Chapter 2
Discussion
What
are the effects of Anime Culture in the Philippines Culture?
I.
History of Anime
in the Philippines
Japanese Animation, at first, had less potential and was
even recognized same as Western Animation for Filipino viewers. Back then
Western Animation was fanatical that was even showed a lot on TV in the
Philippines. Although Anime hadn’t show its full potential and its influence
was no match for Western Animation back then. Though the difference was quite
obvious because of the animation and theme it brings to the viewers, since the
viewer’s still didn’t understand its difference because of replaced American
titles.
Until Japanese Animation had received many attractions
in the Philippines during the “Mecha” or Giant Robot rise in popularity. Which
Japanese filmmakers were beginning to give focus on the good plot and character
development of Anime, furthermore, in the Philippines it’s not classified in line
with Cartoons anymore, which MMX (2000) stated “It is because these animes had the elements that Filipinos liked and
didn’t find in other cartoons at that time. First, these animes had developing
plots. Not like other cartoons, Filipinos love waiting for what happens next to
the character.” Like, the local airings of VOLTES V and Astro Boy in the
Philippines that shows family-orientated themes and dramatic scenes being a
robot in the society. Therefore, with
those Anime phenomenal series it had overwhelmed most of the Filipino viewers
including not just for children but also for adults.
That triggered the glimpse of “anime” and that made a
change in the local channels distributing anime entertainment for Filipino
viewers. Since anime was getting popular
Filipinos who had luck on buying a VCR already had anime to watch in their
shelves. Although with the increasing of
Filipino fans of anime the local channels shows one by one of great anime
series constantly making Filipinos grew more to the desire for Anime.
II.
Otaku Culture in
the Philippines
The rise of Anime popularity in the Philippines is still ongoing and with the increasing fans creates a new culture. Such as the trending title "Otaku" term in Japan known us geek that also relates to a fan of something. Seeing that Filipinos are observed to be devoted in this kind of Anime culture are known to be an Otaku.
A.
Cosplay
Cosplaying in the Philippines usually takes a lot of effort in making creative outfits and
imitating the character they desire to be. For making necessary needs of
looking like their favorite character. Mostly fans of Anime/Games/Comic are the
ones enjoying this."It's really addicting," admits Pablo Bairan, administrator of
Cosplay"(2009)
Many outgoing Cosplayers out there are actively being creative with costumes.
Wearing make-ups, contact lenses, glitzy outfits and the harder the character
looks like the more Filipinos get challenge. Sometimes for this events some
people would completely mistook it as a Halloween celebration. It started
becoming a hobby for some Cosplayers displaying their interest without being
afraid of criticisms. "It's like being able to live out the life of your idol, your hero,
even for a day. That's like a wish fulfillment," Bairan said. "It's
total self-expression, you know. Because if you're worried about people thinking
bad about you, just wear a mask so that they can't see your face. And you can
literally be anything you want to be."
For some foreign countries buying Costumes here in the
Philippines from costume-makers like Guy Singzon who was before a social worker
now a Cosplay maker. stated "Actually, [other countries] should be the ones to
catch up to us because Pinoys are more creative," he said in Filipino". Since
Filipinos get challenge when it comes to making creative ideas. When it comes
to awareness in the environment that they make costumes out of a pile of junk
instead which is more eco-friendly.
B.
Reading Manga
In the Philippines with increasing Anime-cultured people they would rather read
Mangas than the local's old comics like Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Darna, and
Captain Barbel so on which was inspired from the Westerns works. Therefore, the Japanese Comics type is more suitable for us Filipinos since its favorable by the art and stories that Filipinos try imitating. There's even a Manga made by Filipinos entitled Love is in the Bag according to Micheal Buntag (2010) it's also another example of "Pinoy Manga" -
a by product arising from Filipino fans love for Japanese comics and
animation inspiring some younger artists to mimic its visual vocabulary
and plot conventions.
C.
Game Development
Filipinos are seen to be dedicated players in the arcade ever since the Timezone Trinoma had turned into arena for the first international Tekken 6 competition Five of the best players in Timezones from the Philippines, Australia, and NewZealand came to win some cool prizes and boasted off to say they're were champions of the best acknowledged fighting game. According to Gallaga (2008) "Harada and the rest of his team came to the Philippines to introduce the latest upgrade to the Tekken game system Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion. They also announced that the Philippines
was the first country in the world (outside Japan) to get the upgrade."
D.
Drawing Anime
Since Filipinos are known for Art like sculpting and painting. In addition, there are also into the Art of Anime. Furthermore Filipino teenagers are already into making the Japanese comics since Anime art can be found here. Which was stated by Umiamano (2008) "I actually admire Filipino teenagers who work hard to write anime
stories, draw original characters, draw the manga itself, etc. I am a
writer and I don't draw that much, that's why I envy artists."
