Anime characters aren't western

[Wood Mario]

I'm really sick of hearing people on the internet, and in life talking about how anime is modeled after westerners (Americans and Europeans). And actually believeing that Asians want to look like Westerners. Proud, egotsitical people really think that Asians would rather be like us, than themselves. If they would just look at anime analytically, they would notice that it actually looks WAY more like Asians, than Westerners. This is a great video, that goes into the reasons why anime is not modeled after the Western features.

clicky

So, who thinks that anime is, in fact, modeled after Westerners. I don't know why this bothers me so much. I'm not even Asian, I guess I'm just a xenophile or something.

[Adam]

I've actually heard a few Japanese people talk about how Japanese people love white people. Then again, they tend to love black people, too. I don't know. I never saw it as a big deal...

[BanjoMaster]

Who the heck says they look like Westerners?

[Adam]

A lot of people. My friends have discussed this. Naruto is the most western anime character any of us have ever heard of. My theory on the jawline is that it's much easier to draw. When you think about it, Ariel also has that smooth tapered jaw line. The hair thing is somewhat understandable. As for the eyes, it's whatever. I do think that they try to make it accessible to western audiences, but I don't think they're exclusively trying to make their characters white.

[Dukemike]

That's not right.

[HUMANZ]

I've never met anybody who thinks they look like westerners. Maybe they are crazy?!

[Snagprophet]

Judging by the shape of their eyes they are neither Western or eastern.

[Twi]

The only way I can see Anime characters as being modeled after western people would be hair color.

I don't think natural blond or red hair is common in Japan. :/

Also, this is a bit of a weird example, but Tidus and Yuna, (FFX, in game) don't look Asian in the slightest. Until you see the real cutscenes. Not so much Yuna, but Tidus in particular.

[watkinzez]

Both cultures have been inspired by each other in terms of art style (Betty Boop and early Disney, and more recently Avatar in the other direction), which is possibly a cause on a subconcious level. Haven't watched the video yet, will do so later.

[Mandolin]

Round eyes are very common in anime characters, as is light-colored hair.

So, yeah, they often do look very Western. No telling the reason why, though.

[Porky]

I did think they were based on westerners, until A Ghost In The Shell: SAC episode where they visit Britain.

Honestly, I think it's purposely generic enough so it appeals to pretty much any audience without alienating another, especially after it's growth in popularity in foregin markets the past 20 years.

[chillywilly42]

Originally Posted by TwilightVestige

The only way I can see Anime characters as being modeled after western people would be hair color.

I don't think natural blond or red hair is common in Japan. :/

Also, this is a bit of a weird example, but Tidus and Yuna, (FFX, in game) don't look Asian in the slightest. Until you see the real cutscenes. Not so much Yuna, but Tidus in particular.

Yes, because all Americans have blue hair.

[Adam]

I'll tell you one thing, Astroboy totally looked like a little white kid.

[Dylan Yoshi]

Anime characters don't look either Japanese or Caucasian to me much at all, because they're incredibly unrealistic no matter what. Still, they seem a lot more Caucasian to me than they do Japanese.

[kfred]

Anime suxcks.