1. 

   Myssa Rei
   June 3rd, 2009 - 21:14

   Which begs the question Stripey… WHY AREN’T YOU ACTUALLY PROCREATING ALREADY?

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2. 

   jinyamato
   June 3rd, 2009 - 22:00

   what???? finally your wife pops the question??? how are you going to answer it?? hohohoho…

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3. 

   suguru
   June 3rd, 2009 - 22:37

   Fortunately, my daughter’s only 6 months old so don’t have to worry about her asking “why do you still watch cartoons when you’re so old” for quite a while

   I think you’re never too old to appreciate 2D though, someone once said something like “only children worry about whether something is childish or not”, and I think that’s true, what matters most is if you enjoy it and not if you’re in the “target demographic” or not. Personally, I hope to be watching anime for a long, long time

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4. 

   relentlessflame
   June 3rd, 2009 - 22:38

   “Wait, do[es] an age bracket exist where bishoujo fanboying is deemed cool?”

   lol – I suppose it depends on who you ask. (The “true” answer generally is, of course, no. ^^; ) Even if we think just about those “on the inside”, the average fan (late-teens/early-20s) tends to be a bit uncomfortable with older adults sharing their fandom. I think ultimately it probably comes down to the whole “realizing your parents have sex” thing; somehow what’s normal for young people seems somehow creepy when you imagine older people doing it. But that will change as the current generation of fans continues to get older. Of course, some will drop out as their priorities change (family, kids, etc.) but some will stick with it. I would say that the average age is getting higher now, except for the fact that there’s such a boom in the pre-teen/teen market. But all in all, I think it will become a bit more accepted on the “inside” for older adults to share their fandom. (Also worth noting that a lot of the people working in the industry are also getting older themselves.)

   For people on the outside, I think the main barrier is the stereotype that bishoujo fanboys are simply losers who couldn’t get a “real girl” if they wanted to. It’s the same stereotype that brought us films like The 40-Year Old Virgin a few years back. It’s all really just an extension of the old geek stereotype, because of course those who are going to be the most vocal on the Internet are going to be those with the least “real world” commitments (and hence more apt to fit the old stereotype). It’s also related to the whole “most people have never left High School” theory; everyone wants to be a cool kid, and cool kids pick on losers. But, as it is with anime itself, I think there are a lot of older bishoujo fans who lurk with interest on blogs and forums but just don’t post or tell anyone because of the fear of being stereotyped/”found out”.

   In other words, I don’t think one would necessarily get too old for 2D bishoujos. That’s like getting too old to appreciate art. But I think that, as you get older, it can get much harder to find the time to maintain the interest, and also much hard to admit the attraction publicly due to the stereotypes inside the geek community. But as I said, I think that will change as this “first wave” of bishoujo fans continues to get older (just as things like gaming have gotten more widespread acceptance as gamers got older).

   (And in all seriousness, bishoujos perhaps aside, I do know a lot of anime fans who have managed to share their love of anime with their kids. I’m not sure I’d personally take it quite as far as Konata, though… but that itself is an interesting jab at this very question, if you think about it (how Konata’s father is portrayed as something of a sympathetic pervert — I think that’s how most of fandom sees it at first glance).)

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5. 

   DKellis
   June 3rd, 2009 - 23:05

   They will take my love for bishoujo moe when they pry it from my cold, dead, and preferably venerable hands.

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6. 

   Sixten
   June 4th, 2009 - 00:36

   As an aspiring creator of 2D “intellectual property” with “certain inclinations”, I’ve learned not to worry about people thinking my tastes are weird.

   Yoshiaki Iwasaki – friend of J.C.Staff and director of The Familiar of Zero (season 1), Skygirls, and Hayate the Combat Butler (season 2) – is 45 years old. I’m guessing he doesn’t think he’s too old for 2D bishoujos.

   You’re never too old to be an artist, even a cartoonist or animator. So why would you ever be too old to be a fan of their works?

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7. 

   Michael | Low on Hit Points
   June 4th, 2009 - 01:18

   You like what you like. If it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others, there’s no reason to ever give it up… unless you cease to like it. I think it simply comes down to that.

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8. 

   Steven Den Beste
   June 4th, 2009 - 02:27

   I still like ‘em, and I’m 56.