G. Anime Blogging
In the world of Anime, Filipinos tend to learn more of the events, Japanese culture, and latest trends to take notice in the internationally popular blog site for Anime ,Magnetic Rose. Which was originally started by a Filipina named Rochelle Marnelli Dumlao. Currently with the blog gaining its popularity since no one has ever
been this dedicated for someone who is enthusiastic about anime and its
culture. The reason why the blog has been active. From the viewers they can
see that devotion on each post of her to the up-to-dates and concerns in anime,
gaming, etc. Plus, she had already won consecutive awards, "Her website has won numerous awards,
among them, the 2009 South East Asia-wide MTV Blogging Competition for
Games and Gadgets where the winner was given a six-month writing
assignment for MTV. That same year, the blog site became a national
finalist for the Philippine Blog Award as well as for the Reader’s
Choice Award.Magnetic-Rose.net has also been featured online and offline media
forms like Reuters, The New York Times Online, QTV, Flippish.com, ANC
(ABS-CBN News Channel), MTV Asia, Hero TV, and Animax, to name a few"(2012)
III.
Effects of Anime
in the Philippines
As anime lovers and also the devotion for Anime increase in the Philippines it affects the culture that the Filipinos has. Since the enthusiasm has already triggered their inner Otaku which may lead to positive or negative effects of some Filipinos.
A.
Positive effects
Multiculturalism
Like any other country, Japan has many great histories
and cultural traditions that Filipinos wouldn't know if Anime wasn't known.
Until 1980's a new era was created for Anime seekers out there. When Anime got
favourable many fans would tend to learn about their history, Japanese
language, cultural influence, religion and mythology.
Art
Currently, Anime art is the best thing that almost the
Filipino artists try to imitate satisfying the minds of other people who have
love them. Even in other countries that made influential to some filmmakers and
animators. Animators like: "Pixar/Disney executive John Lasseter, look to
anime to find new ways to approach their own work." Furthermore, Japanese
Animator Hayao Miyazaki's works were a thrilled of excitement and adventurous
to watch and a one of a kind entertainment (e.g. Spirited Away and Howl's
Moving Castle). Film critic "Roger Ebert finds in Miyazaki's work a
"depth and complexity" often missing from American animation."
Social Benefits
Anime fandom is something all Anime lovers can relate
with each other. For instance, in anime conventions encounters these sorts of
events that can really make fans interact with current animes and as others
show off their love by wearing costumes from their favourite anime. When it
comes to the Internet, Filipinos can play anime online games and connect to other
people on what are the latest trends in Anime and suggestions to watch Anime.
B.
Negative effects
No. of respondents 28 = 100%
Question
|
YES
|
%
|
No
|
%
|
Do you have Otaku problems
|
23
|
82.1%
|
5
|
17.9%
|
Analyzing Results:
According to the data collected the answers of the
respondents 23 out of 28 NO which states that we Filipinos are not
those who are too addicted in Anime that much. Meaning not those Otaku
who'd date a virtual character or any object that's Anime. Although, 5 out of the 28 choose
Yes which means little percent of Filipino youths are struggling from
their addiction. Another question came up "if YES state your reason..." I
learned here the different reasons such as, less time management for
Anime, unsociable, cannot escape from reality anymore, and
uncontrollable for watching anime. Therefore this answers my question
"Does Negativity of Anime Effects us Filipinos?" with 82.1% percent on NOs and 17.9% percent
of YESs I would conclude that were not that too obsessive in our
culture nor date virtually but few Filipinos has troubles on how they'd
handle the Time, Socializing, and uncontrollable issues.
No Time for Anime
"So many to watch so little time."-Survey Results
For most problems for Filpino young adults is the time deducted from Anime. As an Anime enthusiast he/she needs to be updated from current anime that's been a mainstream. Therefore, he/ she could catch in discussing the latest trends.
Addiction
"if i watch, i cannot stop"- Survey Results
Filipinos can also be addicted in this kind of habit of watching too much Anime. Whenever it happens there's a possibility some Filipinos would want to finish the whole season of that Anime which may leads already for non-stop entertainment.
Antisocial
"you see, Otaku means having an obsession to the point where it gets
unhealthy, in my case. Socially unhealthy, because I don't talk to
people, I don't go out, this went on for the a few summers thus making
me a bit socially inept because of the lack of human interaction" -Survey results
As an anime addict some Filipinos might tend to lock away themselves to their social life. Which results to obsessions
only for Anime that can get really unhealthy. Since with the desire for Anime alone can make a
n individual stop caring with his/her society.
