What I've Learned from Anime Writers

I've come to realize I am entirely addicted to anime. I knew it would happen. It was just my love of art and stories combined and once I found a dealer I'd be hooked. Thanks Funimation, now I can have my crack on my computer!

In the early days it was Robotec. Years later it became Hellsing--inspiration for my first fan-fic. Then it was Death-note which spilled into Black Butler. After that I actively started searching for anime and found Physco-Pass and Spice and Wolf.

Dammit!! Now I wait with impatience for new episodes of Black Butler and Physco-Pass and I'm going to start watching Ghost in the Shell--another that has been recommended to me.

Now here's my take on my anime obsession. The art is fucking fantastic. I find it better than Hollywood movies. Also, I don't know about you, but to me, the stories are incredible. Akira taught me these stories have something to say...and not the usual global warming politics. Even Spice and Wolf I'm learning things--things "real life" movies don't seem to have for me. These stories remind me of science fiction writers. Anime has these awesome writers that give you twists that I've not seen in other movies (Matrix--the first one--is the exception) and Disney feels too politically safe for me.

Because I'm a writer I want to improve my craft and anime seems to be one of the places to learn.  I'm not sure why, but Hollywood movies don't do it for me anymore. I don't follow directors or actors--I follow writers *Joss Wheaton* or combinations of writers and actors. Now I'm talking about video--not books.

I have a whole heard of writers I can turn to for awesome stories. Of course, I'm all ears if you have someone to recommend to me in books or video. I love Adam Savage's podcast for just that reason. When he recommends something--I watch it. Gataga--thumbs up! Joe Nobody--thumbs way up! Pi--yes, more please. But they are hard to find and few in between.

So I'm finding it way more convenient to go to Funimation for more and more of my video enjoyment and also writing lessons! Yes, I learn how to write by watching these "cartoons" because the writing in them is what keeps me entertained. I like to break down the scenes in every episode and ask--if I were writing this, where would I go with it? That prompts ideas, character quirks, and I learn from the master's showing me how. I can read a book about craft all day and still not get it. You know the line--show don't tell. Well it's true for me in learning. Don't tell me how to write well, show me. That's what anime does for me.

If you have any recommendations or geek over Alucard, Nobuchika Ginoza or Kraft Lawrence...I'm all ears!

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