I feel like it'd be a futile question to ask any of my friends IRL that are into anime. But I also feel embarrassed asking this to people IRL. This paired with the fact that the stereotypical attractive anime girl is drawn like she's fully mature, but is apparently 14, bothers me. The type that have been in the real world for a little bit. But rather, just inexperienced.Ī lot of these anime characters are written like experienced young adults. Not to say unintelligent, nor not DEEP thinkers with great analytical skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy.

A very, very select few kids my age at 15 I knew were complex thinkers. The more you think of it, the more it makes little sense. What I just don't get is why these teen characters aren't acting like teens, or drawn a bit less mature.

But I'm not so comfortable with the fact that Asuka from Evangalion is apparently 14, for example, anymore. For the longest time, I could easily think all anime girls were attractive, no problem. I know I did.Seriously, it bothers me because I'm 24 and don't really even look for attractive girls under 20 when trying to date. You might discover a love of anime for yourself. If your child shows an interest, take the opportunity to sit down and watch some with them. Much of the anime suitable for kids is quite complicated, with meaningful storylines and sophisticated character development. Not all anime is the loud, bright, bold, cartoon fare you might believe it is. Some fans of anime are also then drawn to reading the manga books on which many of the shows and movies are based. Watching subtitled anime can help kids practice their reading skills without even realizing they are doing so (4). Watching anime can help initiate discussions between adults and kids. It Discusses Weighty SubjectsĪnime doesn’t shy away from addressing what might be considered difficult subjects such as death, mental illness, racism, and the complexities of relationships. Our youngest daughter has met many people she might otherwise not have and has formed strong friendships through her love of anime. They May Form New Friendships Or Strengthen Existing Ones This can provide a new and exciting form of inspiration for creative pursuits. Many of the stories in anime have fantasy or magical elements. Many anime fans are inspired to start drawing, writing, or even combining them to write their own graphic novels. This can help your child develop an appreciation for the perspectives of people from different backgrounds and other ways of life. Many anime movies and television shows offer an insight into Japanese culture, history, and society. I say it’s more than ok and there are several genuine benefits of watching anime. You should also watch the anime before your child watches (3).Ĭolorful Journey: Anime Coloring Pages for Kids Benefits of Watching Anime for KidsĪs a parent, some people ask me if it’s okay for their kids to watch anime. If you feel strongly about your child’s exposure to death, violence, or nudity, you may want to avoid anime that is rated for the 14 years and older age group. There’s an almost endless supply of shows and movies created specifically for young children, older kids, tweens, and teens. That’s not to say anime is loaded with what you might consider adult content. That means death and nudity occur more frequently than in children’s cartoons created in North America and Europe (2). In Japan, death is something that is discussed openly, and nudity is not seen as implicitly sexual. This reflection of attitudes can lead to some anime newbies being shocked by content that is viewed as entirely innocent by the creators. However, in western cultures, anime has come to refer to the distinct animation style that originated in Japan and is now produced in several predominantly Asian countries (1).Īnime reflects Japanese cultural and social norms, and this shows in the storylines and animation. In Japan, the word anime refers to any type of cartoon, no matter what the style or the country of origin. If you want to choose an anime series or movie for a specific platform, here are my top picks on YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix. Kids may not follow all of the complex character development, but they’ll still enjoy every minute. It also has a scarecrow with a turnip head and a deal-making fire demon. This dream, imaginative anime features a wise old wizard in a fantastical walking castle and a wise old woman who is really an 18-year-old hat-maker transformed by an evil witch. Where to watch: HBO Max, YouTube, Vudu, and Netflix.

Anime middle schoolers