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Cartoons just seem stupid and childish to me. There comes a point when you have to stop watching Cartoon Network and start watching Fox News, if you know what I mean.

Perhaps. But if you truly appreciate anime, then you will eventually discover that there comes a time to stop watching Fox and return to the Cartoon Network.

Both reflect reality through a prism ... and I'm not entirely sure that O'Reilly is any more accurate than Batfink in exploring 'the human condition'.

Most westerners who like Anime do so because they feel (even if only subconciously) that the Japanese are more likely to consider 'real issues' in their 'toons.

But the issues raised by classic Chuck Jones WB toons are just as 'real world' ... they are merely cloaked in the unreality of a western fantasy cartoon genre.

There's a classic RoadRunner cartoon where Wiley finally catches the bird ... and then holds up a sign saying "what now?"

In that case, an allegory of the problem we all face in chasing the impossible dream ... and then suddenly achieving it ... is encapsulated in a 5 minute animated feature that has tears of laughter rolling down our cheeks as we ponder that.

Is that any less 'valid' a way of considering the world? I don't think so!

Regards

Sadimgnik

NB: - this is NOT meant as a dissin' of Anime, BTW ... I am a huge fan of japanese animation, and consider Spritied Away, for example, to be one of the finest films I've seen in a decade or more.

Most westerners who like Anime do so because they feel (even if only subconciously) that the Japanese are more likely to consider 'real issues' in their 'toons.

How about "we watch anime because it's generally better drawn, the voice actors have talent, and the topics are worthwhile?

Spongebob - I won't go there. The art is so lousy, it hurts. Most American animated shows are poorly drawn and badly voiced. While some in the last fifteen years have been funny, like "Animaniacs" or "Pinky and the Brain", very few have been meaningful in any way.

Anyway, why should I watch Cartoon Network when I can download the latest show from Japan? Anyone who likes "Fairly Oddparents" should see "Full Moon wo Sagashite", a nice little Japanese story with a slightly similar storyline (child has a pair of magical beings granting wishes) only "Full Moon" actually does more than slapstick with the premise.