Anime fans have lately been discussing whether anime should have a “message,” with the general sentiment apparently being that it is better off without it.
The exchange:
“Do you lot think anime should have a message? If it’s pushy then I’d rather it didn’t…”
“Who cares if it’s good.”
“They usually get too preachy. Whether it makes any impression depends on the viewer.”
“Any kind of title has a message. It’s something someone made, after all.”
“I hate messages. I preferred the very first Gundam. Anime is for entertainment so it’s no good to lose sight of that.”
“I prefer it to have a message, but it must still be entertaining first and foremost.”
“Viewers may like a message, but the makers must remember making it entertaining is their top priority.”
“Ones which leave you with a message to think about after finishing are good. Without a message it is just empty.”
“Real drama does leave you with a message. This is what’s so good about Madocchi – it has a formal tale of spiritual growth, and the fun parts too.”
“As far as messages go, the ones in TV commercials are enough for me.”
“Eroge anime may have messages but they still just cause you to droop. If people like that sort of thing, let them.”
“Lately there are anime which deliberately quash their message element, like Geass – it seems interest in them wanes a bit faster that way.”
“Does Madoka have a message?”
“‘Life isn’t that soft’ or something like that I think.”
“Madoka’s message is ‘Don’t love anyone’ or some such.”
“Anime is more entertainment than art. It doesn’t need to have any message. That said, it’s probably best not to have them promoting the depraved.”
“Right, those who feel a message can pick it up and appreciate it, others can just enjoy the show.”
It is interesting to speculate as to how closely the “message” and “no message” camps correspond to the so-called Type A and Type B otaku factions…
Only seinen anime need to have a message… everything else should be fun, or ecchi… or BOTH!
u thought madoka message were,
“YOU ARE NOT ALONE”.
would love to 😛
The msg was: Be careful for what you wish for…. because a anti-emo space QB will f♥♥k you over….basically.
Anime doesn’t need a message forced into it but it does need a plot. I think many people here are confusing plot with message. They are two different things. I think forced messages will ruin the anime’s characters and plot. All an anime needs is good entertaining characters and a damn good plot. By trying to ad some moralistic message to it you’ll ruin an anime.
There has only been one anime in history that has been successful with having an intentional message and that was Evangelion TV that aired back in 1995. And barely passed mustered anyway since with some viewers its as hit or miss series on whether you enjoy it or not. Messages don’t belong in anime but plot does.