Name: Anonymous 2005-02-10 21:44
While there exists a diverse range of styles and subjects in anime, there are more than enough cliches that are used commonly to get across a point or idea. For example, I expected Cowboy Bebop to be vastly different than other animes, but it still used all the frequently used conventions.
Are there alternatives to these cliches? For example, the sweat drop is easy to convey for the animator, but wouldn't a sigh work better? I rarely see serious expressions or frowns unless they're on an older character.
Other examples include girls who are as intelligent as three year old puppies, young boys who happen to be heroes, females who unlock some last-second mysterious power out of nowhere during a desperate situation, characters who are always on prozac/zoloft, boys who are 100% innocent but chased by eager females, children who are always cheerful and point out simple things, mysterious villains who watch their plans unfold in some unknown location, an ancient dark power or god that's about to be unleashed, etc.
Are there alternatives to these cliches? For example, the sweat drop is easy to convey for the animator, but wouldn't a sigh work better? I rarely see serious expressions or frowns unless they're on an older character.
Other examples include girls who are as intelligent as three year old puppies, young boys who happen to be heroes, females who unlock some last-second mysterious power out of nowhere during a desperate situation, characters who are always on prozac/zoloft, boys who are 100% innocent but chased by eager females, children who are always cheerful and point out simple things, mysterious villains who watch their plans unfold in some unknown location, an ancient dark power or god that's about to be unleashed, etc.