quote:
Originally posted by perigee:
They also include comments like "needless fan service" and "fan service abounds" in their lists of lowlights.After reading that I had to ask myself, what's with this obsession about fanservice and why is it so disreputable? To me it's just another element of the genre, something to attract an adolescent male audience. I find it no more distracting than stylistic elements like sweatdrops, chibi or rough sketches. It doesn't bother me as much as the overuse of slapstick humor, the total lack of self confidence and social skills displayed by young males or many other plot cliches. It's just one of those things you learn to accept or ignore in order to enjoy the rest of the work.
Some of AYA's bits may seem a little over the top. Take Tina's breast-squeezing, for example. Is it gratuitous or does it serve a purpose? According to Peter's newsletter, such behavior is actually common among teenage girls in Japan. I think it says something about the ironic nature of this supposedly American girl who speaks flawless Japanese and is familiar with every native custom. It's part of an act she puts on to cover up a certain vulnerability. Does it get old after a while? Maybe. Does it detract from the overall series or lower my estimation of it? Not a bit.
You are right when you say that too much fanservice can ruin characterization or plot. That's true of any overused device. But when I read reviews that are more concerned with the amount of fanservice than with the story or animation, I have to wonder why these folks are acting so self-righteous. Perhaps they are uncomfortable with open sexuality. Perhaps they have been taught to believe sex is dirty and shouldn't be seen in public. It's another sign of the attitude held by people who might try bishoujo games, if they didn't include all that icky, dirty hentai stuff.
Is there a problem with discussing the fanservice issue on this thread? Would people prefer if it went off to its own thread? [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/smile.gif[/img]
I don't mind fanservice or sex scenes especially much, and I'm often able to tune them out. Like I say, it was some of my friends who objected; but I can see their point. I think you said it yourself when you compared it to other plot cliches. Anime (or games) tend to be best when there's more to them than a load of cliches. Some people dislike giant robot fights, or giggling schoolgirls. Does that make them repressed and Puritanical? Of course not. Fanservice is the same. Some like it, some really dislike it, some can cope with it in small doses but want something more to call an anime or game good. And disliking it doesn't automatically make someone self-righteous (although it doesn't prevent it either).
Now I'm passionate about ren'ai games, and want to show my friends some good ones. And if they prefer things without fanservice or sex scenes, then I'd like to have a good ren'ai game to show them that doesn't feature sex scenes, because it's not necessary to like sex scenes to like ren'ai storylines. I feel the same way for those of my friends who don't mind H but are fed up with high-school romances: I'm glad to have one or two good games I can show them that feature ren'ai without high school students (although I love the HS setting myself [img]http://princess.cybrmall.net/ubb/smile.gif[/img] )
[This message has been edited by chronoluminaire (edited 03-05-2004).]