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9. 

   0rion
   June 4th, 2009 - 06:47

   “unlimited fap-works”

   I laughed.

   new tanuki class

   Where can I sign up for this MMORPG?

   But seriously, I think this isn’t much different than an older guy wanting to look at pin-ups of the latest young models. Some segments of society will villify him as a “dirty old man”. Others would villify him regardless of his age. And some will be accepting, perhaps tacitly, but understanding that it’s pretty normal and natural.

   Ultimately, looking at anime pictures will provoke essentially the same reactions as real ones, just more so since cartoons are viewed as even more immature or suspect in different parts of society. Add in some ambiguity in determining the age of the portrayed character, and of course people are going to look at you askance.

   I think the perception will probably change for the better over time, but it will still definitely be there.

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10. 

    anonymous_function
    June 4th, 2009 - 10:01

    Wives that let you drool over bishoujos are good.
    Wives that drool with you over bishoujos are better.
    Wives that drool with you over -and cosplay as- bishoujos are the best.

    I myself, will make sure my daughters have Hiyori Tamura as role model.

    Somehow older men are not given the benefit of the doubt (ie honourable motives) when it comes to 2D appreciation.

    What? Teenage boys as less suspicious of “dishonorable” motives? Please…

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11. 

    Di Gi Kazune
    June 4th, 2009 - 13:22

    Your teenage daughter would be very wary of “daddy” as daddy likes girls of her age.

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12. 

    Zyl
    June 4th, 2009 - 15:04

    While I don

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13. 

    Stripey
    June 5th, 2009 - 01:04

    Myssa Rei : Heh, I blame my 11 + 13 hr work day – 11 hours at the office, 13 hours standby at home for calls which I get pretty often even in the dead of the night. Weekends are not spared.

    jinyamato : LOL! She understands my weakness. After all that’s one of the key reasons why she’s my wife. XD Her concern, which is a legitimate one, is how to convey this to our children in a healthy manner.

    suguru: Well said! Although I have may have to keep off Hatsukoi Unlimited type of series when I’m 80 lest Saki-nee with Mamoru kun’s grand daughter give me heart attack. XD

    relentlessflame: Anime fandom needs more folks like you! *Runs off to paste comment on every known 2D forum*

    DKellis: Haha, I hope I just be prying the remote from your stubborn fingers as we fight over watching Nanoha Zs or Gundam 99 XD

    Sixten: I think it’s slightly different when one’s in the trade. For example toy makers or hosts for children’s programs are still very much respected folks if at least for their professionally or contribution to the industry. But for aged otakus who are not relinquishing a passion ‘they’re supposed to grow out of’, certain stereotypes may follow. You’re right in that we need not care too much how we’re perceived but I’d personally be very concerned how my children looks at me.

    Michael | Low on Hit Points: Sadly that may not be true when it comes to dealing with children. I’ve seen many parents give up their passions, good things for the sake of their child. I just hope anime wouldn’t be a casualty in this household. XD

    Steven Den Beste: You, Sir, are an example for us all.

    0rion : Ah a very apt analogy. But somehow when a hot blooded teen drool over a Maxim cover, we mostly accept that as part of adolescence but when a middle age man have his eyes follow a nubile young, he’s possibly a predator. I exaggerate but I think your train of thought hit the nail on the head.

    anonymous_function: Or more accurately, teenage boys are less despised for such behaviour – since it’s what they do. Being hormonal charged apparently has its privileges.

    Di Gi Kazune: The 2D and 3D has an insurmountable gap for this tanuki. Unless her friends looks like Ogura Yuko, chances are I wouldn’t be making that connections. XD

    Zyl : At least not without the plastic covering on it. XD

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14. 

    vexx
    June 6th, 2009 - 04:39

    My knee-jerk reaction is “what? I’m not supposed to think they’re pretty? What the hell?”

    My son’s friends… they’re very pretty. I enjoy having them around (especially since they’re gamers). But really, appreciating fine architecture is light years away from leering or acting on impulse.

    Yes, I have a cute-perky-petite wife who likes a bit of anime and cosplay, so I’m fine.

