really, I am. It's unfair to you collectors when someone automatically assumes you are into all things Japan because of your dolls.

If you collect because you love dolls--more power to you! For those Otaku out there--we rock as well!

 

Okay, I am a bit of a brat. So my view on things most likely won't be popular, not least of all because of my way of putting things out there. Ya been warned. LOL!!!

I love a lot of Japanese things, anime, manga, art, music, decor... *shrugs* So this issue--It's not a prob for me, even when it's used deragatorily.


But this is for more than one reason.


Firstly, I am way, WAY too grown up to care what other folks think. It's not my job to worry about others' hangups or misconceptions about Japan, my likes or dislikes and anything else I collect, watch, think or do. Taking that on is a full time job and I've got other, more important things to accomplish.

Secondly, as so many have stated... the dolls do have their origin in asian anime/manga aesthetic. So why wouldn't someone less in the know than me make the ascociation--for better or worse. I mean really, so what. So someone mistakes interest in BJD's with interest in Anime or Japanese culture. Oh noes! The world is ending!!!

Not...

Thirdly, I don't worry about the misuse of words like Otaku. When a word enters another culture, it takes on another meaning. Period. Otaku here has become a catch phrase for anime/manga/japanese cultural fannishness. It doesn't mean here what it means over there. And that's okay. In fact, it's kinda fitting. The word entered our pop culture use and like so many foreign words (ever had Pizza in Spain, I have. Totally different food than what we call pizza) it becomes something uniquely different than it's original application. Cultural subjectivity folks. Over there in Japan, I am not an Otaku. I am not freakishly obsessed to the point of violence. (The term over there was actually somewhat more mildly considered in its use long ago... until some ape shit dude went off and killed some folks while referring to himself as an Otaku of his fav fandom. The word has long since meant someone with a far reaching, unhealthy addiction to anything...but specifically negative response is inferred if the term Otaku is applied toward a fan of anime or manga. The cultural backlash was that extreme...) On the other hand, over here in the US, I *am* an Otaku. I love anime, I love Manga. I go to anime/manga cons, I have some (not a lot) of asian decor in different places round the house, and I enjoy a lot of Japanese aesthetics. I appreciate certain specific cultural ideologies while condeming others... but in whole enjoy many things about the Japanese.

So if someone came to me and said "Oh wow, you've got one of those Japanese dolls. You must like anime." I would not correct them. I'd prolly laugh, or shrug, or nod. I mean really... who cares? It's a harmless observation if the person is simply not aware of the difference. And there's no reason to ruffle feathers taking offence where none was meant. But if they are being an asshat about it because of the misconception...I'd prolly still play it cool. Not my job to help the idiots of the world un-idiot themselves. Way too much work for me.

 

I like a lot of different things from Japan, but I make a point to keep them separate. I like certain animes and mangas, but I think it's hit and miss because, well, saying you like anime/manga is about as vague as saying you like books. You're never going to like all animes/mangas, you're never going to like all books. I really view it as a story-telling method more then a genre.

I like Lolita fashion, but I know cosplay is not lolita. I know you may have a lolitas in manga and BJDs dressed in the style, but it doesn't make for a direct correlation. Just as since there might be BJDs dressed as prep school students and prep school students in manga there is no direct correlation.

So I know that BJDs should not be diretly related to anime/lolita/decora/manga/etc. just because you like some japanese things, doesn't mean you like all of them. I mean, it's a whole culture! Few people like everything in their home cluture culture, right?

 

It doesn't bother me, but then again I was introduced to BJD through my first anime convention, and I am also very into anime, video games, and manga.
I can understand the frustration of those who are not into the anime, since they really aren't related.
I am thankful, however, that there were classes and forums at the con I went to, because it helped me learn more about BJDs

 

It shouldn't really bug anybody because many bjds were inspired by anime. They are like semi-realistic anime dolls.

 

Well, bjds do look more like anime/game characters than anything else. Sure there are different styles of dolls, but there are also different styles of anime. Shows like le chevalier D'eon, monster, 12 kingdoms, etc...have a mature and non cartoony style that match the more mature looking dolls. I don't think "those anime dolls" is really a faulty comparisson, it's pretty accurate.

 

Yes it does bother me. I'm an anime fan to a certain point but I don't know every anime ever made. When people call my dolls anime dolls it kinda upsets me because most of mine don't look at all like any anime character. Except my El.

 

It doesn’t bother me at all. I realize that many BJDs look like anime characters. And I myself used to be an anime fan (I’m still watching anime and reading manga but now I have many other interests (^^), so why should an anime connection bother me?