I found a book in a discount store a few years ago: Scrapped Princess. I loved it, and I learned through an ad in the back that it was based on an anime. I was aware of anime and loved the style, but I never knew where to begin and didn't have access to much (small town). I went on the internet and watched a few episodes of it. That was amazing as well.
Then, in my freshman year, two things happened:
1. I joined the anime club out of interest.
2. I met a group of fiends in theatre class who were anime/manga fans. One of them convinced me to read Bleach. I liked it, so I decided to check out other titles. I bought vol. 1 of Pet Shop of Horrors and guess what? Yep, I loved it too.
Another friend gave me a Fruits Basket volume as a gift, which got me hooked on shojo.
Now, I can't go into the bookstore without buying manga and I'm still in fanlove with Ishida Uryuu.
This stuff freaking ROCKS.
I had commented earlier this morning to another post that some people just have a hard time creating original characters. I have a friend who does gorgeously whimsical, very shojou work. But she has a HELLISH time drawing original characters. If I don't give her an art piece to go off of, she has all sorts of trouble. I think she COULD move past that, but she doesn't want to.
It's a shame really. There is so much talent out there in the world. I wish more people would embrace their talent and stop relying on other's.
i agree completely with you that drawing other people's characters is fine, even good, for someone starting out and learning to draw. but i've noticed a lot of people who have a DAMNED good style of their own and a lot of talent that don't even bother to make up their own characters. they waste all that talent doing naruto, sailor moon, etc. fanart that they can never completely call their own. it makes me pretty sad.
not to say there's anything wrong with drawing fanart, but original art is important for development as an artist and an imaginative individual. i used to do a lot more copying and fanart back when i was still kinda sucky at drawing, and as i've gotten better (obviously not perfect, but better) i've felt less need to.
...i don't know what the point of all that was, i guess i'm just agreeing with you in my own annoying way.
as to how i got into anime, i've been an anime fan all my life without realizing it since when i was a kid i watched miyazaki movies and sailor moon among other things.. but i didn't know it was anime. i became a conscious fan around age 11 when an acquaintance introduced me to the chobits mangas and it all went downhill from there :D
I was about fourteen or so when I got into anime; my family was living in Korea and my first exposure was a little bit of Sailor Moon, Rayearth, and Lodoss War on the local TV channels. Then came Slayers. Cue the heavenly choir; I've never gotten out since and it's now thirteen years later. I enjoy attempting fanart, though it's rarely anything I'd let other see on account of how I don't think I do anatomy and proportions quite right. But I do a good enough job for it to be something I enjoy.
Oh, and you guys webcomic; I often find that quite funny. The one you'd done long ago on the 'Six Degrees of Crispin Freeman' is my favorite because it is TRUE! I love that man's voice (and most of his characters are awesome. Zelgadis is my favorite; see my Slayers refernce above.)
On behalf of the staff, welcome to theO. :3 Lovely to have you about.
I can't say my experience of getting into anime is the same as yours, but it did start with a love of the art. There was just something about Gundam Wing that just appealed to me... But that's neither here nor there.
Anyway, I look forward to hearing more of your stories. And welcome again!
"I adore children. A little salt, a squeeze of lemon--perfect." -Harry Dresden
AgentNinja
Otakuite | Posted 07/14/08 | Reply
I found a book in a discount store a few years ago: Scrapped Princess. I loved it, and I learned through an ad in the back that it was based on an anime. I was aware of anime and loved the style, but I never knew where to begin and didn't have access to much (small town). I went on the internet and watched a few episodes of it. That was amazing as well.
Then, in my freshman year, two things happened:
1. I joined the anime club out of interest.
2. I met a group of fiends in theatre class who were anime/manga fans. One of them convinced me to read Bleach. I liked it, so I decided to check out other titles. I bought vol. 1 of Pet Shop of Horrors and guess what? Yep, I loved it too.
Another friend gave me a Fruits Basket volume as a gift, which got me hooked on shojo.
Now, I can't go into the bookstore without buying manga and I'm still in fanlove with Ishida Uryuu.
This stuff freaking ROCKS.
Rokuchan
Otakuite | Posted 03/29/08 | Reply
@ShadowsCastByDusk:
I had commented earlier this morning to another post that some people just have a hard time creating original characters. I have a friend who does gorgeously whimsical, very shojou work. But she has a HELLISH time drawing original characters. If I don't give her an art piece to go off of, she has all sorts of trouble. I think she COULD move past that, but she doesn't want to.
It's a shame really. There is so much talent out there in the world. I wish more people would embrace their talent and stop relying on other's.
ShadowsCastByDusk
Otaku Eternal | Posted 03/27/08 | Reply
i agree completely with you that drawing other people's characters is fine, even good, for someone starting out and learning to draw. but i've noticed a lot of people who have a DAMNED good style of their own and a lot of talent that don't even bother to make up their own characters. they waste all that talent doing naruto, sailor moon, etc. fanart that they can never completely call their own. it makes me pretty sad.
not to say there's anything wrong with drawing fanart, but original art is important for development as an artist and an imaginative individual. i used to do a lot more copying and fanart back when i was still kinda sucky at drawing, and as i've gotten better (obviously not perfect, but better) i've felt less need to.
...i don't know what the point of all that was, i guess i'm just agreeing with you in my own annoying way.
as to how i got into anime, i've been an anime fan all my life without realizing it since when i was a kid i watched miyazaki movies and sailor moon among other things.. but i didn't know it was anime. i became a conscious fan around age 11 when an acquaintance introduced me to the chobits mangas and it all went downhill from there :D
Rokuchan
Otakuite | Posted 03/26/08 | Reply
@cougarsama:
XD ah, six degrees. I'm tempted to do one about Greg Ayres now. I love Greg. =) Chris is a sweetie too.
Thanks for the feedback! And aaaaaaah, Rayearth. God I love that show!
cougarsama
LDS Fangirl! (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 03/26/08 | Reply
I was about fourteen or so when I got into anime; my family was living in Korea and my first exposure was a little bit of Sailor Moon, Rayearth, and Lodoss War on the local TV channels. Then came Slayers. Cue the heavenly choir; I've never gotten out since and it's now thirteen years later. I enjoy attempting fanart, though it's rarely anything I'd let other see on account of how I don't think I do anatomy and proportions quite right. But I do a good enough job for it to be something I enjoy.
Oh, and you guys webcomic; I often find that quite funny. The one you'd done long ago on the 'Six Degrees of Crispin Freeman' is my favorite because it is TRUE! I love that man's voice (and most of his characters are awesome. Zelgadis is my favorite; see my Slayers refernce above.)
Kei
Hell-bound Heroine (Ceiling Cat) | Posted 03/26/08 | Reply
On behalf of the staff, welcome to theO. :3 Lovely to have you about.
I can't say my experience of getting into anime is the same as yours, but it did start with a love of the art. There was just something about Gundam Wing that just appealed to me... But that's neither here nor there.
Anyway, I look forward to hearing more of your stories. And welcome again!
"I adore children. A little salt, a squeeze of lemon--perfect." -Harry Dresden