    Yes, it completely weirds teens out when the mental imagery that their mom and I aren’t “retired” in the nuzzling department. I’ve never understood why anyone would think you’re asexual after 40…. (even when I was a teen I didn’t have that neurosis).

    My wife not unfrequently sees me in that “zone of bliss” when we’re shopping at asian-marts or walking through an asian district like San Francisco’s Grant street. The little girls, the teens, the adult women — are just so mind-melting cute. All the “they must be protected” irrational chemicals are in full play.

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15. 

    Stripey
    June 7th, 2009 - 23:44

    You are a tanuki at heart! Indeed, beauty of all ages can be enjoyed healthily, honourably for all ages.

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16. 

    Clark
    June 10th, 2009 - 10:00

    Indeed, beauty of all ages can be enjoyed healthily, honourably for all ages.

    I’m 15, and I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve only just discovered anime compared to many of you, but I find it to be the “hidden valley” of media. I find that there are two main categories of fans, and types of anime that cater to each: those that are there to watch the action or get off to sexual fantasies with the loli/yaoi characters, and those that go into a series and find the most pure form of escapism, in the ideal of beauty (mentally as well as physically, it’s a well known fact that bishojous can do no intentional wrong, they only sometimes don’t think things through well enough.)

    When I see someone like Chikura, or Nagisa in Clannad: AS, whenever I see them crying I wish I could be there to comfort them and make them happy, to protect them from sadness. There’s absolutely nothing sexual about it, and I think it’s weird that people would find sexuality in such characters. After all, sexuality would destroy their purity that we perceive and that defines them as a perfect bishojou. That’s also why I find myself so disappointed in the first category of fans, because there are people like you guys here who can enjoy this in a unique and conscious way: you guys are the only ones who deserve to appreciate the beauty because you are the ones who can fully see it. After all, the commoners who went to Shakespeare’s plays in the Rennaissance couldn’t have enjoyed it evenly either, some would have looked at it as cheap thrills and murder, and others would have dwelled on the philosophical questions the play presented; but I digress. I intend to live a long and happy life, get married, and share the beauty I see with my spouse if they don’t see it already. (I hope your wife enjoys anime as much as you do.)

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17. 

    Clark
    June 10th, 2009 - 10:09

    For some reason, it won’t let me edit my comment. Anyway, since I realized you never finished Clannad: AS, I would recommend you do so, because the final dozen or fourteen episodes are practically an entirely different show. It becomes blindingly serious before you realize it, and I’ll admit it, although I’ve never felt a thing for anyone in Western media, I cried when Nagisa died. It was a shattered dream in the truest illustration of the concept I’ve ever seen. The first half of AS and the first season pale in comparison, and you are right to get tired of them, precisely because they don’t exhibit what the second half of AS does.

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18. 

    Zyl
    June 10th, 2009 - 10:32

    Clark, I’ve just tested the comment edit function and it works ok. But the edit window expires in 5 minutes. There was a 9 minute lag between your first and second comments. Also if there’s blog server slowness on our end or connection latency at your end, that could be mess things up too.

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19. 

    vexx
    June 13th, 2009 - 06:31

    Here’s a good word to use when discussing the topic: nostalgia… or nostalgic for things that could have been.

    Reading about “first loves” or people initiating into adulthood is, nostalgic for older folks. Its also through a very fanciful filter since these things don’t portray the utter panic many teenagers are having while experiencing them.

    I remember the successes, the failures, and the “could have been” and “what if”. So anime romance (and the cute girls portrayed) are just nostalgic… of course, it helps I married a cute one that has aged remarkably little in appearance.

    Certainly gives me incentive not to let myself fall apart (aieee, back to the gym)

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20. 

    Stripey
    June 14th, 2009 - 22:44

    Clark: I wished I was like you at 15. Loved your thoughts but just want to highlight that sometimes the source (ie Japanese animation/2D material) intentionally infuse sexy into moe-cute for, well, let’s just say economical reasons (read: eroge).

    Zyl: Thanks bro for checking out possible issues!

    vexx: You’re make me look bad! Indeed, I’m looking more and more like my wife’s uncle XD Back to erm… 3 meals a day…..

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21. 

    Clark
    June 11th, 2009 - 01:24

    That was it, I just missed the 5-minute window. My bad.

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